Goodreads Alternatives (2026): 9 Book Tracking and Reading Apps

Goodreads is where a lot of readers log what they've read, rate books and swap opinions. It's also where plenty of authors build a profile. But it isn't the only way to keep a reading life organised, and some readers want something that looks different, shares less or does more with their stats.

Maybe you want a tracker built around your reading habits, a quieter community, or a tool for cataloguing the shelves in your home. This page lists nine Goodreads alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. The list is shorter than I wanted, because I only included tools I could confirm from their own websites. Check the current details before you move a long library across. If you like comparing tools, my guides to Notion alternatives and Airtable alternatives use the same approach.

Goodreads alternatives for book lovers at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own website describes a free version, Trial only means a free trial is mentioned, and No means I couldn't find a free plan stated. Plans change, so treat the table as a starting point.

Tool	Type of reading tool	Good for	Free plan
Basmo	Reading tracker app	Reading time, goals and highlights	Trial only
Bookly	Reading tracker app	Timers, stats and quotes on a phone	No
BookWyrm	Social reading network	Reviews among smaller communities	No
Calibre	E-book library manager	Organising your own e-book files	No
Hardcover	Book tracking community	Shelves, ratings and reviews	Yes
Libib	Cataloguing service	Cataloguing a physical shelf by barcode	No
Open Library	Online library catalogue	Finding book pages and reader lists	No
Readwise	Highlights collector	Revisiting what you highlighted	Trial only
StoryGraph	Reading tracker and community	Stats, moods and recommendations	Yes

Nine reading apps and book sites to try instead of Goodreads

Basmo

Best for: Readers who like to time their reading, set a yearly goal, keep notes and bring in Kindle highlights on a phone.

Bookly

Best for: Phone readers who want a reading timer, goals, a library of books and a place to save notes and quotes worth keeping.

BookWyrm

Best for: Readers who prefer a community-run network where you join a small group and still connect with other book lovers.

Calibre

Best for: Readers with a big collection of e-books who want one program to organise, tidy and manage their files.

Hardcover

Best for: Readers who want to sort books into shelves, write reviews, keep lists and see what other readers are reading.

Libib

Best for: People who own lots of books, games or films and want to catalogue them by scanning barcodes with a phone.

Open Library

Best for: Readers who want a page for each book and lists curated by other readers, run by a non-profit archive.

Readwise

Best for: Readers who highlight as they go and want those passages gathered in one place and brought back to them later.

StoryGraph

Best for: Readers who want charts of their reading habits, suggestions based on mood and pace, and a way to import an old library.

What to look for in a book tracking site instead of Goodreads

Start with why you're looking. Some readers are tired of a busy feed. Others want better statistics, or a way to keep track of books they own rather than books they've read. Be clear about the main job, because no single tool does everything well.

• Tracking. Do you want shelves such as to read, reading and finished, a yearly goal, or a timer for reading sessions?
• Community. Some tools are social, with reviews and friends. Others are private lists with no audience at all.
• Recommendations. Look for suggestions based on what you've read, and check whether they're based on genre, mood or other readers.
• Importing. If you've got years of ratings, check whether a tool can bring in your existing library.
• Devices. Decide whether you need a phone app, a website, or both.
• Export. Make sure you can take your list with you if you ever change your mind again.

Which sort of reader suits which book tracker after Goodreads

• Reading trackers suit readers who love stats, goals and streaks.
• Social reading networks suit readers who enjoy reviews, shared shelves and talking about books.
• Cataloguing tools suit people who own lots of physical books and want to know what's on their shelves.
• E-book managers suit readers with large digital libraries on a computer or e-reader.
• Highlight collectors suit readers who learn from non-fiction and want to revisit key passages.

Where authors and their readers gather beyond Goodreads

If you write or publish books, where readers talk matters as much as where they track. Many authors keep a profile on whichever reading community their readers use, and some of the tools above have author or book pages. Look at how books and authors appear on each site, and see whether you can claim or update your own page.

It's also worth owning your reader list. A community profile is useful, but an email list is yours to keep. If you share news on social media, my guide to Buffer alternatives covers tools for scheduling posts, and Otter AI alternatives helps if you record interviews or events.

Moving your shelves, ratings and reviews off Goodreads

1. Check whether the new tool offers an import from Goodreads or a spreadsheet file.
2. Export your current library and keep a copy somewhere safe before you change anything.
3. Import a small batch first and check that titles, ratings and shelves came across.
4. Tidy anything that looks odd, such as duplicate editions or missing dates.
5. Tell friends where you've moved to, and keep the old account until you're happy.

Shelf and rating slip-ups when leaving Goodreads

• Moving every old rating across, including books they barely remember.
• Choosing a tool for one feature and never using the rest.
• Forgetting to check privacy settings on shelves and reviews.
• Starting from scratch without exporting the old library first.
• Running two trackers at once, so neither is ever up to date.

Do you make book tracking or reading apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Narrowing down your book tracker shortlist, Goodreads aside

Pick two tools that match the way you read. Add your current book and a handful of favourites to each, use them for a couple of weeks, and notice which one you open without being nagged. Keep that one, make sure you can export your list, and don't close your old account until you're sure.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free alternative to Goodreads?

Yes. Some tools on this page describe a free version on their own websites. Others mention only a trial or don't state a free plan, so check each site's current details.

Can I move my Goodreads library to another app?

Some tools offer an import from a Goodreads export file, and others don't. Export your library first, import a small batch to test, and keep the original until you're happy.

Which reading apps work on a phone?

Several tools here have iOS and Android apps. Check each site's download links, and look at how the website works too if you read on more than one device.

Do I need a social reading community?

Not necessarily. Some readers love sharing reviews, while others only want a private list and some stats. Decide which suits you before you choose.

How do I keep track of physical books I own?

A cataloguing tool that scans barcodes is the quickest route. A spreadsheet works too if you only have a small collection.