The StoryGraph vs Ground News
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
The StoryGraph is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 8.0. The StoryGraph wins on 5 of the 5 scores, Ground News on 0.
Readers who want stats, mood-based picks and an easy exit from Goodreads
News readers who want to see past any one outlet's framing
Score by score
The details
| Feature | The StoryGraph | Ground News |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Reading & News | Reading & News |
| Category rank | #5 of 7 | #7 of 7 |
| Developer | The StoryGraph Ltd | Snapwise Inc. |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is The StoryGraph better than Ground News?
The StoryGraph is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 8.0. The StoryGraph wins on 5 of the 5 scores, Ground News on 0.
Which is cheaper, The StoryGraph or Ground News?
The StoryGraph: Free with ads; StoryGraph Plus is $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year on the App Store. Ground News: Free tier; in the iOS app, Pro starts at $0.99 a month and Vantage is $9.99. On value for money, The StoryGraph scores higher.
Do The StoryGraph and Ground News work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, The StoryGraph or Ground News?
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
Ground News
- Shows how each side covers the same story
- Blindspot feed catches stories you'd miss
- Free tier covers the basics
- Bias ratings are per outlet, not per article
- Factuality and ownership data need a paid plan
- Doesn't get you past publishers' paywalls
Ground News groups coverage of the same story from more than 50,000 sources and shows you who's covering it: how much comes from the left, center and right, how factual each outlet is rated, and who owns it. The Blindspot feed surfaces stories one side barely covers. It's a useful check on your own bubble. Ratings are per outlet, not per article, and the best data needs a subscription.
Full Ground News review
