Over the past few years, eBooks have gone from a novel idea to a broadly embraced alternative to print literature. Devices like the Nook and the Kindle have become commonplace — but they’re not the only option if you’re looking to see what eBooks have to offer.

The Kindle reader on Mac is ideal for people that purchase, rent or borrow books from Amazon, which supplies the largest digital book collection. When you sign in to your Amazon account, you can access all Amazon books in your library. Download iBookReader for free. IBookReader is a software solution, providing easy reading, store and manage functionality of your eBooks on iPhone and Windows, supporting many formats of existing eBooks.

More and more people are turning to their Windows computer as a device to read withWhat's the Best E-Reader App for Windows 10?What's the Best E-Reader App for Windows 10?Does reading ebooks on your computer sound mad? Newer, lighter Windows 10 devices make this a much better experience. Let's take a look at the top eReading apps from the Windows Store.Read More. It’s perhaps only natural; we use our computers to listen to music, and to watch films and television, not to mention the amount of online content we read using a PC — why not use them to take in a book.

Whereas once reading on a computer was something of a clunky experience, devices are becoming more compact and apps are being released that can offer just as pleasant an experience as on a dedicated device. You don’t even need paid software, like Adobe Acrobat Reader, to consume your PDF-based reading material.

Here are some of the best options for an app that turns your Windows computer into a digital reading room.

Kindle

Ibook Reader For Windows 10

Slickly designed, beautifully presented app catering to Amazon eBook customers.

The Kindle app for Windows is a crisply designed reader — but to get the most out of it, you’ll need to be an Amazon customer. If being able to easily open and read a range of different file formats is important to you, there are better options available, but it’s a very elegant way of dipping into your Kindle library from a Windows machineTake Your Books With You On Windows Phone With The Amazon Kindle AppTake Your Books With You On Windows Phone With The Amazon Kindle AppWhen I head out I’m already carrying my Windows Phone. What I don’t need is an extra device in order to access any books I might fancy reading. Fortunately, Amazon appreciates this and has released...Read More.

The interface is excellent; open the app and you’ll be presented with the books you have stored in the cloud or on your device. A simple click will put you right where you last left the book, with nothing to distract you other than unobtrusive icons to flip pages, make a bookmark or return to your library. A right click will give you the options shown in the screenshot above — the ‘Find in Book’ tool being particularly handy.

This app caters to the Kindle customer, and if that’s how you buy your eBooks, it’s a robust program that gives you easy access to your collection. If you read on more than one device, you’ll even find that your current page is synced no matter what platform you’re using. However, accessing books that aren’t bought via the Kindle store will require a workaround — for many, that’s a dealbreaker.

Nook

User-friendly reading app with plenty of options to import your own eBooks or buy new ones.

As the app accompaniment to one of the most popular models of eReader device, it’s no surprise that the Barnes and Noble tool for reading eBooks on your computer is extremely user-friendly. It’s very simple and straightforward — which, for this type of application, is no bad thing.

It’s obvious that the thought process behind this app was making something that anyone could use, no matter their familiarity with technology. That can sometimes lead to a situation where adept users find themselves needlessly constricted, but thankfully that’s not the case here. You can browse the Nook storeLeatherbound - eBook Price Comparisons for the Kindle, Nook & iBookstoreLeatherbound - eBook Price Comparisons for the Kindle, Nook & iBookstoreRead More directly from the app, and it’s well-categorized enough such that you’ll soon find what you’re looking for.

The Nook app beats its Kindle alternative by the slimmest of margins in terms of design and aesthetics, but the fact that you can import other formats of eBook and PDF so easily with the Nook app is potentially a big advantage for some users. Unless you own a Kindle device or you already have a large library with Amazon, the Nook app is a better choice than its Kindle rival.

Cover

A dedicated comic book reader with support for a wide range of specialized file types.

While the occasional reader of comics might be able to get by with their standard eBook reader, a tailor-made app is a must for anyone serious about their comic books5 Websites For The Comic Book Fan5 Websites For The Comic Book FanIf there was one thing the Web was made for, it was for comic book reading. Instant downloads, lots of fan information, and no waiting in line at the comic book store anymore.Read More. It’s a simple fact that comic books and graphic novels are read a different way to traditional text-based books — and as such they require a slightly different reading experience from an app.

Cover supplies just that, particularly if you’re reading on a device with touch capabilitiesReading eBooks on Your Tablet: Windows 8 vs. iPadReading eBooks on Your Tablet: Windows 8 vs. iPadI'm off on holiday today, and intend to do a bit of reading. This is all very well, especially when it comes to my handful of print books that I want to catch up with....Read More. Being able to zoom in on particular panels with a pinch, or swipe between pages is a very intuitive way of reading this type of content. Using a conventional computer is slightly less natural, but it’s a workable alternative.

Also of great importance to an app that caters to comic books fans is the selection of file types it can handle. Cover accepts most major formats; CBZ/ZIP, CBR/RAR, 7Z/CB7, PDF and EPUB, as well as standard image formats like JPEG, PNG, GIF and BMP. The app itself is free, but comes with a limited library space for your comics — this limit can be lifted via an in-app purchase.

Sumatra

A super-light, super-efficient PDF reader.

Sumatra is such a standout PDF readerThe 6 Best PDF Readers for Windows in 2019The 6 Best PDF Readers for Windows in 2019The best PDF readers don't cost any money. Read our roundup of feature-rich PDF viewers that out perform even Adobe Reader.Read More that it deserves a place on anyone’s computer. However, the fact that it can also handle EPUB and MOBI format eBooks makes it a fine choice for a no-nonsense eBook reader.

The real appeal with this program is how little it demands from your computer — PDF readers can sometimes be very bloated and run slowly as a result. That’s not the case here; your files will load quickly and you’ll be able to flick through them without any stuttering. There’s even the option to download a portable version so you can run it from a memory stick without installing.

Another great feature that Sumatra offers and most other eBook readers don’t is tabbed browsing. This might not serve much purpose if you’re reading a novel for pleasure, but it does make cross-referencing texts and documents a breeze. It’s particularly for anyone who has reason to read eBooks or PDF documents for academic or professional purposes.

One drawback is that to tinker with any advanced settings, you’ll have to make manual edits to a text file, which isn’t particularly user-friendly. Most will likely have no reason to tweak these options, but if you do then the interface can be quite off-putting. However, Sumatra PDF doesn’t set out to deliver the most beautiful interface around — it’s far more concerned with being a PDF and eBook reader that occupies as little of your computer’s resources as possibleHow To Really Speed Up Your Computer - Common Myths & What To Do InsteadHow To Really Speed Up Your Computer - Common Myths & What To Do InsteadSuffering from a slow computer? You might not know why and maybe you're trying to fix it in all the wrong ways. Let us help you with tips for a real speed boost.Read More.

Calibre

Library management software that doubles as a capable reading tool.

Apple Ibook Reader For Pc

If you own a dedicated eReader device like a Kindle or a Nook, you may well have already heard of Calibre. It’s a go-to library management toolHow To Manage Your Ebook Collection For The Amazon Kindle With CalibreHow To Manage Your Ebook Collection For The Amazon Kindle With CalibreThe biggest problem with an eReader like the Amazon's Kindle is that it requires unreasonable effort to move books between different devices. Before Kindle, I fell in love with Calibre. A bit on the heavy...Read More that makes it easy to keep your collection of eBooks organized and transfer them to your eReader. However, it’s also a capable tool for reading eBooks in its own right.

While it might not have as attractive a reading interface as the likes of the Kindle and Nook apps, Calibre offers a very functional environment to read in. There’s a broad range of options for the sort of typeface and reading scheme you’ll use, and when you’re in full screen mode you’ll be free from any distractions.

However, this is a tool that’s at its best when its supplementing your use of a dedicated eReader. It’s not a great solution if your reading is going to take place exclusively on your computer — but if you’re using your Windows PC as well as another device, it’s a super way of consolidating a reader app with a way of keeping your library organized and transferring files to your eReader.

Do you have your own favourite eBook or PDF reader that we’ve missed? Let us know about it in the comments section below.

Image Credits: computer with books Via Shutterstock

Explore more about: Amazon Kindle, Calibre, Ebooks, eReader, PDF.

1. The problem with programs like Nook is that you have to have online access to read your books.. I use an app called Kobo. You can buy books from there just like on book or kindle and you can read them and access them offline. This one should definitely be in the list.

2. Amazon Kindle = woefully slow to start up. this software is really bloated.

   Some ebook readers also have a Library Management feature which can be quite cumbersome if you just want to open a book and read it.

   Sumatra PDF seems to render well, is not bloated, starts fast, just does what its meant to (no 'library' feature though)

3. For quite a few years now, my personal favourite has been PDF-XChange Viewer.
   I have been using the free portable version which is just as good as PDF-XChange Editor, its latest incarnation.

   I'm still on Windows 7 - and plan to stay on it for as long as I can - but PDF-XChange Viewer is also fully compatible with Vista, Windows 8 & 10.

   To begin with, I switched to it because of the tabbed interface, the basic editing capabilities (it's pretty easy to create bookmarks when there are none!) and the fact that compared to any version of Acrobat Reader it's super fast and slick (eye candy should not be a factor for the power user but it does not hurt, either).

   Someone at 'makeuseof' should really cover this superb free PDF reader, just to make more people aware of its existence and good value.

   Anyhow, check out the article on Wikipedia here
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDF-XChange_Viewer

   and their website here
   http://www.tracker-software.com/product/pdf-xchange-viewer

   Also available on PortableApps.com
   http://portableapps.com/apps/office/pdf-xchange-portable

   Chuck Fenton

4. In current scenario, Kindle is used by majority of Windows users.

5. I was looking for some time for a reading platform that allowed me to start reading on one device for a while and later continue reading on another device on the page I stopped on the first device. Just for clean reading pleasure, I don't need advanced features (that tend to clutter the reading experience).

   I think Kindle would work but only for books bought from them (which is no option in a currency restricted contry like mine, Venezuela).
   I had hopes for some time for Foxit reader, since I found out that it keeps where I left each PDF, but turned out that it keeps that in the local Windows registry along with the settings for every other software in the machine. Besides, it doesn't support other ebook formats.
   Calibre looked promising but it doesn't support syncing of reading status out of the box: one must jump thru hoops using third party utilities that I could never get to work.

   Then I started using Sumatra while looking for a ebook reader light enough to use on one of my older machines (a Windows XP machine with a Pentium4 and only 1GB of RAM).
   Then I discovered that Sumatra's portable mode keeps it's configuration on one file in the same directory, INCLUDING the recent file list and each book reading status. I copied this portable version on the same folder within Dropbox that I keep my reading and presto! Each book reading status is synced via this configuration file. I have my Dropbox folder installed in diferent folders on each machine, but I solve that on each machine startup by mapping it's particular folder to a virtual 'B:' drive (for 'Bookshelf'), so Sumatra always look for books on B:SomeGenreSomeAuthorSomeOtherFolderWhatever.pdf.
   Now I am using Sumatra for most of my reading, on this old machine up to the 8GB i7 and in-betweens.
   The only remaining thing is android phones and tablets...

6. I read novels on my Kobo Mini. I use my iPad for magazines. I tried the magazine subscription on my PC but it's not portable, biggest drawback, even though they render beautifully on a large screen. I also read novels on my Playbook with the Kobo app, because it is backlit and the Kobo Mini is not. I use Calibre as my library management. I read short articles on my PC, but a novel or magazine, nope, I like to be comfortable when I read, move around and not be tethered to my PC.

7. CoolReader handles many formats with ease. Available for Android and Windows.

8. Not all windows devices are localized PCs (Desktops & Large Laptops) my friend. New windows tablets are cheap and of course portable (Dell Venue 8 Pro and now many coming out of China that give the full Windows 8.1 experience). This blog title aids those who have such devices.

   For example many ebooks for medical school are in PDF format. We have no choice but to read these PDF to gain knowledge, but we also depend on the productivity from windows. Would not make sense to have a device for reading books and another for productivity with Med School already being expensive and also the constant movements to various locations.

   • Nicely said.

9. I can't imagine sitting at my desk reading a book on my monitor.

10. Sumatra also handles CBR and CBZ comic book formats.

11. Martview works excellent for me !

12. Maybe you should give text to speech apps for books one spot on this list. ReadAloud supports PDF, but I think my app Share to Speech (and its free Lite edition) has the most complete support both considering formats (.epub, fb2, .pdf) and features.

Read books on your Mac. Sure, tablets and e-ink devices are better ways to read than your computer – and even your phone is nicer than a laptop if you’re on the couch. But sometimes you need to open a book on your Mac.

Maybe you’re using a text as a reference for a project, or maybe you just want to read a few chapters of a novel at your desk. Whatever the reason, choosing which app to open your books for depends on a few factors. Books you buy from a particular service (iBooks, Kindle and so on) can only be opened with their software, for example, while free EPUB files you find at Project Gutenberg can be read with a variety of free software.

There might not be a single program for reading all your books, so it’s good to know your options. Whatever your situation, here are the best options for reading ebooks on your Mac.

If You Love Apple Defaults: iBooks

Mavericks, the latest version of OS X, brought Apple’s iBooks service to the desktop. Long offered on iPads and iPhones, iBooks allows you to read the books you’ve purchased from Apple’s bookstore on your desktop – and also offers support for EPUB files. Your current reading list and bookmarks will sync between your various devices, so if you’re an Apple fan with multiple devices this might be ideal for you.

EPUB files you add on your Mac won’t sync wirelessly to your mobile devices.

The interface is minimalistic and focused on reading – even the toolbar fades away if you’re not using it, leaving you with just your book. You can take notes, tag and highlight information, but you won’t find a lot of customization options (so I hope you like the default font).

iBooks is a solid reader if you like the idea of a book library and mostly want to focus on reading. It’s probably perfect for most users, but only works if you’re using the latest version of OS X. Mavericks is free; here’s how to get itOS X Mavericks is Free: Here's How To Get It & Why You Want ItOS X Mavericks is Free: Here's How To Get It & Why You Want ItApple really outdid itself this time. The words 'software sells hardware' never rung more true, and now that OS X Mavericks is free to all, isn't it about time you got on-board?Read More.

If You Own An E-Reader: Kindle, Kobo Or Nook

If you have a dedicated reading device – a Kindle, Kobo or Nook – you’ve likely purchased books for it. If that’s the case, you’re probably best off using the Mac reading software offered by the company that made your device.

Download Kindle For Mac, Kobo for Mac or Nook for Mac to sync your existing collection right now. None of these services offer the ability to import EPUB books found outside their ecosystem, so you may want to check out another alternative. But if all you want is to read your current books on your Mac, these apps are your best bet.

If You Want A Store-Free Alternative: Kitabu

If you’re not using Mavericks, or would rather avoid software tied to a specific online bookstore, Kitabu is worth looking into. This open source reader sports a minimalist interface, with columns, and allows you to customize the fonts.

Reading itself couldn’t be easier: use the arrow keys to turn the page, or scroll sideways if you prefer to use the touchpad.

There is a library feature; you can choose whether books are moved or copied to it in the preferences. This might be annoying for users who would like to simply open an EPUB without adding it to a library, but others will surely see it as a feature.

Notably missing features include bookmarks and notes, but on the plus side you do have full control of the reading font. You can download Kitabu from the Mac App Store, or from SourceForge if you prefer.

If You Borrow From The Library: Adobe Digital Editions

This is not the best reading software on this list. It doesn’t support columns, so you need to either resize the window or adjust to massively wide paragraphs. It doesn’t offer a lot of customization at all – there isn’t even a Preferences screen.

And yet, you might want to install it. Why? For one thing, many public libraries offer books protected by Adobe’s software, meaning you’re going to need Digital Editions if you want to borrow books from them. The software can also transfer such books to your (non-Kindle) ereader, and is required for offline reading of books purchased from Google and a variety of other online bookstores.

So it’s not the best, but you might be stuck with it sometimes. Go ahead and download Adobe Digital Editions for Mac

If You’re Hardcore/Awesome: Calibre

If you collect a lot of ebooks, and want to convert them from one format to another so you can read them on various devices, Calibre is your program. This ebook managment software can do anything, from converting MOBI files to EPUB to transferring files to a tablet or ereader. It can even download blogs or newspapers for offline readingDownload Entire Newspapers or Blogs To Your eBook Reader With CalibreDownload Entire Newspapers or Blogs To Your eBook Reader With CalibreRead More, which is great before a long trip.

There are some down sides. The app isn’t that great for actually reading files, and its interface feels like a relic. But while Calibre might not be the best reading experience for Mac, it’s a must-have tool for power users looking to organize, convert and transfer their colleciton.

Learn more by reading our Calibre manual, or go ahead and download Calibre.

If You Still Want More Choices

The above options should meet just about anyone’s needs, but more choices are always good, right? Here are a few.

• Firefox users: you can install the EPUBReader for Firefox and open EPUB files in your browser. It’s perfect if you just want to quickly open a file to check something.
• Clearview ($6.99) [No longer available] has gotten positive reviews for its tabbed reading interface. You might like it.
• Murasaki ($7.99, free older version) is worth a look if you prefer scrolling up and down to “turning pages”, and don’t want a library for your books.

Did I miss your favourite ebook reader for Mac? Fill me, and your fellow reader, in using the comments below.

Explore more about: Ebooks, eReader.

1. This article fails to mention that iBooks will only sync books you have purchased from Apple. Anything outside of this and your screwed,

   • It's syncing DRM-free .EPUB and .PDF files between my MacBook Pro running OS X El Capitan and my iPad 2 running iOS 9. Once a book is added on one device, I go to the other and make sure 'Show iCloud Books' is enabled to get them to show up so I can download them.

     • Also, bookmarks and highlights are stored in iCloud and automatically synced with all devices.

2. Thank you for the review. I still have a question: what types of e-book readers are the best for textbooks with *figures*. When reading textbooks, you often need to look at a figure to understand the text, but with e-books, they are always on different pages and its difficult to go back-and-forth between reading and picture, reading and picture... 'wait.. what page was I on?' I currently use Kindle, and I'm about done with it.

   Which e-book readers make pictures and figures easy to see?

3. Murasaki for me is one of the best. It has a lot of nice features I've never seen in any other reader.
   A bit pricey, perhaps, but worth every penny. IMHO.

4. An update as well as some personal opinions here: be careful, vigilant and scrupulous what you load into iBooks as they will permanently remain; you cannot remove or delete them once loaded.

   Also, Nook for Mac has pretty much been abandoned. Besides that it's pretty much worthless and prone to repeatedly crash. And if you've already got Calibre installed on your Mac add 'no reason to even have it in your Applications' folder to Nook for Mac.

5. Although your are technically correct that EPUB items will not synch wirelessly with other devices with iBooks, when an EPUB item is added to iBooks, they will be automatically synched into iTunes, where they can be readily synched with other Apple devices.