Customer Reviews (500)

Laser focus in my vision • 2025-03-22T00:08:15-07:00

I love the help

msphotoeye • 2025-03-21T22:38:20-07:00

Hoopla is a great way to watch movies, read or listen to books, and listen to music. Users do not have to wait until someone else checks in the desired media! The only drawback is a limited offerings of media.

Dovesaresocute_amazing! • 2025-03-21T20:38:36-07:00

I love hoopla and use it all the time I have had ZERO issues without except for the fact that the book selection could be better I look up a book and more likely than not either id not available so I also downloaded Libby which has a wider selection .

Summary of Key Insights

Hoopla Digital is generally well-received, with a high percentage of users giving it 5-star ratings. Users appreciate the app's ease of use, wide selection of content (audiobooks, eBooks, movies, music, comics), and the fact that it's free with a library card. The main weaknesses revolve around borrowing limits (both monthly and daily), content availability (especially newer releases), and occasional technical issues. There's a strong desire for increased borrowing limits and better search functionality. The overall sentiment is positive, but the recurring complaints about borrowing limits suggest a significant area for improvement.

  • Overall Rating: High (based on review score distribution)
  • Key Strengths: Ease of use, diverse content, free access with library card, no wait times for available titles.
  • Key Weaknesses: Restrictive borrowing limits, limited content selection compared to competitors (Libby, Audible), occasional technical glitches.
  • Overall Sentiment: Positive

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Total Reviews: 500
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 344 (68.8%)
    • 4-star: 72 (14.4%)
    • 3-star: 38 (7.6%)
    • 2-star: 17 (3.4%)
    • 1-star: 29 (5.8%)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but assumed to be recent based on the version number (4.61) and references to current events (e.g., COVID-19).
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment analysis (qualitative assessment of positive, negative, and neutral feedback).
    • Keyword extraction (identification of frequently used words and phrases to determine common themes).
    • Frequency analysis (quantifying the occurrence of specific issues and feature requests).

Key User Pain Points

  • Borrowing Limits: The most frequent complaint is the limited number of books, movies, or other media users can borrow per month. Many feel the limit (often 5-8 items, varying by library) is too restrictive. Some libraries also impose a daily borrow limit.
    • Impact: Frustration, reduced app usage, comparison to less restrictive services (Libby).
  • Content Availability: Users often report that the app lacks newer releases or specific titles they are looking for, especially compared to competitors like Libby and Audible.
    • Impact: Dissatisfaction, need to use multiple apps, reduced perceived value of Hoopla.
  • Technical Issues: Some users encounter glitches such as:
    • App crashes or freezes.
    • Problems with downloading or streaming content.
    • Search functionality issues (difficulty finding titles).
    • CarPlay connectivity problems.
    • Bold font that cannot be disabled.
    • Splash screen brightness.
    • Impact: Frustration, reduced usability, negative perception of app reliability.
  • Lack of Preview Options: Many users, particularly those interested in audiobooks, wish they could preview content before borrowing to assess narration quality and writing style.
    • Impact: Wasted borrows on unwanted content, reluctance to explore new titles.
  • Inability to transfer Ebooks to Kindle: Desire to read ebooks on Kindle devices.
    • Impact: Inconvenience for Kindle users.
  • Navigational Issues: Some find it hard to return books and navigate the app.
    • Impact: Frustration.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Increased Borrowing Limits: Users consistently request higher monthly borrowing limits, or the ability to earn extra borrows.
  • Preview Audiobooks: A common request is to add a preview feature for audiobooks.
  • Wishlist/Read Later Category: A feature to save books to a read later list, separate from favorites, was requested.
  • "Already Read" Category: Users want a category to mark books they have already read.
  • Kindle Integration: The ability to send eBooks to Kindle devices is a popular request.
  • Improved Search Functionality: Users want a more accurate and comprehensive search engine, including language filters.
  • Auto-Download Functionality: Users want the ability to automatically download books after midnight.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Ease of Use: Many users praise the app's intuitive interface and ease of navigation.
  • Diverse Content: The wide selection of books, audiobooks, movies, music, comics, and BingePasses is a major draw.
  • Free Access: Users appreciate that the app is free with a library card, providing access to a wealth of content without subscription fees.
  • No Wait Times: Unlike some other library apps (e.g., Libby), Hoopla generally offers instant access to available titles, eliminating wait times.
  • Offline Access: The ability to download content for offline enjoyment is valued.
  • CarPlay Compatibility: Users appreciate the ability to access content while driving.
  • Dark Mode: The availability of a dark mode is appreciated for comfortable reading in low-light conditions.
  • Reliability: Many users report that the app is stable and reliable.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  1. Address Borrowing Limits: Explore options to increase borrowing limits, potentially by offering different tiers of access or partnering with libraries to negotiate more flexible terms. Consider allowing returns to free up borrows.
  2. Improve Content Selection: Focus on acquiring more new releases and expanding the catalog to better compete with services like Libby and Audible. Pay attention to user requests for specific titles and authors.
  3. Fix Technical Glitches: Prioritize resolving the reported technical issues, such as app crashes, download problems, search errors, and CarPlay connectivity issues. Thoroughly test updates before release.
  4. Implement Audiobook Previews: Add a feature that allows users to preview audiobooks before borrowing.

Medium Priority:

  1. Enhance Search Functionality: Improve the search engine to provide more accurate and relevant results. Implement language filters and the ability to search by format (e.g., audiobook only).
  2. Add Kindle Integration: Explore the possibility of allowing users to send eBooks to their Kindle devices.
  3. Improve Navigation: Make it easier for users to return books and navigate the app.
  4. Implement "Already Read" and "Read Later" Categories: Add categories to mark books as already read and to save books for later.

Low Priority:

  1. Explore Auto-Download Functionality: Consider implementing an option to automatically download books after midnight.
  2. Address Splash Screen Brightness: Provide an option to dim or customize the splash screen.
  3. Provide Timestamps for Each Chapter: Add timestamp for each chapter for audiobooks.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Hoopla Plus: A premium subscription tier offering higher borrowing limits, early access to new releases, and exclusive content.
  • Hoopla for Education: A version of the app tailored for schools and educational institutions, with features such as collaborative reading lists and progress tracking.
  • Hoopla Create: A platform where independent authors and creators can publish their work and make it available to Hoopla users.
  • Personalized Recommendations: An AI-powered recommendation engine that suggests content based on user reading/listening history and preferences.
  • Hoopla Community: A social feature that allows users to connect with other readers, share reviews, and participate in discussions.

Trends and Observations

  • Comparison to Libby: Libby is frequently mentioned as a competitor, particularly in terms of content selection and borrowing policies.
  • Audiobook Popularity: Audiobooks are a popular format, with many users highlighting their convenience for commutes and other activities.
  • User Demographics: The reviews suggest a diverse user base, including avid readers, students, and families.
  • Library Dependence: The app's value is heavily tied to the user's local library's participation and funding levels.
  • Increase in negative reviews due to changes in library's borrow policy: Some users noted the change from 4 books a month to 2 and this was met with frustration.

Conclusion

Hoopla Digital is a valuable resource for library patrons, offering a wide range of content and a user-friendly experience. However, the app's restrictive borrowing limits and occasional technical issues detract from its overall appeal. By addressing these weaknesses and implementing the requested features, Hoopla can solidify its position as a leading digital library platform and better compete with alternatives like Libby and Audible. Prioritizing increased borrowing limits and content expansion will have the most significant impact on user satisfaction and app usage.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hoopla-digital/id580643740?uo=2