What a digital book subscription does

A digital book subscription is a service where you pay a monthly or yearly fee to read an unlimited number of ebooks on your phone, tablet, or computer. Instead of buying each book individually, you get access to a library of titles for one flat price. When your subscription ends, your access to those books ends too — you do not own them.

The main services are Kindle Unlimited (Amazon's service), Scribd, and Everand. Some libraries also offer free ebook borrowing through apps like Libby or OverDrive, which work like digital book subscriptions but cost nothing if you have a library card. The books you can read depend on which service you use — not every book is available on every platform.

Key Takeaways

  • You pay a monthly fee (usually $10 to $15) to read as many ebooks as you want, but you lose access when you cancel.
  • Kindle Unlimited, Scribd, and Everand are the three largest services; your library may also offer free ebook borrowing through Libby or OverDrive.
  • Each service has a different catalog, so a book you want may not be on the platform you choose.
  • You read on the service's app or website, not on a standalone device like an older Kindle e-reader.

How to start a digital book subscription

Sign up on the service's website or read their app. You will need to create an account with an email address and password, then enter a payment method — usually a credit card or debit card. Most services offer a free trial period (often 30 days) before charging you. After the trial ends, the service will charge your card on the same day each month.

Once you are signed in, you can search for books by title, author, or genre. When you find a book you want to read, tap or click it to open it in the app or browser. You can read on multiple devices using the same account — for example, on your phone during your commute and on your tablet at home. Most services let you adjust the text size, font, and background color to make reading more comfortable.

The difference between the major services

Kindle Unlimited is the largest service by catalog size and works best if you already use Amazon. It costs $11.99 per month and includes some audiobooks along with ebooks. You can read on Kindle apps, web browsers, and Fire tablets. Scribd and Everand both cost $14.99 per month and include audiobooks in the same subscription, which Kindle Unlimited charges extra for. Scribd also includes magazines and podcasts.

Your public library's ebook service (usually Libby or OverDrive) is free but has wait lists because only a certain number of people can borrow each title at once. Before you pay for a subscription, check what your library offers — many libraries include free ebook and audiobook borrowing, which costs you nothing and supports your library. If you read a lot and want the newest releases, you may end up buying some books separately rather than finding them in a subscription service.

What happens when your subscription ends

When you cancel your subscription, you lose access to all the books you were reading through that service. If you were in the middle of a book, you cannot finish it unless you renew your subscription or buy the book outright. Your reading history and bookmarks are saved, so if you resubscribe later, you can pick up where you left off.

Most services let you cancel anytime without penalty. You can cancel through your account settings on the service's website or app. If you signed up through a free trial, make sure to cancel before the trial ends if you do not want to be charged. If you have already been charged, some services offer a refund if you cancel within a few days.

Costs and what to watch for

Monthly subscriptions range from free (library services) to about $15. Some services offer annual plans at a discount if you pay upfront — for example, Kindle Unlimited costs less per month if you commit to a year. Before you sign up, check whether the books you actually want to read are in that service's catalog. Many newer releases and bestsellers are not included in unlimited plans, which means you would have to buy them separately.

The main cost difference between services comes down to what else is included. Kindle Unlimited focuses on ebooks and some audiobooks. Scribd bundles ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and podcasts into one price. Everand includes ebooks and audiobooks. If you only want to read ebooks and do not care about audiobooks or magazines, Kindle Unlimited may be the cheapest option. If you want everything in one place, Scribd or Everand might save you money compared to paying for separate services.

Reading on different devices

You read through the service's app or website, not on a standalone e-reader device. You can use your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. If you own an older Kindle e-reader (the physical device), you cannot read Scribd or Everand books on it — those services only work on phones, tablets, and computers. Kindle Unlimited books work on Kindle devices and the Kindle app.

Most services let you bookmark pages, highlight passages, and take notes. These features sync across your devices, so if you highlight something on your phone, you can see it on your tablet too. Some services limit how many devices can stream at once (for example, Scribd allows two simultaneous streams), but you can switch between devices whenever you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read the same book on multiple devices at the same time?

Yes. You can read on your phone and tablet simultaneously using the same account. Some services limit how many devices can stream at once (for example, Scribd allows two simultaneous streams), but you can switch between devices whenever you want.

Do I own the books I read through a subscription?

No. You are renting access to them. When your subscription ends, you lose the ability to read them. If you want to own a book permanently, you have to buy it separately, either as an ebook or a physical copy.

What if the book I want is not in the subscription service?

Not every book is available in every subscription service. You can search for the title on the service's website to see if it is included. If it is not, you can buy it as an individual ebook, borrow it from your library, or try a different subscription service.

Is there a difference between a digital book subscription and borrowing from the library?

Library ebook services are free but usually have wait lists because only a limited number of people can borrow each title. Subscriptions cost money but give you when ready access to thousands of books. Library services are best if you do not mind waiting; subscriptions are best if you want when ready access and read frequently.