Though the charm of a printed book is undeniable, e-books provide a fantastic solution for those who want to read on the move without the bulk of physical volumes. If you’re looking to enjoy literature on your smartphone, tablet, or dedicated e-reader, there are countless resources available for borrowing or purchasing a diverse array of titles.

Your choice of e-reader doesn’t strictly confine you to specific sources for e-books. Major e-readers, including both Kindle and alternatives, can handle a variety of formats. Tools like Calibre and Adobe Acrobat facilitate the conversion between formats, albeit with some restrictions. For those exploring e-reader options, a comparison of popular models lays out their respective strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, many apps are available on iOS and Android to access content without a dedicated device.

Conversely, the place of purchase can dictate where you can access the e-books. For example, Amazon has removed the ability to download Kindle e-books onto a computer, limiting your access to their proprietary .AZW3 format. This means you can only read such titles on a Kindle device or via the Kindle mobile or web applications.

When considering e-book platforms, examine factors such as the variety of titles, catalog size, pricing models—whether pay-per-book or subscription-based—and your preference for borrowing versus owning books.

Below are some of the leading e-book services available to consumers today.

Kindle Books

Even if you’re looking to step away from Amazon’s ecosystem, Kindle Books remains one of the foremost e-book retailers, boasting a selection exceeding 6 million titles.

Titles can be purchased individually or through a subscription service known as Kindle Unlimited, allowing you to borrow up to 20 eligible e-books or audiobooks concurrently (as well as magazine subscriptions) for a monthly fee of $12, following a 30-day trial. Your reading progress syncs across devices, ensuring you won’t lose your place.

However, the restriction remains that books must be read on a Kindle device or the Kindle application, meaning you cannot easily transfer your purchases to other e-readers. Although the Kindle Unlimited catalog is extensive, not every title is available, compelling you to buy some books outright.

OverDrive

OverDrive functions as a library service that allows cardholders from participating libraries to borrow titles across North America. More than 90% of libraries support OverDrive, enabling reading through the Libby app, available on iOS, Android, and Amazon devices, as well as via web browsers. Using OverDrive is free with a library card, and the Libby app boasts user-friendly navigation for browsing, requesting, reading, and returning e-books while supporting offline access.

However, the selection is contingent on your local library’s inventory, and popular titles may have waitlists. Moreover, similar to traditional library loans, there’s a maximum checkout duration for e-books, and you might be unable to renew if others are waiting for the same title.

To broaden your library borrowing options, consider Hoopla, which offers similar services as OverDrive, allowing you to borrow e-books to read on mobile devices.

Rakuten Kobo

Kobo provides a robust alternative to Kindle, offering over 5 million titles. These can be accessed via Kobo devices or through the Kobo app, compatible with iOS, Android, and desktop systems. Additionally, Kobo enables users to download books in EPUB or PDF formats, allowing for greater flexibility in reading options. Kobo also seamlessly integrates with OverDrive for library lending.

Books can be purchased individually, or you can subscribe to Kobo Plus, which costs $8 per month for e-books or $10 for both e-books and audiobooks after an initial trial period. However, access to the complete Kobo catalog isn’t included; subscribers can browse 1.5 million e-books and around 150,000 audiobooks.

Google Play Books

Google offers an extensive catalog of over 4 million titles available for rent or purchase through Google Play. Books can be read on nearly any device (except Kindle) using the Google Play app or by downloading EPUB or PDF versions to transfer to an e-reader. The Google Play interface provides useful recommendations, and the app ensures synchronization across devices, with offline reading capabilities. While Google does not offer a proprietary e-reader, this enhances flexibility compared to Kindle purchases.

Bookshop.org

If supporting local bookstores resonates with you, Bookshop.org serves as an excellent alternative to larger retailers like Kindle and Kobo. A portion of every sale—whether for an e-book or printed copy—benefits an indie store of your choice. E-books can be accessed via the Bookshop.org app on iOS or Android, or read through a web browser.

However, don’t expect the vast selection found elsewhere, as their catalog is smaller, and prices are generally full retail. Additionally, they lack any subscription services for borrowing.

Everand

Everand is the division of Scribd that deals specifically with audiobooks and e-books. A monthly subscription grants access to both types of content, with a library featuring over 1.5 million titles. The standard plan, priced at $12 monthly, allows for one unlocked title, while a $17 plan permits three unlocks per month (after a trial period). Both tiers provide access to community-contributed documents on Scribd. Everand e-books can be enjoyed through its mobile apps or online at Everand.com.

eBooks.com

eBooks.com offers more than 2.6 million titles, functioning as a platform-independent store—ideal for those not tied to any single device. Various formats are available for download tailored to your specific reading device (note that compatibility with Kindle is limited to Kindle Fire). However, it is necessary to purchase e-books outright, as eBooks.com does not provide any subscription options.

Project Gutenberg

For those on the hunt for timeless literary works, Project Gutenberg offers over 75,000 books free of charge. Established in 1971, this online library focuses on titles with expired copyrights in the U.S., providing a wide range of formats compatible with most e-readers and mobile devices, allowing for downloads and transfers to any reading platform. While contemporary bestsellers may be absent, it’s a valuable resource for classic literature.

Exploring More E-Book Services

There are abundant avenues to discover e-books. Users within the Apple ecosystem can purchase titles from Apple Books, which allows reading across any device using the Apple Books app, with the ability to share purchases among family members. Moreover, Barnes & Noble caters to Nook users with access to over 4 million titles, also available on iOS and Android. Additionally, platforms offering free or discounted e-books are also worth exploring for budget-conscious readers.