Libby

Libby is a free app for borrowing digital books and magazines through a local library. It suits readers who already have a library card and want to read or listen across mobile and web. Its appeal is straightforward: access costs nothing, but the library’s rules and collection determine what you can borrow.

Overview

Instead of selling titles, Libby connects readers with a library catalog. Find a library, sign in with its card, then browse the guides, subjects, featured titles and curated lists that library has chosen. Card requirements vary by library, and so does the selection; Libby is only as useful as the access and catalog your library provides.

For a library borrower, that trade-off is often worthwhile: there is no app subscription to weigh against the cost of books. For someone without an eligible card, or looking for a particular title that their library does not carry, Libby is not a dependable substitute for a paid audiobook or ebook service.

Key features

Reading and magazines

Most books offer controls for font size, layout and lighting, along with bookmarks, notes and highlights. These adjustments make borrowed reading more flexible, though the controls are not promised for every book. Magazines include an article mode, a useful alternative to reading each issue only in its original layout.

Audiobooks and offline access

The player supports speed up to 3x and includes a sleep timer, giving listeners practical control over pacing and bedtime playback. Ebooks and audiobooks can be downloaded for offline use or streamed to conserve device space. That makes Libby workable for reading or listening without a continuous connection, provided the title has first been borrowed.

Device support and privacy

Libby supports ebook reading on Kobo and can send library books to Kindle, but Kindle delivery is limited to U.S. libraries. Audiobooks can play through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive or Bluetooth, which extends listening beyond the phone screen.

OverDrive says it does not sell personally identifiable information or use or disclose it for third-party advertising. Libby stores reading activity, including progress, bookmarks, highlights and notes, to provide the service and sync it across devices. It says data is encrypted at rest and in transit, and describes additional safeguards including a dedicated security team, a server firewall and independent security audits.

Pricing

Libby — free. The free app includes access to library borrowing; there is no free trial because the app itself is free. Borrowing requires a library card, and availability depends on the library’s collection. The lower price does not buy access to a broader, universal catalog: a library’s card guidelines and available titles remain the key limits.

Libby is a strong fit for readers whose library offers the titles they want. Readers who need a particular audiobook on demand, or cannot use a participating library card, should consider a paid catalog instead.

Platforms

Libby is available on Android, iOS and the web. Kobo ebook reading, Kindle delivery for U.S. libraries, and the listed car and Bluetooth playback options provide additional ways to use borrowed titles.

Who it's for

Choose Libby if you have a local library card and value free borrowing, adjustable reading tools, offline downloads or audiobook playback controls. It is also suitable across age groups. Look elsewhere if library eligibility or collection limits get in the way of finding the books you want.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Borrowing through the app costs nothing, making it a practical first stop for cardholders before buying digital titles.
• Pro: Downloads, audiobook speed controls and a sleep timer support offline and more tailored listening.
• Pro: Most books include display adjustments and note-taking tools, while magazines offer article mode.
• Con: A library card is required, and card rules differ by library, so not every reader can use the service on equal terms.
• Con: Borrowable titles depend on the library’s collection, limiting Libby as a source for readers seeking a specific catalog.
• Con: Kindle delivery is restricted to U.S. libraries, narrowing that option for other readers.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison of listening services, browse Audiobook Apps.

• Hoopla is another free option for readers with a valid card from a participating public library and an email address; its available titles may vary by library catalog.
• Libro.fm suits listeners considering a paid monthly audiobook-credit plan, with one credit per month, 30% off additional audiobooks and member-exclusive sales.
• Audible is a paid alternative with a 30-day trial followed by its Standard plan at $8.99 a month, including one audiobook per month from its collection.
• Kobo Books offers a 14-day trial before Kobo Plus Listen at $7.99 a month, plus applicable taxes, for audiobooks included in Kobo Plus.
• Bookmate offers a seven-day Premium trial covering books, comics, audiobooks and podcasts, with offline use and the ability to upload books.
• AudiobooksNow is a paid option with a 30-day trial and a 4.99 USD monthly club plan that discounts eligible audiobook purchases.
• BorrowBox is another free library-borrowing app.
• Audiobookshelf is a free, self-hosted audiobook and podcast server, suited to people looking to run their own collection rather than borrow from a library.

Verdict

Libby is an easy recommendation for readers with a library card whose collection matches their interests: free borrowing comes with useful reading controls, flexible audiobook playback and offline access. The main reason to look elsewhere is the same model that makes it free—your access depends on a library’s card rules and catalog, and Kindle delivery is limited to U.S. libraries.