In 2024, readers borrowed over 739.5 million ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines through OverDrive’s global library network—up 17% year over year. That’s not a niche hobby anymore; that’s a mainstream way to read without paying retail every time. [1]

If you’re tracking your spending (or just tired of “one more subscription”), library apps are one of the cleanest wins: you borrow, you listen/read, the book returns itself, and your budget stays intact.

How library apps save you money (and why waitlists happen)

Library apps connect to your public library account, then let you borrow digital copies of ebooks and audiobooks—usually with automatic returns at the end of the loan. In Libby’s own words:

“There are no subscription costs, no in-app purchases, and no late fees.” [3]

The one thing that surprises people: you can still have to wait. That’s because many digital collections follow a “one copy/one user” style model—your library has to “own” a limited number of licenses, so if all copies are checked out, you place a hold and wait your turn. [7]

What you typically do in any library app

  • Add your library (search by name/city).
  • Sign in with your card number (sometimes a PIN).
  • Borrow now (if available) or place a hold (if not).
  • Download for offline reading/listening, then return early if you finish.

The 5 library apps I’d actually use to cut costs

Below are five apps that solve slightly different problems—instant access, better audiobook players, UK-friendly options, or “one app for many collections.”

1) Libby (by OverDrive)

Libby is the “default” library app in a lot of places for ebooks + audiobooks. In my own use, setup is fast: add library → sign in → browse/borrow, with a solid reader and audiobook player. Libby also supports offline downloads and features like sending library ebooks to Kindle (U.S. libraries only). [3]

Pros

  • Clean, modern reading + listening experience; easy holds and notifications. [3]
  • Works with many libraries (OverDrive says over 90% of public libraries in North America use OverDrive, and Libby is available in many countries). [3]
  • Offline downloads; car listening support (CarPlay/Android Auto) depending on device. [3]

Cons

  • Popular titles can have long waits (depends on what your library can afford).
  • Kindle sending is U.S.-only and format-dependent. [3]

2) hoopla

hoopla is the “I want it now” option at many libraries: lots of systems offer instant borrowing with no hold lists for many titles, and items return automatically. [4] In my experience, this is great for spontaneous family listening (road trips) or grabbing something tonight.

Pros

  • Strong “instant access” vibe—great when you don’t want to wait. [4]
  • Auto-returns (no overdue stress). [4]
  • Often includes audiobooks plus other media (useful if your library supports it). [4]

Cons

  • Monthly limits are common (your library sets them). [4]
  • Some libraries now use daily spending caps or reduce limits because hoopla is typically pay-per-checkout for the library—costs reported around $1.99–$3.99 per item in one library example. [5]

3) BorrowBox

BorrowBox is a big deal with many UK (and other) library services. When I ran through the flow, it felt straightforward: pick your library service, log in, then borrow ebooks/eAudiobooks with a clean, library-first interface. Many councils describe no overdue fines with loans that expire automatically. [6]

Pros

  • Commonly offered through public libraries (especially across UK councils). [6]
  • Simple renew/return-early/reserve features; auto-expiring loans. [6]
  • Works across phone/tablet, and often supports desktop workflows too. [6]

Cons

  • Loan limits and catalog size depend heavily on your specific library. [6]
  • Device support can be a little less “plug-and-play” outside phones/tablets (varies by library setup). [6]

4) cloudLibrary

cloudLibrary is another library-backed option for ebooks and audiobooks. In my test run, the core experience is what you want: browse → borrow → read/listen, plus holds and renewals depending on availability. cloudLibrary’s own help pages also explain the reality behind waitlists: libraries buy copies and can be required to follow a limited-user model. [7]

Pros

  • Solid borrowing basics for ebooks + audiobooks (when your library offers it). [7][8]
  • Built-in holds/renewals/filters and account management. [7][8]
  • Good option if your library doesn’t use Libby/OverDrive.

Cons

  • Waits happen for the same reason as anywhere: limited licensed copies. [7]
  • Features can vary depending on what your library subscribes to. [8]

5) The Palace Project

Palace is interesting because it’s designed to pull multiple library ebook/audiobook collections into one app (depending on what your library connects). In my use, it feels like a “front door” to several shelves—plus it can include a built-in free bookshelf of open-access/public-domain titles even if your library isn’t on Palace yet. [9]

Pros

  • One app can surface multiple connected library collections (library-dependent). [9][10]
  • Built-in free “bookshelf” option for open-access/public-domain reading. [9]
  • The broader Palace marketplace positions itself as library-centered, with a large catalog available to libraries. [10]

Cons

  • Not every library supports Palace yet, so mileage varies by location. [9]
  • If you use an e-ink eReader ecosystem, check compatibility expectations first (often phone/tablet-focused). [9]

Quick savings math (with real numbers)

Here’s why this matters if you’re cost-watching:

  • Audible lists the average retail price of an audiobook as $33, and its membership at $14.95/month. [2]
    If you’d otherwise buy 2 audiobooks/month at retail, that’s about $66/month (~$792/year). With library apps, your cost can be $0 (availability permitting).
  • The subscription route adds up too: $14.95/month ≈ $179.40/year if you keep it year-round. [2]

Libraries don’t make money on this, by the way—they often pay steep institutional prices. One industry analysis found average library prices of $54.62 per ebook and $73.49 per e-audiobook (Dec 2023 data), highlighting how much of your “savings” is really your library subsidizing access. [11]

Trends to know right now (so you’re not surprised)

  • Digital borrowing keeps hitting records, which is great for access but can mean longer hold queues on bestsellers. [1]
  • Library budgets are shaping app rules. Some systems cap hoopla access or add daily limits because costs rise with every checkout. [5]
  • Digital licensing keeps changing. Library groups have reported publisher price increases and time-limited licenses for some collections, which can affect availability and wait times. [12]

Conclusion

If you want to spend less on books and audiobooks without giving up the habit, library apps are a practical, low-friction tool: borrow instead of buy, download instead of subscribe, and let auto-returns do the stress-free part. The best setup is usually one “main” app (often Libby) plus a second one for instant-access gaps (like hoopla), depending on what your library supports.

References

  1. OverDrive. Libraries Break Digital Lending Records in 2024 with Over 739 million Checkouts (Jan 27, 2025). https://company.overdrive.com/2025/01/27/libraries-break-digital-lending-records-in-2024-with-over-739-million-checkouts/
  2. Audible. Membership Plans & Pricing (Member Benefits). https://www.audible.com/ep/memberbenefits
  3. OverDrive. Libby App: Free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/
  4. Addison Public Library. Movies, music, eBooks, and more: Get it on Hoopla! https://www.addisonlibrary.org/news/movies-music-ebooks-and-more-get-it-hoopla
  5. Worcester County Library. Service changes to Hoopla, effective April 1 (Mar 27, 2025). https://worcesterlibrary.org/article/service-changes-hoopla-effective-april-1
  6. Bolton Council. eBooks, eAudiobooks, eNewspapers and eMagazines (BorrowBox). https://www.bolton.gov.uk/libraries/ebooks-eaudiobooks-emagazines
  7. cloudLibrary. Support (FAQ: one copy/one user model, holds, renewals). https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/en/support.html
  8. Apple App Store. cloudLibrary (OCLC) app listing. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cloudlibrary/id466446054
  9. Apple App Store. The Palace Project app listing. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-palace-project/id1574359693
  10. The Palace Project. Palace Platform / Palace App. https://thepalaceproject.org/platform/
  11. InfoToday (Computers in Libraries). Sue Polanka Coffman. Untangling the Real Cost of Ebooks to Libraries (May 2025). https://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/may25/Coffman--Untangling-the-Real-Cost-of-Ebooks-to-Libraries.shtml
  12. ALA Connect (Core eBooks Interest Group). Price increases from three of the Big 5 (Aug 23, 2024). https://connect.ala.org/core/discussion/price-increases-from-three-of-the-big-5