StoryGraph review: stats without the shame
Mood matching, real statistics, no feed, and a Goodreads import that takes an evening and works.
Verdict in brief
The tracker for readers who want stats and mood matching instead of a social feed, with an import that makes leaving Goodreads an evening's work.
Last checked 2026-08-01 — prices and verdicts are desk-reviewed, not verified at a live checkout. Tell us if something moved and we will date the fix.
What is StoryGraph, actually?
An independent reading tracker built around how a book feels rather than who else liked it. You log books, answer a few prompts, and get recommendations tuned by mood, pace, and length instead of popularity.
Are the stats actually useful?
Yes, more than any competitor's. Pace, mood distribution, page counts, genre spread, and DNF tracking all read like something designed by a reader rather than a growth team.
The recommendations improve sharply once you have logged forty or fifty books with prompts answered. Log lazily and they stay generic.
Where the free tier ends
Plus, around $4.99 a month at desk-checked prices, adds deeper stats, custom challenges, and up-next suggestions. The free tier is genuinely the product; Plus is a tip with features attached.
Scores, criterion by criterion
Experience 14/20 (web-first feel on mobile). Catalog fit 11/15. Ownership 12/15 (import and export both work). Sync 8/10. Discovery 9/10 (the best in this category). Price honesty 9/10. Accessibility 7/10. Staying power 7/10 (small independent team).
Who should install, sample, or pass
Install. If you have ever felt nagged by a reading challenge, this is the app that fixes it, and the migration guide makes moving painless.
Lock-in
What you own, and what you lose
| Formats | n/a (tracking service) |
|---|---|
| DRM | n/a |
| Export path | CSV export and Goodreads CSV import |
| Offline access | Limited |
| If you cancel | The free tier is the product; Plus removes only extras |
| If it folds | Honest speculation: an indie team is a real risk, and the export button is why it is a manageable one. |
The score, criterion by criterion
| Criterion | Score | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and listening experience | 14 | 20 |
| Library and catalog fit | 11 | 15 |
| Ownership and lock-in | 12 | 15 |
| Sync and cross-platform | 8 | 10 |
| Discovery and tracking | 9 | 10 |
| Price honesty | 9 | 10 |
| Accessibility | 7 | 10 |
| Staying power | 7 | 10 |
Total 77/100 · DESK REVIEW · PROVISIONAL
If this is not for you
—
Hardcover
The modern, open Goodreads alternative, improving monthly.
Free; supporter tiers from $5/mo — desk-checked, unverified
70/100
- Reading and listening experience: 13 out of 20
- Library and catalog fit: 10 out of 15
- Ownership and lock-in: 12 out of 15
- Sync and cross-platform: 7 out of 10
- Discovery and tracking: 8 out of 10
- Price honesty: 8 out of 10
- Accessibility: 7 out of 10
- Staying power: 5 out of 10
—
Goodreads
The network everyone is on, running on a decade of neglect.
Free, ad-supported
68/100
- Reading and listening experience: 9 out of 20
- Library and catalog fit: 13 out of 15
- Ownership and lock-in: 8 out of 15
- Sync and cross-platform: 8 out of 10
- Discovery and tracking: 6 out of 10
- Price honesty: 9 out of 10
- Accessibility: 6 out of 10
- Staying power: 9 out of 10
—
Bookly
Reading sessions with a timer: streaks, stats, and ambient goals.
Free tier; Pro $4.99/mo — desk-checked, unverified
67/100
- Reading and listening experience: 13 out of 20
- Library and catalog fit: 8 out of 15
- Ownership and lock-in: 10 out of 15
- Sync and cross-platform: 7 out of 10
- Discovery and tracking: 8 out of 10
- Price honesty: 7 out of 10
- Accessibility: 7 out of 10
- Staying power: 7 out of 10
Q & A
Questions readers actually ask
- Can I import Goodreads into StoryGraph?
- Yes. Export the Goodreads CSV and upload it; shelves, ratings, and read dates transfer. Reviews you wrote come across as text, and friend connections do not.
- Is StoryGraph free?
- The core tracker is free with no ads. Plus adds deeper stats and custom challenges for a few dollars a month.
Record of corrections
Changelog
- 2026-08-01 · Initial desk-review publication; hands-on re-score scheduled.
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