Head to head
Goodreads or The StoryGraph: which is the better smart bookmark?
On our weights The StoryGraph scores 6.40 against 5.40 for Goodreads. Goodreads scores higher on works with any book and price; The StoryGraph scores higher on exact place, story recall, print, ebook and audiobook and privacy. They tie on phones and platforms. Both run on Android and iPhone.
The StoryGraph's automatic progress sync applies to Kobo e-readers and apps. On other formats you enter the page or percentage.
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 | Goodreads | The StoryGraph | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact place 30% | 4 | 5 | The StoryGraph |
| Story recall 20% | 2 | 5 | The StoryGraph |
| Print, ebook and audiobook 10% | 5 | 7 | The StoryGraph |
| Works with any book 10% | 10 | 8 | Goodreads |
| Phones and platforms 10% | 10 | 10 | Tie |
| Price 10% | 9 | 8 | Goodreads |
| Privacy 10% | 4 | 6 | The StoryGraph |
| Total | 5.40 | 6.40 | The StoryGraph |
Goodreads
The StoryGraph
Where does each score well?
Goodreads
The StoryGraph
Which formats does each cover?
| Format | Goodreads | The StoryGraph |
|---|---|---|
| Print: page progress updates | Print: progress updates by page or percentage | |
| Ebook | Ebook editions, such as Kindle Edition, can be shelved; no ebook tools described | Ebooks: Kobo e-reader and app progress syncs automatically |
| Audiobook | Audiobook editions, such as Audible Audio, can be shelved; no audio tools described | Audiobooks: annual listening goals |
What does each cost?
The StoryGraph
- Free core app
- StoryGraph Plus: $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year (US App Store)
Source: StoryGraph: Reading Tracker, US App Store · Read 27 Sep 2026
Which should you choose?
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.
Choose The StoryGraph if
you value running on every device you own and using it with any book.
Best for: Kobo e-reader owners and readers who want a full tracker.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the better smart bookmark, Goodreads or The StoryGraph?
The StoryGraph scores 6.40 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, Goodreads or The StoryGraph?
Goodreads: Free, no subscription. The StoryGraph: Free core app; StoryGraph Plus: $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year (US App Store).
Do Goodreads and The StoryGraph work on Android?
Goodreads runs on Android. Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android and web. The StoryGraph runs on Android. Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android and web.