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Libby vs LibraryThing for Libraries

Libby logo

Libby

Libraries

Free ebook and audiobook app from OverDrive, gated entirely on an active public library card

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LibraryThing for Libraries logo

LibraryThing for Libraries

Libraries

Enrich your OPAC with social discovery features

From
$500/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Libby has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Libby popular and new titles are frequently unavailable for weeks or months due to holds queues, which makes it unreliable for reading something the day you want to start it.; LibraryThing for Libraries oPAC enhancement only, not a complete library management system
  • They diverge on capability: Libby covers Library card authentication, LibraryThing for Libraries covers Book cover images.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Libby and LibraryThing for Libraries actually diverge.

Attributes where Libby and LibraryThing for Libraries differ
AttributeLibbyLibraryThing for Libraries
Starting priceFree$500/year
Pricing modelFree with a participating library card, no subscriptionsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, Kindle (for ebooks)Web, iOS, Android
FoundedUnknown2005

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Libraries).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Libby

  • Library card authentication
  • Holds queues
  • Multi-library support
  • OverDrive Read and Listen
  • Send to Kindle
  • Tags and shelves

Only in LibraryThing for Libraries

  • Book cover images
  • Similar books recommendations
  • Tag browsing
  • Series information
  • Author biographies
  • User reviews
  • Lexile measures
  • Awards information

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Libby

  • A reader who wants free access to bestsellers and is willing to wait weeks in a holds queue for popular new releasesnot LibraryThing for Libraries
  • Someone who holds cards for multiple library systems and wants to widen their available catalogue in one appnot LibraryThing for Libraries
  • A reader who wants ebooks sent directly to a Kindle without buying themnot LibraryThing for Libraries
  • A budget-conscious reader who already pays library taxes and wants to use the benefit fully instead of also paying for Everand or Storytelnot LibraryThing for Libraries

LibraryThing for Libraries

  • OPAC enhancementnot Libby
  • Reader advisorynot Libby
  • Catalog enrichmentnot Libby
  • Discovery improvementnot Libby

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Libby

  • Popular and new titles are frequently unavailable for weeks or months due to holds queues, which makes it unreliable for reading something the day you want to start it.
  • Borrow and hold limits are set per library, so the experience is inconsistent between library systems and can change without notice.
  • Not every library subscribes to OverDrive, and even those that do vary hugely in how many digital copies of any given title they can afford to licence.
  • It requires a real library card tied to residency or another eligibility rule in most systems, so it is not available to everyone regardless of willingness to pay.
  • There is no offline bulk downloading beyond what is borrowed, and loan periods expire automatically, returning the book whether or not you finished it.

LibraryThing for Libraries

  • OPAC enhancement only, not a complete library management system

Pricing, plan by plan

Libby

Free
  • LibbyFree
    • Free with an eligible library card
    • Borrow limits set by your library, not Libby
    • Holds queues on licensed copies

LibraryThing for Libraries

$500/year
  • Small Library$500/year
    • Book covers
    • Similar books
    • Tag browsing
  • Medium Library$1200/year
    • Everything in Small
    • Lexile measures
    • Author information
  • Large Library$2500/year
    • Everything in Medium
    • Stack maps
    • Custom widgets

Which should you pick?

Choose Libby if

  • You need library card authentication.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Kindle (for ebooks).
  • You also want holds queues.
Libby review

Choose LibraryThing for Libraries if

  • You need book cover images.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want similar books recommendations.
LibraryThing for Libraries review

Questions people ask

Is Libby or LibraryThing for Libraries better?
Neither clearly leads. Libby starts at Free and LibraryThing for Libraries at $500/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Libby or LibraryThing for Libraries?
Libby has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Libby and $500/year for LibraryThing for Libraries.
Does Libby or LibraryThing for Libraries run on more platforms?
Libby runs on iOS, Android, Web, Kindle (for ebooks). LibraryThing for Libraries runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Libby for free?
Yes. Libby has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LibraryThing for Libraries starts at $500/year.
What is Libby best used for?
Libby is most often used for a reader who wants free access to bestsellers and is willing to wait weeks in a holds queue for popular new releases, someone who holds cards for multiple library systems and wants to widen their available catalogue in one app, a reader who wants ebooks sent directly to a kindle without buying them, a budget-conscious reader who already pays library taxes and wants to use the benefit fully instead of also paying for everand or storytel. Of those, a reader who wants free access to bestsellers and is willing to wait weeks in a holds queue for popular new releases and someone who holds cards for multiple library systems and wants to widen their available catalogue in one app are not what LibraryThing for Libraries is typically brought in for.
What can Libby do that LibraryThing for Libraries cannot?
Libby covers Library card authentication, Holds queues, Multi-library support, OverDrive Read and Listen. LibraryThing for Libraries covers Book cover images, Similar books recommendations, Tag browsing, Series information.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Libby: Do I pay for Libby?

No, it is free, but you need an active card from a library that uses the OverDrive/Libby system.

LibraryThing for Libraries: What does LibraryThing for Libraries add to an existing OPAC?

LibraryThing for Libraries enriches OPAC displays with tags, book reviews, ratings, series data, awards information, shelf browsing, similar books recommendations, and QR codes from over 153 million books.

Source
Libby: Why is the book I want unavailable?

Libraries licence a limited number of digital copies, so popular titles go into a holds queue just like physical books.

LibraryThing for Libraries: How many tags does LibraryThing provide?

LibraryThing provides access to over 169 million library-vetted tags across 153 million books, enabling browse-based discovery beyond traditional keyword search.

Source
Libby: Can I use Libby without a library card?

No, a valid card and PIN from a participating library are required for every feature.

LibraryThing for Libraries: Does LibraryThing offer mobile access?

Yes, Library Anywhere provides mobile web catalog access and native apps for iPhone and Android phones without installation or maintenance required.

Source
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