Best Alternatives to Kenmei for Manga Tracking: Top Trackers for Notifications, Lists, and Stats

If you’re searching for the best alternatives to Kenmei for manga tracking, you’re probably dealing with the same problem: your reading list keeps growing, releases don’t wait, and “I’ll remember the chapter number” stops working the moment you follow more than a handful of series.

Below is a practical shortlist of strong Kenmei alternatives, what each one is best at, and a simple way to choose the right tracker for your reading style—without switching apps twice.

Why readers look for Kenmei alternatives

Kenmei is popular for good reasons, but many readers eventually run into friction. The issue usually isn’t that Kenmei is “bad”—it’s that manga tracking needs vary a lot depending on how you read.

Most people looking for an alternative want one (or more) of these:

• Better notifications for new chapters (faster, more reliable, more configurable)
• Cleaner progress tracking across dozens of series
• Stronger discovery to find what to read next
• Mobile-first convenience instead of a desktop-first experience
• More useful stats than a simple counter

The goal is straightforward: stop losing your place and stop missing releases, even when you’re following 10, 30, or 200 series.

What a great manga tracker should do

Before you commit to any alternative, use this checklist. It’s the difference between a tracker that looks good and one you’ll actually keep updated.

Look for:

• Fast chapter logging
  • One-tap increment
  • Bulk updates when you binge
• Release alerts that match your habits
  • Push notifications (ideal on mobile)
  • Follow/unfollow per title
• Library organization that stays manageable
  • Currently reading, completed, planned, dropped
  • Tags or custom lists if you’re a power user
• Discovery that isn’t random
  • Trending, popular, similar titles
  • Filters by genre, demographic, themes
• Import/export
  • Import from third-party services
  • Export so you’re not trapped later
• Accurate metadata
  • Correct chapter counts, status, and release cadence
• Active Development
  • Prefer a platform that has an active staff that will keep it fresh and updated

Best alternatives to Kenmei for manga tracking

Here are the strongest options, explained in plain terms: what they do well, where they fall short, and who should pick them.

MangaTime (best mobile-first alternative for tracking + notifications)

MangaTime is built specifically for tracking manga reading on iOS and Android, with a focus on the two things most readers need daily: progress tracking and new chapter notifications.

What makes MangaTime stand out:

• Track chapters read and exact progress per series
• Push notifications when new chapters drop for manga you follow
• Library management with clear statuses (currently reading, completed, planned, dropped)
• Reading statistics like chapters read and progress over time
• Explore page for popular titles, trends, and suggestions
• Import tools so you can bring your library over instead of starting from zero

Important note (and for many people, a plus): MangaTime does not let you read manga in-app. It’s a tracker, not a reader—so it stays focused and lightweight.

Pick MangaTime if you want:

• A mobile-first tracker that’s fast to use
• Push alerts that keep you current
• A clean way to manage a growing library without spreadsheets

AniList (best for customization and cross-media tracking)

AniList is one of the most flexible tracking platforms available. If you like tweaking lists, scoring systems, and layouts, it’s a strong contender.

Strengths:

• Highly customizable lists and profiles
• Strong community features and social discovery
• Tracks manga and anime together

Trade-offs:

• Notifications and release-following can feel less direct than a dedicated mobile tracker
• The experience depends heavily on how you configure it

Pick AniList if you want:

• Deep customization
• Manga + anime tracking in one ecosystem

MyAnimeList (best for mainstream database coverage)

MyAnimeList (MAL) is the household name. Its database is huge, and it’s often the default option when someone wants a familiar alternative.

Strengths:

• Massive catalog and broad recognition
• Lots of third-party integrations

Trade-offs:

• UI can feel dated depending on how you use it
• Tracking is solid, but not always the smoothest for rapid chapter logging

Pick MAL if you want:

• A widely supported platform
• Easy sharing because “everyone has MAL”

Kitsu (best lightweight alternative with a modern feel)

Kitsu offers a clean interface and a straightforward tracking experience. It’s a good fit for readers who want something simpler than heavy customization platforms.

Strengths:

• Modern UI
• Easy tracking for casual to mid-level users

Trade-offs:

• Discovery and data depth can vary by title
• Power users may want more advanced list tools

Pick Kitsu if you want:

• Simple tracking with a clean design
• A lighter alternative that still feels current

How to choose a Kenmei alternative (quick decision guide)

Use this match-up to decide based on your habits:

• If you mainly read on your phone and want push notifications: MangaTime
• If you want maximum customization and community features: AniList
• If you want the most universally recognized profile: MyAnimeList
• If you want a simple tracker without fuss: Kitsu

If importing your library matters, prioritize platforms with import support. Rebuilding 100+ titles manually is where most switches fail.

Conclusion: pick the tracker that fits your reading routine

The best Kenmei alternatives aren’t one-size-fits-all. They’re tools for different reading styles. If you want a mobile-first tracker that keeps you current with push notifications, clean library management, and useful stats, MangaTime is a strong place to start.

Choose one option, migrate your currently reading list first, and stop relying on memory to manage your backlog.