Libby
Free ebooks and audiobooks borrowed from your public library
- #5 of 10 in best ebook reader apps
- Free
- Free to use
- iOSAndroidWeb
Ranked 5 of 10 in best ebook reader apps
The OverDrive app that borrows ebooks and audiobooks from a public library for free, on iPhone, Android and the web. Access depends on your library card, and titles are on loan, unlike Kindle or Apple Books purchases.
Best for Free ebooks and audiobooks from a public library
About Libby
Libby borrows titles from a user's local library. Ebooks and audiobooks can be downloaded to the device, and ebooks can be sent to a Kindle. Audiobooks play in the car through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Access depends on a participating library card, and the app lends titles rather than selling them. It fits readers who want a free ebook source. For titles a reader wants to own, Kindle and Apple Books sell books directly, and both are in this list.
Key features
- Ebook and audiobook borrowing
- Send to Kindle
- CarPlay and Android Auto audiobooks
- Download for offline reading
Strengths
- Free with a library card
- Works on iPhone, Android and the web
Limits
- Access depends on your local library's catalog
Where Libby ranks
How Libby compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | Phone app |
|---|---|---|---|---|
#3 Readest | 86.5 | Free and open source | macOSWindowsLinuxAndroidiOSWeb | Yes |
#4 KOReader | 85.0 | Free and open source | AndroidLinux | Yes |
| #5Libby | 84.5 | Free | iOSAndroidWeb | Yes |
#6 calibre | 83.0 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinux | No |
#7 Thorium Reader | 80.0 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinux | No |
The full comparison table for best ebook reader apps has all 10 products.
Alternatives to Libby
All 9 alternatives
Questions about Libby
- Is Libby free?
- Libby can be used without paying: Free with a library card from a participating library. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Libby open source?
- No. Libby is proprietary software; its source code is not public.
- Which platforms does Libby support?
- Libby is available on: iOS, Android, Web.
- What is Libby best for?
- Free ebooks and audiobooks from a public library. In our ranking of ebook reader apps it is number 5 of 10 with a score of 84.5.
- What are the best alternatives to Libby?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Kindle, Apple Books, Readest, KOReader.
Show this ranking on your site
If you make or maintain Libby, this badge links back to this page and shows its current rank. It updates when the ranking does.
<a href="https://listme.name/software/libby"><img src="https://listme.name/badge/libby.svg" height="28" alt="Ranked #5 of 10 ebook reader apps on listme.name"></a>Articles that mention Libby
All articles- Guides · 6 min readBest apps for students, organized by study taskPick study apps by task: notes, flashcards, tutoring, mind maps, writing, deadlines and reading. Includes the free plan limits that matter for each one.
- Guides · 3 min readHow to choose an ebook reader app: store, formats, devicesChoose an ebook reader app by book source, file formats and devices. Compare Kindle, Apple Books, Readest, KOReader, Libby and calibre for your reading habits.
