LibraryThing vs Libib
Updated onCompare LibraryThing and Libib side-by-side. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and target market.
LibraryThing
LibraryThing is an online social cataloging service for individuals and organizations to catalog, track, rate, review, and share books and other media.
Starts at $0
vs
Libib
Libib is a cloud-based library cataloging and management service for books, board games, movies, music, and video games, offering free and paid plans for individuals and organizations.
Starts at $0
Which should you choose?
LibraryThing
You need an out‑of‑the‑box small‑library ILS with built‑in circulation, patron management, self‑checkout kiosk, and SSO/API options, especially if you may grow beyond 20,000 items.
Libib
You want a free, social catalog for personal collections (community, reviews, recommendations) or plan to add TinyCat for a low‑cost public catalog and circulation.
Typical cost comparison
Scenario: Staff‑run small library with 5,000 items needing circulation, billed monthly.
LibraryThing
$9 per month
Libib
$25 per month
LibraryThing saves you $16 per month in this scenario.
Key differences
| Category | LibraryThing | Libib | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | For individuals both are free; for staff‑run small libraries Libib Pro is typically cheaper ($9/month) than TinyCat’s Paid Staff tier at similar item counts, while volunteer‑run libraries may find TinyCat cheaper. | ||
| Integrations | LibraryThing offers OPAC add‑ons and mobile OPAC solutions (e.g., LibraryThing for Libraries and Library Anywhere), while Libib focuses on organizational SSO and a REST API for account and patron management. | ||
| Library Operations | Libib bundles circulation, patron management, barcode/kiosk tools, and cataloging aids (e.g., DDC/LCC/LCCN and Lexile search) directly, whereas LibraryThing requires TinyCat to add circulation. | ||
| Scalability | Libib Pro supports catalogs up to 100,000 items per account, whereas TinyCat is intended for libraries with 20,000 items or fewer (LibraryThing itself has no personal catalog limit). | ||
| Social & Discovery | LibraryThing emphasizes community features—groups, reviews, recommendations, reading stats, and Early Reviewers giveaways—geared to book lovers. |
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