Best reading apps for booklovers

Today, reading is far different from how it used to be. Paper books became too spacious, especially if we are reading more than one at the time. For that and many other reasons, digital books took over the world. Most people prefer having one device with hundreds or thousands of books a few clicks away than occupying too much space with new books at home. To open and read these digital products, we need adequate programs. In this article we review the best reading apps that will make your reading experience even more enjoyable.

We’ve checked many reading apps, with different features, and choose best of them for detailed review. So let`s start from their technical features comparison:

App	Free version	Available licenses	Required space	Platforms
Epubor	✘	Trial, Subscription, Lifetime	92.1 MB (Windows)	Windows, Mac
Amazon Kindle	✔	Lifetime	51 MB(Android) / 135.8 MB (iOS)	Android, iOS, Mac
Rakuten Kobo	✔	Free, Subscription	52 (Android), 227 (iOS)	Android, iOS, Windows, Mac
Apple Books	✔	Lifetime	16.6 MB (MacOS)	MacOS, iOS
Google Books	✔	Lifetime	9 MB (Android), 62.2 (iOS)	Android, iOS
OverDrive	✔	Lifetime	9.6 MB (Android), 33 MB (iOS)	Android, iOS, Windows, Mac
Nook	✔	Lifetime	132.3 (iOS), N/A (Android)	Android, iOS
AIReader	✔	Lifetime	6.0 MB	Android
EBookDroid	✔	Lifetime	N/A	Android
FullReader	✔	Lifetime	28 MB	Android
Marvin Classic	✔	Lifetime	50.5 MB	iOS
Scribd	✘	Trial, Subscription	304 MB (iOS), N/A (Android)	Android, iOS
Bookari	✔	Free, Subscription	69 MB (Android), 115.3 MB (iOS)	Android, iOS
Aldiko	✔	Lifetime, Subscription	16 MB (Android), 58.1 (iOS)	Android, iOS

You can read detailed review for every app, or check their main features and supported formats at the and of article to choose best ones for yourself.

Best reading apps: Free

This is an e-book reader that was existed in 2011 and since the first release gets many new upgrades and features. One of the main features is the ability to converter such well-known formats as EPUB, MOBI and PDF and more rare like RPC, AZW or even TXT and HTML. Also this software is compatible with books purchased from Amazon Kindle, Nook, Sony, Kobo, Google Play and others shops.

How to use: The software is very easy to use, user only need to connect a device with an e-books library or transfer the necessary file to the program using Drag & Drop to read or convert file.

Cool features: built-in converter, meta data editor, detect connected e-reader devices.

User tip: Epubor can work with e-readers devices like Kindle eReader, Kobo and others. You only need to connect it to your PC and sync their library with Epubor local library.

Business model:  This Epubor offers to users several plans: 1-year subscription for $24.99, a lifetime license for $49.99 and a family license for $99.99 which allows you to install it on 5 different devices. For Mac users, Epubor available with same conditions but with different prices: 1-year subscription for $29.99, lifetime license for $54.99 and family license for $109.99.

Rakuten Kobo is a popular e-books seller in the world (and leader in Canada), one of the main alternatives to Amazon. It has a very convenient library which can synchronize books between all the devices that user specifies. To find and add new books, there is the smart search with multiple filters. To manage and organize purchased books, users can create their own libraries and adjust book view.

How it works: Download the Rakuten Kobo application or purchase the Kobo e-reader. Then connect to the Internet and create your account. Log in the app with these credentials, connect a payment tool or a credit card. Done.

Cool features: Kobo synchronizes data across user devices: books, orders, read pages (bookmarks), etc.

User tip: Kobo built-in player for audiobooks supports pausing and scheduler.

Business model: Free app. Books must be purchased separately.

This is the absolute winner of the digital reading market. Amazon Kindle is a simple app; you can download it on your devices or buy its proprietary device (tablet) with all of your books stored inside, available to read at any time. The cheapest Kindle device holds the position of the best-selling eReader across the world.

How it works: Amazon Kindle works as a spacious library for over 2GB (1000+) eBooks and audiobooks you can buy on Amazon. The app can be installed across different gadgets but its primary service offers unique devices synced with Amazon cloud.

Cool features: High-contrast screen, audiobooks, customizable font size, realistic page-turning, highlights, annotations, bookmarks, books categorization, integrated Oxford English Dictionary. You can link your Kindle account with Facebook and Twitter.

User tip: If you bought paper books on Amazon before, Kindle’s feature Matchbook will consider it and most likely offer great discounts on those books. You can then buy them online as well, in case you want to reread it.

Business model: Free app / online book purchases. The prices of the eBooks can vary from $0.99 to over a thousand dollars. If you read often, there is a monthly subscription called Kindle Unlimited which gives you access to all Kindle books for a monthly fee of $9.99.

Kindle devices:

• $80 for Amazon Kindle
• $120 for Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
• $120 for Amazon Kindle Voyage

Amazon offers a Prime membership, with an annual cost of $99. If you become a member, you can use frequent discounts on the listed devices as well as many Amazon benefits.

Apple’s reading app goes along with the company’s typical style – elegant, simple and efficient. The books for it are available on its own store. One of the best things that user like about this reading app are the frequent updates.

How it works:

Apple Books (iBooks) has its own store (Apple Books Store) where you can find all the available eBooks and audiobooks. Although this is primarily a reader app, you can simply choose to download a PDF book version from the store and then open the file in a different reading app.

Cool features: eBooks, audiobooks, and PDF customization; highlighting, notes, Auto-night theme. You can select the book quote you like and share it to your Facebook and Twitter directly from the app.

User tip: If you want to skip more than one page, tap the rectangle icon in the bottom of your screen. A line of dots will appear and you can slide back or forth to navigate quickly through the pages.

Business model: Free app / In-app purchases of the eBooks and audiobooks.

Another reading app that has many more possibilities than just reading. Google Play Books has over five million available books and audiobooks, which makes it the richest online library. Apart from Android, it is available on iOS and has its own Google Chrome extension on this Web browser.

How it works: You can sync this app it with your other devices, start purchasing books from the store itself and read them within the app.

Cool features: The smart resume, speed control, bookmarks, notes, three display themes (Day, Night, Sepia), Wikipedia descriptions and definitions of the words.

User tip: You can upload your own PDF and EPUB files to the Google Play Books. Once you do, navigate to the main menu where you will see “All books”, “Purchases” and “Uploads”, which contains the file you imported.

Business model: Free app / In-app purchases. The store has many books to purchase but also has free books. Look under the title and cover photo of the book where either the price of the book or “FREE” indication will stand.

You can use Bluefire to reread the books you already own or you can also directly purchase new books. You won’t find features that you’ve never experienced before but you will have everything you need to read decently. The plot of this reading app is Adobe Reader Mobile SDK, which makes it suitable for most eBook formats.

How it works: After downloading the app, you will get the access to the Library, which will already have two eBooks. One of those is the User guide and the other one is Treasure Island. From then, you can simply upload your eBooks or buy them directly and start reading.

Cool features: Dropbox sharing, bookmarks, two themes (Day and Night), orientation lock, customization of visual features (size and font of the text, layout, brightness, page turn animation, etc.).

User tip: You have two ways to turn the page. One is dragging from left to right or the opposite and the other is tapping the side of the page you want to turn (left – previous page, right – next page).

Business model: Free app. You can download or purchase books additionally.

Overdrive is a rare reading app that collaborates with over 10.000 school libraries and 16.000 libraries across the US. Users borrow eBooks or audiobooks from their local library for an agreed time period; the book stays in the virtual library of the user until returning automatically on the specified date.

How it works: With Overdrive, users across the US borrow eBooks, audiobooks and streaming videos from the local library instead of going personally and borrowing a paper book.

Cool features: Wishlist, automatic return, bookshelf, bookmarks, style customization, sync across different devices.

User tip: In case you’ve been waiting for a certain book that your local library doesn’t seem to upload, send them an email with your suggestion and they will most likely take it into consideration.

Business model: Free app. If you are a member of your local library, enter the required data once you open the app and gain access to the entire digital library without any additional payments.

Another free reading app for book lovers is strongly integrated with the online store Barnes & Noble. You can buy your eBooks anywhere and they will automatically appear in the Nook library. The app supports most eBook formats and has all the features an average reader needs.

How it works: Since Nook is associated with Barnes & Noble, they refer its user to this online store to buy books and read them on Nook. You cannot purchase a product from the app but once you do it externally, it will appear in your library.

Cool features: Wishlist, ArticleView, Zoom View, TalkBack, Parental Mode for children, notes, bookmarks, highlighting, customization of all the visual features.

User tip: If you want to remove a book from your library, double tap its title and tap “Archive”. The book will disappear from your library and you can return it by accessing the “Archive” section in the Library’s drop-down menu.

Business model: Free app. Considering the partnership with Barnes & Noble, you can find over a million free books on their website or purchase new titles for the prices of $0.99 and above.

Although it can read every type of books, AlReader is specially designed for Sci-Fi lovers. You can adjust many aspects of the app at your convenience and utilize advanced features for a total reading satisfaction. The app doesn’t support iOS but you can open many book formats on your Android phone.

How it works: The purpose of this app is not providing the basic reading experience and basing their business on selling books. This app has enhanced graphical features and a wide range of customization options that focus on providing the best quality for fictional book reading.

Cool features: Text-To-Speech, external dictionaries, advanced adjustment of the visual quality, 3D paging animation, supports E-Ink devices.

User tip: You can set up the hold screen backlight and enable your display to stay active 20 minutes after your last activity.

Business model: Free app. AlReader doesn’t sell books but, similarly to other apps of this kind, you can simply purchase digital products elsewhere and upload them to the reading app.

Very flexible reading app with the ability to read many formats other prestigious reading apps can’t. One of those is DjVU, which Adobe doesn’t support. EBookDroid is free to download and is created specifically for Android users.

How it works: Once you start using the app, it will ask for certain network access permission due to its collaboration with online catalogs which you can use to buy eBooks.

Cool features: Free-hand annotations, highlighting, flexible font mapping, notes, bookmarks, crop margins, split pages, two themes (Day and Night), associated with Chess Book Study app.

User tip: In case black letters on white background start irritating your eyes, you can switch to the inverted colors mode and switch the positions of these two.

Business model: Free app. The founder assures that EBookDroid will stay free for all Android users.

A standard reading app for eBooks and audiobooks, supporting a variety of formats. The program is very pleasant for the eye and is adjustable in various spectrums. Apart from being a reading app, FReader has an integrated translator for five most languages (English, Russian, German, French, and Ukrainian), which makes it attractive for people across the world.

Cool features: Four themes, supports five languages, advanced 3D animations, highlighting, bookmarks, notes, scans the device for all existing formats, Text-to-Speech.

User tip: You can select a section of the page you are reading and share it via social networks, Bluetooth, SMS and other methods.

Business model: Free app. Only Standard, free plan is available.

One more free app for iOS users. Marvin Classic possesses all the classic features of a reading app and is adequate for people who take reading as a hobby, rather than necessity. With this free app, you can only read one eBook at the time.

How it works: For a free app, Marvin has an unexpected number of great features, including the touch of artificial intelligence that provides a better reading experience.

Cool features: Gesture customization, page control, highlighting, notes, bookmarks, cloud location sync, a variety of color and text customization.

User tip: Use the benefits of artificial intelligence and explore more about the books your reading, including information about real events, authors, etc.

Business model: Free app. This version of the app is completely free. However, Marvin 3 is another app from the same family. It provides more features for the price of $3.99.

Best reading apps: Paid

Scribd came a long way from the document-reading app it was initially. Today, it is one of the most famous programs with over a million titles in its library. Upon registration, you get a 30-day demo account that lets you read all the books you want, for free! Is there a better way to attract book lovers? Probably not.

How it works: This is not an ordinary reading app. Apart from books, Scribd provides comic books, audiobooks, articles, scientific studies, court cases and several rare genres that no other app offers. You can even publish your own book on this platform.

Cool features: Book sync across different devices, audiobooks, highlights, notes, diversified library.

User tip: Take a look at the View Mode of this reading app. You can switch between SlideShow and Scroll mode for easier reading, depending on your preferences.

Business model: 30-day free trial. The monthly subscription for unlimited access to Scribd’s available material is $8.99.

Previously known as Mantano, Bookari changed its name but features as well! This software does not sell books but does a good job at loading them. If you have other sources of getting PDF and EPUB books, you should definitely try out this reading app.

How it works: By importing your eBooks on Bookari, this user-friendly will help you read them with an ease. It works on Android, iOS and you can also get a Bookari Chrome extension on your computer.

Cool features: Capture web pages, synced library, backup, voice synthesis, highlighting, bookmarks, advanced search, uploads via Dropbox.

User tips: If you own an E-ink device, you can use Bookari on it by accessing the E-Paper mode from the Settings section.

Business model: Free account with limited features. Advanced plans:

• Essential – €1 per month / €10 per year
• Optimum – €2 per month / €20 per year
• Premium – €5 per month / €50 per year
• Gold – €20 per month / €200 per year

If you like to seek cheaper prices of the books and switch between online stores, Aldiko is great for you! The app doesn’t have its own bookstore nor it is directly associated with one. You can browse the store you prefer and get new books for very convenient prices.

How it works: Aldiko comes with a Download Books bar where you can search for eBooks through different online stores. The suggested in-app catalogs are O’Reilly eBooks, Feedbooks, Smashwords and All Romance eBooks but you can add any other store of your preference.

Cool features: Supports digital books from local libraries, two night modes (Day and Night), customization of the visual experience, dictionary, bookmarks, global-text search.

User tip: Although you have a diversified choice of online bookstores, you do not have to pay for a book you already own. Upload your eBook to Aldiko and read without paying again.

Business model: Free and paid plans. There are a Free and Premium version of Aldiko reading app. While the free plan provides necessary features for typical book browsing and reading, Premium costs $2.99 and has advanced options for those that like to get the best out of their reading experience.

 

Best reading apps: Features comparison

All these apps have their advantages and disadvantages, and it may be difficult to choose best variant for yourself. So we collected all important for e-readers fans features in 2 tables. Features table comparison:

App	Converter	Own library	Sync between devices	Meta editor	Own Devices	File editing	In-app purchases
Epubor	✔	✘	✘	✔	✘	✘	✘
Rakuten Kobo	✘	✔	✔	✘	✔	✘	✔
Amazon Kindle	✘	✔	✔	✘	✔	✘	✔
Apple Books	✘	✔	✔	✘	✘	✘	✔
Google Books	✘	✔	✔	✘	✘	✘	✔
OverDrive	✘	✔	✔	✘	✘	✘	✔
Nook	✘	✔	✔	✘	✔	✘	✔
AIReader	✘	✘	✘	✔	✘	✔	✘
EBookDroid	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘
FullReader	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘
Marvin Classic	✘	✘	✔	✘	✘	✘	✘
Scribd	✘	✔	✔	✘	✘	✘	✔
Bookari	✘	✘	✔	✔	✘	✘	✘
Aldiko	✘	✘	✘	✔	✘	✘	✔

And supported formats comparison:

App	Support audiobooks	Total formats	All supported formats
Epubor	✔	12	EPUB, PDF, MobiKFX, EPUB, PDF, AZW, Mobi, PRC, TPZ, Topaz, TXT,  HTML
Rakuten Kobo	✔	8	EPUB, PDF, MOBI, TXT, HTML, RTF, CBZ, CBR
Amazon Kindle	✔	2	AZW, KFX
Apple Books	✔	3	EPUB, PDF, IBA
Google Books	✔	1	EPUB
OverDrive	✔	4	EPUB, PDF, Kindle Books
Nook	✘	15	EPUB, PDF, CBZ, XLS, DOC, PPT, TXT, DOCM, XLSM, PPTM, PPSX, PPSM, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX
AIReader	✘	11	FB2, FBZ, TXT, EPUB, HTML, DOC, DOCX, ODT, RTF, MOBI, PRC
EBookDroid	✘	8	DjVU, PDF, XPS, FB2, CBR, CBZ, EPUB, RTF
FullReader	✔	17	FB2, EPUB, TXT, PDF, DOC, DOCX, CBR, CBZ, RTF, DJVU, DJV, HTML, HTM, MOBIM, XPSM, OXPSM, ODT
Marvin Classic	✔	1	EPUB
Scribd	✔	22	PDF, TXT, PS, RTF, EPUB, KEY, ODT, ODP, ODS, ODG, ODF, SXW, SXC, SXI, SXD, DOC, PPT, PPS, XLS, PPTX, PPSX, XLSX
Bookari	✘	2	PDF, EPUB
Aldiko	✔	2	PDF, EPUB

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FAQ

Q: What are the best reading apps?
A: Here is our shortlist: 1) Best cross-platform app - Amazon Kindle, 2) Best for editing - Epubor, 3) Most easy to use - EbookDroid, 4) Best trial - Scribd.

Q: What apps let you read books for free?
A: Almost all apps from our top are free, the most popular of them are Amazon Kindle, Apple Books and Google Books.

Q: Can I read eBooks on my phone?
A: It depends on the ebook format. PDF is the most popular format, but not adored by publishers. AZW is a format with special protection from Amazon Kindle, thus is only works on Kindle app. Most apps support formats such as EPUB, MOBI, FB2.

Q: What is eBook format?
A: Format is a “rule” describing how content is written in a file. It contains metadata and anti-piracy protection.

Q: Is Google Play Books free?
A: Yes, this app is free. Some books in it are also free to read, yet the majority are accessible after a single-time payment.

Q: Can I make a copy of an ebook?
A: Copying is allowed for books with no copyright only.

Q: What apps can read Kindle books?
A: Epubor supports all versions of Kindle books. This app is free for Android, iOS, desktop.

Q: Are there reading apps for iPhone?
A: Amazon Kindle, iBooks, Scribd.

Q: Can I download an ebook manually?
A: Yes, after downloading place it in the folder which is available for your ebook reading app.

Q: Can I read Apple books on Android?
A: There is no Apple books app for Android devices. You can manually copy an ebook (without DRM protection) to your Android device and open it with another app.

Q: Can I edit an ebook?
A: You can only edit books without DRM protection and with free sharing license (like GPU or CCL).

Q: What types of licenses exist for ebooks sharing?
A: The most popular is Creative Common Zero. Free sharing is allowed by permissive licenses (BSD, MIT, MPL) and copyleft licenses (GPL, GFDL, Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike).

Q: Where I can found new ebooks?
A: There are many online libraries in internet like Rakuten OverDrive, Open library. Also many popular apps (iBooks, Google Books, Scribd) have built-in shops where you can buy books.

Q: Is it safe for eyes to read ebooks?
A: Like with other modern LCD and IPS screens, the main risk is excessive use. Some experts recommend taking a break every 20 minutes to avoid health issues.

Q: Are reading apps legal?
A: Yes. What would be illegal is downloading and copying books under the copyright, without legal permission (or purchasing).

Q: What reading apps for are best for kids?
A: Any reading mobile app will do for kids to read, just make sure that a child won’t make a payment or access unwanted content. Most popular reading apps provide libraries with electronic and audio books for kids.

Q: What reading apps are best for Android?
A: Google Books, Amazon Kindle, NOOK, AIReader, EBookDroid.