7 Best Goodreads Alternatives in 2026

Tired of Goodreads' dated interface and Amazon tracking? Here are the best book tracking apps to switch to — each with different strengths for different readers.

Why Look for Alternatives?

Goodreads has been the default for over a decade, but readers are leaving for several reasons:

  • Outdated design — The interface hasn't meaningfully changed since 2013
  • Amazon ownership — Privacy concerns and ad targeting based on reading habits
  • Missing features — No half-star ratings, no reading timer, no quote capture
  • Slow development — Feature requests ignored for years

The good news? There are now excellent alternatives for every type of reader.

Quick Comparison

App Best For AI Chat Timer Social Price
Shelfy Deep engagement Minimal Free + Premium
StoryGraph Discovery Free + Plus
Bookly Gamification Minimal Free + Pro
Bookmory Note-taking Minimal Free + Premium
Literal Social reading Free
Hardcover Beautiful stats Free + Pro
LibraryThing Cataloging Free + Paid

The Full Breakdown

2. The StoryGraph

Web + iOS 4.5 ★ Free + Plus ($4.99/mo)

The most popular Goodreads alternative. StoryGraph offers mood-based recommendations, beautiful stats, content warnings, and full Goodreads import. Black-owned, indie, and actively developed.

✓ Strengths
  • Mood-based recommendations
  • Full Goodreads import
  • Beautiful, shareable stats
  • Content warnings
  • Buddy reads & book clubs
  • Cross-platform (web + mobile)
✗ Limitations
  • No reading timer
  • No quote capture
  • Smaller community than Goodreads
  • AI features optional/divisive
Best for:

Readers who want a modern Goodreads replacement with discovery features and social reading. Great if you're migrating from Goodreads and want to keep your history.

3. Bookly

iOS 4.6 ★ (56K ratings) Free + Pro ($29.99/yr)

A mature reading tracker with gamification at its core. Bookly motivates you with achievements, streaks, and reading reports. Great for readers who need that extra push to read consistently.

✓ Strengths
  • Reading timer with stats
  • Ambient sounds
  • Achievements & gamification
  • Character tracking
  • Readathon support
  • Infographic reports
✗ Limitations
  • No AI features
  • No OCR quote capture
  • No social features
  • No lifetime purchase option
Best for:

Readers who are motivated by achievements and gamification. If you need external motivation to read consistently, Bookly's approach works well.

4. Bookmory

iOS + Android 4.8 ★ (16K ratings) Free + Premium

A well-designed tracker with a powerful note editor. Bookmory lets you underline quotes, create styled notes, and share them with beautiful backgrounds. Great for readers who journal about books.

✓ Strengths
  • Powerful note editor
  • Reading timer
  • Stylish quote sharing
  • Cloud backup
  • Available on Android
  • Multiple languages
✗ Limitations
  • No AI features
  • No OCR (manual typing)
  • Ads in free version
  • No social features
Best for:

Readers who love taking detailed notes and want to share beautiful quote cards. Good Android option if you don't have iOS.

5. Literal

Web + iOS + Android Growing community Free

A social-first reading platform with a focus on thoughtful discussion. Literal Club brings readers together around books, with a cleaner, more curated feel than Goodreads.

✓ Strengths
  • Clean, modern design
  • Quality community focus
  • Cross-platform
  • Completely free
  • Author engagement
✗ Limitations
  • Small community (growing)
  • No reading timer
  • Limited features
  • No Goodreads import
Best for:

Readers who want a more curated social experience than Goodreads. Good for discussing books with thoughtful readers.

6. Hardcover

Web + iOS Indie Free + Pro

A newer Goodreads alternative with beautiful design and an API for developers. Hardcover focuses on clean stats and a modern user experience with active development.

✓ Strengths
  • Beautiful, modern design
  • Great stats visualization
  • Public API
  • Active development
  • Goodreads import
✗ Limitations
  • Still relatively new
  • Smaller community
  • No reading timer
  • Limited mobile features
Best for:

Readers who want a modern, well-designed Goodreads replacement. Good for developers who want API access.

7. LibraryThing

Web + Apps Since 2005 Free (200 books) + Paid

The OG book cataloging site. LibraryThing is for serious collectors who want detailed metadata, ISBN lookup, and comprehensive cataloging features. It predates Goodreads and has a devoted following.

✓ Strengths
  • Best for cataloging
  • Detailed metadata
  • Early Reviewers program
  • Long track record
  • Serious book community
✗ Limitations
  • Dated interface
  • Limited to 200 books free
  • Overwhelming for casual readers
  • No modern features
Best for:

Collectors and librarians who need serious cataloging. Not ideal for casual readers who just want to track what they've read.

Our Recommendation

There's no single "best" alternative — it depends on what you need:

  • Want AI features + quote capture? → Shelfy
  • Want discovery + social? → StoryGraph
  • Need gamification to stay motivated? → Bookly
  • Have Android? → Bookmory or StoryGraph
  • Want free + social? → Literal or Hardcover
  • Serious collector? → LibraryThing

Many readers use 2-3 apps together. StoryGraph for discovery, Shelfy for reading engagement, etc. These apps complement each other.

Ready to try something new?

Shelfy's AI chat and OCR quotes change how you engage with books. Free to try.

Download Shelfy Free