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Kindle Unlimited vs Kobo Plus
Last updated: July 09, 2023
Kindle Unlimited and Kobo Plus are both subscription-based services that provide access to a vast library of digital books, but they have key differences in terms of content selection, platform compatibility, and ecosystem integration.
1. Content Selection: Kindle Unlimited, owned by Amazon, offers a wide range of e-books, audiobooks, and magazines within its subscription service. The Kindle Unlimited library includes a mix of bestsellers, popular titles, and a significant number of self-published works. It has a strong emphasis on English-language content, making it a preferred choice for readers who primarily consume books in English. On the other hand, Kobo Plus offers a diverse catalog of e-books from major publishers and independent authors. Kobo Plus provides a broader selection of international titles and content in various languages, appealing to readers with multilingual preferences or seeking books in languages other than English. Kobo Plus also includes a limited number of audiobooks.
2. Platform Compatibility: Kindle Unlimited is tightly integrated with the Amazon ecosystem. It provides seamless access to the Kindle Store, allowing subscribers to read e-books on Kindle devices, Kindle apps, or through the Kindle Cloud Reader. Kindle Unlimited is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Kindle e-readers, smartphones, tablets, and computers. It offers synchronization features, allowing users to switch seamlessly between devices and access their reading progress and annotations. Kobo Plus, on the other hand, is integrated with the Kobo ecosystem. It supports Kobo e-readers and the Kobo app, allowing subscribers to read e-books across various devices. Kobo Plus is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and computers through the Kobo app and web interface.
3. Ecosystem Integration: Kindle Unlimited is deeply integrated with the Amazon ecosystem, offering additional benefits for Amazon Prime members, such as access to a selection of Prime Reading titles. It also provides features like Whispersync, which syncs reading progress across devices, and integration with Audible for audiobook listening. Kindle Unlimited is tightly connected to the Kindle Store and Amazon's vast collection of e-books. Kobo Plus, on the other hand, is part of the Kobo ecosystem, offering seamless integration with Kobo e-readers and the Kobo app. It provides users with access to the Kobo Store and the ability to purchase additional books outside of the subscription service. Kobo Plus allows readers to combine subscription-based reading with individual purchases, giving them more flexibility in acquiring books.
1. Content Selection: Kindle Unlimited, owned by Amazon, offers a wide range of e-books, audiobooks, and magazines within its subscription service. The Kindle Unlimited library includes a mix of bestsellers, popular titles, and a significant number of self-published works. It has a strong emphasis on English-language content, making it a preferred choice for readers who primarily consume books in English. On the other hand, Kobo Plus offers a diverse catalog of e-books from major publishers and independent authors. Kobo Plus provides a broader selection of international titles and content in various languages, appealing to readers with multilingual preferences or seeking books in languages other than English. Kobo Plus also includes a limited number of audiobooks.
2. Platform Compatibility: Kindle Unlimited is tightly integrated with the Amazon ecosystem. It provides seamless access to the Kindle Store, allowing subscribers to read e-books on Kindle devices, Kindle apps, or through the Kindle Cloud Reader. Kindle Unlimited is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Kindle e-readers, smartphones, tablets, and computers. It offers synchronization features, allowing users to switch seamlessly between devices and access their reading progress and annotations. Kobo Plus, on the other hand, is integrated with the Kobo ecosystem. It supports Kobo e-readers and the Kobo app, allowing subscribers to read e-books across various devices. Kobo Plus is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and computers through the Kobo app and web interface.
3. Ecosystem Integration: Kindle Unlimited is deeply integrated with the Amazon ecosystem, offering additional benefits for Amazon Prime members, such as access to a selection of Prime Reading titles. It also provides features like Whispersync, which syncs reading progress across devices, and integration with Audible for audiobook listening. Kindle Unlimited is tightly connected to the Kindle Store and Amazon's vast collection of e-books. Kobo Plus, on the other hand, is part of the Kobo ecosystem, offering seamless integration with Kobo e-readers and the Kobo app. It provides users with access to the Kobo Store and the ability to purchase additional books outside of the subscription service. Kobo Plus allows readers to combine subscription-based reading with individual purchases, giving them more flexibility in acquiring books.
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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.
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Ebook subscription service for Kobo owners but only in a few selected countries (USA, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal). It costs $10 per month. The company has also launched the Kobo Elipsa 2E e-reader with a 10.3-inch, glare-free e-ink touchscreen.
Kindle Unlimited vs Kobo Plus 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.