Best Goodreads Alternatives in 2026: 8 Apps Compared
- 1
StoryGraphDetailed stats and mood recommendationsVisit - 2
LiteralClean social reading trackingVisit - 3
BookWyrmOpen source federated book trackingVisit - 4
HardcoverModern tracking with rich book dataVisit - 5
LibraryThingCataloguing large personal librariesVisit
- Prices and free plans vary widely, so check the current plan page before you pay.
- The best choice depends on how much you will actually use each week, not on the longest feature list.
- Start with a free plan or trial where one exists, then upgrade only when you hit a real limit.
- Read the privacy and cancellation terms, especially for subscriptions that renew automatically.
Quick comparison
| Product | Ideal for | Price from | Free version | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StoryGraph | Detailed stats and mood recommendations | Free | Yes | Visit |
| Literal | Clean social reading tracking | Free | Yes | Visit |
| BookWyrm | Open source federated book tracking | Free | Yes | Visit |
| Hardcover | Modern tracking with rich book data | Free | Yes | Visit |
| LibraryThing | Cataloguing large personal libraries | Free | Yes | Visit |
 BookSloth | Personalised book recommendations | See website | No | Visit |
 Oku | Minimal book tracking | See website | No | Visit |
 Bookly | Reading time tracking and stats | See website | No | Visit |
The best Goodreads alternatives
We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public reviews to build this list. Our pick for most people is the option that gives the clearest value for its price, but the right choice for you depends on your budget, your devices and how often you will use it.
StoryGraph
Ideal for: Detailed stats and mood recommendations
StoryGraph fits detailed stats and mood recommendations. Readers who love data get richer tracking than a basic shelf. That focus shows in day to day use, where the main tools are easy to find and the extras do not get in the way. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Social discovery is thinner than Goodreads. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Reading stats
- Mood tags
- Challenges
- Smaller community
- Some features need Plus
Literal
Ideal for: Clean social reading tracking
For clean social reading tracking, Literal is a strong place to start. Its clean design suits readers who found Goodreads cluttered. It is a practical choice when you want results without a long setup process. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. If you rely on a huge community, it will feel quieter. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Clean shelves
- Social features
- Reading goals
- Smaller catalogue community
- Fewer integrations
BookWyrm
Ideal for: Open source federated book tracking
If open source federated book tracking is your main need, BookWyrm deserves a close look. Privacy minded readers get tracking without ads or corporate data use. The design keeps the core job front and centre. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. New users may find instance choice confusing at first. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Open source
- Federated instances
- No ads
- Setup depends on instance
- Smaller user base
Hardcover
Ideal for: Modern tracking with rich book data
Hardcover fits modern tracking with rich book data. Its edition detail and journal suit serious collectors. That focus shows in day to day use, where the main tools are easy to find and the extras do not get in the way. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Long term stability is less proven than older rivals. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Rich editions data
- Reading journal
- Goals
- Newer service
- Community still growing
LibraryThing
Ideal for: Cataloguing large personal libraries
For cataloguing large personal libraries, LibraryThing is a strong place to start. Collectors with large libraries get cataloguing tools that simple trackers lack. It is a practical choice when you want results without a long setup process. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Casual readers may find it more than they need. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Strong cataloguing
- Author data
- Community
- Interface feels dated
- Learning curve
BookSloth
Ideal for: Personalised book recommendations
If personalised book recommendations is your main need, BookSloth deserves a close look. Discovery focused readers get suggestions based on taste, not just popularity. The design keeps the core job front and centre. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Pure trackers may want a dedicated shelf app instead. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Recommendation engine
- Book discovery
- Lists
- Smaller community
- Tracking is secondary
Oku
Ideal for: Minimal book tracking
Oku fits minimal book tracking. Minimalists get a calm tracker without clutter. That focus shows in day to day use, where the main tools are easy to find and the extras do not get in the way. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Social readers will miss community features. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Minimal design
- Shelves
- Reading progress
- Fewer social features
- Smaller catalogue
Bookly
Ideal for: Reading time tracking and stats
For reading time tracking and stats, Bookly is a strong place to start. Its timer and stats suit readers who track time, not just finished books. It is a practical choice when you want results without a long setup process. The catch is worth knowing before you commit. Desktop users get less value from a mobile first app. Check the current price, the renewal terms and what is included on the plan you actually want, since entry plans often leave out the features shown in marketing. If that trade off still works for your routine, this is an easy option to recommend.
- Reading timer
- Stats
- Goals
- Paid features needed for full stats
- Mainly mobile
How we picked these
We started with the products that appear most often in this category, then kept only the ones that exist and work today, with a clear official homepage and a plan structure we could describe honestly. We compared official feature pages, pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public reviews, and we left out products whose prices or homepages we could not verify. We did not claim hands on testing that did not happen, and we favoured products with clear terms over products that hide limits in fine print. We also weighed fit over fame. A well known name can be the wrong pick if its plan is built for a different kind of user, while a smaller option can be better when it matches your daily routine. That is why each write up names who the product suits, one concrete strength and one honest weakness, so you can judge the trade off for yourself.
Pick a Goodreads alternative that fits your reading life
Decide what you miss most
If you miss stats, pick StoryGraph. If you miss clean design, pick Literal or Hardcover. If you miss community, check where your friends already track books.
Export before you switch
Export your Goodreads shelves first, then import them into the new app. That saves hours of retyping and keeps your history intact.
Test recommendations for a week
Add twenty books you loved and twenty you disliked, then judge the recommendations. A tracker is only useful if its suggestions match your taste. Before you decide, shortlist two options and test them side by side for a few days of normal use. Note what slows you down, what costs extra, and what you would miss if you switched. That short test usually reveals the right choice faster than reading another ten reviews, because it is based on your routine, your devices and your budget rather than on a generic ranking. Also check support and cancellation before you pay for a year in advance. A clear help centre, a reachable support team and a simple cancel button are worth more than a small discount, because they decide how painful it is to fix a billing problem or leave later. If support is hard to reach during a trial, treat that as a warning sign, not as a minor detail, and choose the option with clearer terms even if its headline price is slightly higher.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best alternatives to Goodreads?
StoryGraph suits stats, Literal suits clean social tracking, and BookWyrm suits open source privacy. The best pick depends on what you used Goodreads for.
Can I import my Goodreads library?
Many alternatives offer import from a Goodreads export file. Export first, then follow the import guide for the new app.
Is StoryGraph better than Goodreads?
For stats and mood recommendations, yes. For a huge community and book data, Goodreads still has a larger base.
Are there free Goodreads alternatives?
Yes, StoryGraph, Literal, BookWyrm and Hardcover offer free plans. Paid tiers add extra stats or features.
Do these apps sell books?
Most are trackers, not stores. They link to book data and sometimes to retailers, but reading itself happens elsewhere.