Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

BookBuddy vs Goodreads

BookBuddy 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Tie
Goodreads 4.8★ · Free to download 70

BookBuddy is better for dedicated personal library management and inventory, while Goodreads excels as a social platform for tracking reading progress and discovering new books.

Full reviews: BookBuddy · Goodreads

BookBuddy offers robust features for cataloging personal book collections, including barcode scanning and loan tracking, with a one-time payment for unlimited books. Goodreads is a popular social platform for readers, enabling tracking, reviews, and connecting with friends, but users frequently criticize its outdated interface and ads.

Head to head

Features for Library Management edge: BookBuddyR2R11R17R20
BookBuddy BookBuddy is highly praised for its ability to scan barcodes and ISBNs to catalog books, track loaned books, and organize collections with tags and custom sorting R2R11R17R20. Users appreciate the detailed inventory management and the option to add custom covers and information for books not found automatically R11.
Goodreads Goodreads allows users to track books they've read, want to read, or are currently reading, and helps prevent buying duplicates R68. It also supports setting reading goals and offers various shelves, though some users wish for more built-in shelf options like 'audio' R68.
Ease of Use & Interface edge: BookBuddyR1R3R5R9
BookBuddy Many BookBuddy users find the app easy to use and intuitive for cataloging books R3R5R35R45. However, some report issues with scanning older books or indie titles, requiring manual input R1R12R16. There are also complaints about clunky features, font scaling, and a desire for drag-and-drop sorting R9.
Goodreads Goodreads is described as generally easy to navigate and use for tracking R68. However, a significant number of users criticize its outdated, clunky, and basic UI, wishing for a more modern and user-friendly interface .
Reliability & Performance tieR1R7R12R16
BookBuddy BookBuddy generally performs well for cataloging, with users appreciating its time-saving barcode scanning R20R51. However, some users report issues with the app not recognizing a significant portion of books, especially older or indie titles, leading to manual entry R1R12R16. There are also reports of data deletion, incorrect month tracking, and purchased upgrades not working R7.
Goodreads Goodreads users report frequent glitches, including issues with logging in, syncing across devices, and the app deleting all their ratings and books . Notifications are also cited as annoying and not clearing properly .
Social & Community Features edge: GoodreadsR14R15R19R33
BookBuddy BookBuddy is primarily a personal library management tool and does not offer social features for connecting with other readers or sharing reviews R14R15R19R33. Users express a desire for family sharing options R15R19.
Goodreads Goodreads is highly valued for its social aspects, allowing users to connect with friends, see what they're reading, share reviews, and participate in a large book community R68. However, users frequently complain about the difficulty in finding and adding friends R72.
Price & Value edge: BookBuddyR4R6R10R11
BookBuddy BookBuddy offers a free tier with a limit of 50 books, after which a one-time payment of $10 (or $6, $20 in some reviews) is required for a lifetime membership and unlimited books R4R6R11R13. Many users find the one-time payment worth it for the features and lack of ads R10R11R32R35. However, some are frustrated by the sudden paywall after scanning many books R13.
Goodreads Goodreads is free to download and use, but users report a significant increase in sponsored ads, including video ads, which detract from the user experience R61R64R85R94.
Reviewing & Rating edge: GoodreadsR17R35R45R68
BookBuddy BookBuddy is primarily for cataloging and tracking, not for public reviews or detailed ratings. It allows users to track reading status and add personal tags R17R35R45.
Goodreads Goodreads is a popular platform for rating and reviewing books, allowing users to write reviews, set reading goals, and track progress R68. A major and frequent complaint from users is the lack of half-star or quarter-star rating options, which many feel is a crucial missing feature R72R75R76R81.
Pick BookBuddy if

You want a dedicated, ad-free app for meticulously cataloging your personal book collection, tracking loans, and organizing books with custom tags and sorting, and are willing to pay a one-time fee after 50 books R2R11R20R35.

Pick Goodreads if

You prioritize a social platform to track your reading progress, discover new books through community reviews, and connect with friends about books, and don't mind an older interface or ads R68.

Evidence note: Goodreads has a significantly larger number of reviews, but a substantial portion of recent reviews are negative, focusing on ads and UI issues. BookBuddy's reviews are more balanced, with negative feedback primarily concerning the paywall and scanning limitations for specific book types.

Frequently asked

Does BookBuddy have a free version?
Yes, BookBuddy offers a free version that allows you to add up to 50 books to your library R4R6R11R21.
How much does BookBuddy cost for unlimited books?
BookBuddy offers a one-time payment for a lifetime membership to add unlimited books, which users report costing around $10, though some reviews mention $6 or $20 R11R13R32R35.
Can I scan books with BookBuddy?
Yes, BookBuddy allows you to scan barcodes or enter ISBNs to quickly add books to your collection, and it can automatically upload book data and cover pictures R11R20R51R55.
Does Goodreads have ads?
Yes, recent reviews indicate that Goodreads has introduced sponsored ads, including video ads, particularly in the 'My Books' section and user shelves, which many users find annoying and distracting R61R64R85R94.
Can I use half-star ratings on Goodreads?
No, a frequent complaint from Goodreads users is the inability to use half-star or quarter-star ratings, with the app only allowing full-star ratings R72R75R76R81.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] BookBuddy 5/5 · US The best book inventory app: BookBuddy is a wonderful app and it allows for me to maintain a clean inventory for all of the books I own. Once in a while I need to manually add in a book that it doesn’t recognize, but it’s an easy task to do. I highly recommend the app.
  2. [R11] BookBuddy 5/5 · US FANTASTIC APP: I love this app - I can scan barcodes or enter ISBNs in manually, take photos of covers that don’t automatically apply, and even keep track of which books I’ve leant out. First 50 books are free to scan, then a one time and lifetime price for $10. I’m using this to keep track of my 300+ books and as evidence for any insurance needs!
  3. [R17] BookBuddy 5/5 · US Best app for personal library management: Obsessed with this app and all the ways I can keep track of the books I own. I love the tag feature, changing how the books are sorted, the reading status, all of it. Amazing app!!
  4. [R20] BookBuddy 5/5 · US Great Inventory Tool: This app is my go-to for keeping inventory of my home library and those books I loan to others. I love all the filter features, ability to simply scan barcodes with my phone camera and have the books’ data automatically upload from the web including cover pictures, plus being able to find-tune presets and wanted/unwanted fields. The best part is being able to add individual t
  5. [R1] BookBuddy 2/5 · US Disappointed: I originally wanted a different app. The one I wanted does not show up on Apple App Store. This was top of the list as a close related app. Was disappointed that half my books I scanned. I had to go back and enter in manually anyways save yourself the time in trouble and just get Handy library from Google.
  6. [R3] BookBuddy 3/5 · US Love it! But have request for change 🤍: I have been using this for years and absolutely love it!! So many awesome features and easy to use! I do ask for 2 things to be changed/updated - 1. Please add the ability to search by personal tags 2. Please add multiple tag categories that can be personalized - for example, I would love to have Topic Tags, Person Tags, Timeframe Tags so that I can go th
  7. [R5] BookBuddy 5/5 · US Love this app: I’ve been using this for a couple years now. Very easy to use. I have had maybe a handful not scan and need manual input. I will say I wish I could also track my book sub boxes with this! It would be so much easier
  8. [R9] BookBuddy 3/5 · US Seems nice enough: Update: so there is the workaround but it’s not as slick as you’d expect: you have to switch to list view, change the order and then go back to cover view. Seems nice enough, was hoping it would allow drag and drop for manual sort order in the thumbnail view. It’s great that you can sort by lots of criteria, but my moods on what to read next shift and I’d like to sort and reso
  9. [R7] BookBuddy 2/5 · US Confused: I do love this app, I paid the $10 for a lifetime membership. It’s not correct on which month I read the books in. It stopped editing in April
  10. [R12] BookBuddy 3/5 · US Ok I guess: Was super excited for this after it was recommended by a friend. It does alot of things I wish goodreads did. However, there’s practically no indie author books on here. I tried various methods and keywords to try and add books to my shelves and so many indie authors just don’t show up. Even worse is I paid $6 to be able to add more than 20 books only to discover this afterwards and th
  11. [R16] BookBuddy 1/5 · US Not for Older Books: I collect vintage paperbacks 1975-1995 and this app does not work with those UPC codes. It only works with new books with ISBN codes on modern books.
  12. [R14] BookBuddy 4/5 · US Great App: I definitely would recommend this app for anyone looking to catalog their books and track their collections. My only complaint would be that I have to manually create and add books to the “series” filter. This can be frustrating when you have large book series or a lot of different series. It would be nice if it would automatically gather this information online and create them for you.
  13. [R15] BookBuddy 3/5 · US Family Sharing Feature Need: The app should be configured to better support libraries of families
  14. [R19] BookBuddy 1/5 · US Can’t share with my spouse: My husband has paid for the service and has scanned our library. But when I download the app to access OUR library, it wants me to pay and scan in everything again! Why do I need to pay $20 and then scan for both of us to access the same information! You need a household option!
  15. [R33] BookBuddy 3/5 · GB BookBuddy: I would like to have a 'your account' page so that people that have borrowed books can directly see which books they have borrowed
  16. [R4] BookBuddy 2/5 · US book limit: only let me add 50
  17. [R6] BookBuddy 3/5 · US I don’t really know: App seemed great at first, however after adding 50 books to my shelf I was hit with a fee if I wanted to add any more books.
  18. [R10] BookBuddy 1/5 · US Very good: You can buy it outright instead of a subscription. Annoying number of in-app alerts. Update: it is asking for a review every time I complete an action in the app. I’ve updated my review to reflect this, as it renders the app unusable
  19. [R35] BookBuddy 5/5 · US Exceptional!: I need a home library to all so I knew what I had. I could quickly search by title or by author I can tag by genre or whatever my tag mind can dream up. I just used it at the bookstore to make sure I was not buying duplicates. It’s easy it’s intuitive. It does not have extras or ads. I do have the paid version, which is very much worth the price.
  20. [R45] BookBuddy 5/5 · US Easy to use: I have been using BookBuddy for years to track and rate books I’ve read. It’s easy to use. I can look up a title very quickly.
  21. [R68] Goodreads 4/5 · US Love Goodreads.: I am an avid reader and I absolutely love Goodreads. Not only does it track the books that I’ve,but I can rate them, write a review , and recommend them to friends and family. It helps me set reading goals and keeps track of them Plus it remembers all the books I’ve read so that I don’t download repeats Best app ever aside from kindle
  22. [R21] BookBuddy 3/5 · GB God but has some faults: This is a great app to log books in and reminds you who you have lenses your book to but I have about 150 books and it only lets me log 50 unless you pay for the premium package. Great app but not quite right for me.
  23. [R13] BookBuddy 1/5 · US Paid app: Wasn’t happy to start scanning and then be stopped at 50 books and forced to pay to continue.
  24. [R32] BookBuddy 5/5 · US Fantastic!!!!: This is an amazing app for a voracious reader / collector such as myself. Super simple to use, wonderful customization. Best $10 that I’ve spent in a while that wasn’t on a book of course. 😎 I can’t recommend this enough, love it!
  25. [R51] BookBuddy 5/5 · US Perfect for Cataloging a Home Library: I’ve been looking for a book inventory solution for some time with luck, then I found this gem of an app. It is so easy to use. The ability to scan ISBN numbers is a powerful timesaver. And, for those older books without those, the search by title/author works extensively well. Cataloged almost 2,000 books in 8 hours or so. Perfect, inexpensive option.
  26. [R55] BookBuddy 5/5 · US Bookbuddy makes it easy!: I like simple apps and heard a lot of great things about BookBuddy. So I took a chance and bought the Pro version. I was able to log 87 books so far! Most of them had the correct ISBN info, but for the ones that didn’t, it was pretty easy to enter a book into the system. Also, I am loving the wish list feature! Now I don’t have to waste space on my phone taking pics of my
  27. [R61] Goodreads 1/5 · US Ads in my books: There shouldn’t be ads in the ‘My Books’ section or any of the user’s shelves. It’s so annoying.
  28. [R64] Goodreads 1/5 · US Sponsored ads: The sponsored ads make the experience horrible.
  29. [R85] Goodreads 1/5 · US WACK: Imagine, ads while you’re trying to look at your Read / Want to Read list. I read to get away from being sold to 24/7. Jeez I’m good.
  30. [R94] Goodreads 1/5 · US It has ads now!: Don’t update the app, the new version has ads - big ones, videos, that are distracting and completely unrelated to books. Really frustrating
  31. [R72] Goodreads 3/5 · US Still Needs Upgrades: Literally everyone who uses Goodreads has wanted the option for quarter-star ratings forever, but Goodreads never obliges. Developers who don't listen to the people they serve kinda PMO, honestly. It also would be nice if it was easier to search for people to add as friends; the entire social aspect of the app leaves a lot to be desired. Additionally, if it remembered your se
  32. [R75] Goodreads 3/5 · US All we ask: Give us the ability to add half stars
  33. [R76] Goodreads 2/5 · US More Stars: I don’t like that you can only give a full star rating. You should be able to have more options.
  34. [R81] Goodreads 3/5 · US I wish: You could leave half star reviews on books! Otherwise app is flawless

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store