You’re in the right spot if you’re looking for the best sites to download free eBooks. The truth is, books can be costly! One new release is $15 to $20, and if you are a person who reads about two books per month, then that can mount up. Fortunately, we’re living in a day and age where all we have to do is click a few times and thousands of free books are within our reach. No need to use a dark torrent site or to expose yourself to the risk of downloading malware. There are numerous legal, safe, and completely legal websites from which you can download as many eBooks as you want.
For years I have been scouring the web to find the best digital libraries, trying them out on all sorts of devices and weeding out the good from the bad. You can get these sites to keep your digital shelf full for free, regardless of whether you’re an owner of a Kindle, a Kobo, an iPad, or simply enjoy reading on your cell phone.
The Heavyweights: Where to Start Your Search
Project Gutenberg
Let us start with the granddaddy of them all. Since 1971, Project Gutenberg has been the first online library. So, if you haven’t yet visited gutenberg.org, you are missing out on a goldmine of free eBooks: more than 75,000. The site deals with public domain works only – all the classics will be there. If you think Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Mary Shelley, and Shakespeare. If you think Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Mary Shelley, and Shakespeare. eBooks are available in various formats such as EPUB, Kindle, PDF and plain text. The best part? There’s no registration fee and none required for registration. All you have to do is walk in and get your book, and then download it.
The amazing thing about Project Gutenberg is that it is staffed by thousands of volunteers the world over—who have digitized and proofread every single book in this repository. These are not scanned, but sloppy. These are clear and easy-to-read, and look great on any e-reader. There is also a convenient “Bookshelves” section of the site that allows you to browse hand-picked shelves by subject areas. If you’ve ever thought you should read all of the great novels of western literature, this is where you begin.
Open Library
Open Library is a very ambitious initiative by the Internet Archive. The aim is to build an internet page for each book ever printed. It’s a huge project, and they have accomplished so much so far. The library includes millions of titles including fiction, nonfiction, textbooks and children’s books.
Open Library is not like Project Gutenberg, but more like a traditional library. You have to register a free account, and you can borrow e-books. There may be some popular books that you need to register for on a waiting list, such as your local library. The list is so long, however, that you will never be able to run out of interesting things to read. There are also some great features such as Reading Goals and a Virtual Library feature to help you keep tabs on what you read. Open Library is an open-source project and welcomes volunteers to assist in the growth of their catalog, if you’ve ever wanted to contribute to an open-source project!
Internet Archive
It’s impossible to talk about Open Library without also mentioning its parent organization, the Internet Archive. This site is not limited to books, with millions of free texts, movies, software, music and archived web pages available. The Internet Archive’s text collection is a treasure trove for book enthusiasts. Academic papers to out-of-date novels can be found. The website offers different download options and is not overrun with ads.
I love the Internet Archive because it also archives cultural artifacts that would be lost if it wasn’t there. If a book is unavailable in bookstores, then there’s a high possibility that you will be able to find it here. It’s an organization that works for the free dissemination of all knowledge and their actions demonstrate it.
Library Apps: Borrow Modern Bestsellers for Free
Libby (by OverDrive)
Libby is undoubtedly the most user-friendly source of free eBooks and audiobooks that are legal. The app works with thousands of public libraries around the world to bring you the newest bestsellers and professionally narrated audiobooks. Just a library card is required. You can also usually get a digital library card in the app, just by using your phone number.
The app can be downloaded on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Windows, Mac and Chromebook. Read books on your phone, tablet or computer, or send them directly to your Kindle. Libby assigns a set period of time you must read a book for, usually about 21 days. The book is due back at the end of the lending period. No late fees or hassle.
It’s based on what libraries are available where, but most libraries have several thousand books available. Place holds on books that are popular and be notified when they are available. FREE, legal and awesome!
Hoopla
Another great library app that is underutilized is Hoopla. Whereas Libby provides free digital content for libraries, Hoopla does the same for free. However, Hoopla does more than provide eBooks and audiobooks, it provides movies, TV shows, music and comics. This borrowing is a little different from Libby. Unlike holding, and waiting, Hoopla provides immediate access to a growing selection of titles. Usually there’s a limit on how many you can borrow per month, usually defined by your library, but it’s hard to beat the instant gratification.
You can enjoy reading even without Internet connection, as the app allows you to download it in-app. If your library provides Hoopla, be sure to use it!
Curated Collections and Discovery Platforms
ManyBooks
ManyBooks is one of the most user-friendly sites to download free eBooks. The site collects thousands of free works from different sources and displays them in a user-friendly and modern interface. The major difference with ManyBooks is the recommendation system. Rate a couple of books, and the system recommends other books you may want to read. User reviews and User ratings will help you avoid duds.
All major formats are supported: EPUB, PDF, MOBI, AZW3 and more… There are more than 50,000 books to choose from, and you can enjoy fiction and non-fiction pieces as well as academic materials in many genres. The site also provides books in a few languages so it’s a really good resource for practicing a new language. From hard science fiction to cozy mysteries, or even business guides, ManyBooks has it all.
Standard Ebooks
The books which Standard Ebooks publishes are public domain books which are professionally polished. High-quality, beautifully formatted EPUB files produced on the site look great on any e-reader. At Standard Ebooks, the formatting is nice, clean, and consistent, unlike Project Gutenberg where at times the formatting is a bit plain. It is a volunteer-based project that is non-profit and the outcome is beautiful!
Standard Ebooks is where it’s at if you want to look after the appearance and feel of your books. It’s a smaller batch than Project Gutenberg; it’s about quality, not quantity. However, all of their books are a joy to read.
PDF Drive
PDF Drive is a massive search engine for pdf files, whereas of 2026, there are more than 43 million books and more than 98 million academic papers. One of the largest online digital libraries. Books, novels, academic papers, magazines and more can be searched. This website is very user-friendly. Simply enter your search term and PDF Drive gives back relevant results in no time.
One drawback to PDF Drive is that not all content is public domain, so be aware of copyright. For academic writing and public domain, it is an invaluable resource, however. It is not necessary to register for the site, and downloads are quick and easy.
DigiLibraries
DigiLibraries is a clean, well-organized site that provides thousands of eBooks in many formats, such as EPUB, MOBI and PDF. Fiction, non-fiction and academic resources are easy to find in the design. Easy navigation, by genre and by topic. The search feature is useful if you want to find a particular title.
I like the simplicity of DigiLibraries. No intrusive ads, no cryptic menus – just books. This site is ideal for those looking for a hassle-free experience.
FreeBookSpot
FreeBookSpot is among the most popular sites to download free eBooks and audiobooks for free. Different ways of searching for desired book such as searching by genre, language, and popularity are available on the site. The catalog has a large number of entries and is quite broad in scope. The interface is outdated from some of the newer stations, but the content is quality. Just ignore the design, which is not of the best quality from the early 2000s and you’ll find plenty of free reading material.
Academic and Open Access Resources
OAPEN (Open Access Publishing in European Networks)
OAPEN is a library of open access academic books. The collection consists of peer-reviewed university press published books. OAPEN is a goldmine for researchers, students and anybody who enjoys learning. These books are all free to download and span from history, philosophy, science, technology and more.
The hallmark of OAPEN is its academic rigour. Not the typical self-published or low-quality publications. They are academically published books that have been peer-reviewed. This is a must have for student and academics.
Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB)
DOAB is an open access book discovery service initiated by a community. It contains an index of peer-reviewed monographs and edited volumes published under an open access license, which can be searched. Search by title, author, subject or publisher. This site doesn’t contain the books, but instead leads you to where you can get them free.
DOAB is essential for readers in academia. It enables you to locate good quality open access books rather than wading through garbage and/or pirated material.
Google Books
Google Books has a vast collection of scanned books. There are some free to read in full and some are available for preview. If the book is in the public domain, you may be able to download the full book in PDF format. The search is robust and can search within the books for phrases or topics.
Google Books is not a free download site but it’s a valuable resource to find and read books online. The preview is especially helpful if you are considering purchasing a book, but aren’t sure about it yet.
BookBoon
BookBoon’s primary mission is to offer free textbooks online to students. The textbooks are succinct and informative, and well suited to the study of specific subjects. Some ads are present, but the benefit is that you get access to top-notch educational material without paying a dime. The site includes articles on business, engineering, IT and more. BookBoon is a good resource for students who would like to save money on textbooks.
Bartleby.com
Bartleby.com is a free, unlimited digital library of thousands of ebooks, particularly classic literature and reference books. It hosts the complete text of well-known works, poetry collections, reference books such as encyclopedias and dictionaries. Titles can be downloaded in different formats, such as pdf.
Bartleby has been a staple in the book marketplace for years, and many educational reference books and classic novels are available here.
Niche and Specialized Platforms
Smashwords
Smashwords is a self-publishing company that allows writers to publish their eBooks to readers. A lot of writers provide their books free of charge so as to attract readers. There are free eBooks available in all genres, ranging from romance to science fiction to non-fiction. You can download books in EPUB, MOBI, PDF and more.
I love Smashwords because you’re reading indie authors that may not have a publishing contract. Some of these books are a bit rough around the edges, others are well done. A wonderful place to discover new voices and encourage independent authors.
Amazon Free Kindle eBooks
Amazon also has free eBooks! The list is in constant flux and authors and publishers are giving away free offers in order to entice readers to buy. You can check out the “Top 100 Free” lists of a few categories to find out what is currently available. Books are sent straight to your Kindle or Kindle app.
The downside is the free titles are usually promotional. If you’re reading a series, the first book may be free to hook you in, but the author wants you to purchase the subsequent volume in the series. However, if you are an astute person, you can create a sizeable free library on Amazon. Be aware, however, that the selection is subject to change frequently, so you have to look back frequently.
Kobo Free eBooks
Canadian e-reader maker Kobo also has some free eBooks. Not unlike Amazon, there are public domain classics and titles from indie authors offered. You can access the free part of the website at Kobo, or via the Kobo app. The books are available for EPUB readers, which means they can be read on most e-readers, except the Kindle.
ManyBooks (Yes, Again)
I had mentioned ManyBooks before, but let it be repeated because of its versatility. It is one of the most extensive web sites to download free eBooks with more than 50,000 free eBooks. The site boasts books in various languages and all major formats. One of the best features is the recommendation engine which suggests books you may have not discovered otherwise.
If you can only visit one of these sites, give ManyBooks a try. It is an amalgamation of the scope of Project Gutenberg and the modern bookstore.
PDFBooksWorld
PDFBooksWorld offers a vast library of eBooks both classics and contemporary works for free download. As the name implies, the books are in pdf format. The site is simple and user-friendly. For those who enjoy reading in PDF format, this site is perfect!
A Word on Legality and Safety
Now before you begin downloading let’s chat about staying safe and legal! While I have mentioned websites here that are respectable, there are lots of sites out there that are shady and sell pirated books. Some sites such as Z-Library and Library Genesis have been sued for copyright infringement. Although they could appear appealing due to their huge catalogues they pose a risk to the user. It’s not only illegal in many places, but these sites can be taken off-line and are subject to takedown notices.
Don’t deviate from legality. The sites on this list have provided you with more than enough free reading material for a lifetime, including Project Gutenberg, Open Library, Libby and many others. You don’t have to sacrifice your integrity or safety.
How to Choose the Right Site for You
There are a lot of choices available, how do you decide which one to choose? This depends on your requirements.
- Those who prefer classic literature, begin at Project Gutenberg or Standard Ebooks.
- For modern best sellers, Libby and Hoopla are the best choices.
- As a student or researcher, explore OAPEN, DOAB and Google Books.
- If you wish to include indie and self-published books, then Smashwords and the free section of Amazon are good places to start.
- If you need something of everything, then ManyBooks and PDF Drive are right up your alley.
Final Thoughts
When you have access to the best sites to download free eBooks, then you will not have to worry about running out of reading material again. If you like the classics, you can find them at Project Gutenberg, the latest bestsellers are available at Libby and Hoopla, or the indie loot is at Smashwords. The great thing about these resources is that they are all legal, safe and free—you can build your digital library without risking your legal rights or your wallet.
So, what do you do when you have to get it done? Choose one of these sites to download free books and begin your next read today. Libby will put your local library’s digital collection within easy reach and millions of public domain works are waiting for you on Open Library and ManyBooks. It’s easier than ever to read, and the fantastic platforms are at your fingertips, so the only thing left to do is which book to read first. Have a good time downloading, and have a good time reading!
