Head to head
Basmo or Fable: which is the better smart bookmark?
On our weights Basmo scores 6.10 against 5.60 for Fable. Basmo scores higher on exact place, story recall and print, ebook and audiobook; Fable scores higher on phones and platforms, price and privacy. They tie on works with any book. Both run on Android and iPhone.
By The Margin Desk · Smart Bookmark Compare · Published 2026-10-08
Desk research from public App Store and Google Play listings and the app makers' own pages. Vendor facts read September 2026, updated 2026-10-11. Editorial assessment; we did not test the apps hands-on.
How do the scores compare?
| Criterion | Basmo | Fable | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact place 30% | 5 | 4 | Basmo |
| Story recall 20% | 8 | 5 | Basmo |
| Print, ebook and audiobook 10% | 8 | 7 | Basmo |
| Works with any book 10% | 7 | 7 | Tie |
| Phones and platforms 10% | 7 | 10 | Fable |
| Price 10% | 5 | 6 | Fable |
| Privacy 10% | 3 | 4 | Fable |
| Total | 6.10 | 5.60 | Basmo |
Basmo
Fable
Where does each score well?
Basmo
Fable
Which formats does each cover?
| Format | Basmo | Fable |
|---|---|---|
| Print: lists and a page scanner for highlights | Not described on the pages we read Not published | |
| Ebook | Ebooks: lists and Kindle highlight import | Its own ebook reader with a catalogue of over one million interactive ebooks, plus highlights, notes and comments |
| Audiobook | Audiobooks: tracked in your lists; no audio-specific tools described | Through a linked Everand account (Everand from $11.99 a month): listening activity syncs to Fable; playback inside Fable not described |
What does each cost?
Basmo
- Free to start
- Basmo PRO: $4.99 billed monthly or $39.99 billed annually, after a free 7-day trial (US App Store)
Source: Basmo, US App Store (October 2026) · Read 11 Oct 2026
Fable
- Free core app
- Fable Plus: $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year
Source: Fable help: How much will Fable Plus cost · Read 27 Sep 2026
Which should you choose?
Choose Basmo if
you value help remembering the story and reading the same book in print, ebook and audio.
Best for: Keeping a reading journal with highlights.
Choose Fable if
you value running on every device you own and reading the same book in print, ebook and audio.
Best for: Reading with a club.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the better smart bookmark, Basmo or Fable?
Basmo scores 6.10 against 5.60 on our weights, so it scores higher on this question. The pick-up calculator lets you change the weights.
Which is cheaper, Basmo or Fable?
Basmo: Free to start; Basmo PRO: $4.99 billed monthly or $39.99 billed annually, after a free 7-day trial (US App Store). Fable: Free core app; Fable Plus: $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year.
Do Basmo and Fable work on Android?
Basmo runs on Android. Platforms: iPhone (the App Store says "Only for iPhone") and Android. Fable runs on Android. Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android and web.