Google Play Books vs Kobo
September 26, 2025 | Author: Maria Lin
Google Play Books and Kobo are both ebook ecosystems that offer a vast library of eBooks and audiobooks. They provide apps for smartphones, tablets that allow users to purchase books, read them (online and offline) in customizable reader interface, sync books and reading progress via cloud.
But Google Play Books (launched in 2010) relies on Android smartphones and Google Services, like Google Drive. It supports a wide variety of media, including comics, textbooks and allows to add and read personal PDFs/EPUBs.
Kobo (2009) manufactures dedicated eReaders and builds ecosystem around them. They support EPUB format natively, with strong emphasis on open access. Kobo provides more features including built-in Pocket integration for article saving. It's preferred for users in regions like Canada and Europe, with local bookstore partnerships.
But Google Play Books (launched in 2010) relies on Android smartphones and Google Services, like Google Drive. It supports a wide variety of media, including comics, textbooks and allows to add and read personal PDFs/EPUBs.
Kobo (2009) manufactures dedicated eReaders and builds ecosystem around them. They support EPUB format natively, with strong emphasis on open access. Kobo provides more features including built-in Pocket integration for article saving. It's preferred for users in regions like Canada and Europe, with local bookstore partnerships.
