Ditch the heavy books and turn your phone into your library
If you've been considering the jump from physical books to e-books, you'll need to figure out the best e-book app for the job. Books can be heavy, expensive, and take up valuable space in a cramped apartment, so making the transition is worth it. Thankfully you've got a few options, depending on where you want to get your books, and how you want them to look on the screen.
Take a peek at our picks for the best e-book apps for Android!
The top 3 apps
While there are many apps on the Play Store that make it easier than ever to find and read new e-books, there's only one that stands largely above the rest. The Amazon Kindle app provides a vast library of e-books and audiobooks, with more choices than you could ever imagine.
What if you have an e-book from an independent publisher, or from a friend that they just finished, and it's in a weird format? Well, Moon+ Reader is an e-book app for those who have books in various formats, including EPUB and RAR.
Maybe you're someone who wants to support your local library. Libby, by OverDrive brings the library to wherever you are, making it easy to check out e-books and read them at your pace from your smartphone or tablet.
1. Amazon Kindle
Amazon Kindle pulls ahead of the pack with its access to a huge library of content, which includes free books and content from indie publishers. Many classic books like The Count of Monte Cristo are absolutely free, and you can read them on your mobile device or on desktop with the Kindle app. There is a book out there for you no matter what genre you are looking for.
In the app, you can also customize fonts, margins, line spacing, and organize the books you've downloaded into collections so that it's easier to find the book you want to read. Kindle will also remember the page that you left on when you switch devices. This means that you can switch between your phone, Fire Tablet, and PC without ever losing your page in the process.
The Kindle app is so versatile that you can even have other reading pieces sent to the app, such as articles saved in Instapaper. You can also sign up for Kindle Unlimited and get access to more than one million titles for less than $10 per month.
The obvious choice
Amazon Kindle
Get access to more books than you can fathom
Amazon's Kindle app is the way to read and enjoy e-books from your mobile devices. There are more than one million titles at your fingertips, giving you plenty to read and a single place to keep tabs on them all.
2. Moon+ Reader
While being able to purchase books from a major retailer and download them to your phone is awesome, sometimes the books you want to read are ones that you already have the files for. Whether you've picked up e-books from an independent publisher, or you've gotten the files from a now-defunct program, being able to open and read them is key. That's where Moon+ Reader comes in.
It has support for more than 10 different file formats, from RAR files all the way to EPUB files. On top of that, you can still customize the way words look on the screen, back up your library online, and access to five auto-scroll options on top of plenty more fantastic features.
Standard formats, but not
Moon+ Reader
Read anything you want with a single app
Many e-book apps for Android limit you to only using their app to read and enjoy content. Moon+ Reader throws that out of the window and makes it so you can enjoy just about any e-book, regardless of the format it was downloaded in.
3. Libby, by OverDrive
Long gone are the days where you needed to head to your local library just to find some new books to read. Thanks to the digital world and apps like Libby, your library is now with you wherever you go.
If you live near a participating library, Libby opens your world to new books at your fingertips. There are standard books that can be "checked out", along with audiobooks, and both of these can be saved for offline use so you can read them even if you don't have any internet connection.
For those who enjoy reading on a Kindle, Libby makes it possible for you to check out a book, then send it over to your reading device. The app itself has all the expected customizable options, so you can read right from the app and take notes. Did you come across a word you've never seen before? Libby will be able to even define it for you from the app, making it so you don't have to open another app in the middle of an intense chapter.
Bring the library home
Libby, by OverDrive
Your local library at your fingertips
Libby, by OverDrive is an app that works with your local library to give you access to your favorite books. While it's fun to actually go to the library, sometimes it's just not feasible and with Libby, you won't have to worry about those pesky late fees.
Other great options
With the Play Store at your side, there are even more e-book apps for Android than you may have even imagined. These are some more of our favorites, even though they didn't make the top three.
Google Play Books
Google Play Books gives you access to a vast bookstore, some of which are free. You'll also find some textbooks, although we'd like to see the textbook selection improve in the future. You can read books offline, use a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words, and have your notes and place in the book saved across multiple devices through your Google account.
If you have a family account set up, then you can share books between everybody without having to purchase them multiple times. Staying within the Google ecosystem also makes it easy to share your purchases with family members, and keep all of your media in one place.
Probably already installed
Google Play Books
Sticking with Google's ecosystem
Google's Play Books app is one of those applications that doesn't get as much attention as other e-book apps for Android. Still, Google has done a wonderful job at combining a catalog of endless selections with a solid reading experience, right on your phone or tablet.
Kobo
Kobo has been around for quite some time, and was purchased by Rakuten, but that hasn't stopped this e-book app from being great. It's a great way to read your favorite books whether it's on your phone or tablet. It has a gigantic selection filled with both new and established authors, including magazines and children's books. The most popular and trending e-books are even updated hourly so you won't miss an amazing story, even when it's coming from an author you've never heard of.
As you begin to buy books and Kobo learns your preferences, it will build a recommendations list made up of suggestions for new books or magazines. There is also an awesome reading activity feature that'll show you how much time you've spent reading in the app, what books you are currently reading, a running tally of how many books you've read, and how many pages you've turned in the process.
Earn points for reading
Kobo
The more you read, the more you earn
In addition to having access to e-books and audiobooks, Kobo also has a rewards system that rewards you for reading more and more books.
Aldiko
Aldiko is an app for a lot of people since it's currently available in more than 200 countries. In addition to supporting many of the popular formats, including EPUB and PDF, Aldiko also makes it possible for you to read Adobe DRM encrypted books.
The real benefit of Aldiko comes in for those who have a vast library of books. You can import your own compatible files, then organize the options with tags or with a user-created collection. There is also a catalog of books available for download or purchase right from the app, so you won't have to deal with importing files.
Easy to read and organize
Aldiko
Personalize your e-Book library
Aldiko makes it easy to read your favorite books, even if they are in formats that you may not have heard of. One nifty feature is being able to view "stats" about the book you are currently reading, including your progress, when it was added to the library, and when the last time you read the book.
Wattpad
Whether you just enjoy reading books that you won't find at the library, or if you're a writer who wants to share a story, Wattpad is perfect. For writers, Wattpad works with publishing partners to get your book seen and published by some of the biggest names. The app has seen stories come and go that have even been adapted into a TV series.
This community is home to more than 80 million readers across the globe, with more than 20 different e-book categories to choose from. There's something here for everyone, and the app syncs across all of your devices, so you can pick up your new book from wherever you are.
For readers and writers
Wattpad
The one-stop-shop for Indie content
Wattpad has come a long way from the days of just being another e-book app for Android. E-books published to Wattpad have been adapted for TV or the big screen, and there are more original stories added that you won't find anywhere else.
Hoopla Digital
Are you looking for another app that integrates with your local public library? Hoopla Digital fits the bill and gives you access to more than 800,000 digital titles right from your smartphone. From e-books to audiobooks, comics, and even movies or TV shows, there's something here for everyone.
You can finally forget about those late fees, and all of your progress will be synced across any devices that have Hoopla Digital installed. The app features a familiar interface with book covers categorized and the ability to find books that you may not have seen or heard of before. Just take it to "check out" and start reading.
It's all digital
Hoopla Digital
Another way to get to the library
Hoopla Digital's primary focus is to be the end-all-be-all for any of your media consumption needs, outside of music. The app makes it easy to rent movies, e-books, audiobooks, comics and more from your local library, and you'll never have to worry about late fees.
Goodreads
Goodreads isn't an app to read your favorite e-books, but instead is a social community for everyone who enjoys reading and sharing book recommendations and ratings. Sometimes it's not always feasible for you to be able to catch up with your friends and family about what new books they are enjoying. That's where Goodreads comes into the foray, as this app makes it easy to see what your friends are reading and what they think of those books.
You can create lists however you like, including books that you want to pick up later. You can also find recommendations based on your reading lists and read reviews. It's a must have for every dedicated reader.
Join the community
Goodreads
A community for e-book readers everywhere
If you are someone who reads a lot of books, you may run out of ideas on where to find the next one. Goodreads changes that as this is a community-driven app where you can find and share opinions and ratings for books with friends and family.
If you've been considering the jump from physical books to e-books, you'll need to figure out the best e-book app for the job. Books can be heavy, expensive, and take up valuable space in a cramped apartment, so making the transition is worth it. Thankfully you've got a few options, depending on where you want to get your books, and how you want them to look on the screen.
Take a peek at our picks for the best e-book apps for Android!
The top 3 apps
While there are many apps on the Play Store that make it easier than ever to find and read new e-books, there's only one that stands largely above the rest. The Amazon Kindle app provides a vast library of e-books and audiobooks, with more choices than you could ever imagine.
What if you have an e-book from an independent publisher, or from a friend that they just finished, and it's in a weird format? Well, Moon+ Reader is an e-book app for those who have books in various formats, including EPUB and RAR.
Maybe you're someone who wants to support your local library. Libby, by OverDrive brings the library to wherever you are, making it easy to check out e-books and read them at your pace from your smartphone or tablet.
1. Amazon Kindle
Amazon Kindle pulls ahead of the pack with its access to a huge library of content, which includes free books and content from indie publishers. Many classic books like The Count of Monte Cristo are absolutely free, and you can read them on your mobile device or on desktop with the Kindle app. There is a book out there for you no matter what genre you are looking for.
In the app, you can also customize fonts, margins, line spacing, and organize the books you've downloaded into collections so that it's easier to find the book you want to read. Kindle will also remember the page that you left on when you switch devices. This means that you can switch between your phone, Fire Tablet, and PC without ever losing your page in the process.
The Kindle app is so versatile that you can even have other reading pieces sent to the app, such as articles saved in Instapaper. You can also sign up for Kindle Unlimited and get access to more than one million titles for less than $10 per month.
The obvious choice
Amazon Kindle
Get access to more books than you can fathom
Amazon's Kindle app is the way to read and enjoy e-books from your mobile devices. There are more than one million titles at your fingertips, giving you plenty to read and a single place to keep tabs on them all.
2. Moon+ Reader
While being able to purchase books from a major retailer and download them to your phone is awesome, sometimes the books you want to read are ones that you already have the files for. Whether you've picked up e-books from an independent publisher, or you've gotten the files from a now-defunct program, being able to open and read them is key. That's where Moon+ Reader comes in.
It has support for more than 10 different file formats, from RAR files all the way to EPUB files. On top of that, you can still customize the way words look on the screen, back up your library online, and access to five auto-scroll options on top of plenty more fantastic features.
Standard formats, but not
Moon+ Reader
Read anything you want with a single app
Many e-book apps for Android limit you to only using their app to read and enjoy content. Moon+ Reader throws that out of the window and makes it so you can enjoy just about any e-book, regardless of the format it was downloaded in.
3. Libby, by OverDrive
Long gone are the days where you needed to head to your local library just to find some new books to read. Thanks to the digital world and apps like Libby, your library is now with you wherever you go.
If you live near a participating library, Libby opens your world to new books at your fingertips. There are standard books that can be "checked out", along with audiobooks, and both of these can be saved for offline use so you can read them even if you don't have any internet connection.
For those who enjoy reading on a Kindle, Libby makes it possible for you to check out a book, then send it over to your reading device. The app itself has all the expected customizable options, so you can read right from the app and take notes. Did you come across a word you've never seen before? Libby will be able to even define it for you from the app, making it so you don't have to open another app in the middle of an intense chapter.
Bring the library home
Libby, by OverDrive
Your local library at your fingertips
Libby, by OverDrive is an app that works with your local library to give you access to your favorite books. While it's fun to actually go to the library, sometimes it's just not feasible and with Libby, you won't have to worry about those pesky late fees.
Other great options
With the Play Store at your side, there are even more e-book apps for Android than you may have even imagined. These are some more of our favorites, even though they didn't make the top three.
Google Play Books
Google Play Books gives you access to a vast bookstore, some of which are free. You'll also find some textbooks, although we'd like to see the textbook selection improve in the future. You can read books offline, use a dictionary to look up unfamiliar words, and have your notes and place in the book saved across multiple devices through your Google account.
If you have a family account set up, then you can share books between everybody without having to purchase them multiple times. Staying within the Google ecosystem also makes it easy to share your purchases with family members, and keep all of your media in one place.
Probably already installed
Google Play Books
Sticking with Google's ecosystem
Google's Play Books app is one of those applications that doesn't get as much attention as other e-book apps for Android. Still, Google has done a wonderful job at combining a catalog of endless selections with a solid reading experience, right on your phone or tablet.
Kobo
Kobo has been around for quite some time, and was purchased by Rakuten, but that hasn't stopped this e-book app from being great. It's a great way to read your favorite books whether it's on your phone or tablet. It has a gigantic selection filled with both new and established authors, including magazines and children's books. The most popular and trending e-books are even updated hourly so you won't miss an amazing story, even when it's coming from an author you've never heard of.
As you begin to buy books and Kobo learns your preferences, it will build a recommendations list made up of suggestions for new books or magazines. There is also an awesome reading activity feature that'll show you how much time you've spent reading in the app, what books you are currently reading, a running tally of how many books you've read, and how many pages you've turned in the process.
Earn points for reading
Kobo
The more you read, the more you earn
In addition to having access to e-books and audiobooks, Kobo also has a rewards system that rewards you for reading more and more books.
Aldiko
Aldiko is an app for a lot of people since it's currently available in more than 200 countries. In addition to supporting many of the popular formats, including EPUB and PDF, Aldiko also makes it possible for you to read Adobe DRM encrypted books.
The real benefit of Aldiko comes in for those who have a vast library of books. You can import your own compatible files, then organize the options with tags or with a user-created collection. There is also a catalog of books available for download or purchase right from the app, so you won't have to deal with importing files.
Easy to read and organize
Aldiko
Personalize your e-Book library
Aldiko makes it easy to read your favorite books, even if they are in formats that you may not have heard of. One nifty feature is being able to view "stats" about the book you are currently reading, including your progress, when it was added to the library, and when the last time you read the book.
Wattpad
Whether you just enjoy reading books that you won't find at the library, or if you're a writer who wants to share a story, Wattpad is perfect. For writers, Wattpad works with publishing partners to get your book seen and published by some of the biggest names. The app has seen stories come and go that have even been adapted into a TV series.
This community is home to more than 80 million readers across the globe, with more than 20 different e-book categories to choose from. There's something here for everyone, and the app syncs across all of your devices, so you can pick up your new book from wherever you are.
For readers and writers
Wattpad
The one-stop-shop for Indie content
Wattpad has come a long way from the days of just being another e-book app for Android. E-books published to Wattpad have been adapted for TV or the big screen, and there are more original stories added that you won't find anywhere else.
Hoopla Digital
Are you looking for another app that integrates with your local public library? Hoopla Digital fits the bill and gives you access to more than 800,000 digital titles right from your smartphone. From e-books to audiobooks, comics, and even movies or TV shows, there's something here for everyone.
You can finally forget about those late fees, and all of your progress will be synced across any devices that have Hoopla Digital installed. The app features a familiar interface with book covers categorized and the ability to find books that you may not have seen or heard of before. Just take it to "check out" and start reading.
It's all digital
Hoopla Digital
Another way to get to the library
Hoopla Digital's primary focus is to be the end-all-be-all for any of your media consumption needs, outside of music. The app makes it easy to rent movies, e-books, audiobooks, comics and more from your local library, and you'll never have to worry about late fees.
Goodreads
Goodreads isn't an app to read your favorite e-books, but instead is a social community for everyone who enjoys reading and sharing book recommendations and ratings. Sometimes it's not always feasible for you to be able to catch up with your friends and family about what new books they are enjoying. That's where Goodreads comes into the foray, as this app makes it easy to see what your friends are reading and what they think of those books.
You can create lists however you like, including books that you want to pick up later. You can also find recommendations based on your reading lists and read reviews. It's a must have for every dedicated reader.
Join the community
Goodreads
A community for e-book readers everywhere
If you are someone who reads a lot of books, you may run out of ideas on where to find the next one. Goodreads changes that as this is a community-driven app where you can find and share opinions and ratings for books with friends and family.