Both feel modern, in different ways
Both rate in half-stars and ship clean apps, so this is the closest of our comparisons. Hardcover's edge is openness: a public API, a roadmap you can vote on, and monthly reports on the company.
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Seekquel vs Hardcover
Hardcover is the indie, API-friendly Goodreads alternative with a public roadmap. Here is how it compares for everyday reading.
Both are independent, modern and rate in half-stars. Hardcover wins on openness and match-percentage discovery. Seekquel wins on native apps, reviews, game-like progress and how much of the app you arrange yourself.
Last reviewed June 2026
The short version
Choose Seekquel if
- You want native apps with widgets on iOS and Android.
- You want five-axis reviews, badges, bingo and series tracking.
- You want a one-time lifetime price.
Stick with Hardcover if
- You want a public API for your own tools.
- You want to vote on a public roadmap and read monthly transparency reports.
- You like finding books through its match-percentage score.
Feature by feature
| Feature | Seekquel | Hardcover |
|---|---|---|
| Customizable home screen | Pick the cards and their order | Fixed layout |
| Privacy settings | Around twenty, set individually | Profile-level options |
| Social links on profile | Instagram, TikTok & more | Supported |
| Star rating precision | Half-stars, tenths on Pro | Half-star ratings |
| Multi-dimensional reviews | Five axes plus an overall score | Single rating |
| Native app maturity | Mature iOS and Android | Released but newer |
| Home-screen widgets | iOS and Android | None |
| Public API | Full export, no public API | Public GraphQL API |
| Open roadmap and reports | No public roadmap | Public roadmap and reports |
| Series and next-in-series | Tracks your place, suggests the next book | Limited |
| Gamification | Badges, bingo, streak plants | Year-in-review |
| Recommendations | Taste and mood based | Match-percentage score |
| Lifetime price option | Yes | Subscription only |
| Library import | Goodreads, StoryGraph and Hardcover CSV | Goodreads, StoryGraph, CSV |
Based on public information as of June 2026. Features and prices change, so check each app before deciding.
Reviews and progress go further on Seekquel
Seekquel rates books on five axes beside the overall score, runs badges and a monthly bingo card, and tracks your place in a series. Hardcover uses a single rating and leans on its match percentage for discovery.
Apps and widgets
Hardcover's iOS and Android apps are newer, and reviewers note occasional slow loads. Seekquel's apps have home-screen widgets for your current read, streak and queue, which Hardcover does not offer yet. Both have a strong web app.
Pricing and switching
Hardcover Supporter and Seekquel Pro cost about the same few dollars a month, and Seekquel adds a lifetime option. Both import from Goodreads and StoryGraph, so trying either takes minutes.
When Hardcover is the better pick
- You want a public API to export, automate or build on your data.
- You want an open roadmap and monthly public transparency reports.
- You prefer match-percentage recommendations.
Moving over from Hardcover
1
Export from Hardcover
In account settings, choose Export Your Data, then CSV Export. Everything is also available through its free API.2
Import into Seekquel
Upload the CSV. Lists, ratings, reviews, series and dates come across.3
Get going
Add multi-axis reviews and set a goal. Stats and badges start tracking.Questions readers ask
Yes. Free covers your library, reading log, stats, reviews, discovery, book clubs and imports. Pro adds deeper insights and power features, monthly, yearly or as a one-time lifetime purchase.
Yes. In Hardcover, choose Export Your Data, then CSV Export (not JSON), and upload the file. Lists, ratings, reviews, series and dates come across.
Yes, a public GraphQL API. Seekquel has a full data export but no public API.
Yes, both rate in half-stars. Seekquel Pro goes to tenths of a star; Goodreads is whole stars only.
Seekquel's are more mature and have home-screen widgets. Hardcover's native apps are newer and still improving.
There is a free plan, and Supporter costs around five dollars a month or fifty a year as of mid-2026. Seekquel Pro is similar and adds a one-time lifetime option.