Stacks Reading List vs Reading Journal
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Stacks Reading List
Easily track books you want to read and those you've enjoyed. Scan barcodes to add titles and find links to purchase them from major online retailers.
- Track books to read
- Track enjoyed books
- Barcode scanning
- Add books to list
- Link to purchase books
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A simple reading list for the avid reader. Stacks is a delightfully easy way to keep track of the books you want to read and the books you have enjoyed. • Browsing at the bookstore? Scan a book's barcode to quickly add it to your list. • When you're ready to start reading, link to buy the book on iBooks, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.
Reading Journal
This app helps you remember what you read by tracking your library, reading status, and favorite quotes. Set reading goals, join challenges, and keep your progress organized with personal notes and summaries.
- Track books (want to read, reading, finished)
- Save quotes, reviews, and summaries
- Set reading goals and track progress
- Join reading challenges
- Sync library with iCloud
- Export/import data (JSON/CSV)
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Reading Journal is a clean, focused reading tracker for people who want to remember more of what they read. Track your library, update reading status, rate finished books, save favorite quotes, and keep personal notes tied to each book. Set yearly or monthly reading goals, join reading challenges, and keep your progress organized without clutter. Use Reading Journal to: - Track books you want to read, are reading, or finished - Save quotes, reviews, summaries, and favorite moments - Set reading goals and follow your progress - Join reading challenges for extra motivation - Keep your library synced with iCloud - Export or import your data with JSON or CSV backups Reading Journal is built for readers who want a simple, elegant place for their books, thoughts, and progress. Subscribe to unlock all features. Manage anytime in Settings. Terms of Use - https://sifterapps.com/terms.html Privacy Policy - https://sifterapps.com/policy.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Stacks Reading List at none against Reading Journal's 3. Stacks Reading List also leads on ratings volume (230 vs 33) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). Reading Journal's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 66%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). On price, rating, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Reading Journal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Stacks Reading List asks for nothing beyond the download.
Reading Journal holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stacks Reading List has 230 ratings behind it against 33, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Stacks Reading List's written reviews are positive against 100% of Reading Journal's.
Stacks Reading List ships an update every 6 weeks, Reading Journal fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Stacks Reading List | Reading Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (230 ratings) | 4.8 (33 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 66.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 230 — better | 33 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Stephen Morris | Sergii Nesterenko |
Customer experience
Stacks Reading List
Reading Journal
Bugs and requests
Stacks Reading List
Reported bugs
12 issues- App crashes when adding books
- Scanning ISBN not working
- App quits unexpectedly
- Search function not working
- Unable to add new books
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- Goodreads connection blank/not authenticating
- Scanner not working
- Missing book covers
- No way to delete books
- No way to sync data to new phone
- Search function unreliable
- Book names not appearing under icon
Requested features
22 requests- Add DNF section
- Customize book order
- Link to Apple account for sync
- Create folders for organization
- Send lists to others
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- Sync to iCloud or online account
- Add date read/purchased
- Indicate book ownership/format
- Backup to iCloud
- Add custom notes
- Add 'date read' function
- Add delete function
- Add wish list section
- Allow manual book entry
- Improve search functionality
- Add progress tracking (page number)
- Add reminders
- Add achievements
- Add number counter for read books
- Upload to Goodreads
- Add tags and categories
- Export list to CSV
Reading Journal
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Stacks Reading List
No in-app purchases
Reading Journal
- Monthly Access$3.991 Month
- Yearly Access$19.991 Year
- Lifetime Access$12.99
Questions
Is Stacks Reading List free?
Is Reading Journal free?
Which has better reviews, Stacks Reading List or Reading Journal?
Do Stacks Reading List or Reading Journal have ads?
Which is updated more often, Stacks Reading List or Reading Journal?
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