Best Alternatives to AniList for Manga Tracking: Top Apps and Sites for 2026

If you’re searching for the best alternatives to AniList for manga tracking, you’re probably dealing with the same problem most readers hit sooner or later: progress chaos. Miss a few updates and suddenly you’re guessing chapter numbers, re-opening old tabs, and trying to remember what you read last.

This guide breaks down the top apps and sites that make manga tracking easier—plus a simple way to choose the right one for how you actually read.

Why people look for alternatives to AniList for manga tracking

AniList is powerful, but it isn’t always the smoothest fit for manga-first readers. The best alternatives solve a straightforward issue: keeping manga progress accurate across dozens of series with minimal friction.

Common reasons readers switch:

• You want a manga-first experience (less anime clutter, fewer clicks).
• You need better notifications for new chapter releases.
• You prefer a simpler UI that’s faster on mobile.
• You want easy importing/exporting so your library isn’t trapped.
• You want better discovery tuned to manga reading habits.

The goal isn’t just “a different database.” It’s a tracker that makes staying up to date feel automatic.

What a great manga tracker must do

Before choosing a platform, make sure it covers the basics that keep you consistent long-term.

Look for:

• Fast progress updates
  • One-tap chapter increments
  • Bulk edits for catching up
• Reliable release alerts
  • Push notifications (not just email)
  • Followed-series updates that don’t miss
• Library organization
  • Reading / completed / planned / dropped
  • Custom tags or filters
• Useful stats
  • Chapters read over time
  • Completion rate, streaks, pacing
• Discovery that matches your taste
  • Trending manga, similar titles, genre suggestions
• Import/export
  • MAL, AniList, CSV, or other services
  • Clear “no lock-in” approach

If a tracker makes it hard to export your data, treat it as a risk.

Best alternatives to AniList for manga tracking (ranked by real-world usefulness)

Here are the strongest AniList alternatives based on what manga readers usually care about: speed, notifications, library control, and data portability.

MangaTime (mobile-first tracking with notifications and stats)

MangaTime is built specifically for tracking manga reading on iOS and Android—without trying to be a place to read. That focus keeps it lightweight and purpose-driven.

What it does well:

• Quick chapter progress tracking per series
• Push notifications when new chapters release for followed manga
• Clear library management (reading, completed, planned, dropped)
• Reading statistics that help you understand your habits
• An Explore page for popular titles, trends, and suggestions
• Import from third-party services to reduce setup time

If your main frustration is falling behind and forgetting where you left off, a mobile-first tracker like MangaTime is designed to reduce that friction.

MyAnimeList (MAL) (the mainstream option with huge coverage)

MyAnimeList is the classic alternative with broad support and a massive database.

Best for:

• Readers who want community visibility and broad compatibility
• People who use multiple apps that support MAL syncing

Watch-outs:

• The UI can feel busy and less manga-focused
• Notifications and workflow may feel less modern depending on your expectations

Kitsu (clean UI and social features)

Kitsu is often chosen for its design and social layer.

Best for:

• Readers who want a cleaner interface
• People who enjoy tracking plus light social discovery

Watch-outs:

• Coverage and metadata can vary by title
• Some readers find it less focused on deep manga cataloging than MAL-style databases

MangaUpdates (Baka-Updates) (metadata powerhouse, old-school feel)

If you care about publication details, groups, and deep series info, MangaUpdates is a long-running favorite.

Best for:

• Readers who want detailed release and series metadata
• People tracking obscure titles, older series, or complicated publication histories

Watch-outs:

• The UI feels dated
• Not always the fastest “tap-to-update” experience on mobile

Kenmei (web-based tracking with scanlation awareness)

Kenmei is popular with readers who follow scanlations and want a tracker that reflects that ecosystem.

Best for:

• Readers who want release tracking tied to scanlation sources
• People who prefer web-first tracking

Watch-outs:

• If you want a mobile-native workflow, it may feel less immediate than a push-first app

How to choose the right alternative (based on how you read)

Picking the right tracker gets easier when you match the tool to your habits.

Ask yourself:

1. Do I need push notifications for new chapters?
   If yes, prioritize notification quality over profile features.
2. Do I track mostly ongoing manga or completed series?
   Ongoing readers benefit most from alerts and quick updates.
3. Do I want discovery built in?
   If you’re always hunting for your next series, trending and recommendations matter.
4. How important is import/export?
   If you’ve ever switched trackers before, you already know this is non-negotiable.
5. Do I want social features or just personal organization?
   Social can be fun, but it can also add noise.

A useful rule: optimize for the action you do most often. For most readers, that’s updating progress and checking what’s new.

Conclusion: pick a tracker that removes friction

The best alternatives to AniList for manga tracking are the ones that make progress updates effortless, keep you informed with reliable release alerts, and let you move your library freely.

If your biggest issue is staying current without mental overhead, start with a mobile-first tracker that emphasizes quick updates and push notifications, then build a simple weekly routine around it.