*This post was updated on 4/7/22. I may update the post again in about a year to include any new features added to The StoryGraph or Goodreads.
When I first heard about The StoryGraph I was ecstatic. Goodreads never really worked for me. It was ugly and felt like a chore to keep organized. Finally, I had a new platform with built-in statistics and filters to help me track my reading without all the hassle. At the same time, the StoryGraph still lacks some of the features I like about Goodreads. Now that I’ve been using The StoryGraph for over a year now, I’ve decided to post my thoughts on Goodreads vs. The StoryGraph.
Goodreads Vs. The StoryGraph
Appearance
| # | The StoryGraph | Goodreads |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Looks very clean. | Looks very cluttered and has a lot of ads. On more than one occasion I’ve tried to click on a link, and accidentally clicked an ad that was slow to load. Very annoying. |
| 2 | No dark mode (but according to The StoryGraph roadmap there should be one someday). | Also no dark mode. The beige color of the website is easier on my eyes than white, but it’s also ugly. |
| 3 | I like the logo of black books on a white background. It’s simple but cute. | The logo is just an ugly, brown g ); |
Conclusion:
The StoryGraph is much more visually appealing even as it is right now. Once it has a dark mode option Goodreads won’t be able to compete.
Finding Books/Organization
| # | The StoryGraph | Goodreads |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Recommendations are easy to find on the home page. It’s also easy to filter books based on what I’m in the mood for. Recommendations have always been fitting in my experience and include books that aren’t bestsellers. | Recommendations can be found in the “reader’s also enjoyed” section on a book’s page. Not always fitting recommendations since it depends on other readers. |
| 5 | No bookish lists. | Includes a variety of bookish lists. Lists often include books that shouldn’t be included since they are user-added. |
| 6* | I can use built-in filters to sort through books on my TBR. Easy to keep organized, and filters can be personalized using tags. | I can organize my TBR by creating personalized shelves. Hard to keep up with the organization since all of it has to be manually done. |
| 7 | The search engine does not seem better than Goodreads. Sometimes indie books are not even in the database. You can manually add these books, but it’s irritating. | The search bar favors more popular books. Sometimes have to scroll farther to find indie/self-published books. Does not handle typos well. |
| 8* | Includes detailed statistics on books I’ve read including pages, genres, moods, pacing, etc… | No statistics. |
| 9* | DNF option. Pages you read of the DNFed book are still counted in reading goal even if the DNFed book does not count towards # of books read. | No DNF option (unless you create a specific shelf for it), and # of pages read is not counted. |
Conclusion:
When it comes to finding new books to read, The StoryGraph definitely has the advantage with the recommendations feature. I like that Goodreads has lists, but since the books on those lists are user-added I always find myself having to do extra research to make sure they’re what I’m looking for. As long as I’ve been using The StoryGraph, the recommendations are always on the nose.
I have row #6 starred because being able to find books on my TBR is extremely important to me as a reader. I like Goodread’s shelf system in theory, but it’s impossible for me to keep organized with it. The StoryGraph has built-in filters that require no maintinence and a tags feature that allows you to include your own filters. This works perfectly for me because I love having personalized tags, but not having to stress about keeping all of them organized since I can rely on the built-in filters. I’ve grown to love being able to just filter my TBR whenever I need to find a certain book.
Rows 8 and 9 are both starred because they mention features in The StoryGraph that I absolutely love. As I mentioned before, I’m terrible at keeping organized so having a bookish site automatically keep track of my reading statistics is the greatest thing since sliced bread. The DNF option is just an absolute lifesaver. Technically, you can add a DNF shelf to Goodreads, but having that immediately available option on The StoryGraph has made DNFing so much easier for me. It’s changed my reading from only DNFing once I’m weeks into a slump to DNFing as soon as I know a book isn’t for me.
Book Information Page and Reviews
| # | The StoryGraph | Goodreads |
|---|---|---|
| 10* | I can add private notes to reading updates, which help me write reviews. I like having this option since I prefer to share my thoughts after I’ve completed the book, not while I’m reading it. | Notes on reading updates are public. Private notes are harder to enter because you have to go to the review page and click “more options”. |
| 11* | Includes built-in questions for book mood, pacing, characters, content warnings, and more, which makes writing *consistent* reviews much easier. | No built-in questions. |
| 12 | Content warnings, moods, pacing, plot focus, and more are all included on the book’s page so it’s easy to find without going through reviews. Makes it easier to determine at a glance whether a book is worth looking into. | This information is not included on a book’s page (only average rating, genre, other general book information). |
| 13 | Genre information is not added by users, so it’s more reliable. | Genre information based on how users shelve the book. Makes it hard to figure out the genre of self-published books. Also, some books are shelved incorrectly by users which can be misleading. |
Conclusion:
Rows 10 and 11 are both starred because these StoryGraph features have made reviewing books so much easier for me. Sometimes I don’t have the mental capacity to come up with anything to say about a book after I’ve read it so being able to add notes to my reading updates and answer built-in questions for my reviews is an absolute gamechanger.
Social
| # | The StoryGraph | Goodreads |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Can host and join a variety of reading challenges, including the built-in challenges: # of books read in a year and # of pages read in a year. | Can only participate in # of books read in a year challenge. |
| 13 | You can start buddy reads with other readers. There is a limited amount of participants allowed and a buddy read must be started for each individual book. *** | You can join a Goodreads group and host buddy reads/book club discussions on the group page. Allows for a larger # of participants and many books can be read as long as the group is active. |
| 14 | I can like but NOT comment on a friend’s reading updates. *** | I can like and comment on a friend’s reading updates. |
***According to The StoryGraph roadmap users will be able to comment on reading activity and reviews of their friends in the future. The StoryGraph will also allow users to start book clubs, which I assume will function similar to Goodreads groups.
Conclusion:
Goodreads has more options on the social side of things, but The StoryGraph is quickly catching up in this area. Buddy reads are the perfect feature for someone who wants to read a book with a few friends, and The StoryGraph will someday have the option of starting a book club and commenting on reading updates.
Additional Comparisons
| # | The StoryGraph | Goodreads |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Not widely used because it’s still new, so reviews are less likely to be seen on this platform. | Has been around for a long time and is owned by Amazon, where many people buy books, so most people use Goodreads. |
| 16 | Because the platform is new and has fewer users, self-published/indie books are harder to find reviews for and often not even on the site (I’ve manually added several books). | Self-published/indie books have more reviews since there are more users. |
| 17 | Continues to make improvements to the site. Has clear goals and is open with users about what improvements are coming to The StoryGraph. | Has not made improvements in… IDK how long. |
| 18 | Actually seems to care about readers. | *gestures vaguely at Amazon* |
Conclusion:
The StoryGraph’s shortcomings are mostly a result of how new the platform is. Goodreads is more widely used and has been around long enough to have more reviews of smaller books.
Final Thoughts
Over the past year, I’ve been using The StoryGraph consistently while I struggle to keep up with Goodreads. I remember to add important reviews to both platforms, but when it comes to consistent reading updates, The StoryGraph works much better for my needs.
What are your thoughts on Goodreads vs. The StoryGraph? What are you favorite/least favorite aspects of each platform? Let’s discuss in the comments!
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Peyton
I also started exploring StoryGraph this year, and agree with a lot of your thoughts! It’s biggest drawback right now is the lack of information on indie/self-published books, which as you rightly point out, will hopefully grow over time. I also find it a bit hard to navigate StoryGraph (there’s no clean “my shelves” button that just let’s me jump from TBR to currently reading, etc.) but Goodreads is lacking a lot of features StoryGraph is bringing to the table. Great post, loved your charts!
Caitlin G. recently posted…Top Female Authors on My TBR (2022 Edition)
Even in the short time I’ve been on The StoryGraph I’ve noticed an improvement for indie books, so hopefully, it keeps getting better! I’ve heard other people talk about difficulty with finding their profile/shelves, and the only reason I didn’t include it is it wasn’t something that bothered me personally. Although now that I think about it I would like it to be easier to navigate to my previously read books.
I really enjoyed this post! Thank you for taking the time to detail the differences and your experiences with both platforms. I tend to agree on a lot of things. I would, however, like to point out that Goodreads does have a stats page for you as well. It shows how many books, pages, their rating you’ve read in a certain time period as well as publishing year, etc. and when you’ve read it. When you’re on your profile, below your bookshelves, on the right bottom side, there’s a “Stats” button 🙂
But I totally get updating Storygraph more regularly. I’ve been trying to make the switch and while I think there’s sometimes more clicks necessary to navigate Storygraph, I’ve been leaning towards it myself.
Kat Impossible recently posted…Ranking all the Morgan Matson Books!
I’m glad you liked this post! And thanks for letting me know about the stats page on Goodreads. I tried to include all relevant features I knew of, but I did miss a couple (someone also told me that The StoryGraph has a tags feature so you can add personalized filters to your shelves, which I previously didn’t know about).
Oh, super interesting! I’m so-so about GoodReads, but I’ve just signed up for a Story Graph account on the back of this – thank you!
I was also so-so about Goodreads before starting The StoryGraph, which helped me transition since The StoryGraph filled the gaps left by Goodreads. Hope you enjoy using the app!
Thank you for sharing such a thorough analysis! I’ve been wanting to set up a StoryGraph account for ages, I just get put off by the thought of transferring all my books across. It sounds like it will be well worth the effort in the end though! 📚❤️ X x x
I’m glad this helped you! Transferring books can be tedious but it ended up being worth it for me.
I have learned huge knowledge from here. I am waiting for your updates……
I updated the post today to include The StoryGraph’s buddy reads and tags features. I plan to do another one in a year or so in case any new features are added.