5+ best cross-platform eBook readers
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Key notes
- A cross-platform ebook reader will help you enjoy your eBooks on pretty much any device, regardless of whether it runs on Windows or Mac.
- The best cross-platform ebook reader should support all notable eBook file formats.
- An ebook reader that syncs across devices is another aspect you should consider.
- If you're looking for a free cross-platform ePUB reader for your device, check our list below.
The eBook is the shortened tag for electronic bookCan, which indicates readable online/digital books.
It is a recent technological invention that is fast gaining steam, as we move away from the clumsiness of handling tons of paper books.
With ebooks, you can enjoy unimaginable convenience, as thousands of pages of books can be compressed into a few kilobytes, and every page can be accessed with a single or few clicks of buttons.
A typical eBook, however, is uniquely designed, such that its contents can be accessed (and read) by only a set of special software known as eBook readers.
Some of these tools are designed to run on only a single – specific – platform, which gives little room for flexibility.
To bypass this inadequacy, we have outlined seven of the best cross-platform eBook readers for you. Read on!
What are the best cross-platform eBook readers to get?
Icecream Ebook Reader
Nothing beats modern approaches, regardless of what domain you are talking about, and the same applies to software.
Assuming that you have a large collection of ebooks and want to enjoy spending time reading them, Icecream Ebook Reader is a top-notch choice.
Unlike other similar programs, use it to easily mark the page from which you’d like to get back to reading, so you don’t have to waste your time looking for it.
Moreover, you may alter the text to better suit your needs, allowing you to read the text in blocks of any preferred size.
Here are some major benefits of using Icecream Ebook Reader:
- Opens PDF, MOBI, DJVU, and other popular book formats
- Copy, Translate, and Search functions
- Intuitive scrollbar for quick navigation
- Resume reading feature
- Export Library features to easily transfer your ebook collection
Icecream Ebook Reader
Icecream Ebook Reader is the best cross-platform eBook reader that you can find today. Ready to try it out?Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader is probably best known for its ability to open, edit, and handle PDF files, but few know that it can also double as an eBook reader.
Pretty much everyone that ever had a PC knows how the interface looks, and you can all agree that the UI is extremely simplistic.
As for reading eBooks, all you need to do is simply have the program installed on your PC, and designate it as your default tool for opening eBook files.
Here are some of the main benefits of using Adobe Acrobat Reader:
- Can easily manipulate PDF files
- Simple design
- You can even edit your eBooks
- Can be tested out for free
- A familiar interface for Adobe fans
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Get one of the best software for PDFs management that you can also use as a eBook reader.Favorite Book Reader – FBReader
Favorite Book Reader, which is colloquially termed FBReader, is one of the most widely used eBook readers today.
It is a cross-platform software, flexibly designed to run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android among other notable operating systems.
FBReader’s cross-platform support makes it highly flexible, as it can easily be used on a desk (on laptop or desktop) or on the go (on a mobile device).
This ensures you have unrestrained access to your eBooks, anytime and anywhere.
Furthermore, FBReader supports virtually all known eBook formats, notably ePUB, RTF, Mobi, TXT, HTML, FB2, and more.
It also hosts a unique synchronization feature, which allows you to sync your eBook collections across multiple platforms/devices.
Other notable features of FBReader include cloud storage (with Google Drive), online management (of the library), bookmarking, customizable interface.
You also get dictionary support (ColorDict, Fora, etc.), ease of access (to online libraries), web support (from any browser), multilingual support (up to 29 languages), PDF plugin, and lots more.
FBReader is available in two basic license variants: Free and Premium. The latter goes for as low as $4.99.
Kindle
Kindle, from Amazon, is one of the most popular cross-platform eBook readers ever developed.
It is a versatile app, which is designed to, not only provide readable access to eBooks but also offer several interactive functions, to facilitate convenience of usage.
Kindle hosts cross-platform support for all notable OS platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
In light of this, it conveniently stands out as one to the best cross-platform eBook readers available.
And with a mammoth global user base, the assertion is not far-fetched. In addition, Kindle supports virtually all notable eBook formats, including PDF, ePub, Mobi, and AWZ3 among others.
Furthermore, you are afforded the opportunity of access (and reading) Kindle’s products like newspapers and magazines.
However, one notable downside of Kindle is its inflexibility, in terms of eBook download and purchase.
The app allows you to download/purchase eBooks from only the Amazon library (Kindle Store), which is its proprietary storage.
Other features of the Kindle eBook app include Book synching, Bookmarking, Text highlighting, Intuitive & customizable UI, Audiobooks support, Text-to-speech, and more.
Kindle cross-platform app is available for free, across all platforms.
Kitaboo
Kitaboo is one of the most popular cross-platform eBook readers in the market, with a sizable client base across the globe.
The software is a cloud-based tool, which hosts cross-platform support for Windows PC, Macbook, Android, and iOS smartphones and tablets.
Kitaboo, as an interactive and user-friendly eBook reader, allows you to download eBooks (in varying formats), take notes, bookmark pages, and access (read) them with unparalleled ease.
Aptly put, you can customize your eBook as you see fit, and access them anytime you want from any platform, be it Windows PC or Android/iOS mobile smartphone.
Other noteworthy features of Kitaboo cross-platform eBook reader include online/offline reading, multi-format support, video/audio/image input, eBook autoplay.
You also get text highlighting, automatic ePub conversion, secure B2B sharing, free updates, zero set up time, eBook stores, data analytics, video guide, online resources, and more.
Kitaboo is offered on a function-specific basis. And its eBook reader can be downloaded for free.
Freda
Freda, from Turnipsoft, is a versatile eBook reader, which is widely regarded as the perfect alternative to Amazon’s Kindle.
It hosts cross-platform support for Windows (PC and mobile) and Android (smartphone and tablet).
This eBook reader, like its contemporaries, supports all notable eBook file formats, including ePub, HTML, TXT, FB2, MOBI, and more.
Also, it hosts a highly customizable UI, which allows you to gain control over the app’s outlook and functionality.
The most striking feature/function of Freda is probably its seamless integration with Gutenberg, which is a hub of tens of thousands of ebooks.
You can also integrate with other notable online books (eBook) hubs like Smashwords and Feedbooks.
With this function, you are provided access to an unlimited number of eBooks, from various publishers across the globe.
Other features of Freda include page bookmarking, annotation, text-to-speech, automatic scrolling, text highlighting, Dropbox & OneDrive integration, device syncing, online support (manual and forum), and more.
Freda’s development is being funded by advert placements. As such, it is available for download at absolutely no cost.
Android users can download the app from Google Play Store, while Windows users can get it from Microsoft Store.
Bluefire Reader
Bluefire Reader is another popular eBook reader, and it rounds up our list of best cross-platform eBook readers.
The app is cross-compatible with iOS and Android mobile operating systems, as well as Windows desktop OS.
Bluefire Reader is specially designed to launch Adobe eBooks, with exclusive support for PDF and ePub file formats.
It hosts notable industry-standard features like text highlighting, book searching and sharing, white labeling, bookmarking, annotations, and so on.
Also, Bluefire Reader allows you to read Adobe DRM eBooks (secure and free).
Furthermore, the app hosts a customizable UX design, as well as a host of development functions, which can be employed to customize the app, in line with your needs and desires.
Other features of Bluefire Reader include Page Synching, Online analytics & reporting, Easy integrations, Email support, Simple user interface, Dictionary support, Note-taking, and more.
Bluefire Reader is available for free download. To know more about the premium packages on offer, kindly reach out to their technical/sales team (by email) at [email protected].
In this article, we have outlined a few great eBook readers. Do note that these applications support e-books in the ePUB file format.
So, they are, by many standards, some of the best ePUB reader cross-platform choices at the moment.
In clearer terms, the apps outlined herein have been selected (and rated) based on their relative affordability, feature set, durability, popularity, and more significantly, cross-platform compatibility.
