Is the Kindle app free?

Yes. The Kindle app is free on the App Store. You pay for the books you buy, or $11.99 a month plus tax for Kindle+ if you want to borrow from its catalog.

Is Kindle Unlimited the same as Kindle+?

Yes. Amazon renamed Kindle Unlimited to Kindle+ in October 2026. The US price is $11.99 a month plus tax.

Can I read library ebooks on a Kindle?

Libby's App Store listing says you can send ebooks to your Kindle, for US libraries only.

Which ebook app works without a subscription?

The Kindle app, Apple Books and Kobo all let you buy books one at a time with no subscription. Libby is free with a library card.

Which ebook app is best for Kobo eReader owners?

The Kobo Books app: bookmarks, highlights and notes sync between your phone, tablet, Kobo eReader and the Kobo Web Reader.

What is the best ebook reading app in 2026?

The free Kindle app is the best ebook reading app for most people: the biggest store, your place synced across devices, X-Ray for characters and places, and Story So Far recaps in the US. Pick Apple Books if you want Apple's store with no subscription, Kobo if you own a Kobo eReader, and Libby if you would rather borrow than buy.

By the Best Reading Apps editors · Checked 30 October 2026 · Desk research

Our pick

Free

Kindle app

Our pick for most ebook readers

Over six million Kindle books with free samples, adjustable fonts and layouts, dictionary, X-Ray and Wikipedia lookups, notes and highlights, and your place synced across devices. Switch to the Audible narration for books that have it.

The catch: Your library lives in Amazon's store, and the recap tools are US only. If you want a borrowing subscription, Kindle+ (renamed from Kindle Unlimited in October 2026) costs $11.99 a month plus tax.

Also good

Best if you live in Apple's world

Apple Books

Built for iPhone and iPad. Buy books and audiobooks with no subscription, set reading goals and streaks, and share purchases with up to five family members.

The catch: The listing we read covers Apple devices only, so it does not suit a mixed Android and Apple household.

Best if you own a Kobo eReader

Kobo Books & Audiobooks

Ebooks and audiobooks in one app, with bookmarks, highlights and notes synced to your Kobo eReader and the Kobo Web Reader. Reads in 13 languages.

The catch: Read Aloud is on select ebooks only.

Best free option

Libby

Borrow ebooks from your public library with a library card, and send them to a Kindle if your library is in the US.

The catch: Popular books can have waitlists, and the catalog is whatever your library licenses.

Which ebook app should you choose?

You already buy from Amazon or own a Kindle: the Kindle app.
You own a Kobo eReader: the Kobo app, so your notes follow you.
Everyone in the house uses Apple devices: Apple Books, with Family Sharing.
You want to spend nothing: Libby, and other free reading apps.

Do ebook apps help you remember the story?

Kindle does the most here. X-Ray looks up people and places, and in the US Story So Far gives a spoiler-free recap up to where you stopped, on thousands of popular fiction titles.

In other ebook apps you are on your own, unless the title is supported by Magic Bookmark, which works with any ebook on iPhone. See how to get back into a book you stopped reading.

What happened to Kindle Unlimited?

Amazon renamed Kindle Unlimited to Kindle+ in October 2026. In the US it costs $11.99 a month plus tax, you can borrow up to 20 titles at a time, and thousands of its ebooks come with companion audiobooks. Prime does not include it.

What should you check before you buy ebooks in any app?

Where the book will live. A book bought in one store stays in that store's app, so the first few purchases decide your library. See Apple Books vs Kindle.
The sample. The Kindle app lets you try any book with a free sample, and Apple Books offers samples too.
Whether you will want to listen. If you switch between reading and listening, look for Kindle books with Audible narration. See how to read and listen at the same time.
Whether your library has it. Search Libby before you pay; a short wait may save the full price.

Questions

Is the Kindle app free?: Yes. The Kindle app is free on the App Store. You pay for the books you buy, or $11.99 a month plus tax for Kindle+ if you want to borrow from its catalog.
Is Kindle Unlimited the same as Kindle+?: Yes. Amazon renamed Kindle Unlimited to Kindle+ in October 2026. The US price is $11.99 a month plus tax.
Can I read library ebooks on a Kindle?: Libby's App Store listing says you can send ebooks to your Kindle, for US libraries only.
Which ebook app works without a subscription?: The Kindle app, Apple Books and Kobo all let you buy books one at a time with no subscription. Libby is free with a library card.
Which ebook app is best for Kobo eReader owners?: The Kobo Books app: bookmarks, highlights and notes sync between your phone, tablet, Kobo eReader and the Kobo Web Reader.

Sources

Apple App Store (US), Amazon Kindle: Reading App, read 2 November 2026.
Amazon News, Kindle Unlimited is now Kindle+: Everything you need to know (updated 22 October 2026), read 2 November 2026.
Amazon News, How Kindle helps you stay immersed in every book you read (updated 2 July 2026), read 27 October 2026.
Apple App Store (US), Apple Books, read 2 November 2026.
Apple App Store (US), Kobo Books & Audiobooks, read 2 November 2026.
Apple App Store (US), Libby, the library app, read 2 November 2026.
Yomu Inc., Magic Bookmark website, read 27 October 2026.