Head to head
Literal or The StoryGraph: which is the better smart bookmark?
On our weights The StoryGraph scores 6.40 against 6.20 for Literal. Literal scores higher on story recall, price and privacy; The StoryGraph scores higher on exact place and phones and platforms. They tie on print, ebook and audiobook and works with any book. Literal is not on Android yet.
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 | Literal | The StoryGraph | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact place 30% | 3 | 5 | The StoryGraph |
| Story recall 20% | 7 | 5 | Literal |
| Print, ebook and audiobook 10% | 7 | 7 | Tie |
| Works with any book 10% | 8 | 8 | Tie |
| Phones and platforms 10% | 6 | 10 | The StoryGraph |
| Price 10% | 10 | 8 | Literal |
| Privacy 10% | 8 | 6 | Literal |
| Total | 6.20 | 6.40 | The StoryGraph |
Literal
The StoryGraph
Where does each score well?
Literal
The StoryGraph
Which formats does each cover?
| Format | Literal | The StoryGraph |
|---|---|---|
| Print: highlights by camera or typed in | Print: progress updates by page or percentage | |
| Ebook | Public-domain ebooks in the app | Ebooks: Kobo e-reader and app progress syncs automatically |
| Audiobook | Public-domain audiobooks in the app | Audiobooks: annual listening goals |
What does each cost?
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
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 Literal if
you value a low price and using it with any book.
Best for: Saving highlights for free, with no ads.
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, Literal or The StoryGraph?
The StoryGraph scores 6.40 against 6.20 on our weights, so it scores higher on this question. The pick-up calculator lets you change the weights.
Which is cheaper, Literal or The StoryGraph?
Literal: Free, no in-app purchases on the App Store; Optional membership: Plus $40 a year, Supporter $80 a year. The StoryGraph: Free core app; StoryGraph Plus: $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year (US App Store).
Do Literal and The StoryGraph work on Android?
Literal is not on Android yet. Platforms: iPhone, iPad and web; Android listed as coming soon. The StoryGraph runs on Android. Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android and web.