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The Palace Project Review

Depends

Should I use The Palace Project?

Multiple content sources, one simple app - thepalaceproject.org

· 1 month ago

Use it if your library offers it — free multi-source catalog including Audible titles with a library card. Skip if your library is Libby-only, you read on Kobo, or you want a polished, highly rated app.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 17 public sources.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

Not disclosed

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes

Best for

  • Public libraries consolidating ebook/audiobook apps
  • Patrons with cards at multiple library systems
  • Libraries wanting perpetual ebook ownership
  • Audiobook-heavy collections

Not for

  • Patrons whose library is Libby-only — just use Libby
  • Kobo e-reader owners — scaled-back support
  • Anyone without a participating library card
  • Libraries wanting a polished, battle-tested UX with no migration pain

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Access requires a participating library; no standalone option for individuals

medium

No public library pricing; costs negotiated through Lyrasis sales

medium

Kobo e-reader functionality scaled back, a dealbreaker for e-ink readers

medium

Low store ratings suggest onboarding friction and slow issue resolution

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free for patrons with a library card
  • One app aggregates multiple sources, including Audible titles
  • Adds OverDrive titles alongside other library collections
  • Open source, maintained by library nonprofit Lyrasis
  • Marketplace offers perpetual-use, no-time-limit licenses

Cons

  • 2.1/5 rating on Google Play across 302 reviews
  • App Store users call it 'tough to use'
  • Scaled-back Kobo e-reader functionality versus Libby
  • Useless without a participating library subscription
  • Users wait for popular titles already available on Libby

Sources & method

- 14 sources - No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

official x5review x5security x1news x3

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • Not disclosed

    Starting price

  • 14

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. Free for patrons; perpetual licenses for libraries
  • Ease of use: 2/5. Users say 'tough to use'; 2.1 Play rating
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Aggregates OverDrive and Audible titles in one app
  • Support quality: 3/5. Email support and Lyrasis FAQ; ticket-based help
  • Security posture: 4/5. Open source with published privacy policy and reporting guide
  • 2.1/5 Google Play rating 302 reviews
  • Free Price iOS app; free with a library card
  • $5M Grant funding IMLS multi-year grant
  • 2022 Platform launched New app launched June 2022

Pricing

Free tier: Yes

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

What users say

Users like the multi-source catalog including Audible titles but report clunky UX and limited Kobo support, reflected in a 2.1/5 Play rating.

“Tough to use”
App Store review
“Its a great app, but its fatal flaw”
Reddit, r/LibbyApp
“Palace Project has Audible titles”
Reddit, r/audiobooks

Alternatives

Compare The Palace Project with each alternative.

  • Libby (OverDrive)

    The default library ebook/audiobook app; more polished, wider title availability

  • Hoopla

    Instant-borrow ebooks, audiobooks and comics with no waitlists

  • SimplyE

    Guess: open-source library reading app from the same code lineage

Companies that use it

  • Palm Springs Library13
  • Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • Vermont libraries⁹
  • Rider University Libraries10
Full analysis

Based on 17 public sources.

Free library ebook/audiobook app with a strong multi-source catalog, but 2.1-star Play rating and usability complaints.

Methodology

Based on 17 public sources.

Read how a report is made.

Sources

  1. The Palace Project — App Storeapps.apple.com
    review
  2. The Palace Project — Google Playplay.google.com
    review
  3. Reddit: Palace Project has Audible titlesreddit.com
    review
  4. Reddit: Experience with Palace Project for audiobooksreddit.com
    review
  5. Reddit: Scaled back OverDrive functionality on Koboreddit.com
    review
  6. ReaderFirst: Palace Project Adds OverDrive Titlesreadersfirst.org
    news
  7. Palace Project IMLS grant reportthepalaceproject.org
    news
  8. FAQs — thepalaceproject.orgthepalaceproject.org
    official
  9. Vermont Dept. of Libraries — Palace Project for stafflibraries.vermont.gov
    official
  10. Rider University — Palace Project FAQrider.libanswers.com
    official
  11. GitHub — The Palace Projectgithub.com
    official
  12. Palace Marketplace perpetual licensesfacebook.com
    official
  13. Palm Springs Library — Palace app postfacebook.com
    news
  14. Palace Project security pagethepalaceproject.org
    security

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