Unsure about the pros and cons of Libby? Find out what you need to know about the library app and the best alternative audiobook service.

What are the pros and cons of Libby?

Being constantly on the lookout for new e-books and audiobooks can be time-consuming, especially when you don’t have the best sites and apps to keep you updated.

To avoid missing out on a literary gem, many book lovers look to Libby by Overdrive to satisfy their need for new content.

What is Libby?

Libby is an interesting audiobook and e-book service. Unlike most apps like Amazon Audible, Kindle, Hoopla, Scribd, and others, Libby lets you rent books for free.

The service connects with various libraries and allows users to stream the titles they want on their mobile devices. Naturally, it also supports offline listening.

One of the most exciting things about Libby is that the app is free to use. However, that doesn’t mean the library app gives you access to all the new releases you want without paying.

To use Libby, you must have a valid library card. In some cases, however, the library card might not be free. So while the Libby service is free to use, you can’t benefit from it unless you have a card that grants access to the library system.

Still, the user-friendly user interface and access to many exciting digital books, audiobooks, and bestsellers are nice perks. Students can probably benefit from Libby the most, as few adults are library card carriers.

Libby - The pros

Here are some of the benefits that make users join the Libby app and stick with it.

A great user interface

The user-friendly UI is one of the first things that hook new Libby users. The library app allows you to control the playback speed and quickly find the content you want.

Get books with your library card

Traditionally, you would have to go to your local library to use your library card. But Libby lets you rent the titles you want from the comfort of your own home.

Easy navigation

Libby offers an efficient search function and sorts its books and audiobooks by categories. Both of which make it easy to find what you want without wasting time.

Plenty of choices

Libby offers a ton of content. It has everything your local library might have, from non-fiction to educational materials to popular books.

Some titles are also available in an audiobook format, and you may even find magazines and other written digital content.

It’s great for students

The digital book availability can help many students access study materials quicker. In addition, the ease of use and overall affordability can help Libby spark new reading enthusiasm in students.

Libby - The cons

Despite its many benefits, Libby isn’t perfect and won’t likely replace services like Goodreads, Scribd, Audible, Speechify, and others. Here are a few reasons why.

Limited desktop support

Not everyone stays glued to their iPhone, iPad, or Android mobile device. Some users still prefer using laptops and desktop computers. Unfortunately, this is one area where Libby lacks support, with mobile users getting more perks and accessibility.

You can only get books that are in your public library

Although you can access many bestsellers and cool titles through Libby, there are limits to what you can find. It all depends on what your public library has in stock.

There are no Libby exclusives

Libby doesn’t have exclusive e-book or audiobook content. Other similar library apps may offer more incentives with original content and titles not found in public libraries.

You may have to wait weeks for new titles

Libraries aren’t the first places where new releases show up. If you want to read a new novel, you may have to contend with long wait times.

Furthermore, like any library, some books are on waiting lists. If someone loans a title, you will have to wait for them to return it before you can read it.

Try Speechify Audiobooks to get new and best-selling audiobooks

Loaning books on Libby costs nothing if you’re already a library card holder. However, owning books and audiobooks is much better if you’re an avid reader. You’re not pressed for time to finish stories, and you can revisit them whenever you want.

If that’s more up to your alley, Speechify Audiobooks could be the ideal service. Speechify offers over 70,000 titles comprised of bestsellers, classics, and tons of educational materials.

You can find personal development audiobooks, fantasy series, and even free titles. You can buy any audiobook immediately, own, and listen to it at a pace that suits you in the Speechify app. You can even use the sleep timer or bookmark features to pick up where you left off when listening to audiobooks at night.

Moreover, the service works on iOS, Microsoft, and Android platforms. It doesn’t matter if you’re an Apple user, prefer laptops, etc. Speechify supports most platforms and is available in the App Store and Google Play Store.

Even better, you can get your first audiobook free when you join Speechify Audiobooks.

FAQ

Is Libby worth it?

Libby is worth using if you’re already a library card owner. Getting a library card for the sake of using Libby might not be worth the cost of the card. Many other subscription services offer better apps than Libby and don’t restrict content based on the user’s location.

How many books a month can you borrow on Libby?

Libby lets users loan e-books, magazines, and audiobooks for up to three weeks. And each user can take up to 10 of each simultaneously to read, listen to, and enjoy at their own pace.

What is the difference between Libby and OverDrive?

Overdrive and Libby are two different apps. However, users won’t have ongoing support for Overdrive in 2023. Therefore, regardless of differences, you will need to use Libby to access audiobooks and e-books.

What kind of books can you borrow from Libby?

Libby offers any book or audiobook that you can find in your public library. Therefore, its selection can vary wildly depending on where you live.