📚 Reading apps and reading coaches
hoopla
By Midwest Tape, LLC. Visit hoopla
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
hoopla is a free library app run by Midwest Tape. With a card from a participating public library, families borrow ebooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, TV shows and music, then stream them or download them for offline use. Titles return on their own, so there are no late fees. Each library sets how many borrows a member gets, and a Kids Mode narrows browsing to family titles. Children can read picture books and comics, listen to audiobooks, or watch shows.
Our take: A strong free extra for families whose library offers it; keep the account in a parent's name and turn on Kids Mode for young children.
| Ages it suits | all ages (kids' and teen titles inside a general library) |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | Account holders must be 18 or older (or the age of majority where they live). Younger users may use hoopla only with a parent's or guardian's consent and involvement, and US users must be at least 13. (terms) |
| Price | Free. Free with a card from a participating public library (Oct 2026). Borrowing limits and available titles vary by library; select Bonus Borrows do not count against the limit. |
| Works on | Web, iPhone and iPad, Android |
| Account | A parent's account |
| Ads | Not stated |
| In-app purchases | None |
| The AI in it | No AI. |
What's good
- Free with a library card
- Books, audiobooks, comics and video in one app
- Kids Mode for family browsing
- No late fees; titles return on their own
Watch for
- Monthly borrowing limits set by your library
- Full catalog includes adult books and films unless Kids Mode is on
- Terms want a parent involved for anyone under 18 and US users 13+
- Privacy notice allows sharing data with ad-tech partners
Data and privacy
Midwest Tape's privacy notice (July 2026) says it does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of majority. It shares some data with advertising technology partners for targeted ads, which counts as 'sharing' under California law, and says it does not sell or share data of consumers it knows are under 16 without consent. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
No study of hoopla's effect on children's reading found; it is a lending service.
In the Big Index
Alternatives to hoopla
Desk researchPaidNo ads
ABCmouse
Age of Learning, Inc. · ages about 2-6 (preschool to kindergarten)
A full preschool program for families who want one paid app; cancel carefully and watch the reward loop.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
ABCya
ABCya.com LLC (a division of IXL Learning) · ages about 4-12 (pre-K to grade 6+)
Handy for quick grade-level practice in class or at home; skip if you want an ad-free experience without paying.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Adventure Academy
Age of Learning, Inc. · ages grades 3-8 (about 8-13)
Good for kids who love online games and need a nudge toward school subjects; families wanting no social contact should set chat to off or choose a solo app.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Amazon Kids+ and Parent Dashboard
Amazon · ages 3-12
A good-value bundle for families already on Amazon devices with kids 3-12; skip it if your child mostly uses an iPad or a phone.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
AmblesideOnline
AmblesideOnline (volunteer advisory) · ages about 5-18 (Year 0 to Year 12)
A strong free plan for homeschool families drawn to Charlotte Mason and literature-rich learning; secular families or those wanting an interactive program should look elsewhere.
Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads
Amira Learning
Amira Learning · ages about 5-14 (school product; listed studies run from kindergarten to middle school)
Worth asking about if your child's school uses it; parents cannot buy it, so home users should look at family apps instead.
Where these facts come from
- https://www.hoopladigital.com/
- https://www.hoopladigital.com/terms
- https://www.hoopladigital.com/privacy
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hoopla-your-library-anywhere/id580643740
- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hoopladigital.android&hl=en_US
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.