As an avid reader, it can be quite challenging to bring your favorite books on the go, be it a tropical beach vacation or a peaceful escape to the mountains. The thought of leaving your favorite books behind can be a nightmare for any bibliophile. However, at the same time, it is not convenient to carry them around.
Fortunately, many different reading apps are available for Android and iOS devices, whether you prefer a smartphone or a tablet. We have curated a list of the best 15 free reading apps that will keep you hooked for hours. So, get ready to lose yourself in the magical world of these immersive book reading apps that will teleport you to a whole new world.
Reading apps convert phones or tablets into reading devices that can be accessed easily from any location. Many online book reading apps are available for both Android and iOS devices, which configure the reading preferences as per your convenience.
Features You Will Get in an Ideal Free Book Reading App
If you are looking for an online book-reading app that lets you read books online or offline, make sure it offers the following set of features:
- Books Collection: The best book apps will offer you a wide collection of books, both paid and free. The books will be from multiple genres like crime, fiction, romance, thriller, and so on.
- Multiple File Format Support: The app must support different file formats to read and share books. Some of the supported formats include EPUB, .MOBI, .CBZ, .CBR, etc.
- Multi-Platform Support: The online book reading app should be available on multiple operating systems like Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome OS, and so on.
- Reading Tools: Books reading apps must come with multiple reading tools like a built-in dictionary and text highlighter to improve the reader’s experience.
- User-Friendly Interface: The app should have a user-friendly interface to make it easier for readers to search and navigate through the app.
List of 15 Best Free Reading Apps for Android & iOS Devices
| Product | Rating | Review | Download Link |
| Kindle | 4.6 | 3.05 M | Android | iOS |
| Scribd | 4.1 | 10 M+ | Android | iOS |
| Google Play Books | 4.5 | 2.17 M+ | Android | iOS |
| Goodreads | 3 | 136K | Android | iOS |
| Kobo | 4 | 281K | Android | iOS |
| Aldiko | 3.6 | 214K | Android | iOS |
| Inkitt | 4.3 | 67.4K | Android | iOS |
| Blinkist | 4.6 | 95.7K | Android | iOS |
| Oodles | 3.9 | 59.3K | Android | iOS |
| Wattpad | 4.7 | 7M | Android| iOS |
| Libby | 4.8 | 2M | Android | iOS |
| Litsy | 4.3 | 120k | iOS |
| ReadEra | 4.8 | 1M | Android |
| FBReader | 4 | 2M | Android | iOS |
| Prolific Works | 3.2 | 2k | Android | iOS |
There are various apps to read books for free that are available on different platforms. These apps don’t just help you with reading but also let you create your own books that you can share with other users. Let’s learn about some of the best reading apps that you can use for reading and publishing your own eBooks:
1. Kindle: Best for Reading eBooks and Magazines
Best for reading eBooks and magazines Kindle is one of the most popular reading apps for free, introduced by Amazon to help readers download books, articles, and such interesting content. This book reading app has an inbuilt dictionary and text highlight option to ensure a great reading experience. The Kindle app is directly linked with the Kindle store from where you can download books for reading and sharing.
It is a convenient reading option also because of its availability on almost all mobile platforms.
Compatibility: Android, iOS, Mac, and PC.
Cons: Kindle’s interface strains the eyes a bit.
2. Scribd: Best for Reading eBooks and Magazines
Scribd is an ebook app used for online reading by users across the world. Download audiobooks, documents, magazines, and books through this online reading app.
Online multi format document sharing is the unique feature of this free book reading app. Interestingly, those who are fond of writing can use this free reading app for uploading their content and sharing it with people around the world.
Compatibility: Android and iOS
Cons: The audiobook pauses in between when it is surfed on cellular data.
3. Google Play Books: Used to Read and Download eBooks
Use Google Playbooks free book reading app to read everything that is available on Google as Google ebooks. There are several books available for free download aside from books that you can purchase online.
All you have to do is select the book, and download it will be saved automatically in your Google Books section. The app has one of the largest collections of ebooks with over a million book titles available for download.
Compatibility: Android and iOS
Cons: Limited ebooks available to read in its free plan
4. Goodreads: Best for Socializing with Other Readers
Want the best book reading app for free with multiple features to enhance your reading experience? Goodreads free ebooks app could be an answer. Here, you can browse personalized recommendations, scan covers, use a progress bar for reading challenges, and add book covers to the updated progress for an all-around reading experience.
Also, you can check for the latest literary events near you and read reviews of different books by different readers.
Compatibility: Android, iOS, Web
Cons: The web version of this free book reading app loads an e-book’s chapters slowly.
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5. Kobo Books: Best for Reading Audiobooks
Download the Kobo free ebooks app and upload hundreds of ebooks available here without paying any charges. You can also buy books from this ebook reader and customize the reading options by clicking on the Menu.
It allows adjusting the font size, night/day mode, and reading style easily. The bookshelf option here is another interesting feature that stores the last read book in a separate column for ease of access.
Compatibility: Android and iOS
Cons: The book genre offered by this reading app is limited to Fiction and literature, Nonfiction, Mystery and suspense, etc.
6. Aldiko: Best for Reading eBooks
Download Aldiko reading app for free and get books directly in your phone’s personal library for easy reference. This ebooks app will enrich your reading experience by configuring fonts, margin size, brightness, page turning, etc.
Users can also use inbuilt features within this novel reading app to check the progress of their reading, add bookmarks, adjust size of the screen display and manage library through tags/collections.
Compatibility: Android and iOS
Cons: Sometimes, its touch does not work properly and skips pages in one touch.
7. Inkitt: Best for Reading Fiction Books
Inkitt reading app is a free ebook reader most popular for novels, especially the bestseller and upcoming ones. Yes, you read that right! If you are fond of novels, then browse through several available listings and reviews to select the next read.
Based on your search history and reading preference, you will get the best suggestions for the next book that you can take up.
Compatibility: Android and iOS
Cons: Its auto text feature does not work properly and automatically adds text even at the slightest touch.
8. Blinkist: Best for reading non-fiction books
Blinkist is a free reading app used primarily for downloading non-fiction books. In fact, the very name of this ebook reader is based on an interesting feature the platform has. Blinkist offers key insights for every page of a book, which is called ‘blink here’ and hence the name, Blinkist.
Download from around thousands of titles available and save these for offline reading. You can also use the Evernote option to highlight the text and listen to audio versions of the same as well.
Compatibility: Android and iOS
Cons: Too many bugs pop up when you work in offline mode
9. Oodles: Best for Reading and Downloading Books
In case you are searching for a book reading app for free with thousands of books available for downloading, then the Oodles reading app could be an answer. Find several classics for free here. Oodles supports multiple languages, and the search filter option is its unique feature.
As a reader you can use different categories such as author, popularity, publisher, etc. to download the next interesting read. The interface is user friendly and saves one from the hassle of going through multiple options.
Compatibility: Android and iOS
Cons: This book reading app shows too many ads when used offline
10. Wattpad: Best for Creating Stories
11. Libby: Best for Borrowing and Reading ebooks
Libby is a free book reading app that you can use to borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from the public library. You can either stream the apps online or download them offline. All you need is a library card to access the app.
One of the best things about Libby is that you can read books online directly from your Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Further, you can also connect it to your app via your phone Bluetooth.
Compatibility: Android, iOS, and Web
Cons: It takes a lot of time to get connected to your car’s device.
12. Litsy: Best for Connecting with Other Readers
Do you want to discover and share interesting eBooks with your friends? If yes, Litsy can be the right option for you. It offers you a community where you can connect with passionate readers to read and share books.
In addition to that, you can also post reviews, comments and blurbs on the community platform with other readers. To get connected with your friends on this online free book reading app, you just need to search your friend’s name within the app and send him a request to get connected. Once he/she accepts, you can start sharing books.
Compatibility: iOS
Cons: It does not provide the functionality to search books based on reviews.
13. ReadEra: Best for Reading Books Offline
This free online book reading app lets you read thousands of ebooks, journals, articles, etc., for free. The best thing about this app is that you can read any content on it without registration and in different file formats including PDF, Word, ePub, and so on.
You can easily create your own booking reading lists, group them by authors name, or create your own reading collection for books, journals, documents, articles, and so on.
Compatibility: Android
Cons: The page loading speed of this app is a bit slow.
14. FBReader: Best for Reading E-Books
FBReader can be used to read books in various eBook formats, including ePub, mobi, fb2, RTF, plain text, and so on. With its customizable features, you can create your own customized reading space. Moreover, you can read books on this book app either online or completely offline.
Also, if you like a book, you can easily download it from the FBReader and save it directly to your devices
Compatibility: iOS, Android, Linux, Windows, Mac OS, and Chrome OS
Cons: You cannot read textbooks with images in its dark mode
15. Prolific Works: Best for Reading Books of Various Authors
The Prolific Works app has made it easier for you to read and download new books from different authors in one place. You can choose the books to read from different genres including crime, fiction, horror, romance, and so on.
It is one of the best reading apps that you can also use to provide access to your ebooks to your readers. When your reader base grows, you can also create a subscriber mailing list to stay connected with your readers.
Compatibility: Android and iOS
Cons: Many books are listed under the wrong authors in the application
Comparison Table for Top 10 Book Reading Apps
| Parameters | Kindle | Scribd | Playbooks | Oodles | Blinkist |
| Compatibility | Both Android and iOS | Both Android and iOS | Both Android and iOS | Both Android and iOS | Both Android and iOS |
| Library Size | 6 million books | 1 million books | 5 million books | 50,000 books | 4,000 to 4,500 books |
| Audio Feature | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| Offline Reading | Available | Available | Available | Available | Available |
| Reading Feature | Inbuilt dictionary and text highlight option | Multi-format document sharing | Ability to sync reading with multiple devices | Offers unique search filter option | Offers key insights for every page |
Choose the Best Free Apps to Read Books for You
As you have seen, there are multiple apps to read books for free across different genres. However, which one is the best for you? We have done a detailed comparison of these apps based on their features, offline availability, compatibility, and audio features to help you to choose the right reading app. As per the comparison, Kindle, Goodreads, and Wattpad are some of the best free book reading apps that you can use for free to read and create your own ebooks.
Summary
Free reading apps offer book lovers an immersive platform so they can read and explore different storytelling genres without any cost. Whether you’re a literature buff or like non-fiction, these reading apps have something for everyone.
So, what are you waiting for? Download these free reading apps today and lose yourself in the magical world of words and stories.
FAQs Related to Books Reading Apps
What are reading apps?
A reading app is a software application specially designed for smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices that enables the users to access and read books, magazines, newspapers, and other forms of digital content.
What are some free reading apps?
If you are searching for the free reading apps, you can consider Wattpad, Kindle, Kobo and Oodles.
What are the best apps for reading books?
Some of the best apps to read books for free are Kindle, Google Playbooks, Scribd and Nook.
What apps are good for reading?
Some of the apps that you can consider for are Inkitt, Serial Box, Oodles and iMore.
What are good reading apps for free?
Some of the good free reading apps are Goodreads, Cloudshelf Reader, Marvin Classic and eReader Prestigio.
What are the best reading apps?
You can check out the following options if you are looking for the best reading apps – Blinkist, Aldiko, and Kobo.
What are the best reading apps for adults?
If you have a liking for books and words, you can consider the top reading apps for an enriching and wholesome reading experience. A few popular reading apps are Aldiko, Kindle, Scribd, FBReader, and Wattpad.
Which are the best reading apps for students?
Here is the list of the best reading apps for students: Prodigy English, Kindle, Tales2go, FarFaria and Raz-Kids.
What are some good free reading apps?
Some good free reading apps are Google Playbooks, Goodreads, Kobo, Scribd, Kindle and Blinkist.
What are the best free books to read on my phone?
You can choose from various free reading apps to read any book on your smartphone. Some of the best apps include Aldiko, Kindle, Scribd, Playbooks, Oodles, etc.
What are the best free apps to read books without paying?
There are many reading apps that let you read thousands of books without paying anything in return. Google Play Books, Prolific Works, FBReader, Aldiko, Wattpad, and Amazon Kindle are some of the best reading apps.
How can I get free books offline?
To read books of different genres without paying any charges, you can download reading apps for free. Scribd and Inkitt are some of the apps that let you read books offline for free.
Which app is free for reading Hindi books?
Matrubharti, Amazon Kindle, Juggernaut, and Dailyhunt are some of the best apps that you can use for reading free Hindi books.
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