Alternatives to Kindle
Amazon's reading ecosystem
Kindle ranks #7 of 8 in Ebook readers, with an Alt Score of 75. It is proprietary, free from Free and available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Web. 7 of 9 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Anyone who reads e-books and wants their library and reading progress available across phones, tablets, computers, and Kindle e-readers rather than tied to one device.
Access to titles purchased or borrowed from the Kindle Store, plus supported library loans and personal document uploads. Adjustable text size, font, and layout for comfortable reading, with built-in dictionary, translation, and X-Ray lookups. Whispersync automatically saves your furthest page read, bookmarks, and notes so you can switch devices without losing your place. Offline reading is supported once content is downloaded to a device.
You buy or borrow a book through the Kindle Store (or send a personal document to your Kindle library), it downloads to the Kindle app or e-reader you're using, and Whispersync keeps your page position and annotations synced whenever you open it on another registered device.
Why people leave Kindle
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
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Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
How Kindle compares with its alternatives, feature by feature.
| Ebook readers checklist | Kindle | Calibre | Moon+ Reader | KOReader | Librera | Apple Books |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Formats (EPUB, PDF, MOBI, CBZ) | ||||||
| Sync position across devices | ||||||
| Annotation & highlights export | ||||||
| Dictionaries | ||||||
| OPDS support | ||||||
| Text-to-speech | ||||||
| Page turn customization | ||||||
| Library management | ||||||
| DRM support |
Every fact and feature listed for Kindle is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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Pricing model Free verified 2026-07-10
the free Kindle app for iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Mac, and Fire tablets
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=TqLHvK6eo6O7DJVQoZ -
Platforms Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web verified 2026-07-10
Buy Books for Your Kindle for Android App Buy Books for Your Kindle for iOS App Buy Books for Your Kindle for Windows App Buy Books for Your Kindle for Web App ... Install or Update the Kindle for Mac
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GAJYEL5VJLU5KF6L -
License Proprietary verified 2026-07-10
Amazon or its content providers grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license to access and make personal and non-commercial use of the Amazon Services
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GLSBYFE9MGKKQXXM -
Starts at Free verified 2026-07-10
the free Kindle app for iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Mac, and Fire tablets
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=TqLHvK6eo6O7DJVQoZ -
Status active verified 2026-07-10
The Legacy Kindle app (previously called Kindle for PC) isn't supported as of June 30, 2026. Supported Operating Systems: Windows: Windows 11.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GZSM7D8A85WKPYYD -
Formats (EPUB, PDF, MOBI, CBZ) Partial verified 2026-07-10
EPUB and PDF via Send to Kindle; no CBZ.
Send to Kindle supports the following file types: HTML (.HTML, .HTM) RTF (.RTF) Text (.TXT) JPEG (.JPEG, .JPG) GIF (.GIF) PNG (.PNG) BMP (.BMP) PDF (.PDF) EPUB (.EPUB)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G5WYD9SAF7PGXRNA -
Sync position across devices Yes verified 2026-07-10
Sync automatically backs up and saves data from your Kindle devices and apps, including your reading position, notes, and highlights, to Amazon's servers. Saved data syncs with all Kindle apps and dev
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GGFEXXS8Z7DPJSTN -
Dictionaries Yes verified 2026-07-10
Dictionary lookup When you come across a word you don't know, you can quickly look up dictionary definitions right from your book. Just press and hold a word, then release to see the definition.
https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=17717476011 -
Text-to-speech Yes verified 2026-07-10
Assistive Reader uses your device's OS-level Text-to-Speech engines to read aloud the text of the book.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=TqLHvK6eo6O7DJVQoZ -
Page turn customization Yes verified 2026-07-10
Continuous Scrolling : Read by scrolling vertically instead of swiping pages.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=TABlJ4ot69emTO8jJG -
Library management Yes verified 2026-07-10
Collections are folders that you create to organize your library and easily find your Kindle books and documents.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=T4KX4ALDBNr9flMGqC -
DRM support Yes verified 2026-07-10
Applying DRM limits reader access to Kindle apps and devices only.
https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GDDXGH9VR22ACM8U
FAQ
Yes. Calibre, Moon+ Reader and KOReader have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Calibre, KOReader and Librera — every license claim links its source.