Best Free Reading App for Every Book Lover in 2024

With many free reading apps, it is no longer necessary in the digital era to have a hardcopy book of a novel to read. This makes it very easy to access thousands of titles right from your phone or tablet. You can enter endless literary worlds comfortably with just a few taps, without leaving your home. Pretty convenient, right?

Moreover, most such apps come with free options, and this is exactly what appeals to the category of readers who, though eager, cannot afford heavy purchases. Be it romance, fantasy, or thriller, these platforms do have something to interest everyone. We round up some of the best free apps to read novels and give you the ultimate modern reading experience—immerse yourself in stories anywhere, anytime.

Best Free Reading Apps 2024

There are several free reading applications that you can download via the Google Play Store or App Store. Here are some platforms that are free and legal so you can use them:

1. Wattpad (100m+ Downloads)

Google Play ratings: 4.0/5

Wattpad is an application that brings together writers and readers in a concise, light, and fun platform. The coverage of stories on Wattpad is very varied because it covers various genres ranging from fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and modern literature. In the first year of its launch (2012), Wattpad added at least 17,000 new ebooks from Project Gutenberg and two years later set a download record at 5 as well. In the same year, the iOS version was launched on the App Store, further expanding Wattpad's reach. Currently, Wattpad has been downloaded more than 100 million times and has a rating of 4.0 from 4.92 million reviews.

One of the advantages is that the interface is dominated by orange and white to highlight text elements, making it easier for users to enjoy every word. Apart from that, Wattpad also provides offline mode, so you don't have to burn data quotas to read your favorite books. It doesn't stop there; on Wattpad, you can also write and publish your own work, you know! So, compared to other novel reading applications, Wattpad has the advantage of being more complete in terms of genres, having a large community, and its content can be enjoyed for free.

2. Fizzo Novel (50m+ Downloads)

Google Play ratings: 4.4/5

The second free reading app that you should try is Fizzo Novel. This is one of the latest novel platforms popular nowadays because it is easy to use and innovative for reading novels. As the name suggests, this platform was developed by Fizzo, a technology company based in Hong Kong. Fizzo Novel is designed to provide a pleasant reading experience by offering a wide choice of reading genres, from fiction, fantasy, mystery, to romance stories. This platform also provides features that make reading easier and more comfortable.

For example, you can save the pages you read, track your reading progress, and bookmark pages you like. There are also various reading modes available, from text mode, image mode, to audio mode. Plus, reading novels on Fizzo allows you to earn rewards. The coins received can even be converted into rupiah and can be withdrawn in cash.

3. Kobo Books (10m+ Downloads)

Google Play ratings: 4.3/5

If you're into genres like fantasy, thrillers, or romance, there's a good chance you might like something on Kobo; it hosts an enormous library of over six million books. Though only some 100 titles are free, you'll also find quite a number of books at an affordable price, mostly for a couple of dollars. That’s not bad for expanding your reading list without breaking the bank, right?

Of the many free options, some of the favorites include "Eurydice Otherwise" by J.M. Ney-Grimm, with its intense epic fantasy; and "Too Wicked to Kiss" by Erica Ridley, for a classic regency romance if one likes a little history with their romance. If cozy mysteries are more your thing, you might want to check out "In for a Penny" by Kelsey Browning.

Although these titles may not be from the biggest names in the literary world, they showcase the variety Kobo offers in its free book selection. Who knows—one of these lesser-known authors might just become your next favorite!

4. Libby (10m+ Downloads)

Google Play ratings: 4.9/5

Libby stands out as a highly interesting free reading app for both audiobooks and ebooks. Unlike most popular platforms such as Amazon Kindle, Hoopla, or Scribd, Libby lets you borrow books at no cost.

The app connects seamlessly with local libraries, allowing users to stream or download the titles they want directly to their mobile devices. Plus, for those who prefer reading or listening without using data, Libby supports offline access, making it incredibly convenient. What really makes Libby exciting is that the app itself is completely free to use. But here's the catch—it doesn't mean you get to instantly access every hot new release for free.

A valid library card will act as the entry ticket inside the digital collection of the library, so access to this free reading app will not be provided without it. In some regions, getting a library card might come with a small fee, so even though the Libby service doesn’t charge you, the card is essential for full access. Apart from this small limitation, the intuitive design of Libby means it's a piece of cake to navigate and find new reads. Because there's such a variety of digital books, audiobooks, and some best-selling titles too, this is the perfect choice for anyone wanting some quality reading material without spending a lot.

5. Moon+ Reader (10m+ Downloads)

Google Play ratings: 4.3/5

Moon+ Reader provides you with a read closest to an actual book. Just imagine flipping over virtual pages, just like in a real book; it's like you really twist the pages of paper, but in your smartphone.

One of the major features is that it will download and then allow one to read hundreds of ebooks downloaded from the internet. You can read either online or offline; this will give you the liberty to enter your favorite novel anywhere. Moon+ Reader supports a lot of formats, from EPUB, TXT, to DOCX, ODT, or even ZIP and RAR files. Want to read PDFs? You’ll need the Pro version for that, but for most other formats, the app has you covered.

Worried about eye strain? Moon+ Reader has you in mind with its blue light filter, which helps reduce glare and keeps your eyes comfortable during long reading sessions. You can also adjust the color and brightness levels, so your screen looks just how you like it. And here’s another cool feature: if you prefer to keep your screen active without it auto-locking, Moon+ Reader gives you that option.

6. Inkitt (5m+ Downloads)

Google Play ratings: 4.7/5

Next, there is a free reading app developed by Free Novels Inc. called Inkitt. With this app, you can dive into a wide variety of genres like fiction, romance, fantasy, and much more. One of the great perks? You can download and save your favorite books, then enjoy reading them offline. Who doesn’t love saving a little data? What really sets Inkitt apart is how sleek and approachable the interface is. Getting around feels intuitive within the app—a real pleasure for readers of any level.

It changes the color of the screen's background. If the screen becomes too bright for your taste, especially in the case of nighttime reading, you can switch to Night Owl Mode—a dark theme easier on your eyes. This application also allows you to change font sizes to your liking. Prefer larger text that’s easier to read? No problem. Inkitt allows you to adjust the size for maximum comfort, making sure every reader has a personalized experience tailored to their needs.

7. Innovel (10m+ Downloads)

Google Play ratings: 4,5/5

If you're a fan of heartwarming romance novels filled with drama, Innovel is the perfect free reading app for you. Specifically designed with women in mind, Innovel focuses on popular genres like drama, romance, chick lit, and even supernatural themes like werewolves and vampires—similar to what you might have seen in blockbuster hits like Twilight or Teen Wolf. What sets Innovel apart is its ever-expanding library. The developers claim that new stories are added daily, meaning you are literally never short of something new to read.

However, it’s important to note that reading on Innovel isn’t entirely free. To access full novels, you’ll need coins, which can be purchased within the app. But don’t worry—you can also earn coins for free by completing simple tasks, like daily check-ins, leaving ratings, or reading entire stories within the app.

Conclusion

With a wide selection of free reading apps available, literature lovers can enjoy a variety of interesting stories easily and practically. Starting from Wattpad, which has a large community, to Innovel, which offers an interesting collection of romance novels. All of these applications can be accessed for free and can be tried immediately to find stories that suit your tastes and interests.