Report updated Apr 17, 2026
ThriftBooks: New & Used Books
For budget-conscious book lovers, collectors of rare/out-of-print editions, and students looking for affordable textbooks.
ThriftBooks: New & Used Books is an established books app that is completely free. With a 4.1/5 rating from 6K reviews, it shows polarized user reception. Users particularly appreciate product selection and pricing, though buyback program frustrations remains a common concern.
What is ThriftBooks: New & Used Books?
Current Momentum
v2.0 · 6d ago
MaintenanceThe app is currently in maintenance mode, with only minor performance updates and bug fixes released in the last three months.
What makes this app unique?
What Does It Look Like?
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What Are The Key Features?
Scan physical book bar codes to instantly compare prices and check real-time inventory
Earn points for shopping and reading activities to redeem for free books
Receive instant email alerts when out-of-stock items on your wish list become available
How much does it cost?
- Free app with no subscription required
- Pay-per-item pricing for books
The app functions as a direct sales channel; monetization is driven by transaction volume rather than subscriptions.
Who Built It?
Providing budget-conscious readers with affordable access to a massive catalog of used books through a mobile-first shopping experience.
Portfolio
1
Apps
Explore the full Thrift Books Global report
Portfolio breakdown, audience, momentum, and every app published by Thrift Books Global.
What do users think recently?
High confidence · Latest 100 of 6K total reviews analyzed
How did the latest release land?
What is the recent mood?
Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate product selection and pricing, but report buyback program frustrations and customer service and technical issues.
What Users Love
What Frustrates Users
View the full user-sentiment analysis
Mood gauge, ratings & review-volume history, every praise / complaint / request, and sentiment over time.
What is the competitive landscape for ThriftBooks: New & Used Books?
Where is it available?
Localized markets (1)
How's The Books Market?
How does it evolve in the Books market?
Rank progression
19 active rankings tracked — 30-day window
The rivals identified
The outtake for ThriftBooks: New & Used Books
Strengths to defend, gaps to attack
Core Strengths
- 13 million title inventory
- Integrated barcode scanner for price comparison
- ReadingRewards loyalty program
Critical Frictions
- Opaque buyback program leading to 'scam' accusations
- Payment processing errors (duplicate charges)
- Intrusive pop-up ads in sales interface
Growth Levers
- Social discovery features to counter P2P competitors
- Enhanced sustainability messaging to match B-Corp rivals
Market Threats
- PangoBooks capturing the social-media-savvy demographic
- Libby/OverDrive providing free digital alternatives
What are the next best moves?
Overhaul Buyback Transparency
This is the #1 complaint theme ('scam' accusations) and a major driver of declining sentiment.
Resolve Payment Processing Errors
Recent reports of duplicate charges ($25x3) directly impact user trust and financial security.
Implement Social Discovery Features
Nemesis PangoBooks is winning on community engagement through 'shelf' following and social commerce.
Feature Gaps vs Competitors
- Social commerce/shelf following (available in PangoBooks)
- Mood-based recommendations (available in The StoryGraph)
- B-Corp/Ethical certification (available in World of Books/Bookshop.org)
Key Takeaways
ThriftBooks owns the supply chain but is losing the user experience war. If I were the PM, I would prioritize fixing the trust-eroding buyback program and payment bugs before PangoBooks' superior social discovery permanently migrates the core user base.
Where Is It Heading?
Declining
User mood is 'Mixed' with high-frequency complaints regarding the buyback program and payment errors.
Recent updates (v2.0.8) focused only on 'General performance improvements,' indicating a lack of feature investment.