Top 10: Ebook Subscription services

2023. Wattpad Premium subscribers now have access to 5 free monthly Wattpad Originals



Wattpad has unveiled a new feature called "Premium Picks," as part of its freemium model, providing Premium and Premium+ subscribers with five complimentary Wattpad Originals each month. This innovative approach eliminates the need for users to make individual payments to access content, instead offering a curated selection of stories chosen by Wattpad's team of experts. The assortment includes both popular hits and undiscovered gems, showcasing works from established authors as well as emerging talents. To ensure subscribers make the most of this offering, the selected stories are available for free until the first day of the following month, after which users can opt to purchase any unfinished reads. Wattpad has enhanced user experience by incorporating a countdown timer on the Premium Picks screen and enabling app notifications to alert readers about the availability of the next set of stories.


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.

2022. Harlequin Plus - new ebook and print subscription service



Harlequin, a prominent publisher of commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction, has unveiled a novel subscription service called Harlequin Plus. This distinctive service offers users access to both digital and print books, setting it apart from any other service in the market. Currently available in the United States, Harlequin Plus costs $14.99 per month and allows readers to enjoy content through the website and dedicated Android and iOS apps. For those interested, there is a complimentary 7-day trial available to test the service. Subscribing to Harlequin Plus opens up a world of entertainment options, including curated bundles of new book releases, an extensive ebook library, romantic movies, and casual games. One particularly enticing feature is the availability of Book bundles. Each month, subscribers can choose between instantly receiving an ebook bundle or having physical copies delivered straight to their homes.


2020. Mangamo - new unlimited subscription service for Manga



Introducing Mangamo, a novel unlimited subscription service exclusively available for iOS. With a complimentary two-month trial, followed by a monthly fee of $4.99, Mangamo stands out by offering a vast collection of English-translated manga. Collaborating with 11 manga publishers, they anticipate releasing over 300 titles spanning more than 1,000 volumes within the next three months, with fresh chapters added on a daily basis. Mangamo fulfills the desires of every manga enthusiast by providing an accessible and cost-effective means to explore numerous new manga titles, all while supporting publishers and creators who tirelessly bring forth the manga you cherish.


2019. Perlego - textbook subscription service



Calling itself the "Spotify for textbooks," Perlego offers students a subscription-based platform to access a vast collection of textbooks. With over 300,000 eBooks from more than 2,300 publishers, Perlego provides a cross-device experience through web browsers and iOS and Android apps, catering to users in multiple languages. In addition to U.K. publishers, Perlego has expanded its content to include renowned publishers from Germany, the Nordics, and Italy. The allure for students is evident: purchasing textbooks has become increasingly costly, and public libraries often face resource limitations. In the U.K., Perlego offers readers unlimited access to its complete digital library for £12 per month, presenting a significantly more affordable alternative, assuming the required textbooks are available on the platform.


2019. Kobo Plus introduced audiobooks



The ebook subscription platform Kobo Plus has recently expanded its offerings to include audiobooks and introduced new subscription tiers. Initially available only in the Netherlands, Kobo has been treating Kobo Plus as a testing ground for future expansion into other countries. Users can now opt for a €9.99 per month subscription to access unlimited ebooks, or choose a €8.99 per month subscription specifically for audiobooks. For those who wish to enjoy both formats, there is a combined subscription available at €12.99 per month. Kobo Plus currently provides access to an audiobook library comprising approximately 20,000 titles, including both English and Dutch options.


2018. Perlego - Spotify for textbooks



The newly launched service, Perlego, offers students and professionals an enticing proposition with unlimited access to an extensive collection of academic and professional eBook titles for just £12 per month. Facilitating this service, Perlego has established partnerships with 650 publishers, including renowned names like Oxford University Press, Princeton University Press, Macmillan Higher Education, and Cengage Learning. Publishers receive a significant share of 65 percent from each subscription, calculated based on consumption. Perlego's innovative platform helps publishers monetize their valuable content, catering to a sizable demographic of cost-conscious students who may otherwise resort to the used-books market or unauthorized copies. Moreover, Perlego provides publishers with comprehensive data on the utilization of their titles, enabling valuable insights into consumption patterns.


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. eBook subscription service Entitle is shutting down



Entitle, a participant in the "Netflix for e-books" concept, struggled to differentiate itself in a competitive market alongside giants like Amazon, Scribd, and Oyster, leading to insufficient revenue generation and eventual closure. As of July 21st, 2015, Entitle announced its shutdown and advised existing customers to consider joining Scribd instead. Previously known as eReatah, Entitle offered membership plans that allowed individuals to read a set number of books per month for a monthly fee, ranging from $9.99 for two books to $19.99 for four books. Any books downloaded by members, regardless of their subscription status with Entitle, remained accessible on up to six devices indefinitely. The newly-launched Entitle e-reading app for iPad, iPhone, and Android devices provided a platform for members to enjoy their selected books.