7 iPhone Apps To Read Books Free Online
iPhone Apps To Read Books Free Online
As a devoted book enthusiast, you might be wondering where to find a continuous stream of books, even in the virtual sector. Imagine having access to more free books without the need to wander through bookstores, scouring entire shelves, only to end up with a book you might just settle for – one you don’t particularly like, and, oh, you’ll have to pay for it too.
The purpose of this article is to introduce you to specific apps that you can easily access on your iOS device from the comfort of your home. These intelligently designed apps offer a diverse range of free books across various genres. You’ll find this article not only informative but also a small token of appreciation for the convenience that technology has brought into our lives.
The apps recommended here have been carefully curated, complete with pros and cons gathered from user reviews. This way, you can make an informed decision before proceeding to download and use them. Without further ado, let’s get to know these seven iPhone apps that allow you to read books online for free.
7 iPhone Apps To Read Books Free Online
Hoopla
Now, Hoopla stands out as the geek of all apps, and here’s why: it is a digital library app that offers a wide range of titles, including ebooks, audiobooks, music, movies, TV shows, magazines, and niche content. Similar to a traditional library, users can borrow books with a monthly limit.
What’s exciting for bibliophiles or bookworms is the ability to access both books and movies in one app. Hoopla allows users to access free content with their library card and is available in four countries.
Pros:
- There is no waiting period in this app, as all items in the catalog are instantly available.
- Users can easily re-borrow an item if it becomes unavailable after the checkout period.
- The backend tools for library directors are easy to use.
- Users can enable Kids Mode to display only children-friendly content.
- Thousands of new titles are added monthly.
Cons:
- There are limitations on how much content each user, especially free users, can access in a given period.
- There is no feature for parental approval when borrowing in Kids Mode.
- Hoopla does not sync reading progress across devices.
- Intrusive banners pop up after reading a few pages.
- There is a dependency on having a library card.
Closely related: 7 Android Apps To Read Books Free Online
Google Play Books
Google Play Books allows users to download ebooks for free, without any cost; however, this feature is unfortunately not accessible in certain regions. It stands as one of the world’s most extensive digital libraries, boasting over 5 million books, including 2 million ebooks available in various formats.
The app offers key features such as compatibility with CarPlay and seamless device synchronization. Developed by Google, Google Play Books supports additional features like Bubble Zoom for comics, note-taking capabilities, and Siri Shortcuts that simplify playback control through voice commands.
Pros:
- The app provides a “recommended for you” list, offering users personalized suggestions based on their preferences.
- Improved bookmarking system for enhanced user experience.
- Supports multiple formats, including PDF and EPUB.
- Syncs books to Drive for convenient access across different devices.
- Incorporates a captivating 3D flipping animation for a visually appealing reading experience.
Cons:
- Bookstore pages lack adequate information, potentially affecting user decision-making.
- Limited control over the screen timer.
- Inability to make purchases within the app.
- Issues with preordering, including instances where the book does not charge to the user’s account.
uLIBRARY
The uLIBRARY app provides an additional avenue to access your library’s digital collection of eBooks and audiobooks using your tablet or any other device. It possesses an intuitive interface equipped with search options, adjustable audio speed, synchronization, bookmarking features, and genre sliders. The app offers a book club for obtaining recommendations. Simply sign up with your library membership to unlock and enjoy various customization options.
Pros:
- Convenient Access
- Personalized Recommendations
- Flexible Borrowing
Cons:
- Challenges in downloading audiobooks
- Dependency on Library Membership
- The app may hinder the overall experience of accessing the library’s catalog.
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Apple Books
The Apple Books app offers users the opportunity to explore an extensive collection of millions of titles, covering bestsellers and free books stretching different genres, all at no cost. Users can listen to audiobooks, monitor their reading progress, establish goals, and personalize their reading experience through themes and adjustable settings.
Apple Watch users benefit from the convenience of accessing and managing their audiobooks directly from their wrist. It is important to note that for compatibility, this app requires an iPhone 11 or later version if available in your region.
Pros:
- Large PDF Support
- With the read function, individuals can multitask by having the book read aloud.
- Apple Books enables up to five family members to enjoy books and audiobooks together.
- No subscription required.
- Easily syncs across Apple devices.
Cons:
- Bookmarks Activation Issue
- Reload Issue after Font Size Change
- App sometime crashes on iPhone 12 and iPad Air
- Regional Content Variability
FBReader
FBReader supports a range of book sources, both free and paid, with configurable network sources, local book access, and compatibility with OPDS catalogs. It is also compatible with major operating systems on computers and mobile devices.
It is a multifaceted e-book application that supports various formats such as HTML, ePubs, mobi, Kindle azw3, fb2, RTF, and more. For a customizable and rich user experience when reading, this app will serve you well.
Pros:
- Smooth transition between portrait and landscape modes.
- Regular updates for readers to enjoy additional features.
- Feature-rich compared to some other ebook readers.
- Cloud Sync functionality.
Cons:
- Problems highlighted when reading EPUBs.
- The absence of a way to mark books as read/unread or mark them as completed.
- There might be a learning curve for users who prefer a simpler and more straightforward reading experience.
ManyBooks
While ManyBooks may not be as popular as other ebook libraries, it serves as a vast virtual space where you can read numerous books for free. You’ll find old classic books you may want to revisit, and users have the option to customize fonts to suit their taste, create a personal library, and explore thousands of books at no cost. Established in 2004, it began with many classics from the Gutenberg Project.
Pros:
- Users appreciate the fact that the app is free and contains no ads.
- The app has a book saving feature for saving the progress of the book you are reading.
- There are over 60,000 books available for free reading in this app.
- ManyBooks is good for classic literature.
Cons:
- Limited new books.
- Restricted book choices.
- The app sometimes provides inaccurate information about book availability or authors.
- There might be problems accessing the app offline.
Open Library Reader
The Open Library app is a platform that grants users access to millions of books available for browsing or borrowing. It serves as an alternative interface to the Open Library site, optimized primarily for iPad but also compatible with smaller screens. The app allows users to track their reading progress, manage bookshelves, utilize search functions, and benefit from checkout tracking.
Users have the flexibility to sort books based on the author, date of publication, or title. Essentially, this app was developed by Aaron Swartz, who served as the engineer and leader of the Open Library’s technical team.
Pros:
- Gives access to out-of-print books
- Association with Internet Archive, a reputable non-profit organization dedicated to building a digital library.
- Abundance of free books available for users
- Sortable shelves and search function
Cons:
- Challenges in finding new books
- The app may not offer the best experience on smaller screens, requiring users to tolerate some squinting.
- An active internet connection is necessary when using the app.
Conclusion:
When you can explore books with diverse genres and mixed stories, the experience of reading takes on a different flavor from its conventional perception. The mentioned apps have the capability to connect you with a range of books, including those that are out of print. The best part is that they are all free of charge. If you’re aware of other apps that offer similar features to the ones mentioned above, please feel free to share them in the comment section.