Libby

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

What Libby is

Libby is a free app for borrowing ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and other titles from a local library. Users locate their library and sign in with a library card; the library sets its own card rules and collection, so access depends on that library. Catalog guides, subjects, featured titles, and curated lists help readers find material. In most books, readers can change font size, layout, and lighting, and add bookmarks, notes, and highlights. Magazine reading includes an article mode. Audiobooks offer playback speeds up to 3x and a sleep timer. Ebooks and audiobooks can be downloaded for offline reading or streamed to save space. Libby supports ebooks on Kobo and delivery to Kindle for U.S. libraries; audiobooks can play through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive, or Bluetooth. Reading progress and saved notes, bookmarks, and highlights are stored to sync across devices. OverDrive says it does not sell personally identifiable information or use or disclose it for third-party advertising. Libby is available on Android, iOS, and the web.

Who it suits

Libby suits readers of all ages who have access to a participating local library and want to borrow digital books, audiobooks, or magazines. Kindle delivery is an option only for U.S. libraries.

What it does well

Free borrowing of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines
Download ebooks and audiobooks for offline use
Audiobook playback supports speeds up to 3x
Reading tools include notes and highlights
Audiobooks support car systems and Bluetooth

What to know first

Borrowing requires a library card
Available titles depend on the library's collection
Kindle delivery is limited to U.S. libraries

Limits

The app is free, but borrowing requires a library card and depends on the library’s collection. Kindle delivery is available only for U.S. libraries.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Libby	Free app; borrowing requires a library card and availability depends on the library’s collection	Free

As overdrive.com lists them, read 29 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open Libby on Android, iOS, or the web.
Find your local library.
Sign in with a library card, following that library’s card guidelines.
Browse the library’s titles and borrow available books, audiobooks, or magazines.
Download ebooks or audiobooks for offline use, or stream them.

Verdict

Libby offers library-based borrowing with useful reading and audiobook controls at no cost. Its selection and card access depend on the library, and Kindle delivery is limited to U.S. libraries.

Questions

How much does Libby cost?

Libby is free. Its listed plan is free.

Do I need a library card?

Yes. Users find their library and sign in with a library card. Each library sets its own card guidelines.

Which platforms support Libby?

Libby is available on Android, iOS, and the web.

Can I use Libby offline?

Yes. Ebooks and audiobooks can be downloaded for offline reading or listening.

Can I send library books to Kindle?

Yes, for U.S. libraries only. Libby also supports ebook reading on Kobo.

Who makes Libby?

Libby is associated with OverDrive, which describes the app as a way to borrow from local libraries.

Facts from Libby's own pages

Audience: OverDrive describes Libby as suitable for users of all ages and built for borrowing from local libraries. · overdrive.com, 29 Sept 2026
Audiobooks: The audiobook player supports playback speed up to 3x and a sleep timer. · overdrive.com, 29 Sept 2026
Data collected: Libby stores reading activity such as progress, bookmarks, highlights, and notes to provide the service and synchronize it between devices. · about.libbyapp.com, 29 Sept 2026
Device integrations: Libby supports reading ebooks on Kobo and sending library books to Kindle for U.S. libraries; audiobooks can play through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive, or Bluetooth. · overdrive.com, 29 Sept 2026
Discovery: Users can browse library-selected titles through catalog guides, subjects, featured titles, and curated lists. · overdrive.com, 29 Sept 2026
Founded: 1986 · overdrive.com, 23 Sept 2026
Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA · overdrive.com, 23 Sept 2026
Library sign-in: Users find their library and sign in with a library card; each library sets its own card guidelines. · help.libbyapp.com, 29 Sept 2026
Notable limit: Kindle delivery is available for U.S. libraries only. · overdrive.com, 29 Sept 2026
Offline access: Users can download ebooks and audiobooks for offline reading or stream them to save space. · overdrive.com, 29 Sept 2026
Privacy: OverDrive says it does not sell users’ personally identifiable information or use or disclose it for third-party advertising. · about.libbyapp.com, 29 Sept 2026
Reading tools: In most books, readers can adjust font size, layout, and lighting and add bookmarks, notes, and highlights; magazines have an article mode. · overdrive.com, 29 Sept 2026
Security: Libby says it encrypts data at rest and in transit, uses a dedicated security team and server firewall, and commissions independent security audits. · about.libbyapp.com, 29 Sept 2026
Support: Users can contact technical support from within the app through Menu > Help & Support. · about.libbyapp.com, 29 Sept 2026
What it does: Libby lets users borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more from their local library for free. · overdrive.com, 29 Sept 2026

Where Libby stands on Freedom251

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