Although eBooks eased logistical problems, they also caused new ones for some, due to the sheer number of choices one must now make – for instance, choosing an eReader, the format of the eBook, and even the apps to read eBooks. Fortunately, though, EPUB files are not only limited to be read on Readers, so you can enjoy them on any device, be it your computer or smartphone.
Best EPUB Readers for Android and iOS
EPUB (or electronic publication) is a popular eBook file format that is supported by a wide range of smartphones, tablets, computers, and eReaders. It uses the .epub file extension and can be considered as an archive of HTML files with various images and other supporting files. What’s interesting about the EPUB format is that, unlike proprietary eBook formats, the EPUB format can be read on my device, regardless of its operating system. What this means is that, if you do not wish to spend on an eBook reader, you can your eBooks in the EPUB format with an EPUB reader. Here are some of the best EPUB readers for Android and iOS. If you wish to read EPUB books on your computer, check out our listicle for the best EPUB readers for Mac and Windows.
1. Moon+ Reader [Android]
Moon+ Reader is one of the most popular eBook reader apps for Android that comes with support for a wide range of file formats, such as EPUB, PDF, DJVU, AZW3, MOBI, HTML, MD, and more. It offers a customizable reading experience by offering options to change settings like line space, font scale, font wright, etc. Moreover, you also get to choose from over 10 embedded themes and switch between Day and Night mode.
Depending on how you use your device, the app offers an option to choose the type of paging (how you like to flip pages) from the touch screen, volume keys, or other options. Besides, it supports different auto-scroll modes such as rolling blind mode, by pixel, by line, or by page, as well, to save your time scrolling through pages. Among other things, Moon+ Reader also provides real-time sync between devices, so you can stop reading on one device and pick up where you left off on the other. Further, to offer you access to your eBook library at all times, the app includes backup and restore options from DropBox/WebDav. Download: Android
2. Lithium: EPUB Reader [Android]
Lithium: EPUB Reader, as its name suggests, is an eReader app with support for the EPUB file format. The app has a clean and simple material design, and you get night and sepia themes that help you reduce eye strain while reading in a dark environment.
Lithium is also ad-free, so you can enjoy reading your favorite eBooks without getting distracted by the annoying ads popping up throughout the interface. Its biggest USP is automatic book detection and the ability to manage all your eBooks automatically. Talking about features, Lithium offers the option to choose between scrolling or page switching mode, along with basic eBook operations, such as highlighting and note-taking. Moreover, with an upgrade to the Pro version, you get a few more features like the ability to sync reading position, highlights, bookmarks, etc across different devices with cloud support. Download: Android
3. ReadEra [Android]
ReadEra is a simple and straightforward eBook reading app that focuses on offering an uncomplicated way for you to enjoy your eBooks. It provides support for different file formats, including PDF, EPUB, WORD, DJVU, TXT, etc., and does not require you to log in to a service to use it. Building upon its motive and sticking to it, the app also offers a free offline mode (with no extra charges), and it does not allow any kind of ads in its UI.
Talking about other exciting features, you get the split-screen mode that allows you to open two files simultaneously, the auto-sync feature to continue reading a book where you left off on another device, and auto-detection and auto-grouping of books and documents for better book organization. Among other things, ReadEra supports bookmark, page pointer navigation, and footnote text. Moreover, it also offers customization options to allow you to change settings for screen brightness, margin adjustment, screen orientation, font size, font type, line spacing, along with a few more. Download: Android
4. eBoox [Android]
eBoox is a clean and elegant eBook reader app that supports a range of eBook file formats like FB2, EPUB, DOC, DOCX, MOBI, and PRC. With it, you get a pretty wide catalog of books to choose from, along with the option to upload eBooks in different file formats from your phone or SD card.
Further, to make your reading experience personalized, you can use the various customization features available in the settings. Like any other eBook reader app, eBoox also comes with support for basic operations, such as bookmarks, note-taking, and annotations. Talking about other interesting features, eBoox provides a dedicated night mode that reduces the backlight and makes the reading experience at night pleasing, cloud support for multi-device sync, along with customization settings to change brightness, font, text size, and more. Download: Android
5. PocketBook [Android/iOS]
PocketBook, unlike some of the other ePub readers on this list, offers the ability to listen to audiobooks and read them as well. The app supports around 26 book and audio formats, such as EPUB, FB2, MOBI, PDF, DJVU, CBR, and CBZ, among others. What’s more, you can also take quick notes while listening to audiobooks and use the built-in TTS (text-to-speech) engine to play text files.
With PocketBook, you get features such as collections, filtering/sorting books, smart search to automatically scan all the files on the device and import them to the library. To help you to read more, it also provides two night-reading modes that reduce blue-light to prevent eye strain when reading books at night. Like the ReadEra EPUB reader, PocketBook also offers a free offline reading mode that enables you to read eBooks without an active internet connection. It comes with cloud sync to sync all your bookmarks, notes, etc., across different devices and a built-in dictionary to help you look up definitions of new words you come across. Talking about customizability options, you can choose from 7 different themes on PocketBook and customize widgets, adjust margin, font style, font size, line spacing, and page-turning animations, alongside a few other options. Download: Android | iOS
6. Kobo Books [Android/iOS]
Kobo, one of the popular eBook readers, has an app for reading eBooks across different platforms, including smartphones and computers. The app (Kobo Books) is similar to PocketBook in the sense that both apps offer the ability to read eBooks and listen to audiobooks, all in one place.
When stacked against each other, though, Kobo has a huge library with over 5 million titles to choose from, catering to the needs of different readers and listeners. Moreover, you also get recommendations for eBooks and audiobooks, along with the option to preview different options before purchasing them. Besides, you can use the app to read EPUB and PDF files on your device. Talking about other features, there is the standard built-in dictionary to help you find meaning for new words you come across and the multi-device sync functionality that lets you read across multiple devices without losing progress. It also has a night mode that you can enable to reduce eye strain at night. Furthermore, you get to customize the app according to suit your preference. So, for instance, you can modify some of its elements like font, text size, line spacing, etc. Download: Android | iOS
7. Google Play Books [Android/iOS]
Google’s Play Books is one of the most widely used eBook apps on Android. It offers a huge collection of books along with personalized recommendations. Moreover, you can also listen to audiobooks on the go.
The app does not have a subscription method, so any eBook or audiobook you purchase from the store can be read or listened to directly on it. Furthermore, to assist you in selecting new books to read, Play Books offers an option to preview free samples, which you can have a go at for free to understand what a book is about before making buying it. Similar to some of the other apps in this listicle, Google Play Books also offers multi-device sync support to allow you to sync your progress across different devices. Talking about other features, you get the option to take notes, bookmark items, and toggle night mode for a better reading experience at night. Moreover, you can use Play Books to read EPUB and PDF format books on your device and enable the TTS feature to make it read out the eBooks to you. Download: Android | iOS
8. Apple Books [iOS]
Apple Books is Apple’s own eBook reader app that offers a huge collection of eBooks and audiobooks from different genres. It provides a free sample preview for both eBooks and audiobooks to give you more options to browse and choose the ones you like.
The app supports a range of different eBook formats, which makes it one of the best EPUB readers for iOS. As for features, you get multi-device sync with iCloud support to allow you to sync progress, bookmarks, highlights, etc., across different devices. Talking about customizing and personalizing your reading experience, Apple Books, similar to other EPUB reader apps recommendations on this list, provides the option to change a few basic settings like font, color theme, and scrolling view. Additionally, it also provides the auto day/night theme that changes the screen temperature and backlight according to the time of the day. Download: iOS
9. Marvin 3 [iOS]
Marvin 3 builds upon the success of the Marvin eBook reader from the early days. And much like Marvin, it offers support for a wide range of eBook file formats, including EPUB, CBX, and CBR. The app provides different theme options along with automatic dark/light theme switching and features like Split View and Slide Over.
It also comes with TTS support, Karaoke reading, and Goodreads integration to add to your experience on the app. Among other things, you can change between different library viewing options, highlight content, and add notes, bookmarks, and annotations. As for other features, Marvin 3 provides cloud sync support, import and export utility, different view modes, ability to side-load fonts, among other things. Download: iOS
10. KyBook 3 [iOS]
KyBook 3, similar to Marvin 3 (the third version of the popular eBook reader app Marvin), is the latest offering and an update over the KyBook app. It comes with a modern design and offers an easy-to-use user interface with a wide catalog of books. You can also read your EPUB, PDF, FB2, CBR, TXT, and RTF format eBooks on it. Besides eBooks, KyBook 3 offers a huge collection of audiobooks as well, in case you prefer listening to audiobooks.
One of the interesting features of the app is its ability to automatically extract metadata for eBooks and edit them, not to mention the auto-sync ability, which allows you to sync things, such as bookmark, annotations, metadata, and reading progress across different devices. To offer a better reading experience, KyBook 3 has a bunch of customization options that enable you to change fonts, text size, paragraph indentation, margins, etc. You also get different app themes, color schemes, and page turn animations. And like most other apps, there is TTS support as well. Download: iOS
Reading EPUB Books on Android and iOS Made Easy
Using the EPUB readers in this list, you can read EPUB and other eBook format books on your Android and iOS devices on the go. What apps do you use to read EPUB books on your mobile devices? Let us know in the comments below.
