Head to head
Fable or Goodreads: which is the better smart bookmark?
On our weights Fable scores 5.60 against 5.40 for Goodreads. Fable scores higher on story recall and print, ebook and audiobook; Goodreads scores higher on works with any book and price. They tie on exact place, phones and platforms and privacy. 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 | Fable | Goodreads | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact place 30% | 4 | 4 | Tie |
| Story recall 20% | 5 | 2 | Fable |
| Print, ebook and audiobook 10% | 7 | 5 | Fable |
| Works with any book 10% | 7 | 10 | Goodreads |
| Phones and platforms 10% | 10 | 10 | Tie |
| Price 10% | 6 | 9 | Goodreads |
| Privacy 10% | 4 | 4 | Tie |
| Total | 5.60 | 5.40 | Fable |
Fable
Goodreads
Where does each score well?
Fable
Goodreads
Which formats does each cover?
| Format | Fable | Goodreads |
|---|---|---|
| Not described on the pages we read Not published | Print: page progress updates | |
| Ebook | Its own ebook reader with a catalogue of over one million interactive ebooks, plus highlights, notes and comments | Ebook editions, such as Kindle Edition, can be shelved; no ebook tools described |
| Audiobook | Through a linked Everand account (Everand from $11.99 a month): listening activity syncs to Fable; playback inside Fable not described | Audiobook editions, such as Audible Audio, can be shelved; no audio tools described |
What does each cost?
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 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.
Choose Goodreads if
you value using it with any book and running on every device you own.
Best for: Logging books where your friends already are.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the better smart bookmark, Fable or Goodreads?
Fable scores 5.60 against 5.40 on our weights, so it scores higher on this question. The pick-up calculator lets you change the weights.
Which is cheaper, Fable or Goodreads?
Fable: Free core app; Fable Plus: $5.99 a month or $49.99 a year. Goodreads: Free, no subscription.
Do Fable and Goodreads work on Android?
Fable runs on Android. Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android and web. Goodreads runs on Android. Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android and web.