Libby vs The StoryGraph
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
Libby is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.5. Libby wins on 4 of the 5 scores, The StoryGraph on 0, with 1 tied.
Readers and audiobook fans who have, or can get, a public library card
Readers who want stats, mood-based picks and an easy exit from Goodreads
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Libby | The StoryGraph |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Reading & News | Reading & News |
| Category rank | #1 of 7 | #5 of 7 |
| Developer | OverDrive | The StoryGraph Ltd |
| Pricing | Free | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Libby better than The StoryGraph?
Libby is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.5. Libby wins on 4 of the 5 scores, The StoryGraph on 0, with 1 tied.
Which is cheaper, Libby or The StoryGraph?
Libby: Free; you just need a card from a participating library. The StoryGraph: Free with ads; StoryGraph Plus is $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year on the App Store. On value for money, Libby scores higher.
Do Libby and The StoryGraph work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, Libby or The StoryGraph?
Libby scores higher on privacy (9.2/10). App Store label: no tracking. Only crash data is linked to you; product interaction and performance data are collected without being tied to you. Google Play says nothing is shared.
Strengths and weaknesses
Libby
- Completely free with a library card
- No tracking, and almost no data tied to you
- Clean design that's easy for any age
- Popular titles can mean long hold waits
- Catalog depends on your library's collection
- Send to Kindle works only in the US
Libby turns your library card into a free ebook, audiobook and magazine app. Borrow titles, place holds and get told when they're ready, download them for offline reading, set audiobook speed from 0.6x to 3x and, in the US, send loans to a Kindle. You can link several library cards at once. The only real cost is patience, since popular books often have long hold queues.
Full Libby review
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
