Moviebasevs.
Yamtrack
Choose Moviebase for a ready-to-use movie and TV app or Yamtrack for a self-hosted mixed-media library with custom entries and CSV exports.
The short answer
Choose Moviebase when you want to install a movie and TV tracker and start using it. Choose Yamtrack when you want a broader library on your own server and are comfortable maintaining it. The useful comparison is everyday convenience versus control over deployment, not which app has the longest feature list.
Which approach fits me?
Open the situation that sounds like you. Each suggestion explains the trade-off; more than one can fit.
I want a movie and episode app without server setup
Moviebase offers a focused mobile workflow. Premium is optional; statistics and ad removal are paid benefits.
See the Moviebase fitI want books, games and custom records on my own instance
Yamtrack documents those broader records. You take responsibility for hosting and recovery.
See the Yamtrack fit| Your decision | Moviebase | Yamtrack |
|---|---|---|
| Where you use it | Android and iPhone app | Browser connected to your self-hosted instance |
| Media focus | Movies and TV episodes | Movies, TV, books, games and more |
| Getting started | Install and organize your library | Deploy a server and create an account |
| Trakt dependency | Optional connection | Optional import source |
| Custom media | Not a general book or game database | Custom entries documented |
| Cost | Free download; optional Premium | Free software; hosting and maintenance costs |
| Recovery | Check supported account and export options | You maintain server backups; media CSV export documented |
Moviebase: focus on watching
Moviebase suits a routine of checking the next episode, saving a film and marking what you watched. It focuses on films and television, with optional Trakt sync. You do not need to deploy a web server. Statistics and ad removal require Premium, and platform features can differ.
The trade-off is less control over hosting and a narrower media scope. If your requirement is recording book progress or custom game entries, use another tool alongside Moviebase or choose a broad library.
Track your movies and TV shows in one place
Track movies, sync with Trakt, discover what to watch next — all in one app.
Yamtrack: operate a broader library
The released Yamtrack documentation describes custom media, progress, scores and notes across watching, reading and gaming. It also documents individual users, collaborative lists and media export. That makes it a useful option for someone who already maintains a home server and wants one library for several interests.
The trade-off is operational work. Follow the setup documentation, keep persistent storage, manage access and test recovery. A working browser page today is not evidence that a failed server can be restored tomorrow. No native Google Play or App Store release was verified; use the official web project.
A week in each workflow
Moviebase example: save a film during the week, watch it on Friday, then update your film history and weekend episode progress from the app.
Yamtrack example: update a novel, a game and a series in one instance. Before updating the server, preserve your database and configuration and keep a media export you can inspect.
Automatic media-server tracking is an additional Yamtrack integration, not a requirement for manual logging. Read automatic vs manual tracking before connecting viewing sources.
Keeping your history when moving to Moviebase
Keep your Yamtrack export and inspect which film and TV fields it includes. Then check the import sources and formats supported by your installed Moviebase version. A Yamtrack CSV export does not establish that Moviebase can import that file today. More import support is planned. Books, games and other unsupported media need a separate home.
Try a small supported sample and verify watched dates, ratings and episode progress before retiring your old library. Keep the original archive unchanged.
Your next step
Choose the privacy and self-hosting guide if hosting responsibility is the deciding factor. Choose the mixed-media shortlist if the kind of records matters more.
Sources and verification
Written by Moviebase. Reviewed September 13, 2026 using Moviebase's published updates, existing verified store evidence and Yamtrack's release and setup documentation linked above. This is an editorial comparison, not a hands-on test, security audit or verified migration report.