WorldCat.org
Worth it
Confidence: Medium
Use it if you need to find which libraries worldwide hold a book, recording, or article . it is free and unmatched in scope.
New check
Comparison
WorldCat.org vs Goodreads
WorldCat.org and Goodreads both land on Worth it.
Goodreads
Worth it
Confidence: Medium
Readers who want the biggest book catalog, reviews, and a friends feed should use it . it's free.
| Compare | WorldCat.org | Goodreads |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Worth it | Worth it |
| Best for | Genealogists tracing titles | Avid readers tracking books |
| Who it's not for | Anyone wanting full-text reading . it locates items, doesn't serve them | Anyone wanting modern UX or smart recommendations |
| Privacy | No public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed; OCLC actively litigates mass scraping of WorldCat data.⁷ | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed. |
| Support quality | No support evidence in sources | No usable evidence in sources |
| Public sentiment | Librarians long praised WorldCat as the best database, but a recent redesign and access problems drew sharp criticism.³ | Users and critics love the catalog and community but constantly complain the product is stagnant and outdated.15 |
| Biggest gotcha | Interlibrary loan costs depend on your library; WorldCat itself doesn't set them. | Public API is closed; exporting your data needs scraping or third-party tools |
Pick WorldCat.org when
- Genealogists tracing titles
- Librarians and catalogers
- Book collectors locating editions
- Self-publishers checking library holdings
When WorldCat.org is not a fit
- Anyone wanting full-text reading . it locates items, doesn't serve them
- Casual readers; Google Books or a library card is simpler
- Users in regions with reported access blocking
- People needing school (PK-12) library coverage
Pick Goodreads when
- Avid readers tracking books
- Discovery via community reviews
- Authors building an audience
- Book clubs and challenges
When Goodreads is not a fit
- Anyone wanting modern UX or smart recommendations
- Authors expecting review moderation or fairness
- Privacy-averse users uncomfortable with Amazon
- Businesses or teams . consumer book app, not a work tool
Sources
- WorldCat.org homepagesearch.worldcat.orgofficial
- About WorldCat.orgsearch.worldcat.orgofficial
review
- Any good alternatives to Worldcat?reddit.comreview
- Worldcat.org unaccessiblereddit.comreview
- What's Up With WorldCat?ruthtillman.comreview
- OCLC WorldCat.org Services Terms and Conditionspolicies.oclc.orgofficial
news
- WorldCat - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.orgreview
- Goodreads homepagegoodreads.comofficial
- Is Goodreads free? . Reddit r/goodreadsreddit.comreview
- Goodreads: A Case Study in Outdated UX/UIlinkedin.comreview
- Almost Everything About Goodreads Is Broken . OneZeroonezero.medium.comreview
review
- Goodreads Is Terrible for Books . The Walrusthewalrus.careview