There’s some seriously good news for readers with an Android phone. It also doubles as an eBook reader. Even though phone screens have gotten larger, they’re still not all that big. However, if you try out an eBook reading app, you may discover that your Android turns out to be a pretty good pocket reader, plus you can always read on a tablet if you find your phone too small. Plus, the apps from the biggest eBook stores all work on both phones and tablets and they’ll allow you to pick up right where you left off on any device.
Want free books? You can download free eBooks for every one of these readers. Most books are classics now in the public domain, but you’ll also find the occasional promo.
All of the apps below should be equally available no matter which company makes your Android phone, including Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc.
Absolutely gigantic library for sale
Great controls
Quickly buy and download
Exclusives and unlimited subscriptions
Proprietary format makes moving books difficult
Google Play Books
Massive library for sale
Great Android integration(obviously)
Clean and simple interface
Easily manage, import, and transfer books
Not quite as refined as Kindle(small nitpick, really)
If you are reading DRM-free books that you purchased from another store, you can also transfer those books into your library on Google Play Books and read them there.
Download Google Play Books
Kobo Books
Kobo Readers were the choice of Borders bookstores. Remember Borders? However, Kobo was always an independent store, so the Kobo Reader did not die when Borders did. The Kobo app can read ePub formatted books as well as Adobe Digital Editions, which means you can potentially use them to check out books from the library. While you can still get Kobo readers, the Android app makes for an excellent reading experience.
Tons of books available
Great interface and controls
Easy to sign in and manage
Store navigation feels clunky
The Kobo store lets you download thousands of top-quality books and read them across your devices. You can also buy books outside the Kobo store, so long as they are DRM-free ePub books.
Download Kobo Books
Aldiko
If you don’t want an app tied to a major bookstore or platform, but you do want a full-featured reader capable of reading open ePub books, Aldiko is a solid and popular choice. It’s easy to read, and very customizable. However, the Aldiko reader is a choice that involves more fiddling. Unlike the other readers mentioned here, it is not tied to a tablet, and it doesn’t sync with a reader. You could run the Aldiko app on an open Android tablet, but your bookmarks will not transfer to your phone. There is also a way to sink your books with Calibre, but it involves rooting your phone.
Great simple interface
Not tied to a single format or platform
Easy access to public domain books
No bookstore
Books need to be imported manually
Aldiko also offers a wide range of free public domain books without any DRM. If you’re looking to dive into classics, it’s a great way to get started. Otherwise, you’re going to need to purchase your eBooks elsewhere and import them.
Download Aldiko
Nook
The Nook Reader is Barnes & Noble Books’ eReader. They used to be specialized devices, but now, they’re mostly Android tablets running the Nook app. So, installing the app on your Android device effectively gives you all the functionality of a Nook. Nook, like Kobo, supports ePub and Adobe Digital Editions.
Easy to navigate, buy, and read
Fantastic selection to buy
Great reader controls
Browsing in the store could be simplified
Download Nook
Moon+ Reader
Moon+ reader is another completely independent eBook reader. That means that it isn’t tied to a single store or platform. Instead, you need to download your own books and import them.
Super simple interface
Import books easily
Download free public domain books
Not many customization options
That said, Moon+ is extremely simple to use and get started. It doesn’t take much to import your books, and when you do, they’re automatically placed on your virtual bookshelf. The reading controls are simple too, and they look good. It’s a shame there’s no easy way to customize them, though. Moon+ is a fantastic option for a simple indie e-reader.
Download Moon+ Reader
Wattpad
Easy to sign up and get started
Tons of stories to read
Great social aspects
Read new stories here first
You may have to “kiss a few frogs”
No mainstream published works
In addition to letting you browse and read indie books, you can actually write and publish your own. Wattpad is a social platform as much as an e-reader, and you can use it to connect with other readers and writers.
Download Wattpad
AlReader
AlReader is a quick and dirty no-nonsense reader that puts you in your books right away. With AlReader, you get an independent eBook reader that focuses on the reading aspect more than the library, organization, or purchase of books.
Loads of customization options and controls
A real focus on reading
The interface isn’t all that pretty
AlReader has tons of control options for your books. You can truly tailor the reading experience to suit your preferences, no matter what they are. You can also import your eBook library fairly simply using the app’s file browser. If you want to fine-tune your reading experience, this might be the best option for you.
Download AlReader
Media365 Reader
Media365 Reader is one of the more polished indie e-reader apps available for Android. It features an extremely simple interface with great library controls and navigation. You can easily scan and import your eBooks and sort them to find what you want to read in a snap.
Excellent interface
Easily add and manage books
Simple reading controls
Out of place publishing feature/shop
Media365 is kind of strange, though. It’s also a publishing platform that lets indie authors, including you, publish their books for download through the app. It doesn’t work that way in practice, though, and the built-in shop is reserved mostly for public domain classics.
Download Media365 Reader
ReadEra
ReadEra is a more powerful independent eBook app. It builds both strong reader controls that allow you to customize everything from your fonts to page color and margins and a visually appealing, easy to navigate, library.
Fantastic design
Powerful reading controls
Great library organization options
Free with no ads
Nothing. Everything this one does, it does well.
ReadEra doesn’t include on half-baked features or try to push some other agenda. Instead, it focuses on the actual features of an e-reader, organizing and reading books. Because it keeps things on track, everything ReadEra does, it does beautifully.
Download ReadEra
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