The Palace Project

Name: The Palace Project
Rating: 4.6 (4159 reviews)
Author: The Palace Project

By: The Palace Project

Books

Features & Capabilities

Palace is a free, easy-to-use e-reader that lets you find, check out, and read or listen to books from your local library. Sign in with your library card to access your library's collection on your phone or tablet, whether your library uses Palace or not.

If your library isn't using Palace yet, you can still explore over 10,000 titles—from children's books to classics and foreign language titles—for free via the Palace Bookshelf. The Palace app is built and maintained by Lyrasis, in partnership with the Digital Public Library of America and funded by the Knight Foundation. For more information, visit https://thepalaceproject.org.

User Growth & Download Statistics

App Books Education

By:

The Palace Project

Rating:

4.60

(4,159) 87 new ratings

Version:

3.1.0 Last updated: 2026-06-02

Version code:

886155151

Creation date:

2021-08-07

Compatible devices:

Size:

40.56MB

URLs:

Website ,Privacy policy

Full description:

Source:

Apple Apps Store

Data ingested on:

2026-06-15

Compare stats and ranking:

Ranking

# 29,363 ▲ 264

Other rankings

#18 in library keyword 35 ▼ 3

Other platforms

The Palace Project (v1.28.0)

87,053 2.11

(269)

For Developers

Monetize with App Pass Boost with Extension Booster

Contact the developer

Chrome-Stats does not own this Apple app. Please use these information below to contact the Apple app developer.

Developed by:

The Palace Project

Apple Apps Store

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-palace-project/id1574359693

Website:

https://thepalaceproject.org

User Reviews

The Palace Project offers broad library access and an easy-to-use interface, delivering free ebooks and audiobooks from your local library. However, many users report stability and reliability issues: frequent crashes and freezing, audio playback problems, and content loading failures. Hold notifications and borrowing experiences are inconsistent, and essential features like reading history, bookmarks, progress tracking, and flexible playback speeds are missing. Overall, strong selection and library access are offset by persistent bugs that hinder a smooth reading/listening experience.

Pros

Large selection of titles and quick access to library materials.
Easy to navigate user interface.
Free access to ebooks and audiobooks from your local library.
Valuable library service that complements other apps like Libby and Hoopla.

Cons

Frequent crashes and freezing; the app often stops unexpectedly.
Audio playback issues: chapters restart, pause mid-chapter, or stop when switching apps or the device sleeps.
Content not loading or loans not loading; catalog issues and trouble borrowing/returning titles.
Missing essential features: reading history, bookmarking, progress tracking, and more flexible playback speeds.
Hold/reservation problems: unreliable waitlist notifications and holds dropping before you can borrow.

Recent reviews

Just in the past few months I’ve seen major improvements and availability of titles in this app. However, it’s still nowhere near where I need it to be to actually continuously use it/rely on it for reading (especially series). There’s no way to suspend a hold - which makes it impossible to coordinate reading a series - especially when a single audiobook gets broken up into parts. I have no idea how long a hold will take and if it’s faster than I thought I lose out on the title if I’m not instantly ready. But an issue I think is even bigger for me is the lack of playback speed options. Every narrator is different and just having increments of .25x up to 2x speed is way too limiting. Increments of .10x would be more reasonable, but honestly .05x is perfect. I fear the books I’m listening to now may not be doable on this app because I cannot find a good listening speed.

by Sa*****, 2026-06-06

The access to books, selections, etc. is amazing. The app has a some issues. It struggle with downloads, loading, not saving your location in audiobooks (just jumping all over the place), and the listening speed options are lacking (what about 1.6 - 1.9?? Jumping from 1.5 to 2x speed is wild). Hope updates and improved come soon because the access is amazing!

by Ze*****, 2026-06-06

Would really like more Playback Speed Options to go along with author reading speeds. The 1.5 to 2.0 jump is way too much. Also wish there was a way to see what books you’ve read and returned.