Top Features to Look for in a Book Catalog App in 2025

The way you manage your books can completely change your reading life. A good book catalog app doesn’t just store titles, it helps you stay organized, track your progress, and rediscover books you’d forgotten about. With so many apps available in 2025, it’s worth knowing which features really make the difference.

Here are the essentials to look for and how Book Tracker brings them all together.

1. Easy book entry

Adding books should never feel like a chore. The best apps make it quick and effortless.

Look for:

• Barcode scanning with your device’s camera.
• ISBN or title search for accuracy.
• Manual entry for special editions or rare titles.

Book Tracker lets you scan or search in seconds, so you can build your library without endless typing.

2. Powerful organization tools

Every reader organizes differently: by genre, author, mood, or series. Your catalog app should adapt to you.

Key features to look for:

• Tags to create flexible categories (Fantasy, 2025 Challenge, Gift Ideas).
• Series management with custom numbering, so you always know what’s next.
• Smart Lists that update automatically based on filters (Unread Sci-Fi, Borrowed Books).
• Personal notes and quotes to keep memories tied to each book.

Book Tracker shines here, letting you customize your library down to the smallest detail.

3. Reading goals and progress tracking

Cataloging is just the start, the best apps also keep you motivated.

Choose an app that:

• Lets you set a yearly reading goal.
• Tracks your progress by pages, time, or books read.
• Shows clear statistics so you can see patterns in your reading.

Book Tracker’s Reading Challenge and Statistics give you a visual, motivating way to watch your progress grow.

4. Backup and sync across devices

Your library is valuable. Make sure it’s safe and accessible everywhere.

An ideal app should:

• Back up your data automatically.
• Sync seamlessly across devices.

With Book Tracker, daily backups run in the background, and iCloud keeps your collection updated across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

5. Privacy and no ads

Your reading habits are personal. Ads and trackers don’t belong in a library app.

Book Tracker is built with a privacy-first approach:

• No accounts required.
• No ads.
• No data collection.

Your library stays yours, always.

6. A beautiful, modern design

Cataloging should feel smooth, not clunky. A clean design and Apple-native features make a huge difference.

Look for:

• Widgets (Home Screen, Lock Screen, Control Center).
• Shortcuts and Siri support for quick actions.
• Live Activities to track your reading sessions in real time.

Book Tracker includes all of these, with a design that feels right at home on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

Final thoughts

When choosing a book catalog app in 2025, focus on what really matters: fast book entry, flexible organization, motivating goal tracking, reliable sync and backup, strong privacy, and a design you enjoy using every day.

If you want an app that checks all the boxes and keeps evolving with Apple’s latest features, Book Tracker is a fantastic choice to organize and enjoy your personal library.