Looking for a Goodreads alternative? You're not alone.
Goodreads has barely changed since Amazon bought it in 2013. If you own physical books and want an app that actually manages your library — not just your reading log — Plumerie was built for you.
Why readers are looking for something different
Goodreads is owned by Amazon
Amazon acquired Goodreads in 2013. The platform's recommendation engine is designed to send you to Amazon. The ads are Amazon ads. The affiliate links go to Amazon. If you would rather your reading app not be part of an advertising machine, that is a reasonable position.
The app has barely been updated in years
Users have been reporting the same bugs and requesting the same features for over a decade. Mobile app reviews reflect a platform that feels abandoned. Goodreads has 125 million users and a stagnant product roadmap.
It was never built for physical collections
Goodreads tracks your reading. It does not help you know where a book is on your shelf, manage a household collection, track books you lend out, or organize by location. For readers who own physical books, Goodreads is only half an answer.
No family sharing
If you live with other readers, Goodreads offers nothing. No shared catalog. No household library. No way to see what your family owns without asking. For households, Goodreads is invisible.
Goodreads vs Plumerie at a glance
This is an honest comparison. Where Goodreads is better, we say so.
| Feature | Goodreads | Plumerie |
|---|---|---|
| Reading tracking (status, dates) | ||
| Physical library cataloging(Plumerie's core purpose) | ||
| Barcode scanning | ||
| Multi-location tracking | ||
| Family sharing(Unique to Plumerie) | ||
| Book lending tracker | ||
| Multilingual book support(28 languages) | ||
| CSV export (your data) | ||
| Goodreads CSV import | — | |
| Community & social features(Goodreads wins here) | ||
| Book discovery & recommendations(Want list only) | ||
| No ads | ||
| No affiliate links | ||
| Independent (not Amazon) | ||
| Offline support |
✓ available · – partial · ✗ not available
Which one is right for you?
Stay on Goodreads if you…
- →Love the Goodreads community, groups, and reviews
- →Follow authors on the platform
- →Mainly track reading, not a physical collection
- →Are not concerned about Amazon ownership
Switch to Plumerie if you…
- Own physical books and want to catalog them
- Share books with family or a household
- Lend books and want to track who has what
- Want an app with no ads and no Amazon
- Read in multiple languages
Many readers use both: Goodreads for the community, Plumerie for their physical library.
Bring your library over in 5 minutes
Plumerie imports directly from Goodreads CSV exports. Your books, reading status, ratings, and dates all come over automatically. No manual re-entry.
- 1In Goodreads, go to My Books → Import and Export → Export Library. Download the CSV.
- 2In Plumerie, go to Settings → Import → Goodreads CSV.
- 3Upload the file. Plumerie maps your data and pulls cover images automatically.
- 4Done. Your library is in Plumerie.
Common questions
Can I import my Goodreads library into Plumerie?
Yes. Export your Goodreads library as a CSV from your account settings, then import it into Plumerie. Your books, reading status, ratings, and dates come over automatically. The process takes about 5 minutes.
Does Plumerie have social features like Goodreads?
Plumerie focuses on your personal collection and household rather than a public social network. You can share your library with family members and lend books to friends. Public social features like community reviews and author Q&As are not part of Plumerie.
Is Plumerie owned by Amazon?
No. Plumerie is an independent product made by Avec Nous, a small company based in Helsinki, Finland. Plumerie has no ads, no affiliate links, and no connection to Amazon.
Is Plumerie free?
Yes. The core library management features — scanning, cataloging, multi-location tracking, family sharing, lending — are free. See the pricing page for details on premium features.
Try Plumerie free
Import your Goodreads library in 5 minutes. No credit card required.