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Reading Apps vs. Notion Reading Trackers: Which is Right for You
- Mar 9
- 8 min read
Last week, I talked about what organized reading looks like when it's done well. If you read that post, you may have had the following thoughts:
"This is exactly what I need—where do I start?" or "This sounds good but also overwhelming."
Both are valid thoughts. And both point to the same question: what's the best way to actually do this?
There are dozens of reading trackers out there. Some use apps like Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Kindle. Some people are still using spreadsheets. Some are experimenting with Notion templates. There's probably a group of people who still paper journal. There's also probably folks who have used all of the above at one point in time.
None of them are universally "best." They're best for different people with different needs. This post is about helping you figure out which approach fits you and matches your reading practice, your technical comfort, and what you actually want from a tracker.
I'm going to be honest about the pros and cons of each approach, including Notion (which is what I use and what I've built something in). Because the worst outcome isn't choosing the "wrong" tool—it's choosing something that doesn't fit you and abandoning it within a couple weeks. Take it from me: when things start causing me confusion, I am good for uninstalling an app without a second thought.
So, let's break it down.
Reading Apps (Goodreads, StoryGraph, Bookly & sometimes Kindle)
Apps are great if you're a social reader who wants to see what your friends are reading, if you're logging books on your phone during your commute, or if you just want something quick and easy with basically no setup. They're perfect for people who prioritize convenience over customization and anyone who loves discovering new books through recommendations and trending lists (I know I do).
The pros:
Most of them are free. You can use them on your phone without wifi. You get social features—follow friends, join book clubs, see what people are reading. The stats and insights are already built for you. Logging is quick—usually just search for the book and tap a button. There's basically no learning curve. And the book recommendations based on your reading history? Actually helpful.
The cons: You get what they give you—no real customization. Most only let you set one reading goal at a time. The review systems are basic, just a text box where you type whatever. There aren't deep organization features. Your data lives on their servers and you can't really export it in any useful way. They're built for breadth, not depth.
When to choose this: You want something simple that just works. You read mostly for pleasure, not research or learning. Social features matter to you. You're happy with basic stats. You need to be able to log from your phone easily. You don't need to customize anything.
Honest take: Apps are excellent at what they do. StoryGraph in particular has impressive stats. If you're happy with an app, there's no reason to switch. Apps are the right choice for most readers. If I'm being honest, 90% of people don't need more than this. Now, if you're someone who wants more control than an app can give you but you're not quite ready to jump into something like Notion, let's talk spreadsheets.
Spreadsheets (Google Sheets, Excel)
Spreadsheets are for the data-oriented readers who want full control, people who like building their own systems, readers with unique tracking needs, and anyone who's comfortable with formulas and pivot tables.
The pros: Completely customizable—you build exactly what you want. The data analysis is powerful: pivot tables, charts, formulas, all of it. Google Sheets is free. Your data, your control. You can share it with others or keep it private. It works whether you're on your laptop or your phone. And with AI everywhere now, you can even create assistants to help transform your spreadsheets with a little bit of prompting.
The cons: Setup takes time—you're either starting from scratch or adapting someone else's template. Everything is manual entry. No native barcode scanning that I know of. No social features. It's not visually appealing unless you put in serious design work. There's a learning curve if you want to use the complex features. And maintenance is required—formulas break, sheets get messy over time.
When to choose this: You're comfortable with spreadsheets. You have specific data needs no app can handle. You want full ownership of your data. You actually enjoy building and maintaining systems. Visual appeal isn't a priority for you.
Honest take: Spreadsheets are powerful but they require work. Great for data nerds. Overwhelming for everyone else.
Alright, now we're getting to the one I actually use: Notion.
Notion Reading Trackers
Notion is for people who want everything in one workspace, readers who need deep customization and visual appeal, people building integrated life systems, and anyone who wants the power of spreadsheets but with better design. It's also for readers who need multiple databases talking to each other—books connected to authors, series, and goals, all in one place.
The pros: Highly customizable—databases, views, properties, you can set it up however you want. Visually appealing: cover images, gallery views, layouts that actually look good. Relational databases mean you can connect books to authors, series, and reading goals. If you already use Notion, your reading life integrates with everything else you're doing. Templates are available so you don't have to start from scratch. There's a mobile app, desktop app, and web version. The free tier is pretty generous. Tons of integrations with other apps. And your data lives in your workspace, not someone else's server.
The cons: There's a learning curve. Notion isn't intuitive when you first start. It takes time to set up, even with a template. No social features (yet!). Everything is manual entry—no barcode scanning. It can feel overwhelming if you're not already a Notion user (I know I was). It's not as quick to log as tapping a button in a mobile app. And it's desktop-first—the mobile app works, but it's not ideal for extensive logging on the go.
When to choose this: You already use Notion for other things. You want customization and visual appeal. You're willing to put in setup time for long-term benefits. You need features apps don't offer—reading curricula, multiple goals at once, deep review structures. You do most of your work on a computer. You want your reading life connected to everything else in your life.
Honest take: Notion trackers are powerful but not for everyone. If you're not already in the Notion ecosystem, the learning curve might not be worth it. But if you are in Notion? It's the obvious choice. Everything lives in one place, and that makes a difference. Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "But what about just writing things down?" Fair question.
Let's talk paper journals.
Paper Journals
Paper journals are for readers who think and process best by writing by hand, people who want a mindful and slow practice, those who prioritize reflection over data, and readers who want something tactile and permanent. Where are the annotation lovers at?
The pros: No screens, no apps, no tech. Fully private. It's a reflective, mindful practice. Beautiful, if you enjoy hand-lettering or art. No learning curve whatsoever. Works anywhere—no wifi, no battery needed.
The cons: No stats, no analytics. You can't search across your entries. It's time-consuming. Takes up physical space. You can't share it digitally. No backup—if you lose it, it's gone.
When to choose this: You love writing by hand. You want reading to be a screen-free practice. Reflection matters more to you than data. You're not interested in tracking stats.
Honest take: Paper journals are beautiful but limited. They work best as a supplement to digital tracking—use apps for the data, journals for deep reflection. I know people who do both, and honestly, that combination makes a lot of sense. I, personally, do not do paper journals though because my handwriting is illegible at times.
Which brings me to something important: you don't actually have to pick just one.
Hybrid Approaches (The "Use Multiple Tools" Strategy)
Now, I wish there existed an app where I could handle all of my business but unfortunately, there's always a need for something else. Here's the reality: most intentional readers don't use just one tool. They layer.
Common combinations: App + Notion
StoryGraph for quick mobile logging and stats. Notion for deep reviews, library cataloging, and reading curricula. Why it works: convenience plus depth. I use an app for recommendations but I use notion for everything else!
App + Paper Journal
Goodreads for tracking and social features. Paper journal for reflection and favorite quotes. Why it works: data plus mindfulness.
Spreadsheet + App
Google Sheets for custom stats and owned book cataloging. StoryGraph for mobile logging and recommendations. Why it works: custom data plus convenience.
The truth? You don't have to choose one. The best system is often a combination. So how do you actually decide? Here's a quick framework.
How to Figure Out What's Right for You
Answer these questions honestly:
How do you primarily read?
Mostly on my phone or during my commute → App
Mostly at home or at a desk → Notion or Spreadsheet
Mix of both → App plus something else
What matters most to you? Convenience and speed → App
Social features → App (Goodreads or StoryGraph)
Deep customization → Notion or Spreadsheet
Reflection and mindfulness → Paper journal
Visual appeal plus function → Notion
How comfortable are you with tech?
Comfortable learning new platforms → Notion or App
Love building systems → Spreadsheet or Notion
Prefer no tech → Paper
Do you already use Notion?
Yes, daily → Notion tracker (obvious choice)
No, never tried it → Consider apps or spreadsheets instead
Curious but haven't committed → Try a Notion template
What's your reading style?
Pleasure reading, casual → App
Research or learning-focused → Notion or Spreadsheet
Mix of both → Hybrid approach
How much time will you invest in setup?
Zero, I want it ready now → App
A few hours → Notion template
I'll build it myself over time → Spreadsheet or Notion system from scratch
Here's what I've learned after trying basically every tracker out there: the best system is the one you'll actually use. It may not be the most powerful or the prettiest. Hell, it may not be the one your favorite book influencer uses.
What you need is the one that matches your habits and your technical comfort. I use Notion because I already live in Notion for work and life. I plan out content for BLK & Company and ReadBLK there. I want my reading connected to my business and personal goals. I'm willing to put in setup time for long-term benefits.
And I don't know if it's just me but I love being on the computer. I know that sounds weird, but I'm always researching something or building something—it's just where I live mentally.
With that all said, that doesn't mean Notion is right for you. It means it's right for me. If you're happy with StoryGraph, stay with StoryGraph. If paper journaling brings you joy, keep doing that. If you've built a perfect spreadsheet, don't fix what isn't broken. But if you're a Notion user—or curious about it—and you've been wanting a reading system that lives alongside your life system, I've built something I'm excited to share with you in my next post.
Until the next thought, Happy reading.
Thinking about Notion but not sure where to start? I'll be sharing a beginner's guide soon—join the email list so you don't miss it.
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