We analyzed 494 negative reviews to understand why users abandon the most popular Reading apps — and what they want instead.
Specific, exploitable gaps in the top Reading apps on the App Store.
Outdated interface and lack of updates
"The UI feels like it’s stuck in 2015."
"Goodreads is super glitchy and non-user friendly."
High frequency of app crashes and errors
"The app is nonfunctional and only sends up error messages."
"I love this app but I can’t hardly get through it without it being super laggy."
Aggressive upselling and limited features in free version
"The free version has a 10 book limit."
"You have to pay to view most of your stats, ridiculous."
Poor customer support and account management
"I emailed the app creator a month ago and never received a response."
"I was randomly charged a subscription fee for this app that I never authorized."
Distracting ads and unnecessary features
"INSUFFERABLE ADS"
"The app seems more like a game, not as much of a tracker."
31% of users criticize the app's aggressive upselling tactics and high costs, with frequent complaints about limitations in the free version and the push for premium subscriptions.
Users express willingness to pay for genuinely useful features like dark mode and enhanced statistics but are frustrated by the cost of basic functions.
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