It’s not something that e-reader companies tend to advertise, but you don’t need to buy an e-reader to enjoy e-books.
A variety of free apps from reputable companies — including e-reader companies — enables various devices to double as e-readers. That includes smartphones, tablets and desktop computers.
Let’s take the well-known Kindle, Amazon’s line of e-readers, for example. You don’t need any of them to be able to read Kindle e-books or other e-reading material that’s available for Kindle e-readers.
You can just download the free Kindle app to a device you already own. The app enables you to read all of the same e-reading materials on your device.
Of course, e-readers have screens that are optimized for reading. That might not be true of the screens on your phone, tablet or computer.
For some people, though, that may be a small sacrifice to pay for not having to buy an e-reader or not having to lug around an extra device.
So, we’ve rounded up free e-reading apps and listed the devices for which each app is available.
Kindle
You can download the free Kindle apps to any of the following types of devices:
- Android
- BlackBerry
- iPad
- iPhone
- iPod Touch
- Mac
- Windows/PC
- Windows phones
Browser-based alternative: Amazon also offers what it calls the Kindle Cloud Reader, which is free cloud storage space for Kindle e-books. It’s accessible online, meaning you can read Kindle e-books from the web browser of most any device — no need to download an app.
Nook
Nook is Barnes & Noble’s line of e-readers, but you don’t need one to enjoy e-books.
Downloading the free Nook Reading App to devices like the following will enable you to read e-books on them:
- Android
- iPad
- iPhone
- Windows
Kobo
Kobo is a line of e-readers from Rakuten Kobo, a subsidiary of e-commerce company Rakuten. But again, you don’t need a Kobo e-reader to enjoy e-books.
Downloading the free Kobo App to devices like the following will enable you to read e-books on them:
- Android
- BlackBerry
- iPad
- iPhone
- Windows
iBooks
iBooks is a free e-reading app by Apple. It enables you to read e-books on devices like:
- iPad
- iPhone
- iPod Touch
- Mac
The app comes pre-installed on Apple devices with certain operating systems, and it can also be downloaded from iTunes.
Google Play Books
Google Play Books is a free e-reading app by Google. It enables you to read e-books on devices like:
- Android
- iPad
- iPhone
Browser-based alternative: Books you download from the Google Play store are also accessible online. That means you can read them from the web browser of most any device — no need to download an app.
Adobe Digital Editions
Adobe Digital Editions is a free e-reading app by software company Adobe Systems. It allows you to read e-books on devices like:
- Android
- iPad
- iPhone
Now, all you need is some free e-books — try “11 Places to Find Free E-Books.”
Have you used any of these apps? Let us know what you thought of them by commenting below or over on our Facebook page.
