Do I have to pay for Beanstack?

Usually, no. Most families access it for free through their local library or school system. There is a 'Beanstack Go' version for individuals, but check with your library first so you can get in on their specific challenges.

Can I track audiobooks or being read to?

Absolutely. Beanstack counts 'reading' in all its forms. Whether they're listening to an audiobook in the car or you're reading a picture book to them, it all counts toward their goals and streaks.

Is there a social component where they can see friends?

Yes, but it's restricted. If your child is part of a school or library 'site,' they can often add friends within that same organization to see a leaderboard. It’s much more 'closed-loop' and safer than a standard social network.

Does it work offline?

Not really. You'll need a connection to log your reading and sync with the servers. If you're camping, you might have to jot down your minutes and log them once you're back in range.

Beanstack – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Beanstack

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2018

88%

WISE Score

4.8

App Store

Think of it as Goodreads for kids, minus the doom-scrolling and plus some library-backed badges to keep them turning pages.

Beanstack

app

Everyone, 2018

88%

WISE Score

4.8

App Store

Think of it as Goodreads for kids, minus the doom-scrolling and plus some library-backed badges to keep them turning pages.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Beanstack is the gold standard for parents who want to track reading without the privacy nightmares of mainstream social media. It’s a utility app that does exactly what it says on the tin: it tracks books, counts minutes, and hands out digital stickers.

While it won't win any awards for cutting-edge UI design—it can be a bit laggy—it is a functional, safe, and genuinely helpful way to encourage a reading habit. If your local library uses it for their summer reading program, it's a no-brainer. If not, it's still a solid, ad-free alternative to the more 'adult' tracking sites.

Age Fit

Great for anyone from pre-readers (with parent help) to teens. It's a tool, so it's as 'kiddie' as the specific challenge your library or school sets up.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It is entirely focused on literacy, library engagement, and family reading habits. No chaotic energy or inappropriate content.

Imaginative

The app is a utility and tracking tool. While it encourages reading (which is imaginative), the app itself is a database with badges rather than a creative sandbox.

Safe

Zero ads, no data selling, and often managed through trusted institutions like schools and libraries. Privacy-first design.

Enriching

Effectively builds reading habits through gamification and provides a tangible record of literacy growth. Excellent library integration.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Gamifies reading without the usual brain-rot, using streaks and badges to make finishing a chapter feel like a win.
Library integration is the killer feature; if your local branch uses it, your kid can earn real-world prizes for their digital logs.
Zero ads or data sales means you aren't the product, and neither is your kid's reading history.
Multi-user friendly allows you to toggle between all your kids' accounts in one place without constant logging in and out.

⚠

What to Watch For

The extrinsic reward trap is real; some kids might start reading just for the badge rather than the story. If they stop reading the second the 'challenge' ends, you might need to pivot.
The UI can be clunky and slow, especially the barcode scanner, which can frustrate a kid who just wants to log their book and move on.

Conversation Starters

"Which badge are you closest to earning right now?"
"Do you think you'd still want to read this book if there wasn't a challenge for it?"
"Let's look at your reading stats—is there a time of day when you seem to enjoy reading the most?"
"What's the longest reading streak we can hit as a family this month?"

Deep Dive

The Shark Tank Success Story

Beanstack actually got its start on Shark Tank, and unlike many apps that pivot toward aggressive monetization, it has stayed true to its mission of fostering literacy through libraries and schools. It fills a very specific gap: a place to log books that isn't full of targeted ads or a feed of what strangers are reading.

Why Libraries Love It

Most families encounter Beanstack through their local public library. It has largely replaced the old-school paper logs for summer reading programs. The integration is seamless—you sign up, link your library card, and suddenly those minutes your kid spends reading translates into 'tickets' for actual prizes at the library. It’s a great way to bridge the gap between digital tracking and physical community engagement.

The Gamification Debate

There is a fair critique that gamifying reading turns a leisure activity into a chore or a quest for 'points.' However, for the 'reluctant reader' or the kid who is motivated by data and visual progress, Beanstack is a godsend. Seeing a 'streak' count go up can be the exact push a kid needs to pick up a book instead of a remote. Just keep an eye on whether they are actually reading or just trying to 'beat the app' by logging pages they skimmed.

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