A Softonic piece this week ran the numbers on how long the new Fable takes to beat, and the reader response was the usual mix: enthusiasm from anyone with a free weekend, dread from anyone still finishing the previous entry. A game backlog is not a moral failing, it is a project management problem. The seven apps for tracking a video game backlog on Android below help you catalog what you own, log what you played, and pick what to start next based on how many hours you actually have. All handle multi-platform libraries (Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Epic) and none of them lock your data behind a paywall.
What to look for in a backlog tracker
The criteria that make the difference between a spreadsheet and a real backlog tool:
- Multi-platform library import. Steam sync at minimum; PSN, Xbox, and Nintendo Account bonus.
- Time-to-beat integration. HowLongToBeat data, or manual playtime with average estimates.
- Status flags. “Playing,” “backlog,” “completed,” “abandoned,” “wishlist.”
- Cross-device sync. Log a session on your Switch, see it on your phone.
- Import and export in a real format. CSV or JSON, not a proprietary lock.
- No always-on ads inside the library view. Reading your own library should be quiet.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free plan | Starting price | Rating | Cross-device |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyGameDB | Personal library, offline-first | Yes | 3.99 USD (Pro) | 4.4 | Manual sync |
| Grouvee | Backloggd for the old crowd | Yes | Free | 4.2 | Web account |
| Backloggd | Social library and reviews | Yes | Free | 4.6 | Web account |
| HowLongToBeat | Time-to-beat lookups | Yes | Free | 4.6 | Account sync |
| GG - Game Companion | Auto-sync from Steam/PSN | Yes | 4.99 USD/month | 4.5 | Yes |
| IGN Video Games Tracker | Deals + upcoming release calendar | Yes | Free | 4.3 | Web account |
| PlayTally | Retro consoles and physical library | Yes | 2.49 USD one-time | 4.4 | Manual sync |
The apps
1. MyGameDB, the offline-first library
MyGameDB - Game Tracker is a personal cataloger that keeps everything on your phone. Add games by search (data comes from IGDB), tag by status, add a personal rating, log completion date. No account required, no cloud, no telemetry. The Pro tier unlocks widgets and cloud backup for people who want it.
Where it falls short: No auto-import from Steam or console accounts; every game is added manually. The IGDB data set has some gaps for indie titles.
Pricing:
- Free: Full local library, all fields.
- Paid: 3.99 USD one-time for Pro (cloud backup, widgets, no ads).
Platforms: Android.
Download: Google Play | Aptoide
Bottom line: The privacy-focused pick. Perfect for people who track their own library and do not want a social feed.
2. Grouvee, the veteran community
Grouvee is a web-first game tracker that has run since 2013 with a small, opinionated community. The Android app is a mobile wrapper around the site, but the sync is reliable and the site works well on mobile. Shelves (custom lists), completion percentages, and playtime logs cover most tracking needs.
Where it falls short: No native Android app in the Play Store; users access via mobile web. Community is small compared to Backloggd.
Pricing:
- Free: Everything.
Platforms: Web (mobile-friendly), Android (via web app).
Download: Grouvee
Bottom line: Best pick if you want a small, non-toxic tracker community and a real web presence.
3. Backloggd, the Letterboxd-for-games
Backloggd is the social game-tracking site that took off in 2022 and never slowed down. Rate, review, log playtime, and follow other players’ logs. The mobile experience is a PWA that works surprisingly well. Import from Steam is one click.
Where it falls short: No official native Android app yet (community wrappers exist). The site is deliberately social; introverts may want MyGameDB instead.
Pricing:
- Free: Everything.
- Paid: Backloggd Patron 3 USD/month for cosmetic support (no feature gate).
Platforms: Web (PWA), community Android wrappers.
Download: Backloggd
Bottom line: The default tracker for anyone in the Discord/Twitch generation who also uses Letterboxd for films.
4. HowLongToBeat, the time-to-beat lookup
HowLongToBeat is the reference for “how many hours does this actually take.” The Android experience is a PWA of howlongtobeat.com plus a growing community-built companion. Accounts sync a small backlog with average main / main+extra / completionist times. Filter your list by “under 20 hours” to plan a weekend.
Where it falls short: No native Android app in the Play Store; the web app is what you use. The list-management UI is spartan compared to Backloggd.
Pricing:
- Free: Everything.
Platforms: Web (PWA), Android via web app.
Download: HowLongToBeat
Bottom line: Mandatory bookmark. Pair it with any of the trackers above for the time-planning half of the workflow.
5. GG - Game Companion, the auto-sync tracker
GG - Game Companion auto-imports playtime from Steam, PSN, Xbox Live, and Nintendo Switch Online. That eliminates the biggest chore of manual tracking: logging each session. Beautiful iOS/Android UI, achievement tracking, and completion percent per game.
Where it falls short: The premium sync of PSN and Switch data (which the manual-add players do not need) is behind a paid tier.
Pricing:
- Free: Steam sync, manual add.
- Paid: 4.99 USD/month or 34.99 USD/year for PSN/Xbox/Switch sync and analytics.
Platforms: Android, iOS, web.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: The tracker most console-plus-PC players will land on. Worth the subscription if you play on three platforms.
6. IGN Video Games Tracker, the deals + calendar tool
IGN Video Games Tracker is IGN’s take on backlog tracking, integrated with their release calendar and deal feed. Track games you own, set alerts for price drops, and get pushes when a wishlisted game releases. The library view is basic, but the calendar and deal integration is worth it.
Where it falls short: IGN’s editorial slant is baked in (news items appear next to your library). Slower feature development than the indie trackers.
Pricing:
- Free: Everything, ad-supported.
Platforms: Android, iOS.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Not the best library tool, but the best paired tracker for people who chase price drops.
7. PlayTally, the physical library tracker
PlayTally is built for people whose backlog is on a shelf, not in a Steam library. Scan the barcode on a boxed game, and it adds the title with metadata. Track shelves per console, condition, purchase price, and market value.
Where it falls short: Digital-only players get less out of it. The market-value data updates less frequently than PriceCharting.
Pricing:
- Free: Basic tracker.
- Paid: 2.49 USD one-time for barcode scanning and unlimited shelves.
Platforms: Android.
Download: Google Play
Bottom line: Perfect for physical collectors. Skip if your library lives on Steam and PSN.
How to pick the right one
- If you want a private, offline log, MyGameDB.
- If you want social reviews and follow lists, Backloggd.
- If you want auto-sync across Steam and consoles, GG - Game Companion.
- If you plan sessions by hours available, HowLongToBeat.
- If you want a long-standing community-run tracker, Grouvee.
- If you chase deals and want release-day pushes, IGN Video Games Tracker.
- If your library is physical, PlayTally.
FAQ
What is a video game backlog?
Any list of games you own or plan to play but have not finished. Backlog trackers help sort by status, estimated hours, and priority.
Can I import my Steam library into a backlog app?
Yes. Backloggd, GG - Game Companion, and Grouvee all import a Steam library by account link. Most Steam data (owned games, hours) transfers.
What is the best free game backlog app?
MyGameDB for offline personal tracking. Backloggd for social tracking. Both are free with reasonable feature sets.
Can I track PlayStation and Switch games?
GG - Game Companion syncs PSN and Nintendo Switch Online libraries automatically on the paid tier. MyGameDB and Grouvee support manual entry.
How does HowLongToBeat work?
It aggregates community-reported completion times for each game and returns average Main, Main+Extras, and Completionist figures. Useful for planning “can I finish this game before the next release.”
