Hoopla

Hoopla is a library-linked service for borrowing digital books, audiobooks, comics, films, television, magazines, and music. It suits patrons who want several media formats, streaming and downloads without a subscription bill. The catch is eligibility: you need a card from a participating public library, and that library determines much of the catalog.

Overview

Hoopla works as an extension of a public library rather than as a standalone storefront. Patron access costs nothing, but requires a valid card from a participating library and an email address. Once signed in, users borrow titles from their library’s collection. Catalogs differ between libraries, so the service is strongest for people whose local system participates and carries the material they want.

Hoopla says instant titles can be borrowed without artificial availability constraints. That removes a common waiting-list frustration, although lending periods still vary by format and provider agreement. The company is headquartered in Holland, Ohio, United States.

Key features

Multiple media formats

The catalog spans audiobooks, ebooks, comics, movies, television, magazines, and music. That breadth makes Hoopla useful for households that move between reading, listening and watching, not just for audiobook users. Content can be streamed, while most titles can be downloaded to a phone or tablet. Offline listening is supported, but downloads are not DRM-free, so borrowed files are not yours to keep or freely transfer.

BingePass

A BingePass uses one borrow for seven days of access to a collection or platform. It is a practical option when you want sustained access to a grouped service for a week, rather than borrowing individual items one at a time.

Kids Mode

Kids Mode removes adult-intended titles from search and browsing, and also filters history, favorites and My hoopla. Families can therefore give children a narrower discovery environment, though the feature does not change what a library owns.

TV and car playback

Supported television devices include Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Samsung TV and Chromecast. Audio also works through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, extending borrowed listening beyond a phone’s speakers.

Library integration and support

Libraries can import catalog records through an API feed or MARC records delivered by SFTP. API integration requires a license, a unique electronic key and an API License Agreement, so these tools target library operators rather than individual patrons. Hoopla has no direct support phone number; users are directed to its contact form and help page. Its privacy notice says personal information is used to protect service security and integrity, with privacy questions handled at [email protected].

Pricing

There is no paid tier or published free trial. The trade-off for the zero price is access control: your library must participate, its catalog may differ from another library’s, and lending duration varies by format and provider agreement. Hoopla does not offer family sharing, and borrowing is governed by library access rather than a personal collection you retain.

Platforms

Hoopla is available on Android, iOS and the web. Downloads support offline use on phones and tablets for most titles. Compatible TV devices include Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, Samsung TV and Chromecast; in-car audio support covers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Who it's for

Choose Hoopla if you hold a card with a participating public library and want one free service covering books, comics, audio and video. It is particularly well suited to families using Kids Mode and to commuters who need offline listening or car playback. It is a poor fit if your library does not participate, if you need DRM-free ownership, or if you require a predictable catalog independent of local library agreements.

Pros and cons

• Pro: One library service covers seven major media categories, reducing the need for separate apps.
• Pro: Instant borrowing avoids artificial availability constraints for eligible titles.
• Pro: Most titles support phone or tablet downloads, with broad TV and in-car playback options.
• Pro: Kids Mode filters adult titles across discovery and personal activity areas.
• Con: A participating library card and email are mandatory, so access is unavailable to people outside the program.
• Con: Catalogs and lending periods vary by library, format and provider agreement.
• Con: Downloads are not DRM-free, and there is no family-sharing feature.
• Con: Support is limited to web contact channels rather than a phone line.

Alternatives

Libby is another free library app for Android, iOS and the web; pick it when your library’s Libby collection is the better match, since borrowing depends on that library’s catalog and card.

Playary suits users seeking a free, multi-platform service for songs, podcasts, movies, audiobooks and TV shows, with a Premium option advertised as ad-free.

LibriVox is preferable for free public-domain audiobooks whose recordings may be used for any purpose.

Audiobookshelf is the alternative for people who want a self-hosted audiobook and podcast server.

Sora is a free OverDrive student reading app for ebooks and audiobooks.

Bookmate fits readers wanting a seven-day free trial with books, comics, audiobooks, podcasts and offline use.

BookPlayer is a freemium audiobook player with core playback features free and a separately priced Pro subscription.

Loyal Books focuses on public-domain audiobooks and ebooks, alongside best sellers.

Verdict

Hoopla is the right choice for public-library patrons who want broad digital-media access at no direct cost, especially with offline playback and Kids Mode. Look elsewhere if you lack a participating library card, need permanent DRM-free files, or want a catalog and borrowing policy that does not vary by local library.