Bookmate vs Storytel
January 01, 2026 | Author: Maria Lin
Bookmate and Storytel are both ebook subscription services, available via web interface and mobile apps for iOS and Android. They offer an extensive library of books and audiobooks, sorted by category, ratings, with recommendations and reviews from other users. Both apps allow you to sync reading progress between devices and read/listen to books offline.
But Bookmate primarily offers text-based fiction, non-fiction ebooks and comics. It's betting on social interaction (friend subscriptions, sharing collections and social network elements). You can upload your own books to the service. The service is aimed basically at a Russian-speaking audience, but also includes books in other languages.
Storytel focuses specifically on audiobooks (in English) with high-quality narration. The service creates own exclusive content projects and podcasts (such as the international Storytel Originals library). The audio player features sleep timer and playback speed control. You can also create children's accounts that will display only books for kids.
But Bookmate primarily offers text-based fiction, non-fiction ebooks and comics. It's betting on social interaction (friend subscriptions, sharing collections and social network elements). You can upload your own books to the service. The service is aimed basically at a Russian-speaking audience, but also includes books in other languages.
Storytel focuses specifically on audiobooks (in English) with high-quality narration. The service creates own exclusive content projects and podcasts (such as the international Storytel Originals library). The audio player features sleep timer and playback speed control. You can also create children's accounts that will display only books for kids.
