The only thing better than a new book is a free book. If you want to read free books online, then look no further. Here at BookBub, we’ve helped millions of readers save money on books, so we know a good bargain when we see it. Here’s our list of the best websites to read free books online — legally and easily — based on more than a decade of experience in the book industry.
Many of these sites offer free books online without download, or with download directly to your ereader. Below, we’ve highlighted the most important details about each website’s offerings, as well as additional features that will make your reading experience even better.
Once you’ve finished reading, check out these other articles for more helpful tips about reading free books online:
1. BookBub
Forgive the self-promotion here, but how could we create a list of places to find free books online and not include ourselves? BookBub, via our daily deals email and website, offers new free and discounted titles daily. Pick your favorite genres and receive a curated list of titles in your inbox each day. Sign up (for free!) to get started.
Pros: new free books online daily; curated book lists to discover new reads; email alerts when a book you want goes on sale; ability to track reading and follow authors you like; wide range of genres
Cons: no ability to read within the app; must download books to ereader
2. Project Gutenberg
At Project Gutenburg, you can download and read over 57,000 free domain books. You can even read free books online without downloading them, and find free books online for kids! The project was started in 1971 in an effort to digitally archive books in the public domain. This is a great website to frequent if you love classic titles by authors such as Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, and more!
Pros: can read without downloading; ability to download to ereader; catalog of 600 free audiobooks
Cons: limited genre offerings — focused on older titles, mostly classics
3. Libby
A library card from your local library and the Libby app will allow you to read thousands of free books online. Just like your local library, Libby boasts titles ranging from the buzziest new releases to comforting classics. After downloading your titles you’ll be able to access them anywhere — during your commute, on the beach, in the car — the options are endless! You can even download free audiobooks and magazines. It’s a trip to the library without ever leaving your couch!
Pros: free books online including bestsellers and recent releases; can read books within the app without downloading; can use and read Libby books in your web browser; can send titles to ereader
Cons: need library card; have to return the titles; have limited time to read downloaded book; have to wait for in-demand books; multiple steps to download books to ereader
4. Simon Teen
Riveted by Simon Teen, a young adult imprint of Simon & Schuster, offers one full-length title each month that visitors can read for free on its website. In addition, several multi-chapter excerpts are available for its new releases. You might find yourself spending hours perusing these engaging titles, ranging from laugh-out-loud romantic comedies to action-packed dystopian sagas. This is a great place for kids to read free books online.
Pros: rotating selection of bestsellers that you can read without downloading; offers “extras” from popular books like Better Than the Movies
Cons: limited selection; young adult genre only
5. Radish
Radish is an app that offers serialized fiction from established bestselling authors and emerging new voices. There are over 10,000 titles available immediately. This is the best way to read free books online for smartphone users, as it’s created specifically for accessible phone use. Users can purchase “coin” to read the latest chapters at their time of publication or wait a week and read them for free. With so many amazing titles in every genre imaginable, you might find it hard to wait that week!
Pros: can read free books online without downloading; continuously updated with new titles; easy-to-use app
Cons: limited selection of completed titles; cannot access new chapters immediately; cannot download books to ereader
6. International Children’s Digital Library
The International Children’s Digital Library is a free online library designed for children ages three to 13 and it was developed to overcome the language barriers present in modern society. The site offers its titles in over 59 languages, making it an amazing resource for anyone learning a new language — young or old!
Pros: can read free books online without downloading
Cons: limited to children’s books; cannot download books to ereader
7. Smashwords
The Smashwords website and app offer a distribution platform for independent authors and publishers. While some titles on offer are paid titles, a significant portion are free, including many first-in-series offerings. Smashwords is also a great platform to self-publish, as it puts a special emphasis on getting emerging authors as many eyeballs on their writing as possible.
Pros: extensive genre offerings; can read in-app or on an ereader
Cons: need to download epub reader to read on your desktop; multiple steps to download the book and get it to an ereader
8. Wattpad
Wattpad is an inviting community of 65 million users who love all things books! Amateur and professional writers across the world publish their short stories and full-length novels on the platform. There’s also a community feature where you can interact with your favorite authors, enter writing contests, and more.
Pros: diverse offerings, including fan fiction; resources for authors; social community of readers; read in-app without downloading; frequent updates
Cons: difficult to download books to ereader; caters to younger generation of readers
Looking for free audiobooks? Check out our audiobook retailer, Chirp’s list of free audiobooks here. From romance to thrillers to nonfiction titles, these audiobooks from Chirp are completely free. Stream using the Chirp web player or download the Chirp mobile app to listen anywhere.
