Goodreads alternatives
8 Best Goodreads Alternatives in 2026
Goodreads works well for a large book catalog and reader reviews. If you want different reading stats, a private library, detailed session tracking or more active book clubs, these eight options are worth a look.
Features and prices checked September 29, 2026. Prices are listed in US dollars where available. Your local store may show different prices or offers.
Choose by what you want to do
- Explore by mood and reading stats: The StoryGraph.
- Follow readers and build lists: Hardcover.
- Keep a reading journal: Bookmory.
- Keep your library on Apple devices: Book Tracker.
- Track timed sessions and goals: Bookly.
- Organize shelves, notes and reading sessions: Bookshelf.
- Join chapter discussions and book clubs: Fable.
- Manage a personal web library: Inkshelf.
Compare the Goodreads alternatives
These are picks by use case, not a universal ranking. Every app below tracks reading, but they differ in how much they emphasize stats, community and library organization.
| App | Tracking and library | Social features | Privacy note | Platforms and price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The StoryGraph | Mood based discovery, reading stats and genre filters. Reading lists, goals, reviews and Goodreads import. | Buddy reads, readalongs and reader profiles. | iOS label: account details, user content and usage may be linked to you. | Web, iOS and Android Free; Plus is $4.99 monthly or $49.99 yearly. |
| Hardcover | A social reading tracker with lists and recommendations. Statuses, tags, lists, ratings, reviews and Goodreads import. | Follow readers and browse their shelves. | iOS label: usage data and crash diagnostics are not linked to you. | Web, iOS and Android Free; Supporter is $4.99 monthly or $49.99 yearly. |
| Bookmory | A personal reading journal with a timer and calendar. Notes, quotes, goals, tags, series and reading stats. | Focused on personal tracking and journaling. | iOS label includes identifiers and usage data used for tracking. | iOS and Android Free; Premium is $3.49 monthly or $30.99 yearly. |
| Book Tracker | A private library for people using Apple devices. Reading history, notes, quotes, stats and file import with Pro. | No public profiles or social feed. | Developer says there is no account or tracking; library data stays on device and iCloud. | iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch Free for up to 5 books; Pro is a one-time purchase per platform. |
| Bookly | Timed reading sessions, goals and progress reports. Books, ebooks, audiobooks, custom collections and loans. | Personal tracking with options to share progress. | iOS label includes identifiers and usage data used for tracking. | iOS, Android and Apple Watch Free; Pro starts at $4.99 monthly or $29.99 yearly. |
| Bookshelf by Alexander Gerrese | A detailed library with notes, sessions and reading stats. Custom shelves, tags, barcode scanning, notes and imports. | Goals and selected activity can be shared with friends. | iOS label includes identifiers used for tracking and analytics. | iPhone and iPad Free; Gold is $6.99 monthly, $29.99 yearly or $79.99 lifetime. |
| Fable | Book clubs, chapter discussions and shared reading. Lists, goals, streaks, reviews and Goodreads import. | A central part of the app, with clubs and discussion spaces. | iOS label includes tracking identifiers and account-linked contact and content. | iOS and Android Free; Plus is $5.99 monthly or $49.99 yearly. |
| Inkshelf | A web based personal library and Goodreads CSV migration. Reading status, ratings, book details, import preview and export. | Built around your own library rather than a social feed. | Account based; analytics and session replay require consent, sharing is off by default. | Web Free. |
Prices reflect the US App Store or the product’s official pricing page where available. They can change and may differ by country, platform, taxes or promotion. Privacy notes summarize either developer statements or developer supplied iOS App Store disclosures. Apple says it has not verified those data labels, and details may vary by platform or feature. Book Tracker displays its one-time Pro price in the local App Store before purchase.
What each app does well
The StoryGraph: best for stats and mood based discovery
The StoryGraph combines reading lists with detailed statistics and recommendations based on the kinds of books and moods you enjoy. It also imports Goodreads shelves, including custom shelves as tags. The free plan covers most core use; Plus adds custom charts and more ways to filter and compare your stats.
Trade-off: Its strongest differentiator is its data and discovery tools. If you mainly want to catalog books you own, it may offer more discovery and community features than you need.
Sources: official site and FAQ, Plus pricing and US App Store listing.
Hardcover: best for lists and reader discovery
Hardcover puts reader profiles, shared lists and recommendations next to its book tracker. You can keep reading activity private, share it with friends or make a public profile. Goodreads and StoryGraph library imports are supported. Its web app works alongside iOS and Android apps.
Trade-off: Hardcover has a clear community layer. Supporter pricing and paid extras are worth checking if you want specific advanced tools.
Sources: official site, US App Store listing and Google Play listing.
Bookmory: best for a reading journal
Bookmory pairs a personal library with a reading timer, calendar, notes, quotes, goals and yearly stats. Premium removes ads and adds automatic multi-device sync and extra themes. It is available on iOS and Android.
Trade-off: Bookmory is built around personal tracking rather than a large reader network. Check which backup and sync options fit your devices before moving a large library.
Sources: official site, US App Store listing and pricing.
Book Tracker: best for a private Apple library
Book Tracker focuses on your own catalog, reading history, notes, quotes and statistics. Its developer says the library stays on your devices and in your iCloud account, with no separate account or subscription. The free version supports up to five books; Pro removes that limit and enables imports and exports.
Trade-off: It is designed for Apple devices, and Pro is a separate one-time purchase for each platform. There is no public profile or reader feed.
Sources: developer press kit, free and Pro features.
Bookly: best for reading sessions and goals
Bookly is built around starting a timer when you read, logging progress, setting goals and reviewing reports. It supports books, ebooks and audiobooks, with collections, quotes and reading challenges. Core tracking is free; Pro adds extra features and stats.
Trade-off: Bookly is geared toward building a reading habit, so session logging and reminders are more central than a quiet catalog. Some Pro prices and features differ between iOS and Android.
Sources: US App Store listing and pricing, Google Play listing.
Bookshelf: best for a detailed personal library
This is Bookshelf by Alexander Gerrese, listed as “Bookshelf: Book Tracker & List” in the App Store. It combines Goodreads import with custom shelves, reading sessions, goals, notes, stats and book discovery. Gold unlocks some features and removes usage limits.
Trade-off: It is an Apple app, and some features require Gold. Its name is shared by several unrelated reading apps, so check the developer before installing.
Fable: best for book clubs and group discussion
Fable combines a book tracker with clubs, chapter discussions, shared reading, reviews, goals and personalized stats. You can import Goodreads lists and join existing clubs or create your own. The core app remains free; Fable Plus adds paid extras.
Trade-off: The community is a major part of Fable. If you want a low-key, private reading log, its clubs and social activity may not be a reason to switch.
Sources: US App Store listing, Fable Plus pricing.
Inkshelf: best for a personal web library
Inkshelf is a web app for organizing a book library and tracking reading status. Import a Goodreads CSV from Settings, review new books and duplicates, then confirm the import. It also supports exporting your library. Inkshelf is free.
Trade-off: Inkshelf focuses on your own library rather than public reviews, reader profiles or book clubs. Its CSV import keeps supported book details, ratings, a reading status and one finish date, not every Goodreads field.
Read the Goodreads import guide, visit the import and export overview or see the Inkshelf privacy policy.
Check how each app handles your reading data
Reading history can reveal more than a list of titles. Before importing, review the app’s privacy policy, account controls and export options. Book Tracker’s developer says its library stays on your device and in your iCloud account, without an account or tracking. Other apps publish their own privacy details in their app store listings. Those disclosures are provided by the developers, so read the linked policy if this is a deciding factor.
Sources: Book Tracker privacy and storage details and the developers’ privacy disclosures linked from each app store listing.
Before you move your Goodreads library
Export a CSV backup from Goodreads before closing or changing your account. Each app imports different fields, so check how it handles custom shelves, reviews, reading dates and duplicates. Keep the original CSV until you have checked the new library.
Our Goodreads export guide explains how to download the CSV, which fields Inkshelf imports and how to review duplicates before confirming.
Want to try Inkshelf?
Start a personal book library and import your Goodreads CSV when you are ready.
Create an Inkshelf accountCommon questions
Which Goodreads alternative is closest to Goodreads?
It depends on what you use most. Hardcover and Fable both put community features next to reading lists, while The StoryGraph emphasizes reading stats and recommendations. Compare the features you actually use before moving your library.
Which apps can import a Goodreads library?
The StoryGraph, Hardcover, Bookly, Bookshelf by Alexander Gerrese, Fable and Inkshelf list Goodreads import options in their official product information. Import methods and the fields they keep differ. Check the current instructions before you switch.
Which Goodreads alternative is free?
The StoryGraph, Hardcover, Bookmory, Bookly, Bookshelf, Fable and Inkshelf offer a free tier or free core app. Book Tracker is free to try with up to five books, then requires a one-time Pro purchase to remove the limit. Paid plan details can vary by region and device.
Can I move my Goodreads reviews and custom shelves?
It depends on the destination app. A Goodreads CSV can contain shelves, ratings and dates, but not every app imports all of them. Check each import preview and save a copy of the original file.See what Inkshelf imports.
Do these apps let me read ebooks?
Most apps in this comparison track books rather than provide the book text. Fable also sells ebooks and offers reading inside its app. Check the product details if you want a tracker and an ebook reader in the same app.