If you love reading, unlimited reading subscriptions sound like a dream come true. Although Kindle Unlimited is popular, it’s not for everyone. The app is filled with self-published and indie titles versus the bestsellers most readers want. If the pickings on Kindle Unlimited aren’t to your liking, try some Kindle Unlimited alternatives. Pricing tends to be around the same amount, but you’ll find completely different selections of books, magazines, and more.
Looking for an ebook reader instead? We have a great list of Windows, Mac, and mobile ebook readers.
1. Bookmate
Price: $8.33/month (only available as annual subscription)
Bookmate (iOS | Android) is one of the best Kindle Unlimited alternatives and is the most similar. Although Bookmate has more bestsellers, you’ll still find plenty of hit titles missing. If you like HarperCollins or Bloomsbury authors, you’re set. The social element helps set it apart, though. Connect with friends to see what they’re reading and share what you’re reading, too. Find new books by searching editors’ choices, popular bookshelves, publishers, and more. If you’re unsure how you’ll like it, browse the free section before subscribing.
Pros
- Includes ebooks, comics, and audiobooks
- Great selection of bestsellers
- Read on both iOS and Android devices
- A selection of free titles is available without a credit card
Cons
- Bestsellers are limited to specific publishers
2. Scribd
Price: $11.99/month (after 30-day free trial)
Scribd (iOS | Android | Kindle Fire) is another solid alternative for Kindle Unlimited. It’s also the best alternative if you’re looking for more bestsellers. You’ll usually find a better selection of the most current books at Scribd than with Bookmate or Kindle Unlimited’s plans. Moreover, you also get the added benefit of unlimited audiobooks, magazines, documents, and even sheet music. Overall, the subscription includes more than two million book titles.
Pros
- Subscription includes ebooks, audiobooks, magazines/newspapers, sheet music, and user-uploaded documents
- Read and listen as much as you want
- Create your own library of content
- Available on desktop, iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire
Cons
- Some publishers limit how many titles a user can access in a month, although you can save the title and read it the next month.
- The save lists on the app are clunky to use
Tip: if you want to read digital books on an e-reader, check out our comparison of Kindle and Kobo readers.
3. 24symbols
Price: $8.99/month
24symbols (iOS | Android) is the dark horse of Kindle Unlimited alternatives. However, you shouldn’t count it out. With over a million titles, you get a great selection; however, you won’t find as many bestsellers or mainstream titles. You’ll find everything you could want if you prefer indie or self-published ebooks. You’ll also find plenty of graphic novels. It has a nice social element where you can follow other readers to find new things to read.
Pros
- Growing library of titles in almost every genre, including audiobooks
- Create and share bookshelves with other readers
- Available on iOS, Android, and desktop
- Try out the free section with no credit card required
Cons
- Fewer bestsellers
- Unlimited ebooks but only one audiobook per month
- No free trial
4. ComiXology Unlimited
Price: $5.99/month
The previous Kindle Unlimited alternatives were more exact matches. If you prefer reading comics and graphic novels over traditional ones, you may want something else entirely. ComiXology Unlimited (iOS | Android) is the comics version of Kindle Unlimited. The Amazon-owned company includes originals and mainstream publishers like Marvel, Dark Horse, and DC. Thousands of manga titles are also an excellent addition, though there are other places to read manga.
Pros
- Over 45,000 comics, graphic novels, and manga titles
- Get exclusive discounts to purchase individual titles
- 30-day free trial
- Available on iOS, Android, and desktop
Cons
- Only includes a portion of what’s available for sale on Amazon
- Apps are glitchy
Tip: if you’re reading on the go, you will likely drain your phone or e-reader’s battery, so don’t forget to grab a portable power bank.
5. Kobo Plus
Price: $9.99/month for ebooks, $12.99/month for ebooks and audiobooks
Kobo Plus (iOS | Android) makes a great Kindle Unlimited alternative, but unlike other alternatives, it’s only available in Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal. The library isn’t quite as extensive, with around 1.3 million titles. While there are some mainstream titles, most are self-published originals and classics. There’s a free 30-day trial, so if you live in one of the included countries, it’s worth trying.
Pros
- 30-day free trial to see how you like it
- Available on iOS, Android, and desktop
- Library includes some exclusive titles
Cons
- Audiobooks are not included in the $9.99 plan.
- Not available in the U.S. and many other major countries
6. Epic!
Price: $9.99/month or $79.99/annually
Does your child want an unlimited reading selection? Try a kid-friendly alternative to Kindle Unlimited: Epic (iOS | Android), designed for kids 12 and under. With over 40,000 books, it’s a great way to ensure your child has access to plenty of books fit for their age and interests. This also helps you better control what they’re reading and even track their reading progress. It’s a nice mixture of classic titles you may have read as a child, new titles, and Epic originals.
Pros
- Parents have complete control over what’s selected for kids to read
- Create up to four child profiles per account
- Can download books for kids to read offline
- Includes built-in learning tools, such as a dictionary on the desktop, iOS, and Android versions
Cons
- Only has children’s books
Tip: if you are letting your child use an iPad or similar device for reading, make sure they aren’t getting around your parental controls and accessing inappropriate content.
7. OverDrive
Price: Free
OverDrive is only available in the United States, making it one of the most limited Kindle Unlimited alternatives. However, it’s completely free. All you need is a valid library card from one of the thousands of participating nationwide libraries. Some schools also participate. Virtually borrow from a collection that includes over a million titles, including New York Times bestsellers. Search OverDrive’s site for libraries near you. Or, contact your local library to see if they participate or have anything similar.
Pros
- Completely free
- Includes bestsellers and audiobooks
- Available on iOS and Android
Cons
- Only available to US citizens
- Titles vary greatly between libraries
- Not all libraries participate
8. Reading IQ
Price: $7.99/month or $39.99/annually
Reading IQ (iOS |Android) is another kids-only reading service. For kids 2-12, it’s a great Kindle Unlimited alternative. It doesn’t have quite as extensive of a library as Epic but is cheaper. There’s also the bonus of a Spanish reading section. The automatic leveling feature ensures children progress to more challenging titles only when they’re ready, and parents get reports to monitor progress anytime they want.
Pros
- Less than $4/month with the annual plan
- Built-in reading level assessments and progress reports
- Large variety of genres and types of books, from picture books to historical
- Available on desktop, iOS, and Android
Cons
- Far fewer titles than most other services, including Epic
Good to Know: if you enjoy audiobooks, you can connect Kindle to Alexa and listen to books on your Amazon Echo.
9. Blinkist
Price: $8.34/month
Blinkist (iOS | Android) is a unique alternative to Kindle Unlimited. Instead of a library of millions of ebooks, you get 15-minute summaries. The concept is built around helping you absorb more information in less time. Instead of reading an entire book, Blinkist gives you the essential details. The selection is limited to non-fiction, focusing on everything from self-help to biographies. It’s the busy person’s reading subscription.
Pros
- Get only what’s most important from classic and today’s bestselling non-fiction
- Read or listen to summaries of over 5,000 titles
- Subscription includes Shortcasts (podcast summaries)
- Available on desktop, iOS, and Android
Cons
- No full titles (You can buy the books elsewhere if you want to read the full version)
- Only non-fiction
10. Project Gutenberg
Price: Free
For lovers of classic novels, look no further than Project Gutenberg. Every title here is in the public domain, such as Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The service started in 1971 as a free way for people to access classic books, and currently, there are over 60,000 titles. While some third-party reader apps are available, the site recommends either reading in your browser or downloading them in EPUB or Kindle formats.
If a title looks wonky when you try to read it, check out Standard Ebooks, which uses Project Gutenberg and other sources to create higher-quality versions.
Pros
- Completely free
- Tens of thousands of titles
- Download books to read on most ebook-reading apps, including Kindle
Cons
- Selection limited to just older copyright-free titles
Good to Know: if you’re looking to stimulate your brain, check out these interesting, intellectual websites.
Honorable Mention: Short Story Communities
While not a site or subscription itself, short story communities let you read a growing library of user-submitted short stories and novels. Usually, you can read a set amount for free or upgrade to a premium plan to read more and eliminate ads. Many self-published and publisher-backed authors on Kindle Unlimited started on these sites. A few sites you may want to try if you want Kindle Unlimited alternatives focused on user-generated content include:
While you get new content every week, it’s not always well-written. Also, you’ll find a lot of fanfiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I own the ebooks I read with Kindle Unlimited and alternatives?
No. Think of ebook subscription services like the ones on this list as digital libraries. You only borrow the content. If you ever cancel your subscription, you lose access to the books. If you find something you want to keep, use a service like eReaderIQ to track pricing and find discounted and free ebooks.
Is Amazon Prime Reading a good alternative?
Amazon Prime includes a host of benefits, including Prime Reading. Each month you get a selection of over 1,000 titles to choose from. You can borrow up to 10 titles at once, and as long as you’ve borrowed them, they stay in your Kindle library until you finish them. If you already have Prime and don’t mind a minimal selection, it’s a good alternative.
Can I use any of the other services on my Kindle device?
Kindle readers do have a built-in browser. If the alternative service lets you read via desktop, aka browser, you may be able to use the service on your Kindle. However, you won’t be able to install any reading apps on your Kindle.
You’ll need a Fire tablet to download apps; many ebook services don’t have Fire-compatible apps.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder.
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
