Boundless Reviews

by Metal Migrant

I have to keep closing and opening Boundless so I can turn pages. It works fine then if I have to go to another window and come back, much of the time I can no longer turn pages. Have to close and open it, over and over.

Sometimes it skips a page, I go back and it has added text to the page I left so it is longer now having taken some text from the next page. So I have to figure out where I left off and start again. Takes me out of my reading constantly.

Here’s a joy: I can’t find the due dates for any of my library books. If there is a way to find out in Boundless when they are due, I can’t figure it out and if it’s that hard for me to figure out, it’s a bad app. Why not include that information at the three dots next to each checked out item? Wouldn’t that be simple? Nope, I can return it or renew it but can’t know when it is due. For that I have to go to the library website.

Boundless is not intuitive. Change the text size, color or background, fine but instead of being able to quickly go back to reading, I have to close that feature out and see what the difference is each time I make a change. Who thought that was a good idea?

I hate Boundless.

by Ngugfdy

Update: still worthless. After waiting over a month for a book it was automatically checked out when available. Great I think but no, book will not download on either of my devices. Have logged out and back in, ap updated, signed in and out of my devices. Support had no solution. Delete and reinstall so to see if that helps which will cause the loss of the book I’ve been waiting for. Will have to explore other options for reading.

Initial Review: Forced to switch from axis360 so I downloaded the ap excited for an improvement. After download I get the “welcome - let’s find your library screen” . No matter what I search ap says “hmm, can’t find anything, try another search”. I’ve tried first word of library name, city, first word of my county (which is also used as library name) and name of major city nearest our suburb (Denver). Nothing comes up. Meanwhile axis360 no longer works. No matter what tab I try I only get the message “invalid login” with no way to log in (or out). I’d give Baker &Taylor no stars if I could. Pretty disappointing and frustrating.

by Traveling Operator

I have used Libby, Hoopla, and Axis360. All were useful in some ways more than others, but all were essentially useful apps. Boundless just doesn’t work for some people, and there seems to be very little consistency to the issues. Having read through multiple posts trying to resolve my issues, it’s apparent that Boundless is inconsistent at best and broken at worst.
I’ve trying downloading multiple audiobooks as well as listening to them without a download, and I can do neither. I’ve tried with and without wifi; with and without the wifi-only option selected. I’ve deleted and redownloaded Boundless , restarted the phone, contacted their support (no response), waited a week, downloaded the update. Nothing works.
Given that I not only can’t use the content I’ve checked out but I’ve also not been able to get ahold of anyone to help, Boundless has fully merited a 1* review.

by Library User #47

this app is the perfect example of a software who doesn’t think they need a QA team. I love my kindle and have been reading on them since 1st generation. I have nothing good to say about Boundless. My best advice: hire a quality assurance team or say it is beta and get help from the community on all the bugs in this system. Next, hire a someone, literally anyone, to write up useful information on what the issues are and what updates are coming. Like most users, I had no say in what app I use for library books and this is completely unusable. In the 1 in 10 times my book actually displays on my shelf, the whole app crashes as soon as I try to open. I find it hard to believe loads of libraries have switched to your system. You must have an excellent sales team. Now, please use some of the money you have made to fix the system so people can actually use it!

by Sam7123xx

eBooks load on iPhone but not iPad, audiobooks require constant internet connection, and have 30 seconds forward/rewind buttons (and who needs to rewind whole 30 seconds????? when you get back to a spot you wanted to relisten, which was only 2 seconds ago, you already forgot about what exactly you needed to pay attention to, hence rewinding again…..) but even those ridiculously annoying fw/rw buttons aren’t available on iPhone’s Lock Screen/Apple Watch - only absolutely useless “go back to the beginning of the chapter” arrows, but even those take you to the beginning of a previous chapter!!!!!!!! Are you vying for a stupidest app prize? Is somebody on the inside trying to destroy your business???
Get your act together by swapping controls available on the Lock Screen - from “nextest chapter” arrows to 30 second forward/rewind buttons, and improve from there.

by Prairie Historian

At first I could not log on after my library migrated to this app. One of my librarians had to call this app where she was told I could not log on because I had two Axis 360 accounts. That was news to me. Once that was resolved I began to use this app but have been completely disappointed. Frequently, when I try to open a book I have checked out, I just get a circling lines showing it is trying to open. After about two minutes of waiting, I simply give up and close Boundless . I’ve deleted and reinstalled Boundless to no avail. I have also gotten a message that I appear to be offline. When I check my settings I am definitely online. If I open Libby at that time my book quickly opens. Actually, I never had these problems with Axis 360. Libby was far superior to Axis 360 and, somehow, the “new improved” product of this app is far worse.

by Meaghanb96

Just moved to a new city and updated my library, part of that was moving to this app. I’d never used Axis before, so didn’t experience the transition like other reviewers, but Boundless is terrible. Size of text resets after every chapter if you adjust it, if you want the page color to any other color other than white there’s still a white menu bar at the top of the screen, and it’s wildly glitchy.

Earlier today, I was reading the book I had rented (and read 80% of) when Boundless suddenly crashed. I went to go open my book again and now I get the spinning wheel of death - it just won’t load!

I quit Boundless and reopened it, I deleted Boundless and reinstalled it, then I even restarted my ipad and nothing worked. This is the only app that my library uses for ebooks, so really disappointing that it doesn’t seem to work.

by Clairexlune

Incredibly unusable app. The website is no better. Titles won’t load. The home page won’t load. Search results don’t load. Audiobooks and ebooks that are already checked out to someone don’t fully load— or re-load with different settings or at the wrong page/chapter/time marker. “Always available” titles that are supposed to have unlimited copies are frequently marked “unavailable”. What a joke.

Even if you catch Boundless on a good day, the book *covers* don’t load— and since the developers apparently hate blind people and accessibility, you don’t know what the books are because the titles and authors aren’t listed with the covers— you have to rely on the picture of the book cover.

Any and all attempts to give feedback or report bugs are met with silence— no replies, no assistance. The replies to these reviews from the developer say to uninstall and reinstall Boundless . I’ve tried this. My library’s patrons have tried this. That doesn’t work. And yes, I’m connected to wifi and cellular. I tried the website on my Ethernet-connected desktop computer. Still NOTHING.

Boundless is a nightmare to try to use and I’m frankly embarrassed to have to tell my library’s patrons about it.

by BookishGirl2024

This is still terrible for audiobook readers. The sleep screen does not allow you to skip back in small increments, only restarts the chapter. I am always losing my place while driving which is a deal breaker. On the main screen it only gives the time remaining in the chapter and no option to switch to see time remaining in the entire book. These are 2 basic features that make it virtually unusable. The developers need to start listening to avid audiobook readers when making enhancements otherwise you will continue to lose users to Libby and Audible. Even NetGalley’s app does these things. Quit worrying about badges or other silly enhancements and fix the basic functionality of the listening experience.

by CreirwyLotus

I’ve now been using Boundless for about 2 weeks since my county library switched from Axis 360. I’ve found many of the same issues in Axis 360 still exist in this app. In particular: page turning is not smooth and Boundless often switches my preference for single column and dark background back to the default of double column and light background, forcing me to reselect my display preferences. I’ve also twice had Boundless switch to an unreadable format with only the top 10% of the screen used with a very large font and clipped text lines - fortunately restarting Boundless restored the display in those two cases. Another small frustration is the functionality of word definitions. A verb in the past tense or a plural noun will almost always lead to a definition of “past tense of ” or “plural form of ” which isn’t particularly useful. It would be very nice if you could then continue by selecting the cross-referenced word on the definition screen and have that go to the definition you wanted.

by Literroy

Whenever I open Boundless , it takes three buttons to get back into my book. I have to tap the profile I want to use (even though I’m the only one who uses this phone and the only one who uses this app, so there’s only one profile). I have to tap on My Shelf because it defaults to the “Library” tab. Then I have to tap on the only book I have checked out. Then an interminably long loading screen appears before my book actually loads.

Boundless should just reopen to the last book you were on. Every other ebook reading app I’ve used does that. Instead, by the time I get into the book I want to read, I’ve practically lost my interest.

The reading experience itself is also very bad. If you change the color of the page, it still leaves bright white bars on the top and bottom of the screen. You can slide to change pages but there’s no animation that indicates you’re doing that (in fact, when you swipe right to left, the text actually moves up and down slightly, which is very disorienting).

Just by far the worst iOS ebook reading experience I’ve had, and I’m disappointed my local library recently started using this platform instead of a more reliable and easier to use one. I’m sorry, I’m sure the team working on this is made of good people who are trying their best, but using Boundless is just a really bad experience right now.

by Goddessofcorgs

I had the new hunger games book I was almost done it was amazing and I went to go open Boundless and the book took a moment to load so I closed Boundless and reopened it THE BOOK WAS GONE AND WHEN I WENT TO GET IT BACK IT WAS ON PLACE HOLD AND NOW IM SEVENTEENTH IN LINE best part is this in the third the it's happened the other books were Maze runner and 8 rules of love One of which I have to also put on hold
EDIT
I am no longer experiencing these issues but a few more have picked up. I will be reading either The Red Queen and a book on the radium girls and suddenly I can’t turn the page and if/when I look at the menu that allows you to leave it there are no longer any arrows and in the case of the radium girls and sometimes in Red Queen there is also no place to see what page I’m on and if I go to refresh Boundless to be able to turn the page it goes back 5-10 pages approximately (Note that I CANT FREAKING SEE WHAT PAGE IM ON) so yeah please fix this or I will find you (I’m only half joking)

by Midwested

There is no way that I can find to report issues with Boundless to the developer. Very annoying.

Just recently I’ve had a problem with the very last page of any given chapter. I can move forward and backward by selecting the right or left margins of the displayed page UNTIL I get to the next to last page of any chapter. It WILL NOT move on to the last page by selecting the right hand margin nor any other place on that page. The only way I can make it move forward is to place a book mark on the next to last page, return to the cover page, click on it and then go back to the next to last page. Then when I press the margin of the right column it will select the last page of that chapter. Rinse and repeat for every chapter.

by Proud Grandfather X 2

Before this ap the library here used Axis 360 which had some problems like freezing, losing your place but generally worked after turning off and back on and they responded to feedback (ie. they cared). The library went to this app and it is terrible for freezing and won’t reset with turning off and on.. After 4-5 Feedbacks/complaints, I finally got a reply stating they only received one and asking what problem I had (apparently they only got a complaint from the library as I detailed my problem in each Feedback). I detailed it again. I cannot access anything and it lost my checkouts, downloads, history, everything. Terrible and Zero help. DO NOT USE THIS AP. Overdrive is lightyears ahead.

by MSAndaz

I’ve downloaded Boundless 3 times. I’ve not ever been able to use it, because of the audiobook download issue everyone is writing about here (except, apparently, the lucky folks who are having a perfect experience/happen to be related to Boundless developers). I’ve done the dumb “tap listen to jumpstart the download” thing, and it failed again.

I’m sorry, but if your app has like two functions and can’t do one of them, it’s not getting more than one star. The whole “close your eyes and throw salt over your shoulder and maybe it will start the download when you’re not looking at it” thing is really atrocious.

(I’ve written multiple reviews because every time I open this cursed app, it prompts me to review. Another poor decision, developers)

by Disgruntled In AZ

My library’s terrific option Axis 360 can no longer be opened. Instead I’m directed to this app. All my holds, checkouts, etc. supposedly we’re transferred. Guess what? this app can’t find my library. I type in the nearest city & I’m sent to a school library system, which doesn’t recognize my library number. What gives? Have the libraries signing on to Boundless have any idea how useless it is? Trying to use this app has been a this app waste of time!
Oops!
The problem arose from thinking what was needed was the library’s name. No indication it was something else, but I tried a different tactic: Instead of the library’s name or location I wrote in Reading Arizona, which is the description of what one does with Axis 360. That worked.
Good luck & keep trying & this app might work for you.

by TroyDean

I’m not certain why the San Francisco, Public library decided to move to Boundless. But it hasn’t been able to keep up with the influx of new people. It gives you issues about not being able to play or connect to the Internet when you’ve already downloaded the books to your your device. Also, when it starts to work, it’ll play a few minutes and then turn itself off for no apparent reason. After stumbling through multiple chapters, like this, connected to Wi-Fi and walking through the city. I just have to wonder how much longer before we go back to Axis360 or they fix all the operational Boundless. What a waste of time on checked out material.

by Dnwos..@#$90

Our library recently switched to this app. It has more limited viewing options. In particular, no font size control at all. In order for me to have a comfortable font size I use a single page layout in portrait mode, then rotate my tablet to landscape. This forces me to scroll down manually as I read each page. When I change pages I need to manually scroll back to the top. Very clunky. Plus, the font is fuzzy rather than sharp in this orientation. Now, as I begin my third reading session with a book, this app does not recognize that I have any books checked out. I have no idea why our library switched but this app is a big disappointment and way inferior to Axis 360.

by Alien Dogs

Boundless is so unwieldy - I can’t even read a book across devices, there’s no way to tell this app to download a book to your device - it either does it on its own, or you are out of luck. I started listening to a book on another device, but now I want to continue listening on a different device. It shows that the book is checked out to me, but it also shows me as being at the beginning of the book. When I go to the chapter listing and choose chapter 12, I’m told that it’s not downloaded to this device, yet there is no way for me to tell this app to download he book. Arrrrggg. There are several other problems with Boundless. I want axis 360 back!

by HB Kopp

Still trying to make sense of the switch from axis 360 to this app. I had far less issues on axis 360 then I do now. I utilize boneless for audibles. I always download my books but even after downloading on this app, it will alert that i am not connected to Wi-Fi and thus unable to play/access the book. I have figured out a roundabout way where I start playing the book when connected to Wi-Fi, which will continue as I drive. But should I not connect prior to leaving a location to drive? I will not be able to have access to my book So frustrating not being able to use the audible we needed. Especially when they are “downloaded.”

by Beepbipboop

Not well designed interface / you have to click through 6 buttons just to renew or return a book. Boundless is also not customizable so you can’t remove the option to have different users or the carousel of books on your bookshelf, even though these complicate the process of just getting to your book! I have removed this ebook app from my devices and will now be exclusively using one of the other ebook platforms from my library. I’m so sad that we don’t have the option to switch back to Axis 360. It was much easier to navigate and use.

by Queen1820

-Update: the developer reached out and ask me to uninstall and reinstall Boundless . Made no difference in the behavior. The book still doesn’t load for me to read. They app is supposed to let you do one thing and that is “read digital books” and it is failing at that!!

-My library , Palo Alto, moved to this ebook library from Axis360. I downloaded Boundless , selected my library and logged in. The shelf showed my checked out book. When I click on “Read”, it tried to load the ebook but something was’t loading, it just kept spinning. I gave up after awhile, shut down Boundless and reloaded it. Same issue. The book does not load. What is a point of an ebook reader if Boundless cannot load a book to read? Super disappointing…

by Mabber555

The April 2024 update made Boundless unusable. Upon tapping Boundless icon, it tries to open for a full 1-2 minutes, then crashes. On the 3rd or 4th attempt to open, each taking a couple minutes before crashing, it might finally open to the staring page where you pick which profile you wish to open. This is a wasted step since I only have one profile, but that would be minor if Boundless worked properly. Upon picking the profile, it takes another full minute or more for the profile to open, assuming Boundless doesn’t crash again, starting the whole process over.

I used to use Boundless to listen to audiobooks with my son as I drove him to and from school, about 20 minutes each way. Now it takes nearly the whole drive just to open Boundless , so we don’t even bother.

I will be lobbying my library to abandon Boundless as soon as possible and switch to something that works.

by Meterre

I mostly try to avoid using Boundless unless a book I really want to read is available here that I can’t get through Libby or in print.
Tonight, I spent a little over an hour reading and Boundless froze on me at least a dozen times. I couldn’t turn to the next page. I’d close it out and it would take a full minute for the book to reload again- often the dark mode the print wouldn’t show up or it would still be frozen and I’d have to repeat the process.
After a couple times I thought maybe Boundless hadn’t updated automatically so I went to manually do it. Nope. Apparently it updated a week ago and the page turn glitch was supposed to be fixed.
If I’m not on perfect WiFi or cell service there’s basically no chance of the book loading, even though I have cellular downloads turned on. Half the time I can’t even get to the page with all the different profiles.
I do appreciate that occasionally I can get books with tons of holds on other apps available more quickly on this app but I think it’s likely because everyone hates Boundless so much.

by Flutterby2

Update: yesterday Boundless logged me out. I tried to re-enter my library info, but Boundless would not bring up the keyboard to type it in. Finally I used a web browser to log back in so I could bypass that page in Boundless . So frustrating! Just now I tried to open Boundless and it froze on the first screen NINE TIMES. Nine times of closing Boundless , reopening, it freezing, and repeating. this app. I am begging you. FIX Boundless. How is it possible to be this bad for years, to rebuild and rebrand, and still be THIS BAD?! And libraries: for the love of reading, use ANYTHING before wasting my tax dollars for a subscription to this worthless app. ***** I cannot stand Boundless, but it’s what my library uses. It is unbearably slow to load. Half the time when I try to open it, Boundless freezes and I have to close it and try again. It’s ridiculous that there are three pages that have to (slowly) load just to get to my books. Just put my current checkouts on the first page! Audible and Hoopla are leaps and bounds better than this app (pun intended). ****Update: no, removing and reloading the download did nothing. The issues continue no matter what I have checked out: freezing, crashing, taking forever to load.

by Srl80127

I’m an avid audiobook listener and have used several different apps. This one is by far the most frustrating to use. 1. It freezes for a solid 30 seconds each and every time I open Boundless to use it. Grrrr! 2. Having to choose a profile every time I open Boundless is annoying. Who shares their app with someone else and why would they need multiple profiles??!?! I want Boundless to open to my profile every time WITHOUT the added clicks to get there. 3. Too many clicks required to do basic tasks. For example, if I click ‘continue’ on a book that I have previously been listening to, I then also have to click ‘play’. Why??!? That should easily be ONE click, not two. Another example, if I open my ‘holds’ or ‘wishlist’ folders, I can’t then click into a particular book profile and then hit ‘checkout’, you can only check out the book from the main hold or wishlist page. Stupid design! Besides Boundless freezing every time it is opened, there are far too many steps required to accomplish simple tasks. I really dislike Boundless immensely!

by Jnahvi

Unable to find my local Indianapolis public library or any nearby libraries. A bit frustrating and I can no longer login to Axis 360. I hope they are adding more libraries soon.

by Is Jen Ghhd

My library is now using this app, which I don’t recommend. Boundless takes several minutes to find my library, half the time returning a blank page. The general profile takes several minutes to load. Also often results in a blank page. Trying to edit the profile results in Boundless shutting down completely. Filing a bug report in Boundless results in an address unknown return email.

by HALitunes

Just d/l this new app, replacing Axis360. Of course this app requires to know my library. I enter the first name of my library and it can not find it. Tried city and state, still can not find it. Even though I’ve been on Axis 360 for years.
Axis 360 would have multiple libraries pop down once I enter my library’s first name. No pop down list at all on this app. Not even for city and state.
First impression, NOT GOOD,
Come on B&T, you could do better than this.

by Iloveeggplantssomuch

Can’t find my library! putting in the city (San Francisco) and the library name (San Francisco Public Library) both does not work!

by Phakt0re

Axis360 was a pretty poor experience. This replacement is much worse. Boundless is almost unusable, it constantly crashes, and even when it works the experience is very poor. I worked in software development for years, including phone app development. It’s clear this was not ready for release and did not receive proper testing before being made public.

by Passerculus

Axis360 was upgraded/merged with Boundless. Axis360 mostly worked great, but this app just disappoints. Every time I try to pick a book or open a book it kicks me out to the login screen. My profile transferred over, but I can’t make Boundless work beyond that. I appear to have lost my progress on a book, which was supposed to transfer over to this app from Acis360. Big bummer.

by MyMaiMan

Was forced to move to Boundless when Axis 360 was no longer available. It is cumbersome, poorly designed and full of bugs. App will freeze, spinning aimlessly or comes up with black pages. You can swipe or adjust pages size with gestures, so you are forced to use arrow buttons which often took several attempts to advance and then it will catch up and skip multiple pages. If I could give it zero stars I would. Unfortunately our library system exchanged a perfectly good system Axis360 for this. Have no choice but to suffer through this until someone wakes up and replace this system.

by Mtn Mama74

I was forced to switch after axis 360 was not being used. I downloaded Boundless and found my library. Checked out a book but I cannot get the book downloaded to listen to. I’ve tried to delete Boundless and start over. Nothing is working. Now I can listen to any books since axis 360 no longer works either! Very maddening!!!

by Ksc103

Forced to change from axis without warning. Lost what I was reading and can’t get a single book to checkout. Spinning circle of death then screen randomly changes the book showing. EDIT Got a book to load and downloaded it so I can read it offline and not burn battery, but app always tells me when I open it I can only read books downloaded when offline, then sits there and doesn’t show what I already downloaded. Must connect to wifi and reboot device every time so it sees the book before disconnecting again. Downloaded Hoopla as an alternate and somehow it is even worse.

by Josh8778

This is literally the same app as axis360 just with a slightly prettier interface. Boundless is 5+ years behind Libby and kind of sad that this is the best makeover they could come up with. I was really hoping for a kindle integration which would have made all the other issues tolerable, but sadly no change on that front either.

by RLGalla

Forced by my local library to switch to Boundless from Axis 360. Since downloading it has been worthless. I didn’t switch over any of my wishlist or check out history, I’ve been able to check out one book and now and I’m unable to open it. So sad I have lost this way to read a book.

by BSGTNG21

I cannot believe they created an entirely new app and have not corrected their exceedingly annoying interface. Chapters that don’t map to the #chapters in the book bc prologues and author dedications count as the first few. No way to of see the total time elapsed or the time remaining, and you’d better not miss the end of a chapter, bc if it moves on to the next chapter and you want to back up 30 seconds to relisten to what you missed, it will not go further back than the current chapter, so you’ll need to go back a chapter and then forward through it to get to the end. The good news is, Boundless is so crummy that I can often get audiobooks on here from the library far before I can get them from the much better designed Libby app.

by Themakerandthebreaker

I’m reading a nonfiction book with many footnotes (20+ per chapter), and the hyperlinks in the inline text do not pull them up. With the print version of the book I’m reading, I’d at least be able to skip to the end of each chapter and keep a finger there to flip back and forth as needed, but it would be too laborious to page back and forth in the electronic version on the this app app, so I’m forced to wait until I get to the end of each chapter and then read them one after the other and try to recall what each was referring to. I remember Axis 360 was also very buggy for a long time—years, as I remember. I hope this app gets this fixed much more quickly. It’s really disappointing that Baker & Taylor didn’t learn their lesson with that app and all the bad reviews the first app got.

by AZhuntress

I like that my library has some titles available through this app faster than are available through Libby, but the reading experience leaves a lot to be desired. It’s bad enough that I’m forced to read on my iPad rather than my e-ink reader (note that you can’t send books to kindle through the this app app, unlike Libby), but at the very least it would be nice to have more than two font options to pick from. And I absolutely hate the page turn interface. It is not a smooth page swipe; it is clunky and distracting from the flow of reading. Hopefully they will make improvements, because it’s almost not worth reading on. I’d rather wait for Libby to have a copy or buy the e-book.

by Enginerd Extraordinaire

The default load when opening Boundless should be my (primary) profile and the book I’m already listening too. It’s annoying/frustrating to have to select my profile and then have to wait for the “offerings” page to load before I can continue to listen to my book. I’m somewhat shocked that this isn’t the primary use case for Boundless , or if it is, that it was decided to have to click through multiple screens to CONTINUE to listen to my audiobook.

by G_ChipT

Not sure why people develop apps for the iPad that ignore the orientation of the iPad.

Now that I have a book to read I am reading the book in landscape so that is a good thing. The inability to support landscape when Boundless opens is annoying, at best.

In addition Boundless gets into a mode where the top and bottom of Boundless randomly start appearing and disappearing. Especially annoying when I use black background and these elements of Boundless do not follow the theme I selected. In this book the Table of Contents does not appear even though it is listed when tapping the icon on the top left. This has hurt me several times because the bottom scrubber suddenly appears and my hand hits it and of course Boundless provides no method of getting back to where I was reading.

One last annoyance, when Boundless was updated my settings were ignored and I had to go back in to reset them.

I had hoped this would be better since I was forced to use it by my local library. The best I can say is at least it is being updated.

by Suskawa

Boundless is very inferior to the Kindle app, as accessed through Libby. When checking out a library e-book via Libby, the reader receives a notice that the book is available and is given the option to delay delivery of the book. Not so with this app—the reader is notified that the book has been checked out and the clock has started ticking toward the due date. With Libby, once the book has been downloaded, the Kindle app automatically opens it to the most recent page previously read. With this app, a PIN must be entered each time reading resumes. this app is not compatible with the Kindle e-reader, so books must be read on a larger, bulkier, and less portable device. It is very disappointing that some libraries appear to be shifting from Kindle to this app.

by Java High

With the update of Boundless from Axis360 (which I actually liked), I had high hopes this change to this app would come with new technology. Alas, I was disappointed. I do not see any real improvement from the original app, making me wonder why they bothered. The opportunity is there, hopefully Baker & Taylor will figure out how to make this work before they fail altogether.

To name of few of the flaws I see at this time:
1. Cannot choose a different font (I don’t consider “Dyslexia” an option)
2. Cannot adjust page color or brightness
3. Cannot make page number visible while reading
4. Cannot add additional libraries without signing out of the one you are in
5. Page turning is not fluid, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. They claim in the most recent update (April 2024) we should be able to tap anywhere in the right/left margin to turn the page. Doesn’t work half the time, at least for me.
6. They also claim in the same update, they decreased the top margin, so there is “less white space at the top.” However, there is no setting to adjust the margins on the left/right, one setting is all you get with all that wasted “white space” on the sides.

IF I have listed something here incorrectly because I missed it in the settings, then there is still something wrong, since every one of of the things I listed should be simple and clear to understand how to change or adjust it.

by Ackalil

This is the worst audiobook app I’ve used. I dread seeing that my library only has an audiobook on this app. It’s more modern-looking than the Axis360 app was but not any better functionally. Two stars because, with much difficulty, I can sometimes make Boundless do what I want.

It’s hard to find the books I’ve already checked out. Boundless throws a fit when I try to use it without being connected to WiFi even when a book is downloaded. I don’t like that the profile picker appears every time I launch Boundless when I only have one profile. It was difficult to remove the auto-added additional profiles. Why are there multiple profiles by default? How often do people not have their own (free) public library cards and thus their own account?

by Rdr-for-life

Our library just migrated from Axis360 to this app last Monday. Email communications indicated that my library content from Axis360 would migrate to this app, yet it is now Wednesday and still waiting for it. No communications from library since migration to inform us if there’s an issue or issues with the migration. Very disappointing.

by Luvnit

Boundless moves much slower. It takes a long time to wait for results in a search and an even longer time for the book to open once you checked it out. Looks nice but needs improvements.

by VintageLPs

I do not understand why, if I choose an audiobook, I get the written version and then I have to hunt all around for a way to play the audio. And, if you love the sound of a robot reading your novel, you will be thrilled with Boundless. 😤 Stilted, monotone voices no matter which one you choose to do the narration.

Why not separate reading books completely from audiobooks? Let me download an audiobook and press play and off I go. My normal library app does just that…separates the categories…..and my audiobook plays beautifully. I do like that you have included a rating system but there are too many short stories. I want to listen to a full novel or autobiography.
Thank you for listening.

by Goplay94123

It is very frustrating that downloaded audiobooks cannot be opened and continue to play when disconnected from wifi if I choose not to allow for access over cellular. I specifically download books to listen to when walking or hiking. And I constantly get a message that I need to update my settings to allow for over cellular. It has to redownload the book each time I open it and has used up 1.5 gb of my 1gb data plan in less than 2 days listening to a book that I downloaded (over WiFi) a week ago. Definitely not a great improvement over axis360 as a replacement! This is why I stopped using hoopla. At this rate it is actually cheaper to pay for audible than pay for data overages.

by Jfsjsjtskydkydiydiydkydkgdkyd

Forced by my library to switch to this; the previous app wasn’t that amazing but at least it opened to where I left it. I can’t believe that if I go away for even 15 minutes I have to start at the beginning and go through all kinds of layers first picking my account from the one (1) accounts, then going to where my books are located then finding the one I want and finally, then clicking to open it …. just to continue where I was. I hate it. Hopefully I can find the books I want on the other library apps after I finish this book.

EDIT: I have enabled the shortcut in the settings; it does not work, and still opens to the landing page

by Chilldad1

I never thought I would miss Axis but here we are. Boundless has crashed several times already. I’ve deleted and redownloaded. If I’m even able to get to my checkouts it takes forever, even when I’m connected to WiFi. I’ve given up that I’ll be able to finish the book I started on axis. Really disappointed so far. Hope they get things fixed.

by Moaescobedo

I never had an issue downloading books on Axis360 and with this app I’m unable to download the books to my iPad, not good.

by Dissipatedfog

This is so clunky to use, the audiobook controls are ridiculous. The 30 second fast forward and rewind only work while in Boundless , and only within the chapter. If you want to go back to hear something at the end of the previous chapter, the 30 second control doesn’t work. You have to go to the beginning of the previous chapter and fast forward to the end. If you hit rewind on your lock screen, it goes back a full chapter. So if you miss something you have to open Boundless to rewind. Even of the book is downloaded, the book has to load every time you open Boundless and then you can press play. And what’s with the profiles? It’s just one more step in an already clunky app. I only use it when a book has a really long wait on the 2 other apps I use, the wait is usually much shorter on this app.

by Deft Hill

Librarian here…we offer downloads on both Libby and this app and unfortunately I can’t recommend this app to my patrons at this time. I can’t get titles to download even when I’m connected to WiFi. It just sits at 0%. Every time I open Boundless I have to go through a couple of steps to get to my audiobook. I am one person so why do I have to select a profile every time I open Boundless ? I thought I read you could change the settings to open right to your bookshelf but I set My Shelf as my home page but even after deleting the kid and teen profiles (????) it still opens up to a page with 2 profiles - mine and add a profile before I can get to My Shelf. Tbh that’s just weird, adding a profile doesn’t need to be front and center. Make it better so I can recommend it to folks.

by Tayame

Update from 2 to 3 stars. I read the Help guide for browsing and the instructions/diagrams were not accurate for Mobile devices. After snooping around I found where I could select language and categories. I have downloaded my first audio and hoping all goes well. Fingers crossed.

I downloaded this a.m. Unless I’m overlooking, there is no way to filter search results to a specific language or drill down into a specific genre. Once you search, it seems to be a “one and done” and parameters must be re-entered each time. I wish i knew several languages, but alas I do not. So to comb through books with titles I am unable to read is a waste of time. Hope Boundless improves. Until then, I will choose to use Libby for the majority of my reading/listening needs.

by PacificRimreader

My library switched from Axis 360 to this app. The latter has all of the deficiencies of Axis plus other problems like not defaulting to My Shelf but rather to a screen of users. Of the many weak points, most annoying are not having a view for how far you are in the book, not being able to go forward or back a fixed amount , and the fact that the option for automatic updates is not available.

All in all, worse than Axis.

by MrMobileFliesToParis

I appreciate the modernized fonts and colors, and particularly the readable chapter numbers and timing. Boundless also has a great new feature of profiles for multiple users.
Unfortunately some other basic usability functions are lacking. For example a forward 30 seconds/backwards 15 seconds control for the phone and watch lockscreens. The play/pause controls don’t work on all Bluetooth headphones either. Apple, Audible, even basic apps like BookPlayer support this.
Profiles would benefit from an optional “sticky” feature where Boundless opens to the last used profile for the many users who don’t share. The bookshelf as homepage feature/setting is needed but it doesn’t yet work.

by Byker29

As a Reader this is ok - it’s the only way to get some titles from my library so I have no other choice. It’s a free app, so my expectations are not high, but it’s worse than other free library book reader apps I use.
I have 2 issues:
1. For me, dark mode does not work. The book title is ok at the top of the screen, but the rest of the page is totally black. For reading at night I have resorted to using sepia mode with the iPad brightness at minimum
2. Approx once per day the pages refuse to advance. If I close and kill Boundless it works again, but starts from the beginning of the book so I have to search for where I was. Annoying!

by Lilanabroba

I like how there is no wait to get the ebooks, however, there are a few problems I have noticed. When I try to return a book it closes Boundless . When I renter Boundless , the book is returned but it’s kind of a hassle to reopen every time I return a book, especially if I just want to get to the next book in the series.

Second, the turning of pages is glitchy not only on iPhone but also computer. On iPhone the page won’t always turn and you have to click it twice. Sometimes I am reading on a computer and when I press the arrow button it brings me two pages forward!

by JLPITVB

It’s fine (I guess) but why do I have to press such a specific spot to move forward a page? And why does it take 3 clicks to get to the book I was last reading every single time? I don’t use profiles and it seems like defaulting to my shelf would make more sense than the browsing page (where most books have a wait list anyway). Also, I would love to have options for progress, such as a percentage of the book I have completed. My current book says page 23 out of vi which is not actually helpful and it seems annoying to have to go to the end of the book to see the number of pages. This is my last resort app for when my library has a wait for the physical book and the kindle version. It’s barely worth using

by Buck Alexander

I am listening to my 3rd audiobook on this app.
My biggest frustration is with the scrolling features, which really don’t seem to work. There’s a long delay after loading a chapter, then takes several gestures to scroll through a chapter, and there’s long latency waiting for Boundless to find the new location.
Also, the title doesn’t seem to load if you’ve downloaded it and don’t have an active internet connection.
When accessing Boundless on iPad, it only works in portrait mode. Very frustrating as I usually work in landscape.
I do like the availability of titles at my library and often find them available when I can’t get them from Libby or Hoopla.

by Tlfontaine

I would love to see Boundless have the ability to change fonts to more than just open dyslexic or not.

Also when reading at night and using the black background there is a bright white banner on the top of the screen that is incredibly annoying.

Also when ever I go to my stuff and pick the book I want to read, it does not remember any of my previous book settings of font size and background color. So I have to reset all of that each time I read.

by Marla-May

If you are planning on reading on an airplane, you’d better have Kindle or Libby because even though you have downloaded a book, and it is in your downloads, this app will give you the message that you cannot read it because you do not have Internet. If you were listening to an audiobook, while walking, the slightest bump or jostle will immediately send the book to the next chapter. Finally, every single time you open Boundless you have to tell it who you are, and then you have to put your book. Axis 360 would immediately, open to whatever you were reading at whatever page you were at. Really it was a much better app, and. Baker and Taylor did no favor to its readers by replacing it with this app. in the three years since it launch, they have fixed nothing. It has all the same flaws as when it was first launched.

by P.S.III

There are a few improvements over the old axis360 app. Streaming audio. Larger graphics and text. The ability to rate books. All nice to have.

But there are several issues that make using Boundless clunky. Boundless seems to hang when first loading. It takes quite a long time to be able to do anything, Boundless is non responsive while it “loads”.

I “click” on one book and get the graphics and information for an entirely different book. Sometimes Boundless eventually redirects to the correct book, displaying the correct information. Sometimes not.

by ETruth

Downloaded this app when Axios360 told me it was obsolete. Easy install and registration on the new app. Had no trouble getting into my library and account.

Search is much nicer in this new design.

Found the book I was looking for, checked out, and went to start reading…

5 minutes later the book was still loading. I closed the entire app, waited a bit, then reopened to see if that “restart” would right it.

It did not—and I gave it longer to try.

I deleted Boundless entirely and then installed direct from Boundless Store (Apple phone). Went through the setup process, which is so much easier than it once was, and headed into my Shelf… the checked out book was still listed.. I clicked it… the “circle of death” formed once.. and then the front cover appeared and I was able to begin reading. Glad it only needed a reload to sort itself out.

by Ugggggh92

This is my favorite app for ebooks and audiobooks from my library. The selection is wide, and the interface is easy to use. What I would like to see is the ability to go back 30 seconds when my phone is locked, and also a way to tell users that the system is down.

by Juyhiyfh

I like the new this app app. My only issue is that while my Wish List states that I have 76 titles, when I tap the Wish List I only have 10 titles available. This occurs on both my cellphones and my iPad Pro. Boundless recognizes that I have 76 titles. Yet, it only gives me access to about ten titles. Hopefully, I did not lose my list.

Update: I updated the this app app as recommended by the developer. I updated on both my new iPad Pro and iPhone 14 Pro. Once again, I only have a small percentage of my Wishlist. The update did not correct the issue.

by Eisenhouse

I was forced into using this app when Axis360 stopped being supported. I was pleasantly surprised to find that everything was essentially the same, until I finished my book. I go through about an audiobook a day, so I want to be sure to return them when done so other library patrons can use them, rather than waiting the 20 days until they expire and return automatically. Having to search for the title in the main library again in order to return it is clunky. There should be a way to return it directly from my “shelf”. Thus, 4/5 starts.

by P Films

I have used both Libby and Axis 360 for ebook reading and they were alright, but they both had minor issues with crashing and just overall the interface wasn’t very responsive. Needless to say, this app is a HUGE improvement for B&T. I love the new interface of it and it’s very simple to use. I am in the psychological field and I can tell they definitely designed Boundless to be less complex. I’ll definitely continue using this app for a while. I will be honest, it is in earlier stages of development, but I would definitely give it a chance!

by Zchogi

Update: A representative from this app contacted me and has helped me find the way to the “Download” button. That’s nice customer service. Thank you!

Axis was/this app is an excellent alternative to Overdrive/Libby for non Kindle users. Yes, it requires a wired download but that’s a small price to pay for a MUCH shorter hold line.

I’m a happy reader. 😊

Eye experts say that reading for one periods of time on a backlit device causes eye strain. So I have an eInk reader. But it appears that Baker Taylor no longer provides books in ePub format. And with the new this app program they no longer indicate the formats available, even on older books. Not to mention that emails notifying that a hold is available are hit or miss. My library has told me these guys run on a shoestring, so why roll out some brand new, yet hardly different, software. Axis used to be my go to platform for eBooks. And their ePubs were munch better than Libby. Now they’re non-existent.

by Hilaryshae

There’s so much in there for kids to gave their own space and be encouraged to read!

by TNTRoberts

Soo thankful for an app with so many options for children in a safe place that’s engaging and focuses on rewards for reading! Way to nail it on this one! We love Boundless!!

by Midnight Aries

Boundless is well organized and easy to use, the different types of books are easy to find and it’s overall just smooth to navigate.

by NVBob78

I like the new look and feel that this app brings to Axis360. I have used Axis360 for many years. The fresh new look and improved functionality is nice to see.

by Graciegirl

An intuitive and user friendly platform for reading books on the go!

by Bluechipthriller

Love that the thumbnail shows duration/number of pages!

by SanthoshChar

The UI experience of Boundless is good and so is the reading experience.

Santhosh

by Raga Ash

I liked the all new kids content with read along and comic series. Loving it!!😊

by Mollly Jones

Particularly love the video books with read along technology highlighting next words-great for young readers. Such cute content. Parental controls are a great option in the library space. Kids enjoy the goals, trackers and streaks.

by KP5837

I love having audio options not only for me, but for my preschool aged child. It feels good to know I can have a good option for him to listen to if he’s having some down time! The readalongs for kids are great too!

by Hargrad

Super intuitive and easy to navigate providing optional parental controls, as well as, safe web searching for kids and teens. A library has the ability to provide a comprehensive ecosystem without logging into other sites.

by LibBro

This new this app app seems to be the replacement to this company’s previous ebook app called Axis360. I used Axis360 from my public library for years and it worked well but this new app is a significant step up in look and new features to create profiles for a more customized experience per my preferences and age appropriateness. Very happy with this upgrade!

by Athenagoww

I am very impressed with this new app from Baker & Taylor. It is easy to navigate and check out items. I especially love the new profiles settings. It is nice that my teen just sees her level of reading and I can see my level interests separately. This feature, along with the new goals, has helped us both start reading more. Definitely worth the download!

by Jeanimal319

This is so interesting because it’s a library app with more than just books! There’s video books, videos, links to other websites, activity sheets, coloring sheets, discussion guides and more! How cool is that?!

by JH's New Home

There is so much to explore! The animated video-audio books are adorable.

by Hutwah

This is a perfect app FOR librarians! So easy to run programs off of and share with patrons. Love so many of the features

by Scott1972ga

I love how this platform lets my library have control over setting reading challenges for me and my family! The interface is more modern than their old one so I can find the content the library has purchased more easily. I can’t wait to see what they do with this next, it’s about time someone thought in a new way about ebooks for library’s.

by EKS123987

Boundless has a lot of hate reviews, and honestly, I don’t get it. Does it freeze? Yes. Is it slightly aggravating? Yes. Do I still not get why there are profiles? Yes. But does it have tons of books, for a way shorter wait than apps like Libby? YES. I love Libby, but having Boundless? Suddenly, I have so many books at my fingertips! My favorite part about it is that you can download the books to read offline. So helpful on road trips and in places with bad service/internet. My main issue is the freezes. I am waiting to open my library screen? Freeze! Waiting for my profile to load? Freeze! (I’m feeling kind of like a book obsessed penguin, guys.)
I also do not like the way the margined of the page are so big, but I can deal with it.
But overall, Boundless is wonderful, easy to use, and just a great addition to your app library
on your phone! (I can’t believe more people don’t use Boundless!)

by Devesh V.

Boundless is very convenient and easy-to-use. A lot of people that dislike Boundless comment on the confusing interface of the chapters counting the author notes and indexes but being a student right now, I find that helpful as it emulated a lot of the software in my school. They could add more libraries because a lot of my friends in other states don’t have access because their libraries aren’t on Boundless .

by SrilathaT

Boundless was easy to understand and navigate. The search functionality was on point and was able to list down the library I was looking for.

by Dalipdudi

I’ve been using this reading app for a while now, and it has completely transformed my reading experience. Here’s why I absolutely love it: