15 Best Apps to Read Books for Free
If you don't own a dedicated ebook reader, don't worry! There are numerous ebooks available online that you can either purchase at a low cost or acquire for free. In such cases, all you need to do is launch an ebook reader app on your smartphone or tablet.
Regardless of whether you prefer Mobi, EPUB, or PDF formats, you'll find there are plenty of apps for reading books for free that are perfectly suited to your needs. Keep reading to discover the top recommendations for your convenience.
Get Your Free Copy 10 Classic Sci-Fi Short Stories To Read →
1. Amazon Kindle App
The Kindle app is compatible with various devices, such as Windows and Mac computers, iOS and Android devices. This app allows you to access books from Amazon as well as any items in your library.
When reading, you have the flexibility to customise various aspects including colour, font, text size, line spacing, and more. You can also make annotations and highlights on text passages, utilise the X-ray feature to delve deeper into character details and other elements, bookmark your current page, and search for specific text. If you come across an unfamiliar word, simply highlight it, and a dictionary or Wikipedia entry will appear to provide its definition.
You might also like: What is Audible, How Does it Work, And Is It Worth it?
2. Google Play Books
While the Google Play Books app may not possess the same level of functionality as the Kindle app, it still offers impressive features. It is accessible on various platforms including iOS, Android, web, and a Chrome Extension. This app serves as a platform for storing and reading books obtained from Google Play, as well as PDFs and other formats downloaded from external sources.
You have the ability to modify text attributes, such as font and colour, and view the book in its original page format. Additionally, you can create bookmarks and even listen to the book being read aloud. Within the Settings menu, you can enable dark mode, use an offline dictionary, and configure the volume keys to turn pages. Though not as robust as the Kindle app, Google Play Books still offers a satisfying reading experience.
3. Apple Books
Apple Books is designed for Apple devices and serves as the default reader for ebooks and audiobooks obtained from Apple's bookstore. This app offers various customisation options, allowing you to adjust the font type, font size, theme, and brightness according to your preferences. You can conveniently bookmark pages, annotate text, and make personal notes within the app.
By enabling the Scrolling View feature, you can vertically scroll through a book instead of swiping left on each page individually. The Search feature enables you to quickly navigate to a specific word or page number within the book. Apple Books provides a seamless reading experience for Apple device users with its user-friendly features and functionality.
4. Barnes & Noble Nook
The Nook app, created for reading books, magazines, and other content from Barnes & Noble, is compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android platforms. Within the app, you can customise various aspects such as font style, font size, margins, line spacing, justification, and brightness settings.
Navigating through the book is made easy with a convenient slider bar located at the bottom, allowing you to smoothly move across pages or quickly jump to a specific page. When you tap and highlight a word, a definition appears. The Nook app offers a user-friendly reading experience with its extensive customisation options and intuitive features.
5. Kobo Books
The Kobo Books app caters to both ebooks and audiobooks, and it is accessible on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. It enables you to read books obtained from the Kobo store, as well as imported books saved in PDF or EPUB formats.
You can customise the font style, font size, layout, and theme according to your preferences. Additionally, you have the flexibility to use the volume keys to turn pages, change the orientation of the screen, and adjust the page transition effects. When you highlight a word, you can quickly retrieve its definition or make annotations. The Kobo Books app offers a comprehensive reading experience with its versatile features and settings.
6. Libby
Libby provides you with the opportunity to borrow ebooks from your local library, requiring only a library card for access. This app is compatible with iOS, and Android devices, or you can utilise it directly through your web browser. Once you sign in using your library card and account details, you can browse through virtual stacks or search for specific books.
Within the app, you have the ability to customise the text size, lighting, and book design to suit your preferences. It also allows you to bookmark pages and highlight specific areas within the book. Additionally, you can conduct text searches and easily navigate to a particular page by swiping along the bottom. By pressing down on a word, you can view its definition, highlight it, or search for it within the book. If you prefer using the Kindle app, you have the option to send borrowed library books directly to it.
Libby offers a user-friendly ebook reading experience, empowering you to borrow and enjoy books from your local library in a convenient digital format.
You might also like: How To Send Ebooks To Your Kindle
7. FBReader
FBReader offers the convenience of reading books from its own network library or importing books manually from other sources. The app is compatible with various formats, including PDF, ePub, Mobi, RTF, HTML, and plain text. It’s available for iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux platforms.
While reading an ebook, you have the flexibility to switch between light and dark themes, conduct text searches, change the orientation of the screen, and zoom in or out for better readability. You can customise text style, font size, margins, appearance, colour scheme, and page-turning preferences. You can further enhance FBReader by installing and integrating various apps and plugins, such as an offline dictionary and a PDF reader.
The basic version of the app is free, but there is also a premium version available for $4.99. The premium version includes additional features like a text-to-speech reader, a translator, and built-in support for PDF and comic book formats.
FBReader offers a versatile reading experience with its wide format compatibility and customizable settings, allowing you to enjoy your favourite books with ease.
8. KyBook
KyBook, specifically designed for iOS, grants you access to diverse book catalogues, including renowned platforms like Project Gutenberg and Feedbooks. You have the ability to add additional online catalogues and import books from folders stored on your device or cloud-based storage services. The app supports a wide range of formats, such as ePUB, PDF, mobi, text, and RTF.
The basic version of the app is free, and there is also an ad-free version available for a one-time payment of $4.99. The ad-free version unlocks additional features such as a dictionary, themes, auto-scrolling, and various other options. Furthermore, you have the option to subscribe for three months at $4.49 or for a full year at $14.99, granting you access to the KyBook cloud for book storage and syncing capabilities.
KyBook provides a versatile and customizable reading experience, allowing you to enjoy a vast collection of books with convenience and personalization options.
9. FullReader
Exclusive to Android, FullReader empowers you to access a diverse range of ebooks from your device or cloud storage. The app supports numerous formats, including ePUB, PDF, mobi, txt, doc, docx, and HTML. You have the capability to scan for books stored on your device and selectively import the ones you wish to read. For books stored in the cloud, you can seamlessly connect to Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive and download them to your device.
While immersed in a book, you have the freedom to customise various aspects of the reading experience. This includes adjusting the font style, font size, text colour, background colour, brightness, and theme. The advanced settings offer further flexibility, enabling you to refine the layout, spacing, alignment, page-turning, and other elements to your preference. You can effortlessly access chapter headings and swiftly navigate to specific chapters. Additionally, FullReader allows you to make voice notes and enjoy the convenience of having the book read aloud to you.
FullReader offers a feature-rich reading experience exclusive to Android devices, allowing you to effortlessly access and enjoy a wide variety of ebooks. Its extensive customization options and additional features enhance your reading journey with convenience and personalization.
10. PocketBook Reader
PocketBook Reader is designed for both iOS and Android devices, allowing you to access books from its own store, books stored locally on your device, books saved in cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and PocketBook Cloud, as well as books downloaded from Google Books. The app supports a wide range of formats, including ePUB, mobi, PDF, RTF, text, HTML, MP3, and M4B, catering to both ebooks and audiobooks.
Within the app, you have the flexibility to customise various reading attributes such as font style, font size, brightness, colours, margins, and reading mode according to your preferences. Additionally, you can bookmark pages for easy reference, jump directly to a specific page, and even listen to the book being read aloud. When you press down on a word, you are presented with options to highlight it, search for it, or view its definition.
PocketBook Reader offers a comprehensive reading experience with its extensive format support and customizable settings, enabling you to enjoy books in your preferred style and format on your iOS or Android device.
11. Oodles
Oodles is a free ebook software that provides access to a vast collection of downloadable books, offering a delightful experience for book enthusiasts. The interface is designed with user-friendliness in mind, ensuring a pleasant journey for readers. Moreover, the app allows you to search for books using various categories such as author, popularity, publisher, and more. Additionally, you have the flexibility to import ebooks in epub, Mobi, or text format from your phone, expanding your reading options.
To enhance the reading experience, Oodles enables customisation of font size, style, and background. This allows you to personalise the appearance of the text to suit your preferences and ensure a comfortable reading experience.
Oodles presents an excellent opportunity for book lovers to explore a vast library of books, while also providing the ability to import ebooks and customise the reading settings according to individual preferences.
12. Wattpad
Wattpad offers a unique platform for users to write and publish their own works of fiction spanning all genres. This opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing readers to immerse themselves in a wide range of captivating stories, from fiction and poetry to action and adventure.
What sets Wattpad apart is its extensive collection of categorised stories and diverse forms of content. Whether you're seeking a specific genre or exploring new literary realms, Wattpad provides a wealth of options to cater to your reading preferences.
Over the years, Wattpad has solidified its reputation and earned its rightful place among the best reading apps available, thanks to its innovative approach and dedication to fostering a vibrant community of readers and writers. However, it doesn’t offer the ability o import additional books.
13. Litsy
Litsy is less of a reading app and more of a place where you can find great book recommendations. Its a vibrant community of readers, authors, and influencers who can come together to share brief posts, known as "reading moments," that are intricately linked to specific books. These posts encompass engaging blurbs, captivating images, inspiring quotations, and insightful reviews.
To foster connections within the community, Litsy employs a unique approach. Users are required to request usernames from their friends and manually locate them using the search feature in order to follow one another. This personal touch adds a sense of exclusivity and allows users to curate their reading circle with individuals they genuinely resonate with.
Litsy offers a distinct platform where users can share their love for books, discover new literary treasures, and engage in meaningful discussions with like-minded individuals. With its emphasis on community and personalized connections, Litsy provides an immersive reading experience that goes beyond the pages of a book.
14. Inkitt
Inkitt offers access to a vast library of free novels encompassing various genres, predominantly authored by undiscovered writers. With Inkitt, you can delve into a diverse collection of books, ranging from romance and mystery to science fiction and beyond.
One of the standout features of this app is its capability to download books, enabling you to enjoy your favourite reads offline at your convenience. This flexibility allows you to immerse yourself in captivating stories anytime, anywhere, even when an internet connection is not available.
Inkitt presents an excellent platform for book enthusiasts to discover new authors and explore a wide range of genres and new stories and novels for free, while also providing the convenience of offline reading through its book download feature.
15. Webtoon
Webtoon is something a little bit different to the rest of this list offering access to a vast collection of free webcomics. Including break-out successes like Tower of God by Lee Jong-hui and Lore Olympus by by Rachel Smythe, Webtoon, offers access to a vast collection of incredible stories with stunning artwork. From romance and fantasy to action and comedy, there is something for every reader's taste.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this app is its seamless online reading experience. You can easily dive into the world of webcomics and enjoy them directly on your device, without the need for additional downloads. The user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation make it a breeze to explore different series, catch up on episodes, and discover new favourites.
Webtoon's vibrant and supportive community is another highlight. You can engage with fellow readers, leave comments, and share your thoughts on each episode. This interactive aspect adds an extra layer of enjoyment and connection to the reading experience.
Final words: The best free apps for reading
The digital landscape has made it possible to carry an entire library in the palm of our hands, with countless stories waiting to be discovered. With these free reading apps, you can indulge in literary adventures, broaden your horizons, and connect with fellow readers and authors from around the world.
Whether you prefer classic literature, contemporary fiction, non-fiction, or even graphic novels, there is an app on this list to suit your needs. From well-established names like Kindle and Google Play Books to innovative platforms offering original content like Libby and Wattpad, these 15 best apps offer a plethora of options to cater to every reader's preferences.
So, why wait? Embrace the power of technology and embark on a reading journey like never before. Download any of these fantastic apps and unleash your imagination. Happy reading!