- Kindle alternatives at a glance
- Nine Kindle alternatives worth a look
- Where to start, depending on what you want
- Why the file format matters more than the device
- Device or app: which do you need?
- Questions to ask before you switch
- Signs it's time to try something else
- My plain advice on leaving Kindle
- Frequently asked questions
The best Kindle alternatives fall into three groups: other dedicated e-readers with their own bookshops, reading apps for the phone or tablet you already own, and free library apps that let you borrow ebooks and audiobooks with a library card. Which one fits depends on whether you want a new device, a new shop or free borrowing. Nine options follow in no particular order.
A Kindle is lovely until you want a book Amazon doesn't sell, a library loan in a format it won't open, or a screen you can write on. That's usually when people start looking around.
The nine options below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the company's own website, read this week. Once you've picked a reader, my list of book club questions is a good way to get more from your next read.
Kindle alternatives at a glance
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site names a free plan, a free version, a free account or an open source version. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start for free, so check the provider's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Books | Reading app | iPhone, iPad and Mac readers | Yes |
| Boox | E Ink tablet maker | Readers who also write notes | Not stated |
| Everand | Ebook and audiobook subscription | Heavy readers wanting one subscription | Trial only |
| Google Play Books | Ebook and audiobook store | Android users and web readers | Not stated |
| Hoopla | Library streaming app | Free borrowing through your library | Yes |
| Kobo | E-reader and ebook store | A Kindle-style reader outside Amazon | Not stated |
| Libby | Library reading app | Borrowing ebooks and audiobooks free | Yes |
| PocketBook | E-reader maker | Colour E Ink and handwriting | Not stated |
| reMarkable | Paper tablet | Note-takers who read documents | Not stated |
Nine Kindle alternatives worth a look
Apple Books
Best for: iPhone and Mac owners who want a reading and audiobook app that's already free on their devices, with no subscription needed to use it.
Boox
Best for: Readers who want an E Ink device that also handles writing and browsing, from a brand selling note-taking tablets and covers directly.
Everand
Best for: Heavy readers who'd rather pay one monthly subscription for ebooks and audiobooks, starting with the free trial shown on its homepage.
Google Play Books
Best for: Android users who want ebooks, audiobooks, comics and textbooks in one library they can open on any device, including a web browser.
Hoopla
Best for: Library card holders who want ebooks, audiobooks, comics and films through their public library, with no separate subscription to manage.
Kobo
Best for: Readers who want a dedicated e-reader with its own ebook store and a free ebook section, from a long-running shop owned by Rakuten.
Libby
Best for: Anyone with a library card who wants to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from thousands of public libraries without buying each title.
PocketBook
Best for: European readers who want a colour E Ink reader with a stylus and handwriting recognition rather than a single-store device.
reMarkable
Best for: Professionals who mostly read and mark up documents and want a paper-feel tablet built for focused work rather than a bookshop.
Where to start, depending on what you want
- A dedicated e-reader with its own store: Kobo or PocketBook.
- A reader you can also write on: Boox or reMarkable.
- Free borrowing from your library: Libby or Hoopla.
- An app on the phone or tablet you already own: Apple Books or Google Play Books.
- One subscription for ebooks and audiobooks: Everand.
Why the file format matters more than the device
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), which publishes the EPUB 3.3 standard, says EPUB 3 has been widely adopted as the format for digital books. Most bookshops outside Amazon and most library apps work with it.
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That's the quiet reason people feel boxed in. If your reader or app handles EPUB files, you can buy from more shops, borrow from more libraries and move your books more easily when you change device.
Device or app: which do you need?
A dedicated e-ink reader is easier on the eyes for long sessions and lasts for weeks between charges, so it's worth it if you read every day. It's also a distraction-free way to read at night.
If you read in short bursts, an app on the phone or tablet you already carry may be all you need. Start there, and only buy hardware once you know you'll use it.
Questions to ask before you switch
- Which shops and libraries does it work with?
- Can it open EPUB and PDF files?
- Do I want a stylus for notes?
- Is a colour screen worth it for my comics or magazines?
- Can I borrow library books on it in my country?
- Will my existing Kindle books come with me?
Signs it's time to try something else
- You want library books. Try a library app first.
- You keep hitting format errors. Pick an EPUB-friendly reader.
- You want to write notes. Look at pen-based tablets.
- You read comics or magazines. A colour screen helps.
Do you make reading apps or e-readers? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on leaving Kindle
Before you buy anything, install a library app and check what your local library offers. Lots of people find they can borrow most of what they'd have bought, which changes how much you'll want to spend on a new device.
Then pick hardware for the way you read: a simple e-reader if you only read, or a tablet with a pen if you also mark up documents. Keep it simple, and don't buy features you won't touch. If you read for work, my list of business books for marketers is a good first library.
Frequently asked questions
What's the closest alternative to a Kindle?
Another dedicated e-reader with its own ebook store is the closest swap. If you mostly want free books, a library app on your phone or tablet may be all you need.
Can I read library books without a Kindle?
Yes. Library apps connect to public libraries, so you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks with a library card on a phone, tablet or supported reader.
What ebook format do most non-Amazon stores use?
Most use EPUB, which the W3C describes as widely adopted for digital books.
Is there an e-reader I can write on?
Yes. Several makers in this list sell e-ink tablets with a pen for notes and handwriting.
Are reading apps free?
Many reading apps are free to install, and library apps are free with a library card, though books you buy still have their own charges.
Will my Kindle books work on another reader?
Books bought from Amazon are tied to your Amazon account, so plan on reading them in the Kindle app and buying new books elsewhere.
