Forgotten Books vs Kindle Unlimited

Last updated: July 09, 2023
Forgotten Books and Kindle Unlimited are two platforms that offer access to digital books, but they have key differences in terms of content selection, focus, and subscription models.

1. Content Selection: Kindle Unlimited, owned by Amazon, provides a vast library of e-books and audiobooks with a focus on popular titles, bestsellers, and a wide range of genres. Kindle Unlimited offers a broad selection of content, including works from major publishers, self-published authors, and even exclusive titles. It covers a variety of genres, allowing subscribers to explore and discover different types of books. On the other hand, Forgotten Books has a different approach. It specializes in digitizing and offering access to a vast collection of rare and out-of-print books. Forgotten Books focuses on preserving and making available books that have been forgotten or are difficult to find elsewhere. Its library contains a unique assortment of older works, historical texts, and niche literature.

2. Focus: Kindle Unlimited focuses on providing subscribers with unlimited access to a large catalog of e-books and audiobooks. It aims to offer a broad range of contemporary and popular titles, giving readers the freedom to explore and discover new authors and genres. Kindle Unlimited caters to a wide audience and emphasizes current reading trends. In contrast, Forgotten Books places an emphasis on the preservation and accessibility of older and forgotten literature. It aims to make rare and out-of-print books accessible to readers, researchers, and collectors who are interested in exploring historical texts and lesser-known works. Forgotten Books caters to a niche audience interested in delving into the past and uncovering hidden literary gems.

3. Subscription Models: Kindle Unlimited operates on a subscription-based model, where users pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to the Kindle Unlimited library. The subscription allows subscribers to borrow and read e-books and audiobooks from the available selection. Kindle Unlimited offers flexibility and a wide range of content within the subscription. On the other hand, Forgotten Books offers a freemium model. It provides a free access option that allows users to browse a limited selection of titles, while a paid membership provides full access to their extensive library. The paid membership offers additional benefits, such as downloading books in various formats, including PDF and ePUB, and accessing premium features.
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Forgotten Books
Forgotten Books is the world's largest online library with 484,473 books available on demand. This website has been designed using the very latest technologies to provide our members with many features never seen before. More than just books; Forgotten Books also features advanced analytical data. Every single word, page and image inside each and every one of our 484,473 books have been analyzed, indexed and classified.
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Kindle Unlimited
eBook subscription platform that offers access to the largest collection of eBooks for a reasonable price. Books can be read on any Kindle E-reader as well as other Amazon devices like the Fire tablet. Members can also read Kindle Unlimited titles via the free Kindle app on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, however not on other e-Readers. The platform regularly adds new books from popular and bestselling authors to the catalog.
Forgotten Books vs Kindle Unlimited in our news:

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.


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.