A Review: Goodreads vs. StoryGraph

Introduction

This is my first review on something that isn’t a book but rather websites/apps for book logs. 

Goodreads and The StoryGraph are very similar. The idea is to log the books you are currently reading, have read or want to read as well as DNF’d (did not finish; Goodreads does not have a DNF option but StoryGraph does).

You can also read other people’s reviews on both platforms and both have a 1-5 star rating similar to what I do here on my website, last but not least you can also have friends on both platforms. 

I would say where these two differ is mostly in what is offered, how it’s offered and look and feel, as well as functionality. 

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Goodreads

Goodreads has been around longer and probably the one that is the most heard of and used. It has been owned by none other than Amazon since 2013. It is available as an app on iOS and Android, as well as the web via your internet browser. 

I started using goodreads a long time ago, however, I only use it now for some of its functionality that works best for my website. To me, the app and the website look dated, cluttered and cramped but it does get the job done, albeit with some maneuvering as it can take a bit to find what you are looking for. With that being said, I do believe they have made it appear cleaner more recently and the app is definitely the most clean on the Main Page, with the website looking very cluttered on the homepage.

Goodreads is also included on most Kindle devices, which makes sense since both are owned by Amazon. 

On top of the normal reading logs, they also offer communities to chat and talk with other readers and Choice awards, recommendations based on what you have read or want to read, and last but not least Giveaways. 

You can enter giveaways that are sponsored by the Authors and Publishers of the books that are found in the giveaways. There seems to be a decent collection of books offered, both in print and ebook form. 

Goodreads also offers widgets that can be used on your website or blogs, if you so choose. This is the main thing I use goodreads for but because I use the widgets on my website I do at the very least log what I want to read, have read and what I am currently reading. 

I would say Goodreads is a good option if you want to do more than just log your reading habits and have reading friends. If all you want is to log your reading and maybe some friends but also want a cleaner experience then I would look to none other than StoryGraph.

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The StoryGraph

Nadia Odunayo is the CEO and founder of The StoryGraph and it is also available on iOS and Android, as well as the web via your internet browser. 

One of the first things that caught my eye and attention about the StoryGraph was how clean and simplistic it appeared to be on both the app and website.

StoryGraph does have a free version as well as, what they call, StoryGraph Plus, which will cost you $4.99 USD per month or $49.99 USD per year. The Plus version gives you extra bits and goodies. 

One of the features StoryGraph offers is reading stats. As you update what you are reading and have read, you can go to the stats page and will be greeted with graphs detailing how many books you’ve read in the year, as well as graphs showing your moods, pace, book pages, Fiction to nonfiction ratio, format and how many books and pages you’ve read each month through the year.

Is all of that necessary? Maybe not, but it is a cool feature, especially if you’d like to branch out in your reading habits. 

The StoryGraph has also very recently added their own giveaways. I would say that the books listed in their giveaway may be books and authors you may not have ever heard of, whereas some of the books and authors listed in the Goodreads giveaways you possibly have heard of.

Whether you have or not, it would still be cool to win a free book and double points if you end up enjoying the read! 

Conclusion

Both options are a decent choice but it may come down to personal preference and how many features you want. 

For me personally, if The StoryGraph had widgets for websites, I wouldn’t use Goodreads at all. I prefer StoryGraph’s cleaner look and appearance, as well as functionality. I enjoy their graphs for your reading style, taste, and speed. 

However, because Goodreads is the popular choice and possibly more known, more people would be using it which may be an incentive if you want to use the community functionality and add friends. 

Also, if you want to enter giveaways for books, Goodreads has the better options for more known books and authors. 

If none of that appeals to you though and you would just like to log what you have read or are reading, then I would suggest StoryGraph.