# The Palace Project

> Books

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1574359693](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1574359693)

## Overview

- **ID:** `id1574359693`
- **Platform:** Apple
- **Type:** Apple app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** The Palace Project
- **Category:** Books
- **Rating:** 4.60 / 5 (5,114 ratings)
- **Version:** 3.2.3
- **Last updated:** 2026-08-05
- **First published:** 2021-08-07
- **Size:** 45 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-05
- **Store listing:** [Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-palace-project/id1574359693)
- **Website:** [https://thepalaceproject.org](https://thepalaceproject.org/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://legal.palaceproject.io/Privacy%20Policy.html](https://legal.palaceproject.io/Privacy%20Policy.html)

## Description

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.

## Rankings

- #25,719 — Overall
- #21 — library

## Review summary

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.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [ePlatform Digital Libraries](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id912668852) — 3.70 / 5
- [The Library District](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6618153105) — 4.40 / 5
- [Reading Public Library App](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6593658997) — 4.20 / 5
- [Kingdom Shelf](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6758932416)
- [Libby, the library app](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1076402606) — 4.90 / 5
- [Phoenix Public Library](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6467418355) — 4.90 / 5
- [Discovery Book Palace](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1450362177)
- [Hoopla: Your Library Anywhere](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id580643740) — 4.80 / 5
- [MyPCPLS](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6475738266) — 2.80 / 5
- [Palm Springs Public Library](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6476618165) — 5.00 / 5
- [PALIMPS](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6758565358)
- [Readers Paradise](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id6777747879)

---

Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id1574359693)