There’s no denying that technology has penetrated different aspects of our lives including how we read books! We are no longer in the era of library shelves or dog-eared pages.
And as much as we miss that feeling of flipping through book pages to savor our favorite characters, we can’t deny how freeing it is to have digital libraries. Now, we can access any book we want from anywhere with just a few taps on our computers or smartphones.
Though there are different digital reading platforms, Libby and Hoopla have taken the front seat in terms of providing an immersive and conducive way to devour our favorite books or stories.
The two platforms provide the same services but it’s also natural to want to know what sets them apart. What features are present in one but absent in the other?
In this article, I will walk you through both platforms, explaining their features, how they work, and how they are different from each other.
Whether you’re a casual or devoted reader, this analysis will help you make an informed decision about which reading platform to choose.
Without much ado, let’s dive right in!
Libby Vs Hoopla – Introduction
What is Libby?
Libby is a popular digital library reading app developed and launched by OverDrive. The platform has one goal and that is to provide a seamless process for booklovers to borrow and read eBooks and listen to audiobooks.
So, it hosts a wide range of different genres of eBooks and audiobooks. Users are required to download the app either from Play Store or Apple before they can access the books.
Interestingly, Libby only works with public libraries using OverDrive. This allows users to integrate the app with these libraries and then borrow any book of their choice on their smartphones or tablets using their library cards.
The platform is available in 78 countries around the world with millions of users. Also, Libby can be accessed by people from diverse technological backgrounds and ages because of its simple, intuitive, and visually appealing interface.
Additionally, the platform supports different eBook versions such as PDF and EPUB. This is to ensure that all digital books are compatible with many devices.
It also allows users to customize their reading settings including the font sizes, book layout, and lighting. Overall, the platform has exhaustive features that will elevate your reading experience.
What is Hoopla?
Hoopla is a digital reading platform developed by Midwest Tape to put your public library at your fingertips. Users are not only limited to eBooks and audiobooks, they can also borrow and enjoy their favorite comics, magazines, movies, TV, and even music.
It’s also interesting how this content can be accessed from anywhere as long as there’s a screen – whether it’s your computer, smartphone, tablet, car, or even TV.
The app can be downloaded from either Playstore, Appstore, or Amazon Appstore. All you need to access the content is your library card.
Users can download and enjoy any title of their choice and they are all free. The “Instant Borrowing” feature on the platform allows multiple users to access and borrow the same content at the same time.
Hence, there are no waitlists. Users can choose any title of their choice no matter the level of demand. The platform also has a user-friendly interface which allows for a seamless browsing experience.
You’ll get title recommendations based on your browsing history and book preferences. Users can even create playlists with their favorite content and enjoy them whenever they want.
Overall, Hoopla is such an immersive digital reading platform with millions of users all around the world.
Libby vs Hoopla – Features
Features of Libby
1. Integrates with the local library system
Libby is built to seamlessly integrate with any local library using OneDrive. Once integrated, and you have downloaded the app, users can access and borrow from the wide array of eBooks and audiobooks available on the platform.
2. Free to use
The platform is also free to use. The app is free to download from either Play Store or Apple Store. And you don’t have to pay any subscription fee. You only need a valid library card from your local library to access the books.
3. Intuitive interface
Libby has a user-friendly interface making it easy for users to navigate and find the books they want. And if you need more clarification, you can always watch the guide video on the website to see how the platform works.
Also, you can easily browse, search, and find any title you want. The platform carefully arranged all the eBooks and audiobooks in sections and genres.
So you can type the title of the book you’re looking for and it pops out if it is available.
4. Syncs across all devices
Because Libby syncs your reading progress across your devices, you can easily pick up from anywhere you left on another device.
5. Get personalized recommendations
Libby is also known for suggesting eBooks and audiobooks based on the books you have read in the past. This way, you’re sure to find new books that you might enjoy.
6.Audiobook player
Aside from reading your favorite eBooks, you can also listen to the audio version from your phone or in your car even as you’re driving. You can listen to the books when, where, and however you want.
You can skip either backward or forward or even increase or reduce the reading speed.
7. Customize reading experience
Users can easily customize how they read. They can adjust the book font, layout, and even switch between light and dark themes. Additionally, they can add bookmarks, highlight texts, and create notes as they are reading.
8. Free reading stats
Libby is also known for providing reading statistics for all users. That way, you can track and see how many books you have read, including the time spent.
9. Download for offline access
Users can download eBooks and audiobooks for offline reading. This feature is useful if you’re heading to a place without internet, like an airplane. You can download and save books to read during your flight.
10. Kindle reading
For readers who prefer reading on their Kindle, you can send your chosen books to Kindle. However, this feature is only functional in libraries in the United States.
11. Sample books
Before borrowing any book on Libby, you’re free to check out the first few pages of the book to have a sense of the story and the writer’s style. This option will come in handy if you’re not sure about a book.
Features of Hoopla
1. Diverse content
Hoopla is exceptional for hosting different kinds of content from audiobooks, eBooks, comics, magazines, music, movies, and even TV. You only need a library card to have the titles sync across all your devices and you can access them whenever and from wherever you want.
2. Instant access to books
There are no waitlists or holds on Hoopla even for the most popular content. All the titles are instantly available for borrowing and reading right away.
3. It is free
Hoopla is a free platform. You only need to download and install the app from either Google Play Store, Apple Store, or Amazon App Store. As long you have a card from any public library, you can access the contents on the platform.
4. Supports a wide range of devices
Hoopla works on almost all smart devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even streaming devices such as Roku, Chromecast, and Apple TV. This means users can enjoy content from any device of their choice.
5. Download for offline access
Aside from borrowing and streaming in real-time, the platform also enables users to download and save titles on their devices for later viewing. Hence, if you want to enjoy your favorite book or movie without an internet connection such as during flights, this feature comes in handy.
6. Kids Mode
This is another beautiful feature of Hoopla – it’s not just meant for adult content but also hosts a wide variety of kid content. Kids Mode ensures that users filter and find content for younger audiences.
7. Integration with public libraries
Hoopla is also known for working side by side with public libraries, allowing users to access the platform’s content with their library card.
8. Useful for both public libraries and content providers
Hoopla isn’t just meant for individual readers. Libraries and content providers can also join the platform.
As a content provider, you can share and upload your titles with your audience.
9. Customized title recommendation
The platform brings your favorite titles to your doorstep. It takes cues from your reading history and suggests books or movies that align with your interests.
10. Intuitive interface
As you can see, Hoopla caters to audiences of all ages – from adults to kids. Thanks to its user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to browse, and find their favorite titles.
The process is straightforward allowing for an enjoyable user experience.
Libby vs Hoopla – Availability
Libby
Generally, Libby is only available in public libraries using OverDrive. And more than 90% of the libraries in North America have OverDrive which is a lot.
Aside from that, Libby is available in more than 75 countries around the world. Some of the countries include the United States, Egypt, Canada, Brazil, Russia, China, India, and Mexico.
And you don’t necessarily need to be in these countries to access your Libby account. As long as you have a valid library card from a public library located in any of these countries, you can log in anytime from wherever you are in the world.
Hoopla
Because Hoopla is a separate platform built by Midwest Tape, the platform is only available in limited regions or countries.
First, Hoopla only partners with public libraries in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to provide digital access to audiobooks, eBooks, music, movies, magazines, and TV.
This means that if you’re not in any of these countries, you can’t access the platform. Unfortunately, Hoopla has limited availability when compared to Libby which is available in more than 75 countries around the world.
It only partners with public libraries in these four countries and as long as you have a valid library card, you can browse, borrow, stream, and download any title of your choice from the platform.
Libby Vs Hoopla – Different kinds of content
Libby
Libby as a digital reading platform is majorly focused on eBooks and audiobooks. It’s only recently that the platform included eMagazines.
However, there are more than 200,000 books in the digital library. The books are arranged under different categories and genres including non-fiction, romance, mystery, fantasy, or historical fiction.
The eBooks also come in different formats such as PDF and EPUB, allowing for easy access from any device. There are also thousands of audiobooks that you can either stream online or download for later listening.
Overall, Libby’s content collection is heavily reliant on the titles available in the public libraries it has partnered with. This means that the books in the platform depend on the content in the user’s library.
Hoopla
Hoopla on the other hand has more content variations than Libby. The platform does not only offer eBooks and audiobooks but also hosts movies, TV, comics, eMagazines, and even music.
This feature opens up the platform to more users. Even if you’re not a book lover, there are other kinds of content for you to consume.
Additionally, Hoopla has a standalone content collection. That is to say, the platform curates and provides its titles and does not rely on the collection of the public library integrated with it.
Also because content providers can sign up on the platform and share their titles. All these are to ensure that Hoopla is limitless when it comes to its content collection.
Libby vs Hoopla – Borrowing Style
Libby
There’s not much difference between Libby and your traditional library. The only difference is that Libby is a digital platform. So, rather than visiting your public library to borrow books, you can do it from your smart device.
Other than that, Libby embodies other characteristics of a traditional library, especially with the borrowing style or model. Here, users are to borrow books for a specific period which is set by the library.
When you’re done reading, hopefully before the allocated time is over, the book will be returned. But if the loan duration elapses and even if you’re done reading the book, it will be returned automatically.
Hoopla
Hoopla on the other hand has a different borrowing style which is called the “Instant access model.” Here, libraries don’t specify the borrowing duration of any title, users can access the platform and get any content of their choice without limitations.
There are no waitlists or holds, meaning that all the content on the platform is available for immediate borrowing, streaming, or download.
However, Hoopla usually places a limit on the number of items that users can borrow monthly. This limit is placed by your local library which means you can only get a certain number of titles from the library each month.
You can carefully avoid this limitation though. So, if you notice that a particular library has a borrowing limit for each month, try other libraries.
Libby vs Hoopla – Pros and Cons
Libby
Pros:
- Is easily integrated with public libraries using OneDrive
- Has an intuitive interface
- Recommends books and audiobooks based on reading history
- Supports eBooks and audiobooks
- Users can download titles and read offline
- Is free to use
- Offers reading statistics
Cons
- Content depends on library collections
- Limited borrowing periods
- Offers limited content variations
Pros and Cons of Hoopla
Pros
- Hosts different kinds of content including eBooks, movies, TV, music, and comics
- Users can access titles without waitlists or holds
- Kids Mode to accommodate children
- Supports different devices
- Users can download and access content offline
- Recommends titles based on user reading history
- Does not rely on library partnerships for content
Cons
- Available in limited locations
- Possible limitation on the number of items to borrow in a month
- Title collections are dependent on the platform’s curated offerings
Libby vs Hoopla – Similarities and Differences
| Libby | Hoopla | |
| Content diversity | No | Yes |
| Traditional borrowing model | Yes | No |
| Kid’s Mode | No | Yes |
| Free to access | Yes | Yes |
| Availability in more countries | Yes | No |
| Customized title recommendation | Yes | Yes |
| Intuitive interface | Yes | Yes |
| Content Collection | Relies on content available in partner libraries | Relies on content curated by the platform |
Libby vs Hoopla – Final Verdict
Both Libby and Hoopla are incredible digital reading platforms. Each has its remarkable features which sets it apart from the other.
While Libby takes the front role in helping users connect, read, and listen to their favorite books within their local libraries, Hoopla is a standalone platform and offers a wide range of content beyond eBooks and audiobooks.
Maybe you prefer Libby’s public library integration or Hoopla’s vast content collection, but one thing is clear – both platforms have greatly transformed how we read books digitally.
Both are also free to use and have a user-friendly interface for users to easily navigate and discover any book of their choice.
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