Best book tracking apps in 2026, compared

There are dozens of book tracking apps now. Most of them do roughly the same thing: let you log books, set reading goals, and see how much you’ve read. The differences come down to what else they do, how they look, and what they do with your data.

We compared five of the most popular ones. Here’s how they stack up.

Side-by-side comparison

Feature	Bookdot	Goodreads	StoryGraph	Literal	Bookly
Platform	iOS	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android	iOS, Android
Price	Free + Premium	Free	Free + Premium	Free + Premium	Free + Premium
Reading stats	Detailed	Basic	Detailed	Basic	Detailed
Social features	Minimal	Extensive	Moderate	Moderate	Minimal
Book discovery	Manual	Recommendations	Content-based	Community	Manual
Offline support	Full	Limited	No	No	Full
Notion sync	Yes	No	No	No	No
Reading timer	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
Privacy focus	High	Low	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Import from Goodreads	Yes	N/A	Yes	Yes	Yes

1. Bookdot — for iOS readers who care about privacy

Bookdot is a native iOS app. Everything runs on your device with iCloud sync, so your reading data doesn’t go anywhere you haven’t chosen. There’s no account signup, no social feed, and no ads.

What it does well:

• Built-in reading timer that tracks how long each session lasts
• Stats that go deeper than “books per year” (pace, streaks, calendar view)
• Notes and highlights per book
• Notion sync, which no other reading tracker offers
• Home screen widgets

Where it falls short:

• iOS only. No Android, no web.
• Smaller book database than Goodreads
• If you want a reading community, this isn’t it

Pricing: Free to download. Premium unlocks unlimited bookshelves, detailed stats, and Notion sync.

Good fit if: You read on iPhone/iPad, you like your data staying on your device, and you’d rather track reading than talk about it.

2. Goodreads — for readers who want a community

Goodreads has 150 million members and the biggest book database around. It’s owned by Amazon, which means the catalog is massive but your data feeds into Amazon’s ad ecosystem.

What it does well:

• Largest book database and reader community
• Completely free
• Book clubs, discussion groups, author Q&As
• Available everywhere (web, iOS, Android)

Where it falls short:

• The app feels old. Slow loads, clunky navigation, no major redesign in years
• Privacy isn’t a priority. Amazon tracks your reading activity
• Reading stats are basic (books per year, that’s about it)
• No reading timer or session tracking

Pricing: Free.

Good fit if: You want to find reading friends, read reviews before picking a book, and don’t mind Amazon having your reading data.

3. StoryGraph — for readers who want better recommendations

StoryGraph was built as a direct Goodreads alternative. Its main selling point is recommendations based on mood, pace, and themes rather than what’s popular.

What it does well:

• Recommendation engine that actually considers what a book feels like to read
• Detailed reading stats with nice graphs
• Content warnings so you can avoid topics that bother you
• Independent, not owned by a tech company

Where it falls short:

• Smaller community than Goodreads
• Mobile apps feel like wrapped websites
• Limited offline support
• Some gaps in the book database for niche titles

Pricing: Free. Plus subscription ($4.99/month) for extra features.

Good fit if: You’re tired of Goodreads recommendations and want an app that understands reading preferences beyond genre.

4. Literal — for readers who want something simple

Literal is the minimalist option. Clean design, no clutter, and a growing community of readers who prefer a quieter space than Goodreads.

What it does well:

• Clean interface that’s easy on the eyes
• Curated reading community
• Nice book lists and collections
• Works across all platforms

Where it falls short:

• Smaller book database
• Not many reading stats
• Fewer features overall
• No timer or session tracking

Pricing: Free with optional premium.

Good fit if: You find Goodreads overwhelming and want something that just looks good and stays out of your way.

5. Bookly — for readers who like gamification

Bookly is all about the reading session. Timer, page tracking, achievements, streaks. It tries to make reading feel like a game you’re winning.

What it does well:

• Solid reading timer and page tracking
• Achievements and streaks that keep you motivated
• Good stats and charts
• Works offline

Where it falls short:

• Limited social features
• Smaller book database
• No integration with Notion or other tools
• Some features require the paid version

Pricing: Free with premium subscription for full features.

Good fit if: You want something that times your reading sessions and gives you a little dopamine hit for hitting your daily goal.

So which one?

Pick Bookdot if you want privacy, good stats, and Notion sync on iOS. Pick Goodreads if community and reviews matter most. Pick StoryGraph for better recommendations. Pick Literal if you want clean and simple. Pick Bookly if gamification keeps you reading.

Most of them are free to try, so you can just download two and see which one sticks.

---

Try Bookdot

Download Bookdot free on the App Store if you want a reading tracker that stays out of your way and keeps your data private.