Best eBook Reader Apps for Avid Readers (and the Ones that I Absolutely Love)

If you’re anything like me, your idea of a perfect day involves getting lost in a good book, enjoying a large cup of cold coffee, snuggled under a soft blanket, and perhaps with a lounging furr friend by your side—mine being a charming bunny!

Over the years, I’ve experimented with a bunch of eBook reader apps, trying to find the ones that feel just right. Some were a hit, some were a miss, but a few? They completely stole my heart.

Today, I'm sharing the best eBook reader apps for avid readers—and telling you about the ones that have a special place on my phone and in my reading routine.

1. Kindle

The classic.

Reliable, clean, and pretty much the gold standard for e-reading. Whether you’re reading a freebie classic or the latest bestseller, Kindle makes it easy. I especially love how seamless it is across devices — I can start reading on my phone and pick up where I left off on my iPad without missing a beat.

Kindle Unlimited is great if you like genre fiction (like romance, thrillers, fantasy), but honestly, for translated fiction and indie gems, you might need a few more apps in your toolkit.

Pros	Cons
Massive book selection	Kindle Unlimited is not great for translated fiction
Syncs across devices (phone, Kindle device, iPad)	Some popular new releases aren't included in subscriptions
Kindle Unlimited offers tons of books
Customizable fonts, backgrounds, layouts

Pricing:

• Kindle app: Free to download

• Kindle Unlimited: $11.99/month (varies by country)

2. Everand (formerly Scribd)

My absolute happy place for translated fiction. 🩷

Everand has a HUGE library of general and translated fiction, which I absolutely love. Buying translated books where I live can get expensive (and sometimes they’re just not available). Everand fixes that problem.

Bonus: Everand subscription includes both eBooks AND audiobooks! Some titles even offer both formats, so you can switch between reading and listening depending on your mood (or how much laundry you have to fold 😂). 

Seriously, if you love exploring books from different countries and cultures, Everand is a must.

Pros	Cons
Huge library of general and translated fiction	Access to some titles can rotate or be temporarily restricted
Includes both audiobooks and ebooks	Limited comic books and manga if that's your jam
Some titles have both formats, so you can switch between reading/listening
Affordable for the value

Pricing:

• Everand subscription: $11.99/month (varies by country)

3. NetGalley

Calling all ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) lovers!

NetGalley is an amazing platform for reading upcoming releases before they officially hit the shelves. You get free early access in exchange for honest reviews — it's like being part of a secret book club. 

I borrowed two ARCs through NetGalley, and while I had to pause because life got busy (ugh, adulting), it’s something I’m super excited to return to when things settle down. If you love being in the know about new releases, try this one!

Pros	Cons
Free access to upcoming releases	Requires you to leave reviews to stay active
Helps you discover new authors and hidden gems	Approval to access ARCs is not guaranteed — publishers decide
Perfect for serious readers and reviewers

Pricing:

• Free to join! 

4. Moon+ Reader

This one’s for my customisation lovers. 

Moon+ Reader gives you complete control over how your eBook looks—fonts, colours, spacing, themes, you name it. It’s like a DIY ebook reader app.  

If you like fiddling with your settings until everything feels perfect, you’ll love this app.

Pros	Cons
Highly customizable reading experience (fonts, themes, margins)	Interface can feel overwhelming at first
Supports formats like ePub, mobi, PDF, etc.	Best features are in the paid version
Great for sideloaded books

Pricing:

• Basic version: Free

• Moon+ Reader Pro: $7.99 one-time purchase

5. Google Play Books

Simple, accessible, and syncs beautifully across devices.

What I like most about Google Play Books is how easy it is to upload your own ePub/PDF files. It’s great for indie titles or ARCs that are not available on the big platforms.

Plus, occasional sales on the Play Store mean you can snag some really good reads for super cheap.

Pros	Cons
Buy once, read anywhere (phone, web, tablet)	No subscription model (you buy books individually)
You can upload your own ebooks (ePub, PDF)	Smaller indie selection compared to Kindle or Everand
Occasional big discounts on bestsellers

Pricing:

• App: Free

• Books: Purchased individually (prices vary)

6. ReadEra

Another gem for offline reading!

ReadEra is lightweight, easy to use, and doesn’t bombard you with ads. It’s perfect for organising personal files—especially if you have a hoard of ePub, PDF, or mobi books sitting in your drive.

Pros	Cons
No ads, no sign-ups required	No built-in store (you must provide your own files)
Supports multiple file formats	Interface is functional, but not the prettiest
Great for organising personal ebook collections

Pricing:

• Completely Free

• Pro version available (one-time purchase for extra features)

7. Apple Books (iBooks)

Apple’s native eReader has a beautiful, clean design, lovely fonts, and a very tempting bookstore. If you’re already deep in the Apple ecosystem, iBooks is a no-brainer.

It’s so smooth you might accidentally spend way more than you intended on pretty, pastel-colored covers.

Pros	Cons
Gorgeous, clean interface	Only available on Apple devices (sorry, Android friends)
Seamless syncing across Apple devices	Books can be pricey compared to Kindle deals
Frequent discounts and promotions on books

Pricing:

• App: Free (pre-installed on Apple devices)

• Books: Purchased individually (prices vary)

8. eReader Prestigio

A hidden little gem.

It supports tons of file formats and has a super colourful, bookshelf-style design. Prestigio might be your vibe if you want a cute and versatile reading experience that feels a bit different from the usual minimalism.

Pros	Cons
Supports a wide range of file formats	A little ad-heavy in the free version
Fun bookshelf-style UI	Design can feel a bit "busy" compared to sleeker apps
Good offline reading experience

Pricing:

• Basic version: Free

• Option to upgrade to an ad-free version for a small one-time fee

In Short

Different apps fit different moods and needs, and honestly, I’m just happy we live in a world with so many options for enjoying our books.

My personal favourites right now are: 

✨ Kindle (for reliability) 

✨ Everand (for endless translated fiction and audiobooks) 

✨ NetGalley (for ARCs lovers)

Whether you’re a mood reader, a dedicated series marathoner, or someone who loves jumping between books and audiobooks, there’s an app out there that’s your perfect match.

What about you?

Which eBook reader apps do you love the most?