12 Reading Apps for College Students
College reading is a mix of assigned texts, research articles and, if you are lucky, books you read because you want to. The right apps can make all three cheaper and easier: borrowing from a library, finding free classics, syncing notes and keeping track of what you have read. The wrong ones fill your phone with subscriptions and distractions.
This guide covers twelve apps and services worth knowing, grouped by what they do best. Stores, catalogs and prices change often, so check each service's own page before you rely on it. We do not rank them one to twelve, because the best choice depends on your devices, your library and how much you read.
How to choose
Ask four questions.
- Does it cost me anything? Start with free options.
- Does it work on my devices? Check your phone, tablet and laptop.
- Can I keep my notes? Highlights and notes are valuable for study.
- What happens if I stop using it? Some stores lock purchases in an ecosystem.
A free reading setup in three steps
You can build a good setup without paying.
- Get a library card. A public or university card unlocks Libby and often Hoopla. Our guide to Libby and other library apps explains how to use them.
- Add free classics. Use public-domain libraries for set texts, and check editions against the syllabus.
- Choose one reader app for notes, highlights and syncing, and import your own files there.
Add a store or subscription only when a free source cannot supply what you need.
Reading on a phone
Phones are convenient and full of distractions. Our guide to reading on your phone without distractions shows how to set up focus modes, text sizes and a home screen that supports reading. A dedicated e-reader is another option if you read for long periods.
Notes and highlights
If you read for courses, choose an app that lets you highlight, add notes and export them. Check that exports work in a format you can paste into your notes. Do not rely on a single app as your only record, and copy key passages and citations into your study notes with the page numbers or locations noted.
Costs to watch
- Free trials that convert to paid subscriptions.
- Store purchases you cannot move elsewhere.
- Duplicate subscriptions for ebooks and audiobooks.
- In-app purchases that you do not need.
- Price differences by country and device.
If you are unsure, borrow first and buy only what you want to keep.
Common mistakes
- Buying books before checking the library.
- Using a reader that cannot export notes.
- Keeping multiple subscriptions you rarely use.
- Ignoring the edition required by your course.
- Reading with notifications on.
- Forgetting to cancel trials.
A quick checklist
- Do I have a library card and Libby or similar?
- Do I have a reader for my own PDFs and EPUB files?
- Have I checked the free classics for my courses?
- Can I export my notes?
- Do I have reminders for any trials?
Final thoughts
Good reading apps make books cheaper, more portable and easier to work with. Start with your library, add free classics, choose one reader for your own files and pay only for what you will really use. The best app is the one that keeps you reading.
At a glance
| Pick | Best for | Price | Student deal | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libby | Borrowing ebooks and audiobooks free with a public or university library card | Free with a library card | – | iOS, Android, Web |
| Hoopla | Instant borrowing of ebooks, audiobooks, comics and media with no waiting list | Free with a participating library card | – | iOS, Android, Web |
| Kindle app | The largest ebook store and a reader that syncs notes, highlights and progress across devices | Free app; books priced individually | – | iOS, Android, Web, Windows, Mac |
| Kobo | An independent ebook store and reader that supports library lending and open formats | Free app; books priced individually | – | iOS, Android, Kobo e-readers |
| Apple Books | A clean reader on Apple devices with ebooks, audiobooks and PDF support | Free app; books priced individually | – | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Google Play Books | An ebook store and reader that works on Android, iOS and the web, with upload support for your own files | Free app; books priced individually | – | Android, iOS, Web |
| Project Gutenberg | Free public-domain classics for literature, history and philosophy courses | Free | – | Web, Any EPUB or Kindle-compatible reader |
| Standard Ebooks | Carefully formatted free public-domain ebooks that look and read better than raw scans | Free | – | Web, EPUB readers |
| Open Library | Finding books, checking editions and sometimes borrowing digital copies | Free | – | Web |
| Everand | A subscription library of ebooks, audiobooks and articles for heavy readers | Monthly subscription; check current plans | – | iOS, Android, Web |
| Oasis Reader | Reading ebooks bought on BooksOasis, with notes that sync and work offline | Free to use with your BooksOasis purchases | – | Web, Android, Windows |
| The StoryGraph | Tracking what you read, setting goals and getting recommendations based on mood and pace | Free tier; paid plan available | – | Web, iOS, Android |
1Libby
Best for: Borrowing ebooks and audiobooks free with a public or university library card
Watch out for: Popular titles have waiting lists, and the catalog depends on your library
Libby connects to your library's digital collection, so you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks at no cost and send ebooks to a Kindle where your library supports it. You can place holds, set loan lengths and read offline.
It is the best first stop for a student on a budget. If one library has a long queue, check whether you can add a second card from another library you are eligible for.
2Hoopla
Best for: Instant borrowing of ebooks, audiobooks, comics and media with no waiting list
Watch out for: Only available through participating libraries, and monthly borrow limits apply
Hoopla works with participating libraries and lets you borrow titles instantly, which avoids the holds queue on other apps. Borrow limits are set by your library.
Check whether your library offers it. It is a good partner to Libby when a title you want has a long wait.
3Kindle app
Best for: The largest ebook store and a reader that syncs notes, highlights and progress across devices
Watch out for: Books bought in the Kindle store are tied to that ecosystem, and prices vary
The Kindle app reads ebooks on a phone, tablet or computer, with adjustable text, dictionary lookups and highlights that sync. Many students use it because of the size of the catalog and the sample chapters you can read before buying.
Remember that purchases live in one store. If you want flexibility, check which formats you can export or borrow from libraries instead.
4Kobo
Best for: An independent ebook store and reader that supports library lending and open formats
Watch out for: Catalog and pricing differ by country, and some features need a Kobo device
Kobo offers a large ebook store, apps for phones and tablets and dedicated e-readers. It supports library borrowing in many regions and works with common open formats.
It suits students who want an alternative to the largest store. Our Kindle vs Kobo comparison covers the trade-offs in detail.
5Apple Books
Best for: A clean reader on Apple devices with ebooks, audiobooks and PDF support
Watch out for: Only on Apple devices, so you cannot read on Windows or Android
Apple Books is built into iPhones, iPads and Macs, with simple controls, highlights, notes and a good PDF reader for course readings. Free samples and public-domain titles are available.
It is a convenient choice if you already use Apple devices, and it syncs through iCloud.
6Google Play Books
Best for: An ebook store and reader that works on Android, iOS and the web, with upload support for your own files
Watch out for: Uploaded files and store purchases are managed differently, so check which formats you can load
Google Play Books lets you buy ebooks and audiobooks and upload your own EPUB and PDF files to read in the same app. It works in a browser too, which helps on shared computers.
It is useful for students who collect PDFs and EPUBs and want one library on every device.
7Project Gutenberg
Best for: Free public-domain classics for literature, history and philosophy courses
Watch out for: Only works whose copyright has expired, and formatting varies
Project Gutenberg offers tens of thousands of public-domain books in several formats. It is ideal for set texts in literature, philosophy and history courses.
Check that the edition matches your course, because translations and page numbers differ. Use a reader app that can open EPUB files.
8Standard Ebooks
Best for: Carefully formatted free public-domain ebooks that look and read better than raw scans
Watch out for: A smaller catalog than larger libraries
Standard Ebooks publishes public-domain titles with modern typography, careful proofreading and consistent formatting. They are pleasant to read on any device.
If a classic you need is available here, it is often a better reading experience than other free copies.
9Open Library
Best for: Finding books, checking editions and sometimes borrowing digital copies
Watch out for: Borrowing availability varies, and not every title can be borrowed
Open Library is a catalog of books with a lending service for some digitized titles. It is also a handy way to check editions and ISBNs, which helps when a syllabus lists a specific edition.
Treat it as a bonus, not a guaranteed source, because lending depends on available copies.
10Everand
Best for: A subscription library of ebooks, audiobooks and articles for heavy readers
Watch out for: Monthly cost, usage limits on some content and a catalog that changes
Everand offers a subscription to a rotating library of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and documents. It can be good value if you read several books a month and your library lacks them.
Try the trial only if you will cancel before it renews, and compare the cost with library apps first.
11Oasis Reader
Best for: Reading ebooks bought on BooksOasis, with notes that sync and work offline
Watch out for: It only opens ebooks bought on BooksOasis, so it is not a general reader
Oasis Reader is an app for reading ebooks you have bought on BooksOasis. It stores downloads on your device, lets you take notes and works offline.
It is a good fit if you buy your ebooks there and want your notes to follow you across devices. If you buy elsewhere, one of the general readers above will serve you better.
12The StoryGraph
Best for: Tracking what you read, setting goals and getting recommendations based on mood and pace
Watch out for: Some features need a paid plan, and tracking is only useful if you keep it up
The StoryGraph is a reading tracker that logs books, shows reading statistics and suggests titles by mood and genre. It is a good option if you want a simple record of your reading.
Our guide to reading challenges and trackers explains how to use goals without turning reading into homework.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free reading app for students?
Libby is the best starting point if you have a library card, because it lends ebooks and audiobooks for free. Project Gutenberg and Standard Ebooks cover free classics.
Do I need a Kindle to use Kindle books?
No. The Kindle app reads books on phones, tablets and computers.
Can I read PDFs for class in these apps?
Apple Books and Google Play Books handle PDFs well, and many other apps do too. For annotation-heavy PDFs, a dedicated PDF or note app may be better.
Are subscription services worth it?
Only if you read several books a month and your library cannot supply them. Compare with free options first, and set a reminder to cancel trials.
How can I read more on my phone without distractions?
Use airplane mode or focus mode, put the reading app on your home screen and keep other apps off the first screen.