The Palace Project
The Palace Project: A free mobile app that brings library ebooks and audiobooks from multiple vendors together. Ranked #11 of 32 in Audiobook Apps by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for libraries combining multiple digital vendors.
At a glance
- Editor score7.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forLibraries combining multiple digital vendors
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Offline listeningYes
- Founded2021 · Alpharetta, Georgia, United States
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free patron access with library-card borrowing
- Combines catalogs from multiple library content vendors
- Supports offline downloads and audiobook playback
Where it doesn't
- Borrowing depends on access to a participating library
- Available only on iOS and Android devices
- Catalog breadth depends on library collections and vendor coverage
Our verdict on The Palace Project
The Palace Project is a library-centered platform and mobile app for discovering, borrowing, reading, and listening to ebooks and audiobooks. It is designed for library patrons who want one place to browse participating collections, place holds, download borrowed titles, and access open-access and public-domain books. Borrowing uses a library card, while Palace Bookshelf provides access to free open-access content. The app is available on iOS and Android and is developed by LYRASIS in partnership with the Digital Public Library of America.
Its main strength is ecosystem fit. Libraries can combine content from Baker & Taylor Boundless, Blackstone Unlimited, BiblioBoard, OCLC cloudLibrary, OverDrive, OverDrive Advantage, Palace Marketplace, Palace Bookshelf, ProQuest, and Unlimited Listens. That gives patrons a unified discovery and borrowing experience across multiple digital vendors rather than requiring a separate app for every collection. Core capabilities include holds, downloads for offline reading or listening, audiobook playback, and accessibility settings for ebooks. The open-source core software also gives the platform a distinct library-technology orientation.
The Palace app is free for patrons. Libraries can acquire licensed content through Palace Marketplace, so the available catalog reflects the collections and services connected by each library. Its focus is therefore library borrowing rather than a general-purpose consumer subscription catalog. Readers with a library card and access to participating collections should find the model well aligned with borrowing ebooks and audiobooks on mobile devices. Readers seeking desktop or web access, or a broad consumer service independent of library participation, should choose a different audiobook app.
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The Palace Project pricing
The Palace Project fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Offline listening | Yes |
| Access model | Library borrowing |
| Mobile platforms | Ios and android |
| Included catalog | Not verified |
| Family sharing | Not verified |
| DRM-free downloads | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Tickets, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 10 integrations: Baker & Taylor Boundless, Blackstone Unlimited, BiblioBoard, OCLC cloudLibrary, OverDrive, OverDrive Advantage … |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | thepalaceproject.org |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
The Palace Project integrations
The Palace Project lists 10 integrations on its own site.
- Baker & Taylor Boundless
- Blackstone Unlimited
- BiblioBoard
- OCLC cloudLibrary
- OverDrive
- OverDrive Advantage
- Palace Marketplace
- Palace Bookshelf
- ProQuest
- Unlimited Listens
Alternatives to The Palace Project
- LibbyA free library-borrowing app with strong playback controls and broad device support.9.4
- HooplaA free library-card service with audiobooks, offline listening, and entertainment extras.9.2
- AudibleA broad audiobook service with flexible listening, credits, and cross-device support.9.0
See all The Palace Project alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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