Everything people usually ask before they move their library into ShelfBuddy: price, platforms, import, sync and privacy.
ShelfBuddy is a book and audiobook tracker for iPhone, iPad, Android and the browser. You add books by scanning the ISBN barcode or by searching, sort them onto shelves, keep a wishlist, track your reading progress and series, and see your reading statistics. It is made by Büns Mobile Apps, an independent studio in Germany.
Yes. ShelfBuddy is free to download and use, with ads, and there is no limit on the number of books or shelves. ShelfBuddy Premium is a one-time purchase, not a subscription. It removes the ads and adds cloud sync, advanced reading Insights and the browser version.
No. ShelfBuddy works without sign-up, email address or password. Your library is stored on your device, and sync runs through the iCloud or Google Drive account you already have.
ShelfBuddy runs on iPhone and iPad from the App Store, on Android phones and tablets from Google Play, and in any modern browser at app.shelfbuddy.de. The browser version is part of Premium and connects to your phone by scanning a QR code.
Yes. Export your library from Goodreads as a CSV file and open it in ShelfBuddy under Settings, Import library. Your books arrive with their shelves, reading status, ratings and read dates, and missing covers and details are filled in automatically. ShelfBuddy also imports StoryGraph and Reado exports and any other CSV or spreadsheet, and an import can be undone in one step.
Yes. Audiobooks are their own format next to print books and e-books, with their own shelves. You log listening progress in hours and minutes, set your playback speed, and audiobook details can come from Audible.
Point the camera at the ISBN barcode, or scan several books in a row and review them afterwards. You can also search by title, author or ISBN, or enter a book by hand and take your own cover photo.
Yes. ShelfBuddy recognizes series and numbers the volumes, shows which ones you own and which are missing, and can notify you when a new volume comes out. You can also follow authors to hear about their new books.
Yes. Mark a book as lent to someone or borrowed from a friend or the library, set a return date with a reminder, and keep a list of returned books. Books you gave away or stopped reading get lists of their own.
On your device. With Premium, ShelfBuddy syncs your library through your own iCloud or Google Drive. The browser version stores only an encrypted copy that only your devices can read. You can back up the whole library as a file at any time.
Your library, shelves, statistics and reading sessions work offline. Searching for new books, scanning barcodes, loading covers and syncing need an internet connection.
Yes. Besides Google Books and Open Library, ShelfBuddy searches the German National Library (DNB) and the Dutch Royal Library (KB), so German and Dutch editions, series and ISBNs are found reliably. The app itself is available in English, German, Dutch and Spanish.
Books and pages per month and year, reading streaks, your unread pile, your reading pace and a yearly recap you can share. Premium Insights add a deeper look at your reading habits.
Goodreads is a social network for readers, built around an account, public reviews and friends. ShelfBuddy is a private library app: no account, no public profile, with dedicated audiobook and series tracking. It imports your Goodreads export, so switching takes a few minutes.
Yes. Back up the entire library as a file that ShelfBuddy can restore on any device, export it as a PDF list, and save or share your wishlist.
Last updated: September 2026