In our busy world, we don’t always have time for all our hobbies and reading is not an exception. For many, reading has long become not only a home activity. To make time, we read on the go: in a public transport, during lunch or while waiting. Even though paper books bring a lot of incomparable tactile sensations, it is not always convenient to take them everywhere with you.
A lot of reading fans gradually give up paper books and turn to its electronic analogs. Ebooks are more interactive and allow making notes, select fragments, customize the font and colors. You don’t even need to have a special device since modern smartphones have wide enough screens to make the reading process comfortable. There is only one question: what reading application to use? Well, to help you choose, we’ve reviewed several popular reading apps. In no particular order, here they are.
iBooks
We all know iBooks. This is a standard application installed on every iOS device by default. The app can boast simple design and a very good functionality. Particularly, iBooks allows adjusting the font size, creating bookmarks, searching inside the text making notes and more. Those who love reading before going to bed will appreciate a night mode setting. The app allows reducing the amount of light coming to your eyes, which helps fall asleep faster afterward.
Additionally, iBooks provide the ability to synchronize between all Apple devices. Therefore you can start reading on your iPhone and easily continue on the iPad. The only downside is that this app supports just two formats: EPUB and PDF.
iBooks
Bookmate. Reading made easy.
Bookmate is more than just a reading application, it is a whole social network for book fans that use Apple or Android devices. After completing a registration procedure, you’ll see the main screen with recommended books and shelves. Each book has a short annotation plus a feedback from other readers.
The app offers several subscription plans, however, there is a one-month free trial which allows you reading any book you want. In addition, there is an extensive number of free books. That mostly includes classic literature and selected items from publishers. Those who can’t find a particular book in the library can actually load their own version to Bookmate. The service supports EPUB and FB2 formats.
In terms of reading functionality, Bookmate has a standard set of features. The only flaw is that the app does not allow text search inside the book.
Bookmate
Google Play Books
Another great reading application, this time from Google. Unlike iBooks, Google Play Books is available to both Apple and Android users. Moreover, the app offers a cross-platform synchronization, which is extra convenient for those who use several devices.
Google’s reading app can boast a simple, yet user-friendly interface. After the registration procedure, you’ll have to choose your favorite books and genres. Based on your answers, the app will later make book recommendations. Google Play Books is a great app to have while traveling since it is always great to have something to read on a plane.
The reading tab is very well done. It has everything needed to enjoy the reading process: beautiful page flipping, font settings, bookmarks and search option. In addition, the app can automatically change color depending on the time of the day.
Google Play Books
Moon + Reader
Moon + Reader is a stylish and functional reading application perfect for those who enjoy numerous settings. With the help of Moon + Reader, anyone can configure multiple text displays, change themes, connect third-party translators and dictionaries. The app supports all basic text formats, plus works with PDF files and archives.
One of the best features is an ability to synchronize with Google Drive and Dropbox. This is especially useful for those who use several mobile devices for reading.
Unfortunately, the free version suffers from an excess of advertising. However, once you purchase Moon + Reader, you’ll get an ad-free app along with other bonuses. The Moon + Reader app is only available on Android devices.
Moon + Reader
TotalReader Pro
Created by LTD DevelSoftware, TotalReader Pro is a universal reading application for iOS devices. The app supports numerous formats of ebooks and documents. Furthermore, with TotalReader Pro you can even open Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations.
Users especially enjoy the built-in file manager, which allows sorting content. In addition, you can easily synchronize data with computer or cloud services via FTP, WiFi, Google Drive, Dropbox etc.
The reader itself offers display adjustments: color change, style and font size, page flipping animation, line spacing and more. You can also create bookmarks, add quotes and use night mode. To use the Pro-version of the app, users have to be ready to pay $6,99.
TotalReader Pro
Amazon Kindle
Kindle is the official Amazon reading application for iPhone and Android. Unlike iBooks and Bookmate, this app does not support EPUB format. On the other hand, Kindle works great with HTMS, DOC, TXT, TTF and, of course, MOBI formats.
Amazon’s Kindle app can boast numerous useful features. For instance, the app offers a so-called news page, where users can find book reviews. A built-in translator and dictionary eliminate the need to look up words in a separate app. Additionally, you can even share phrases or paragraphs from books with other users.
Amazon Kindle
PocketBook Reader
One more reading app for those who prefer having numerous customization options. Even though the range of settings is not as wide as in Moon + Reader, PocketBook Reader still deserves our attention. Users can easily connect dictionaries and adjust the display. In addition, PocketBook Reader supports DJVU format, which is useful when reading documents. Cross-platform synchronization is another great functional bonus.
PocketBook Reader can boast an original interface and a navigation menu in a form of a circle. Contol panel makes it easy to work with text: highlighting, creating quotes and comments and making snapshots of separate sections of the screen. Of course, the font size, color, display brightness and layouts can be adjusted as well. You can also search text to find a needed information quickly.
Luckily, PocketBook Reader is a free application and does not even bother users with constant advertising. However, there are still some in-app purchases. The app is available for both iPhone and Android smartphones.
PocketBook Reader
