With so many eBook reader apps available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Some popular options have massive libraries, others offer extensive customization features to personalize your reading experience, and certain apps go beyond traditional reading, fostering vibrant communities where you can discover hidden gems and connect with fellow book enthusiasts.
So, how do you pick the perfect one? Consider your reading habits. Do you prioritize a vast selection, or do you crave a tailored reading experience? Think about the formats you prefer and the features you find most useful. We collected the five most downloaded and popular eBook reader apps from the Google Play Store, plus one unique bonus.
What to look for
- Adjustable font size and spacing
- Night mode or sepia tones for comfortable nighttime reading20
- Highlighting, note-taking, and annotation tools
- Synchronization across devices for seamless reading
- Access to online book libraries
1. Amazon Kindle
Kindle, a free Amazon app, is one of the most popular eBook reader apps on the Google Play Store, letting you access Kindle books and even borrow eBooks from your local library with the Libby app. It has a ton of features and integrates well with other Amazon services. Kindle has a large selection of eBooks, including fiction, non-fiction, comics, textbooks, and more.
Features
- Seamless reading: You can start a book on your phone and finish it on your tablet. Your progress, notes, and highlights will sync across devices.
- Customizable: Adjust fonts and margins, and even switch to night mode for comfortable reading anytime.
- Learn as you go: Look up words with the built-in dictionary, and learn new words with the Wordsmith integration.
- Send to Kindle feature if you need to send eBooks and documents to your Kindle device or app.
Kindle offers a huge selection of eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines, and you can also try free samples before you buy.
2. Google Play Books
Google Play Books is a convenient, user-friendly, and feature-rich option for reading eBooks and audiobooks on your Android. It has an extensive library of eBooks and audiobooks in various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, classics, bestsellers, and more.
Features
- Seamless reading experience: Pick up where you left off across your phone, tablet, or computer – your books and progress always stay in sync.
- Tailored to your preferences: Adjust fonts, colors (even switch to night mode!), and layouts for your perfect reading setup.
- Expand your knowledge: Look up words with the built-in dictionary and take notes for future reference.
- Listen on demand: Let the Text-to-Speech feature read your books aloud.
- Smart shopping: Try free samples before you buy, and create a wishlist of must-read titles.
- Read anywhere: Download books for offline enjoyment.
Let’s not forget that since it’s a Google product, Play Books integrates smoothly with your existing Google account and library.
3. Kobo Books
If you’re looking for an alternative to Kindle, you can check out Kobo Books. This free app from Rakuten offers a huge library of eBooks and audiobooks, plus cool features like rewards points that you won’t find on Kindle.
Features
- Massive selection: Over 6 million eBooks and audiobooks, including bestsellers, comics, kids’ books, and more.
- Subscription option: Like Kindle Unlimited, their Kobo Plus service gives you access to a huge library for a monthly fee.
- Read anywhere: Sync your books across devices – phone, tablet, or computer.
- Customize your reading: Change fonts, margins, and even use night mode for comfortable reading.
- Library connection: Borrow eBooks for free from your local library with OverDrive.
- Earn as you read: Get reward points with each purchase to use towards future eBooks.
With free samples, library access, and a unique rewards system, Kobo Books makes reading easy and rewarding.
4. Moon+ Reader
If you want complete control over how you read eBooks on your Android, Moon+ Reader is the app worth checking out. This free reader stands out with its amazing customization options and support for tons of different eBook file types.
Features
- Format-friendly: You can open almost any eBook file – EPUB, PDF, MOBI, compressed HTML, comic book formats, and even some less common ones like UMD, FB2, PRC, and OPDS.
- Make it your own: You can tweak every detail: fonts, colors, page-turning effects, and even how you interact with your book with taps, swipes, and button presses.
- Easy on the eyes: It has a night mode, and you have full control over how your text looks, making it comfortable to read anytime.
- Never lose your spot: Sync your reading progress, notes, and highlights across devices with cloud backup.
- Listen while you work: You can have the app read your books aloud with the Text-to-Speech feature.
Moon+ Reader offers a free version to get started or upgrade to the Pro version for even more features.
5. ReadEra
ReadEra is a free app that gets the job done with a clean design and support for a wide range of file types without bombarding you with ads or in-app purchases.
Features
- Handles almost any file: You can read eBooks (EPUB, MOBI, etc.), PDFs, Word documents, and more.
- No-nonsense reading: Enjoy a clutter-free interface for focused reading.
- Customize your view: Adjust fonts, colors, and night mode for comfortable reading.
- Juggle multiple documents: Easily read two things side-by-side or switch between them. You can split the screen using the “Active apps” system button.
- Listen on the go: Text-to-Speech lets you have the app read aloud.
ReadEra’s free version is surprisingly powerful for most readers. If you want cloud syncing, a dedicated notes section, and more customization, check out their premium upgrade. Either way, it’s a great choice for ad-free reading on your Android.
Bonus
Wattpad: More Than Just an eBook Reader
If you love discovering unique stories and connecting with other readers, Wattpad is the app for you. It’s more than just an eBook reader – it’s a whole community of writers and fans sharing their work.
Features
- A massive library of stories: It has a huge selection of mostly free fiction – romance, fantasy, sci-fi.
- Discover hidden gems: You can find new authors and unique stories that haven’t been published anywhere else.
- Interact with the creators: Comment on your favorite parts of stories and chat directly with the authors.
- Join the community: Follow other readers, discuss stories, and become part of the vibrant Wattpad world.
- Support your favorite writers: The optional Wattpad Stars program lets you directly support the authors you love.
Whether you’re a passionate reader or have a story of your own to tell, Wattpad offers a creative and engaging experience unlike any other reading app.
Capture Your Reading Insights
If you find yourself jotting down thoughts and quotes while reading, explore these top-rated note-taking apps for Android to streamline and organize your reading notes.
FAQs
Which eBook reader app offers the most file format support?
Moon+ Reader is known for its extensive format support. It can handle popular formats like EPUB, PDF, MOBI (DRM-free), TXT, and even some less common formats like OPDS and RAR (after extraction).
Can I sync my books across multiple devices with eBook reader apps?
Yes, syncing books across multiple devices is a common feature offered by most ebook reader apps, but there can be variations in how it works and potential limitations. Google Play Books: excels at syncing across devices thanks to its integration with your Google account. Amazon Kindle is another strong contender for syncing. ReadEra offers cloud storage and syncing features with premium subscriptions. Moon+ Reader offers some basic syncing options, like backing up your reading progress and settings to the cloud. Kobo Books provides syncing functionality across devices where you have the Kobo Books app installed. However, it might not be as seamless as Google Play Books or Kindle
Which eBook reader app has the most customization options?
Moon+ Reader provides a high level of customization, allowing you to adjust themes, reading modes, and more.