Top 9 Ebook Subscription services

Latest news about Ebook Subscription services

08.04.24. Scribd rebrands as Everand



Scribd, the platform known for file-sharing, e-books, and audiobooks, has undergone a significant transformation, now operating under the name Everand. Previously, users had access to three distinct entities - Everand, Scribd, and SlideShare - each confined to their respective domains. However, with the rebranding, all services now fall under the Everand umbrella. Despite the change, the company assures users that from their perspective, everything remains unchanged. Login credentials and billing information used for Scribd are still valid for Everand, ensuring a seamless transition. Users can continue to access the platform as usual, with all content consolidated under a single identity.


2023. Overdrive Libby is making it easier to read magazines



Overdrive, the company powering the majority of public libraries across Canada, the United States, and a significant portion of Europe, is in the process of enhancing its app called Libby. As part of this update, they are introducing a larger selection of complimentary magazines. The uniqueness lies in the fact that these magazines can be accessed by an unlimited number of users simultaneously, and there are no restrictions on circulation. Consequently, libraries now have the opportunity to choose from a collection of over 4,000 current and past issues, eliminating the need for waiting lists. Noteworthy publications like The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, and Elle will be accessible to users without any cost. Overdrive has emphasized that the updated Libby app will streamline the process of subscribing to magazines, offering users the convenience of receiving alerts when new magazine issues become available. The app's improvements extend to enhancing the discovery of content, enabling users to initiate their reading experience with just a single tap.


2023. Kobo launched e-book and audiobook subscription service Kobo Plus



Kobo has announced the launch of its Kobo Plus subscription service in the US and UK. Similar to Kindle Unlimited, subscribers can pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to a select library of e-books and audiobooks. Kobo’s Kobo Plus catalog currently features over 1.3 million e-books and over 100,000 audiobooks, with additional titles being added each month. Kobo Plus offers separate plans for e-books and audiobooks, allowing subscribers to choose one or both services based on their preferences. Kobo Plus is available for a monthly subscription fee. For the e-book and audiobook plan, the cost is $9.99 per month in the US and €12.99 GBP per month in the UK. Alternatively, customers can choose to subscribe only to e-books or audiobooks, with prices of $7.99 per month and €9.99 GBP per month in the US and UK, respectively. On the other hand, Kindle Unlimited costs $9.99 per month in the US without separate plans for e-books and audiobooks.


2020. Kindle makes it easier to borrow ebooks from Prime Reading



The latest firmware update, version 5.13.3, for Kindle e-readers introduces the ability to borrow ebooks directly from Kindle Unlimited, Prime Reading, and the public library, all conveniently accessible from the home screen. This update is compatible with a wide range of devices, including the Kindle Voyage and newer models. To view popular titles from Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading, it is necessary to have the Home Screen View feature enabled in the settings menu. Additionally, Amazon has relocated the Kindle user guide from the library shelf to the help menu, optimizing space usage. The update also includes various performance enhancements, bug fixes, and general improvements to enhance the overall user experience.


2019. DC Comics now available on Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimited



Amazon has recently reached an agreement with DC Comics, resulting in the availability of select titles on Comixology Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited, and Prime Reading. This development greatly facilitates the enjoyment of DC's Super Heroes by Amazon customers. Comixology Unlimited now offers thousands of chosen DC single issues, collections, and graphic novels, including exclusive fan-favorites from the DC Vertigo imprint, all for $5.99 per month with a 30-day free trial for new members. Kindle Unlimited members will also have access to a variety of single issues, collections, and graphic novels, while Prime Reading subscribers can enjoy a curated and rotating collection of highly regarded DC and DC Vertigo graphic novels at no extra cost. This expansion across the three services presents excellent entry points for newcomers to explore the world of DC and DC Vertigo.


2018. Amazon discounts Kindle Unlimited to compete against Scribd



As part of a campaign, Amazon is currently offering a special promotion where you can enjoy two months of access to Kindle Unlimited for only 99 cents. However, it is important to note that at the end of the promotional period, your subscription will automatically renew at the regular price of $9.99. Amazon has attributed this promotion to World Book Day, but it is evident that their underlying intention is to attract subscribers away from Scribd, a competing platform. Scribd offers an unlimited ebook subscription service for $8.99 per month, providing readers with access to both audiobooks and ebooks from major publishers. Unlike Amazon, which has faced limitations in securing support from major publishers over the years, with the exception of a few specific titles, Scribd's content boasts a wide range of offerings. Amazon's ebook library primarily relies on their Kindle Direct Publishing platform, resulting in a relatively lower overall quality. Thus, their approach to compete against Scribd revolves around enticing potential subscribers with significant discounts, capitalizing on those who may not be fully aware of the disparities between the two platforms.


2018. Scribd reintroduced unlimited audiobooks and eBooks



Scribd has reintroduced its unlimited subscription system for audiobooks and ebooks. This system allows subscribers to enjoy unlimited access to a wide range of content, including ebooks, magazines, newspapers, sheet music, and audiobooks. For casual readers who typically read a few books a month from well-known publishers, Scribd's service is highly appealing. However, avid readers may encounter limitations. Once a certain number of titles have been read, access to the entire Scribd catalog is restricted, and readers can only choose from a limited selection. The exact threshold for this limitation remains unknown. Scribd's main competitor is Amazon Kindle Unlimited, but it is only available in specific countries and offers fewer titles from major publishers.


2015. Kindle Unlimited will pay authors get paid based on the number of pages consumer reads



Amazon has announced significant changes to its payment structure for authors participating in the Kindle Unlimited program, which operates similarly to Netflix, allowing readers to borrow an unlimited number of books for a monthly fee of $10. Starting from July 1, authors will receive payment based on the number of pages readers actually consume. Previously, Amazon compensated authors based on whether a reader reached the 10% mark in a book, regardless of its length. Following this calculation, a shared revenue pool was distributed among authors. However, some independent authors exploited the system by publishing numerous shorter books, thereby earning equal or even greater revenue than authors with fewer titles but longer page counts.


2014. Amazon launched own ebook subscription service Kindle Unlimited


Amazon is set to launch Kindle Unlimited, an all-you-can-read subscription ebook service, in a bid to compete with Scribd and Oyster. Currently available exclusively in the U.S., Kindle Unlimited offers subscribers access to a vast selection of approximately 640,000 ebooks for a monthly fee of $9.99. Moreover, Kindle Unlimited stands out as the most cost-effective option for enjoying both audiobooks and ebooks together, with a collection of over 600,000 titles. Through Whispersync for Voice, users can seamlessly transition between reading and listening, ensuring the story can continue even when their eyes are occupied.


2014. Forgotten Books launches ebook subscription service



Forgotten Books stands as one of the largest online ebook libraries globally, offering its subscribers the opportunity to download and read unlimited ebooks for a monthly fee of $8.99. In a bid to expand accessibility, Forgotten Books is also set to launch mobile apps for iOS and Android in the near future. The online library caters to a diverse range of users, including professional academics and amateur genealogists. It has facilitated discoveries for individuals with author ancestors, enabling them to uncover and share the works of their forebears. For instance, Twitter user @hummingbirdbook found her great grandfather's autobiography through the platform. Forgotten Books remains committed to preserving these writings and ensuring their availability, irrespective of their commercial viability.


2014. Oyster comes to Android, Kindle Fire and Nook tablets



Ebook subscription service Oyster, previously exclusive to iOS, has now expanded its availability to include Android, Kindle Fire, and Nook HD tablets. The new platform enhancements offer additional features such as "read time" for books, similar to the feature found on Kindle e-readers, and the ability to turn book pages using the volume buttons on Android devices. Oyster's subscription model provides unlimited access to over 500,000 book titles from major publishers like HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, as well as a wide range of smaller and medium-sized publishers. This positions Oyster on par with Scribd, another popular e-book subscription service available on iOS, Android, and the web. Both services offer readers unlimited reading for a monthly fee of $9.95.