15 Best Apps to Read Books for Free

Part 1. 5 Best App to Read Books on iPad

Nowadays, many people own iPads and use them extensively while traveling because of their compact and portable nature. However, some apps for reading free books on iPads may not work. Here is a list of the best app to read books on iPad that are perfectly compatible with the iOS operating system:

1. Apple Books

Apple Books is the best app to read books on iPads because it is specifically designed to work perfectly with iOS operating systems. It offers many helpful features for readers, including a collection of free classic books, as well as new titles available for purchase and adding to your personal library.

Features

• Personalized recommendation list: The app showcases recommended titles based on the user's favorite genres and specific books that they have read using the Apple Books app
• PDF compatibility: In addition to reading books for free, the app can also open PDF documents. Any downloaded file that is PDF can be opened with this app.
• Downloading E-books: The app allows you to download your favorite E-books, which can be stored directly on your device or in the cloud.

Pros

• Simple and elegant interface
• Quick access to recently opened books
• Easy to navigate

Cons

• Only works for iOS devices
• Does not support other reading apps such as Kindle

2. Amazon Kindle App

The files generated by this writing application may not be compatible with iOS; however, iPad users seeking cost-free reading options often turn to the Amazon Kindle app. Notably, the app seamlessly synchronizes information with Goodreads, both of which are Amazon affiliates. Kindle stands out as one of the best app to read books on iPad currently available, offering complimentary services to its users while also providing premium services to its premium subscribers.

Features

• Vast book choice: With the Amazon Kindle app, any user can access a fair amount of free e-books
• Book collections: With this app, avid readers can share their own electronic libraries, showcasing their all-time favorite books
• Highlight option: Every great reading session concludes with the option to highlight your favorite idea, available as you read online

Pros

• You can switch the app theme between light and dark and also adjust the text size
• Enjoy a user-friendly interface with the option to use a search box
• Huge variety of titles and authors from every genre

Cons

• The text is black and white only without any colors

3. Bluefire Reader

If you are looking for a great alternative to apps with unsatisfying interfaces, consider using the Bluefire Reader app as one of the best app to read books for free. It works perfectly on iPads and iPhones, offering a minimalistic theme and a simple, iOS-friendly interface. The app includes its own library, options, and a section for purchasing new books.

Features

• Better Accessibility: This app allows you to easily access and read PDF books from your app library hassle-free
• Easy to store: The Bluefire Reader app does not require huge free storage memory like other reading apps, making it the best option, especially for those who lack storage space.
• Full compatibility: This app works best for all platforms: iOS, Android, and Windows PC

Pros

• Easily available to every reader
• At least three e-books for free for 14 days
• Works very well on various platforms

Cons

• Cannot highlight texts
• Sometimes it crashes on iPad

4. Libby

Meet Libby, another best app to read books on iPad, with a captivating and distinctive interface that makes it the top choice for reading books on your iPhone. With Libby, you can instantly connect virtual library cards, allowing you to access your favorite titles. Whether it's a university, local, national, or any other type of library card, you can link it to this app.

Features

• Free to use: The Libby app is free to use for every user, no matter the region
• User-friendly interface: The interface is professionally made, making it very easy to navigate from one title to another in no time
• Free book rental: In comparison with other apps, Libby allows all its users to rent books for free

Pros

• Compatibility with iOS and Android devices
• Possibility to connect national library cards directly to the app
• Users can also playbooks as audiobooks

Cons

• Not compatible with Windows PC
• Cannot access books that are not in the user’s library

5. Blinkist

For busy individuals who lack time to read, Blinkist is one of the best app to read books for them. This app allows its users to read summaries of their favorite books, meaning that in a matter of minutes, anyone can easily go through a novel.

Features

• One hundred percent free: Downloading and using this app is free for iOS and Android users.
• Full summaries: Readers can now access detailed summaries instead of reading entire books.
• Better focus: Blinkist is a very helpful tool, especially for those who do not have muchtime to read. Users can access a summary of any book they want to read, with a focus on one chapter at a time

Pros

• The summaries are helpful, especially for those who lack time to read
• It’s easier to note or to remember something if you read a summary about it
• Faster learning

Cons

• Some summaries are way too short and they miss important details from the main story
• Readers can interpret some facts completely wrong due to the missing information

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Part 2. 5 Best App to Read Books on iPhone

Well, let’s now explore the best app to read books on iPhone from hundreds of apps claiming to do it with perfection. Here is a list of the following 5 apps that you can use while operating an iPhone.

1. Everand

Everand is one of the most complex yet effective apps available to iPhone users. They include books, audiobooks, articles, podcasts, and many others you might be seeking to get in touch with. It therefore should be clear that while Everand is not freeware it is devoid of advertisements as most other reading applications nowadays.

Features

• Availability on multiple platforms: Once a user decides to create an account using Everand, immediately it gains access to Scribd and SlideShare
• Professional interface: The interface is very easy to use and to navigate through various types of articles, books, podcasts, etc.
• Availability: This app is available for Android, iOS and Windows platforms

Pros

• You do not have to pay for each individual book.
• By subscribing once a month, you will unlock multiple features
• Access to read publications on Scribd

Cons

• Books that you have read while using the app cannot be stored in a library
• It lacks important titles

2. Headway

Headway is the best app to read books on iPhone during your busy lifestyle. It gives 15-minute summaries of over 1500 award-winning non-fiction books, with progress trackers, daily challenges, and personalized recommendations.

Features

• Convenient Learning: Access 15-minute summaries of over 1500 award-winning non-fiction books.
• Enhanced Learning Features: Track your reading progress and participate in daily challenges to boost learning.
• Accessibility: The Headway app is available for download on the Apple Store.

Pros

• The summary feature gives the main ideas in minutes.
• There is a large range of book genres
• Tracks your reading goals each week.

Cons

• No offline mode availability.
• Sometimes, summaries lack author perspectives.

3. Amazon Kindle

Amazon Kindle is a well-liked reading app among the reading community with its wide-range books library in a number of genres. Users can upload their PDFs on Amazon and read PDF through Kindle.

Features

• Wide range of books: Using the Amazon Kindle app you can buy a wide variety of books.
• User-Friendly Experience: The Amazon Kindle app contains adjustable fonts, a function that measures words before selecting them, and simple bookmarking.
• Send to Kindle feature: This feature enables users to upload PDFs and Word documents to Amazon for reading using the Kindle application.

Pros

• A wide variety of books in multiple categories.
• Simple convenience to buy books straight from Amazon.
• You may upload and view Word and PDF documents.

Cons

• Limited in-app book purchase and management.
• Some advanced features require external navigation.

4. Goodreads

Goodreads is a popular and one of the best app to read books online that connects hundreds of thousands of people under one roof. With this app, you can scan the barcode of any book to view reviews before buying. You can keep track of the new bestsellers and create a wish list without any cost.

Features

• Books recommendation: Goodreads provides tailored book recommendations based on user ratings and reading history.
• Barcode Scanning: Users can scan book barcodes to easily add them to their virtual bookshelves, which is great for managing actual book collections.

Pros

• Tracks new releases and adds to lists.
• Records complete reading history, including old books.
• Book reviews assist people make purchasing decisions.

Cons

• The site is sluggish.
• Has not been updated in many years.
• The search feature is awful and terrible.

5. Audible

Audible should not be called the best app to read books for free, rather it is a fine tool to listen to books, so, the form is different yet, you can read books using this powerful tool! The company was started in 1995 and was acquired by Amazon in 2008. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most popular and famous platforms among book lovers. Audible integrates countless books and podcasts.

Features

• Subscription Module: The subscription model offers monthly credits for audiobook purchases, with additional discounts on extra purchases beyond these credits.
• Listening Flexibility: You canstream or download audiobooks for offline listening, with customizable playback speed and bookmarks. 
• Exclusive content: Audible provides exclusive Originals like audiobooks, series, podcasts, and spoken-word content for members only.

Pros:

• Family sharing is accessible up to 5 members.
• Audible contains content you can’t get anywhere else.

Cons:

You have to pay $15/month for 1 credit.

Part 3. 5 Best App to Read Books for Free Android

So, we have covered the iPads and iPhones, which means, the Android apps left! Why wait? Let’s now explore the best apps to read books on Android. Utilizing our recommended apps, you can carry a vast library in your pocket and enjoy your favorite books anytime, anywhere.

1. Afirstsoft PDF

Afirstsoft PDF is one of the best app to read books for free android that is used for viewing, converting, and organizing documents. This AI-powered program offers advanced functions including document debates and PDF summaries. Additionally, Afirstsoft PDF allows advanced editing tools to edit the elements, texts, etc. of a PDF document which is an added benefit!

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Features

• OCR: Scanned documents can be quickly turned into editable, readable PDFs.
• Quick searching: Allows easy search of content to simplify the reading process alongside a side-by-side reading feature.
• PDF Conversion: It is possible to transform PDFs into other formats like Excel, Word, and so on to organize PDF books easily.
• Easy to use interface: The interface is well arranged to enhance the precise and fast editing of the materials.

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• AI-integrated PDF reader
• OCR

Cons

• PDF-supported only

2. Wattpad

Wattpad is among the best app to read books for Android, enabling users to read their favorite books and allowing young writers to showcase their work and receive honest critiques. It’s a great platform to find inspiration and discover new authors who might inspire you to write extraordinary stories.

Features

• Customizable Interface: There is a button that allows you to switch between the dark and light modes of the text color and background for your convenience.
• Offline Reading: You can save books and read them without the need for an active internet connection through the help of the app.
• Storage Management: You can make effective use of your device's memory by downloading books in parts if you need to save storage space.

Pros

• Beginners can upload books free of cost.
• The app users produce a lot of unique material.

Cons

• A lots Ads can disturb your reading.

3. Google Play Books

Google Play Books is an exceptional Android app for reading free books that contains lots of free content. You can choose from millions of best-selling eBooks and audiobooks and download your book to read or listen to. You can buy eBooks or audiobooks without any subscription.

Features

• Extensive Library: Usersaccess millions of books in an array of genres and media, such as eBooks, audiobooks, and comic books. 
• Integration with Google: Integrate with your Google account for easy access, and store PDFs and other documents in Google Drive.
• Audiobook Features: Users can bookmark particular portions of audiobooks for easy access and change the playback speed.

Pros

• Let you preview the sample of a million books
• Use an offline dictionary to understand complex words.

Cons

• Lacks functionality for managing libraries.
• There is a limited selection of special titles.

4. KoboBooks

KoboBooks serves as one of the best app to read books for free Android with access to various types of books and a passionate book-lover community. Options to download books offline for reading are available here.

Features

• Audio Player and eReader: KoboBooks integrates both an audio player and eReader for listening to audiobooks and reading eBooks.
• Built-in features: It allows users to read thousands of books for free, featuring an in-built dictionary and bookmark reader for an enhanced reading experience.

Pros

• The last read book is stored in a separate column for easier recall.
• Supports PDF, CBR, and CBZ formats for reading options.

Cons

• Genres are limited to fiction and literature.
• It is slow to load books.

5. Creative Book Builder

Here comes last on the list: Creative Book Builder, which allows users to write books from scratch. It suggests unique titles and writing styles to make your eBook stand out.

Features

• Cloud Storage: Users can store books on the cloud to prevent losing them.
• Chapter Organization: One is able to group chapters into different categories and connect between chapters within the book.
• WYSIWYG Cover Editor: You can easily add unlimited chapters using the WYSIWYG cover editor.

Pros

• Share books via email or open in the eBook app.
• Ample formatting choices for adding page breaks.

Cons

• Limited options for advanced editing.
• The user interface could be difficult for new users.

Conclusion

There are hundreds of apps to read books, offering features for reading, creating, and publishing eBooks. Most applications are free to use, although some may demand a subscription after the trial time. To select the best app to read books for free that meets your demands, you must first investigate each app's distinctive characteristics. This list from our recommendation will help you discover the top Android, and iOS apps, and websites for free books, ensuring you make the most of your reading and leisure time.