Reader Zone vs. Beanstack
for public libraries.
Considering an alternative to Beanstack? Compare library reading tools, published reader-capacity pricing, and help bringing your readers and reading history with you.
Compare the essentials.
Explore the full Reader Zone feature guide.
| What matters | Reader Zone | Beanstack |
|---|---|---|
| Reader participation | ||
| Readers & families | App, web, and family accounts.Includes a reading timer. The mobile app supports English and Spanish. | App, web, and family accounts.Reading tracking for different ages. [2] |
| Paper participation | Staff-managed accounts can become self-managed.Internal Readers keep their reading history when handed over. | Staff can log for patrons.Its specific offline-account type supports one reader and cannot convert to self-service. [3] |
| Programs, raffles & reporting | ||
| Program setup | Programs, Groups, and Activities.Customize goals, dates, metrics, and Awards. Reuse templates or clone programs. | Customizable reading challenges.Templates, activities, milestones, and community goals for summer or year-round programs. [2] |
| Prize drawings | Drawings based on eligibility.Use all participants or eligibility through an Award or Task. Run multiple drawings and keep results. | General and ticket drawings.Readers can allocate tickets among prize choices. [4] |
| Reporting | Live progress and spreadsheet reports.Reader, Award, Group, and Program reports, plus shareable Progress Badges. | Insights, Reports, and CSV exports.Configurable Insights refresh daily; Reports provides up-to-minute detail. [5] |
| Staff & branches | Unlimited staff accounts.Scope Authorized Users to Programs and Groups, including those used for branches and age groups. | Library staff and branch roles.Includes branch administrators and branch reporting. [6] |
| Pricing & support | ||
| Pricing | Published reader-capacity pricing.Annual, Monthly, and 90-day Summer plans. | Library quote required.Exact pricing is not publicly listed. [1] |
| Onboarding & support | Onboarding is included.Help from the Reader Zone team by email, chat, or phone. | Onboarding and support included.Training and ongoing support from a dedicated client success manager. [1] |
Reader Zone for public libraries
Build the program
your library wants to run.
Keep familiar age groups, reading goals, and staff workflows. Reader Zone lets your library configure the program and give patrons a choice of app, browser, or staff-assisted participation.
Explore Reader Zone for libraries →
For example, one summer Program can have separate Groups for children, teens, and adults, each with its own reading goals. Staff access can be scoped to the Groups they manage.
Report on participation
while your program runs.
Filter reading activity by Program, Group or Activity, reader, and date range. Export spreadsheet reports for board updates and program reviews.
How to build and export a report →
Incentives your staff can manage
Awards, prize fulfillment,
and drawings.
Use Awards for milestones, internal Tasks for prize fulfillment, and Raffles for drawings. Your staff runs the drawings and contacts the winners.
Explore Awards, Tasks, and Raffles →Inside Reader Zone
Choose who enters the drawing.
Reader Zone uses eligibility-based drawings; Beanstack also offers patron-selected raffle tickets.
Supporting library reading programs.
Nebraska Library Commission
A statewide subscription makes Reader Zone available to Nebraska’s public, school, and academic libraries.
See the statewide program →Montgomery County Memorial Library System
Its 2026 summer program offered Reader Zone and paper logging, with events across seven library locations.
Read the summer program announcement →Moving from Beanstack
Bring your readers and their reading history.
Reader Zone can import your users and reading data from Beanstack. Our team helps you make a smooth transition. Onboarding is included.
Library evaluation checklist →Compare costs for your reader count.
Reader Zone publishes Annual, Monthly, and 90-day Summer prices by reader capacity. Beanstack requires a library quote and does not publicly list exact pricing. [1]
Review the Reader Zone plan for your expected readers and program duration alongside your Beanstack quote. Onboarding is included.
See plans by reader countBefore you choose
Library comparison FAQs.
Details about participation, switching, prize drawings, and plans.
Is onboarding included?
Yes. Onboarding is included, with support from the Reader Zone team by email, chat, or phone.
Where can we review privacy and access?
Review the Reader Zone privacy policy for information about account data, access, and retention. Read the privacy policy →
Can Reader Zone support multi-branch library systems?
Yes. Reader Zone supports multiple Programs and Groups, including structures for library branches, with scoped staff permissions and unlimited Authorized Users on library plans. Bring your branch structure and reporting requirements to a demo so we can show how your program would work.
Can patrons participate without downloading an app?
Yes. Patrons can use Reader Zone through a web browser. Staff can record reading for people who use paper logs or need assistance through Internal Reader accounts. An Internal Reader can later become a self-managed account with their reading history preserved.
Can we bring our Beanstack data into Reader Zone?
Yes. Reader Zone can import users and reading data from Beanstack. Our team helps you make a smooth transition.
How do Reader Zone raffles compare with Beanstack ticket drawings?
Reader Zone draws winners from all participants or readers who meet an Award or Task criterion, and keeps drawing history. Beanstack also offers ticket drawings where readers choose which prizes receive their tickets. Reader Zone does not currently offer that patron-selected ticket allocation.
How do Reader Zone and Beanstack pricing compare?
Reader Zone publishes prices based on reader capacity, with Annual, Monthly, and 90-day Summer plans. Beanstack does not publicly list exact pricing. Internal Readers count toward capacity; a parent account used only to manage children does not. Compare its quote with the plan for your reader count and program duration.
Is onboarding included?
Yes. Onboarding is included, with support from the Reader Zone team by email, chat, or phone.
Where can we review privacy and access?
Review the Reader Zone privacy policy for information about account data, access, and retention.
Can Reader Zone support multi-branch library systems?
Yes. Reader Zone supports multiple Programs and Groups, including structures for library branches, with scoped staff permissions and unlimited Authorized Users on library plans. Bring your branch structure and reporting requirements to a demo so we can show how your program would work.
Can patrons participate without downloading an app?
Yes. Patrons can use Reader Zone through a web browser. Staff can record reading for people who use paper logs or need assistance through Internal Reader accounts. An Internal Reader can later become a self-managed account with their reading history preserved.
Can we bring our Beanstack data into Reader Zone?
Yes. Reader Zone can import users and reading data from Beanstack. Our team helps you make a smooth transition.
How do Reader Zone raffles compare with Beanstack ticket drawings?
Reader Zone draws winners from all participants or readers who meet an Award or Task criterion, and keeps drawing history. Beanstack also offers ticket drawings where readers choose which prizes receive their tickets. Reader Zone does not currently offer that patron-selected ticket allocation.
How do Reader Zone and Beanstack pricing compare?
Reader Zone publishes prices based on reader capacity, with Annual, Monthly, and 90-day Summer plans. Beanstack does not publicly list exact pricing. Internal Readers count toward capacity; a parent account used only to manage children does not. Compare its quote with the plan for your reader count and program duration.
See how your library’s program would work.
Bring your expected reader count, reporting needs, and prize rules. We’ll walk through Reader Zone and answer your switching questions.