The StoryGraph vs Goodreads
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
The StoryGraph is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 7.8. The StoryGraph wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Goodreads on 1.
Readers who want stats, mood-based picks and an easy exit from Goodreads
Readers who want to track books and see reviews from a huge community
Score by score
The details
| Feature | The StoryGraph | Goodreads |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Reading & News | Reading & News |
| Category rank | #6 of 11 | #11 of 11 |
| Developer | The StoryGraph Ltd | Goodreads, Inc. |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is The StoryGraph better than Goodreads?
The StoryGraph is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 7.8. The StoryGraph wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Goodreads on 1.
Which is cheaper, The StoryGraph or Goodreads?
The StoryGraph: Free with ads; StoryGraph Plus is $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year on the App Store. Goodreads: Free, with no paid plan; Goodreads is owned by Amazon. On value for money, Goodreads scores higher.
Do The StoryGraph and Goodreads work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, The StoryGraph or Goodreads?
The StoryGraph scores higher on privacy (8.2/10). App Store label: no tracking. Email, your reading data, user ID, usage and crash data are linked to you for analytics, personalization and app functions. Google Play says nothing is shared.
Strengths and weaknesses
The StoryGraph
- Recommendations that go beyond star ratings
- Quarter-star ratings and DNF tracking
- Easy import from Goodreads
- Free tier shows ads
- Advanced stats and charts need Plus
- Lighter social features than Goodreads
The StoryGraph tracks what you read and recommends what's next based on mood, pace and the books you've loved. Rate in quarter stars, log the books you didn't finish, check content warnings and see charts of your reading habits. Bringing your Goodreads history is easy, and buddy reads hide spoilers in reactions. Free users see ads, and the deeper stats and custom charts sit behind Plus.
Full The StoryGraph review
Goodreads
- Free, with a huge community of 150 million members
- Quick book scanner and reading tracker
- Reading Challenge and Year in Books recap
- Design and app feel dated
- Lots of data linked to your account
- Suggestions are simpler than The StoryGraph's
Goodreads has more than 150 million members, so your reading friends are probably already there. Shelve what you've read and want to read, set a yearly Reading Challenge, check reviews from millions of people and join book club groups. In 2026 it finally added a Did Not Finish shelf and half- and quarter-star ratings. It's free and works with Kindle, but the design feels dated next to The StoryGraph, and its suggestions are simpler than StoryGraph's mood-based picks.
Full Goodreads review
