Head to head
Basmo or Literal: which is the better smart bookmark?
On our weights Literal scores 6.20 against 6.10 for Basmo. Basmo scores higher on exact place, story recall, print, ebook and audiobook and phones and platforms; Literal scores higher on works with any book, price and privacy. Literal is not on Android yet.
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 | Literal | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact place 30% | 5 | 3 | Basmo |
| Story recall 20% | 8 | 7 | Basmo |
| Print, ebook and audiobook 10% | 8 | 7 | Basmo |
| Works with any book 10% | 7 | 8 | Literal |
| Phones and platforms 10% | 7 | 6 | Basmo |
| Price 10% | 5 | 10 | Literal |
| Privacy 10% | 3 | 8 | Literal |
| Total | 6.10 | 6.20 | Literal |
Basmo
Literal
Where does each score well?
Basmo
Literal
Which formats does each cover?
| Format | Basmo | Literal |
|---|---|---|
| Print: lists and a page scanner for highlights | Print: highlights by camera or typed in | |
| Ebook | Ebooks: lists and Kindle highlight import | Public-domain ebooks in the app |
| Audiobook | Audiobooks: tracked in your lists; no audio-specific tools described | Public-domain audiobooks in the app |
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
Literal
- Free, no in-app purchases on the App Store
- Optional membership: Plus $40 a year, Supporter $80 a year
Source: Literal membership page · 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 Literal if
you value a low price and using it with any book.
Best for: Saving highlights for free, with no ads.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the better smart bookmark, Basmo or Literal?
Literal scores 6.20 against 6.10 on our weights, so it scores higher on this question. The pick-up calculator lets you change the weights.
Which is cheaper, Basmo or Literal?
Basmo: Free to start; Basmo PRO: $4.99 billed monthly or $39.99 billed annually, after a free 7-day trial (US App Store). Literal: Free, no in-app purchases on the App Store; Optional membership: Plus $40 a year, Supporter $80 a year.
Do Basmo and Literal work on Android?
Basmo runs on Android. Platforms: iPhone (the App Store says "Only for iPhone") and Android. Literal is not on Android yet. Platforms: iPhone, iPad and web; Android listed as coming soon.