Dedicated apps help users keep a list of books they’ve read, plan their reading, track progress, and discover works that match their interests. Some focus on statistics and personalized recommendations, while others turn reading into a social activity — with discussions, reviews, and virtual book clubs.

TechCrunch has compiled five apps that can serve as alternatives to Goodreads, one of the best-known book services owned by Amazon. The selection includes lesser-known platforms with different approaches to organizing the reading experience.

Fable: reading as a social activity

Fable combines a digital reading journal with a social platform. Users can create book lists, set goals, track reading streaks, publish reviews, and join virtual book clubs. The app also offers personalized recommendations and lets users discuss what they’ve read with other members.

Fable’s main distinguishing feature is its focus on community. The app is well suited to those who find it easier to stay motivated when they can share impressions, discuss books, and follow the progress of other readers.

Fable is available for free on iOS and Android. A Fable Plus subscription for $5.99 per month unlocks additional features, including reading goal customization and advanced analytics.

Website: https://fable.co/

Bookshelf: a personal library with AI tools

Bookshelf is designed for those who want to organize their home library, discover new works, and better remember what they’ve read. The service positions itself as an alternative to Goodreads, combining the familiar functions of a reading journal with recommendations and artificial intelligence-based tools.

In the app, users can create their own bookshelves, set goals, receive reminders, and save favorite quotes. The AI tools help users work with books they’ve already read by generating concise summaries, highlighting key ideas, and analyzing major themes.

Bookshelf can be downloaded for free on iOS. A premium subscription for $6.99 per month unlocks additional features, including unlimited collections and advanced analytics.

Website: https://getbookshelf.com/

Pagebound: spoiler-free discussions

Pagebound allows users to track books they’ve read, create lists, and set goals, as well as discuss individual works on dedicated forums. Instead of joining a full-fledged book club with a schedule, users can simply share their impressions and connect with others who are reading the same book.

The developers have paid special attention to spoilers. Discussions are organized based on readers’ progress, so participants can share theories and reactions as they read without risking accidentally learning the ending.

This format is well suited to those who want to discuss books with like-minded readers but are not ready to adapt to a book club schedule.

Pagebound is available for free on iOS and Android. A subscription for $9.99 per month provides additional features, including advanced profile customization.

Website: https://pagebound.co/

StoryGraph: statistics and mood-based recommendations

StoryGraph combines a reading journal, detailed statistics, and personalized recommendations. Users can set goals, take part in reading challenges, and choose new books based on genres, themes, mood, and pacing.

Unlike services that primarily rely on book popularity and current trends, StoryGraph tries to account for individual preferences. This helps users find works that fit a specific need — for example, depending on whether the reader wants something light, tense, or emotionally complex.

The app is available for free on iOS and Android. A StoryGraph Plus subscription for $4.99 per month gives access to additional statistics, customizable charts, and other features.

Website: https://thestorygraph.com/

Margins: finding books by mood and aesthetic

Margins is aimed at readers who choose books not only by genre or author, but also by mood. The app helps users search for works by a specific atmosphere — for example, by suggesting books in the spirit of “1920s Paris.” Users can also track progress and set reading goals here.

A separate feature of the service is the ability to personalize a virtual library. Users can choose cover designs and organize bookshelves, including by color.

Margins also includes a built-in Reading Time timer with a meditation feature. It helps users focus on reading by blocking social media apps during a session.

Margins is available for free on iOS and Android.

Website: https://margins.app/

Which app to choose

Each service has its own focus, so the choice depends on what exactly the reader feels is missing:

· Fable — for those who want to discuss books, join virtual clubs, and maintain motivation through community.

· Bookshelf — for organizing a library, saving quotes, and working with ideas from books you’ve read using AI.

· Pagebound — for discussing individual works without the risk of running into spoilers.

· StoryGraph — for detailed statistics and recommendations based on genre, mood, and pacing.

· Margins — for finding books by atmosphere and creating a personalized virtual library.

If what you need most is detailed reading tracking, StoryGraph is worth considering. For those who value communication more, Fable and Pagebound are good options, while readers who love aesthetics and mood-based book discovery may prefer Margins. Bookshelf will be useful for those who want not only to keep a list of what they’ve read, but also to return to the key ideas of books.