Prime Day: Avoiding Amazon – eBook and Audiobook Alternatives
A lot of people are looking to avoid Amazon these days for many, many reasons. For me, I have stopped buying things from them in general, but especially ebook and audiobook content. At this point, with both Audible and Kindle, you barely own the actual content. If I am buying a book in any format, I want to own that file and keep it in my digital library. Amazon is making it increasingly difficult—not just to actually own the content, but also to put things on your Kindle that aren’t Kindle books. (For example, Amazon recently removed the “Download & Transfer via USB” option for Kindle e-books, closing a loophole that let people back up or convert their Kindle books. It’s a reminder that you don’t really own most digital content.) If I’m buying a book, I don’t want the corporation to decide I only own a copy of it on their software—and at any point they could stop supporting that book (Amazon has in fact remotely deleted purchased books, like Orwell’s 1984, from Kindles before). It is important, more than ever, to ensure you have your media in formats that are open and can be accessed by many different systems.
First thing, if your Kindle is functioning perfectly fine, you do not need to run out and buy something new just to avoid Amazon. If Amazon is the only accessible way you can purchase your books—whether because other platforms are cost-prohibitive or you live in a rural area with limited options—do not feel bad. Not everyone has the financial resources or access to do that, and that is okay. Reading, however you can, will always be better than avoiding the knowledge and joy that comes from it.
This post is only meant to share some alternatives for those searching for them, not to create guilt or shame around how we obtain books. (If everyone stopped buying books from Amazon tomorrow, there would be real implications for self-published authors who rely on Kindle Unlimited for income.) We’re all grappling with the best way to navigate the current state of everything. Do the best you can.
So why does Amazon have such a foothold on the e-publishing world? This mainly comes down to DRM (Digital Rights Management), which is essentially publishers’ corporate-speak for “we’re trying to prevent piracy and illegal sharing, so we’re locking this content to one device or account”. Since Amazon dominates so much of the ebook market, it’s been easy for them to impose more and more stringent DRM requirements. This also means people are forced into a choice: if you ever leave Amazon’s ecosystem, you’re also leaving your books behind (unless you strip the DRM, which is a complicated and legally gray area).
Audible Alternatives
Libro.fm (Audiobooks)
I have been using Libro.fm for about 6 months now and I will never be switching back to Audible. There are two main perks of Libro.fm (affiliate link):
Supports Local Bookstores: You get to choose a local bookstore to support when you set up your account. (I actually learned about Libro.fm when my local bookstore posted about it!)
You actually own the audio files: The files are DRM-free, meaning you truly own them and can play them on any audio player.
When you download an Audible book, you get an .aax file – which can only be played in Audible’s app or software. Audible’s proprietary AAX format is locked down with DRM. Sure, you can convert them to MP3 if you have the time and technical prowess to circumvent the DRM (there are third-party tools, but it’s a hassle). If you don’t, then at any point Amazon could decide you have to maintain an active account to use the Audible app, and you’d lose access to all your books unless you go through those hoops to convert them.
With Libro.fm, by contrast, your audiobooks download as regular audio files (MP3/M4B) that can be played on any device – no special app or account check-in needed. In other words, Libro.fm gives you cage-free audiobooks, not ones locked in Amazon’s cage.
To put it plainly, here’s how Audible vs. Libro.fm stack up on cost and ownership:
| Audiobook Service | Cost (US) | DRM / Ownership | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audible (Amazon) | $14.95/month for Premium Plus (1 credit/month); à la carte pricing varies (typically ~$15 per book with membership, or $25–$30 without). 30-day free trial includes 1 credit. | Yes – proprietary .aax format with DRM (can only be played via Audible app/cloud). You’re essentially licensing the book. | Largest selection (1M+ titles). Some Audible-exclusive titles. Content only accessible in Audible app (or Audible-compatible devices). No direct file access – if Amazon bans or you close your account, your downloads are unusable. |
| Libro.fm | $14.99/month membership (1 credit/month); or buy audiobooks individually at list price (usually $10–$35, similar to retail). Also offers a free trial (often 1 book). | No – downloads as DRM-free MP3 or M4B files that you own and can back up. | ~400,000+ titles (comparable to Audible’s catalog, minus Audible exclusives). Supports local bookstores (a portion of every purchase goes to your chosen indie store). You can use the Libro.fm app or any standard audio player (files are yours forever). |
Kindle and eBook Alternatives
Kindle eReader Device Alternatives
Shout out to the r/eInk subreddit and everyone there who has put so much time and effort into documenting these alternatives already!
If you’re looking to move away from the Amazon Kindle device for reading e-ink books, here are some popular options:
Kobo eReaders – This is probably the closest one-to-one alternative to the Kindle lineup. While Kobo’s software isn’t open-source, Kobo devices support far more book file types than Kindles do (notably EPUB, the industry standard, without conversion). Kobo’s eReaders (e.g. the Clara 2E, Libra 2, Sage, etc.) integrate with the Kobo store and even OverDrive library loans. It’s a more open ecosystem than Amazon’s, though still a proprietary device at the end of the day.
Onyx Boox (e.g. Boox Go 7) – Another option, which even brings back physical page-turn buttons (yeah, I’m still salty that Amazon discontinued the Oasis—supposedly because “customers don’t care about the buttons”). The benefit here is that Boox devices run on full Android OS, meaning you have a 100% Android-based eInk tablet. You can install apps (Kindle app, Kobo app, Libby, PDF readers, etc.) and basically use it like an Android tablet with an e-paper screen. The Boox Go 7 is a 7-inch model that even comes in a color e-ink variant. These devices aren’t cheap, but they offer huge flexibility.
Pine64 (PineNote) – If you’re looking for something that’s an eReader and so much more, Pine64’s PineNote is a fully Linux-based eInk tablet. This is about as open-source as it gets in eReaders. However, it’s likely more than what you want if you’re only looking to read books — the PineNote is a developer/community-driven device (roughly $399 for the early batch) and requires some tech tinkering. It’s great for Linux enthusiasts who want to hack on their eReader and have complete control, but not a plug-and-play consumer experience.
To compare these device options at a glance:
| E-Ink Device | Price (US) | Software/Ecosystem | Formats Supported | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024 model) | ~$160 (16 GB, with ads) ($180 without ads) | Kindle OS (closed Amazon ecosystem) | AZW3/KFX (Kindle formats with DRM), MOBI (legacy), PDF (limited) Note: Kindle now accepts EPUB via email conversion to KFX | Best-in-class Amazon integration (Whispersync, Kindle Unlimited, etc). However, limited to Amazon’s ecosystem – no native EPUB support (files get converted), and heavy DRM. You’re locked into Amazon’s store/services for most content. |
| Kobo Libra 2 (7″ eReader) | $189.99 (no ads) | Kobo Linux-based OS (proprietary, but more open than Kindle) | EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, CBZ/CBR (comic), TXT, HTML, etc. (Adobe DRM support for library books) | Supports many formats out of the box (especially EPUB). Has physical page-turn buttons. Integrates with Kobo’s store and library OverDrive. No Amazon integration, but you can load your own books easily (drag-and-drop). |
| Onyx Boox Go 7 (Android eReader) | $249.99 (B&W version) $279.99 (Color version) | Android 13 OS (open platform – runs Google Play apps) | Any format (via apps: Kindle, Kobo, PDF readers, etc.) – essentially unlimited format support | An eInk Android tablet: you can install virtually any reading app. Very flexible (even runs Kindle or Nook apps if you want). Includes page-turn buttons. Downside: higher cost, and slightly more complex settings due to full Android. Not as plug-and-play simple as Kindle/Kobo. |
| Pine64 PineNote (Linux tablet) | $399 (community edition, includes stylus) | Customized Linux OS (Manjaro ARM, community-supported) | Many formats (via open-source readers like KOReader, etc.) | Fully open-source and hackable. You own the device in every sense (no corporate control). But meant for advanced users — requires technical setup and community firmware. Great for note-taking and tinkering; not a mainstream consumer device. |
Kindle Format Alternatives (Buying eBooks outside Amazon)
Okay, so you have your shiny new, non-Amazon eReader in hand. How the hell do you put books on it? In other words, where do you buy or get ebooks (in open formats) now that you’re not buying from the Kindle store?
One great option is Bookshop.org for purchasing ebooks. Bookshop.org lets you buy digital books while also supporting your local bookstores (similar to how their physical book sales work). My only complaint is that this doesn’t fully solve the DRM issue – while they do offer some titles DRM-free, the majority of books from Bookshop are still encumbered by publisher DRM, meaning you can only download and read them through Bookshop’s own apps or web reader. (They’ve explicitly said that, due to DRM requirements, it’s not currently possible to load most Bookshop-bought books on a Kindle or Nook. The good news: they are working with Kobo to support Kobo eReaders by later this year.) In short, Bookshop.org is a more ethical way to buy ebooks and support indies, but it isn’t a fully open ecosystem yet.
For clarity, here’s a comparison between buying ebooks from Amazon versus Bookshop (and Kobo’s store as another alternative):
| Ebook Store | Pricing | DRM & Format | Where You Can Read | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Kindle Store | Agency pricing (typically $9.99–$14.99); frequent sales | DRM by default (AZW/KFX, locked to Amazon account). No open EPUB option. | Kindle devices or Kindle apps (Android, iOS, web, PC) | Largest selection; seamless integration with Kindle hardware. But you’re locked in – files aren’t portable without stripping DRM. |
| Bookshop.org | Same publisher pricing as Kindle for most titles; occasional discounts | Mixed: Some titles DRM-free, most with standard DRM (EPUB/PDF). DRM-free noted on product pages. | Bookshop app (iOS/Android), web reader. DRM-free books can be downloaded to any device. | Supports indie bookstores. Not compatible with Kindle. Kobo support coming. Ethical option but not fully DRM-free yet. |
| Kobo eBook Store | Similar prices to Kindle (due to agency pricing); frequent promo codes | Adobe DRM or social DRM. Format: EPUB or PDF. Many titles DRM-free or easy to manage via Adobe ID. | Kobo devices, Kobo app, or any reader supporting Adobe DRM | Huge catalog; excellent pairing with Kobo eReaders. Not compatible with Kindle without DRM removal. Strong Amazon alternative. |
| Service | Cost (US) | Content & Catalog | Platform / DRM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle Unlimited | $11.99/month 30-day free trial | 4M+ ebooks (mainly indie/backlist), includes some audiobooks | Kindle devices/apps only; DRM-protected; books expire if you cancel | Best for voracious genre readers. Tied to Amazon; authors must be exclusive to KU. |
| Kobo Plus (Read & Listen) | $7.99/month (ebooks or audiobooks) or $9.99/month for both | ~1.3M ebooks, ~100K audiobooks; strong genre coverage | Kobo apps/devices only; books DRM-protected and expire | True unlimited access; cheaper than KU; Kobo device not required |
| Scribd | $11.99/month 30-day free trial | Large ebook/audiobook/magazine library; throttled for heavy use | Scribd app or web only; DRM-protected | Great selection but not truly unlimited. No offline file ownership. |
| Libby (OverDrive) | Free with public library card | Library selection varies; includes bestsellers | Libby app or Kindle (for US); DRM and loan expiration | No cost; supports libraries; may have wait times for popular titles |
| NetGalley | Free to use | Pre-release ARCs; request-based | NetGalley app, Kindle (some), or DRM EPUB/PDF | Great for early access. Limited selection, mostly for new releases. |
FAQ: eBook and Audiobook Alternatives to Amazon
Why should I avoid buying eBooks and audiobooks from Amazon?
Amazon's Kindle and Audible platforms use DRM (Digital Rights Management) to lock you into their ecosystem. You don’t truly own the files, and Amazon can revoke access at any time. Alternatives like Kobo and Libro.fm offer DRM-free options that you can keep forever and use across devices.
Is it legal to strip DRM from Kindle or Audible books?
Technically, removing DRM can violate copyright laws like the DMCA in the U.S., even for personal use. While many readers do it to retain access to their purchases, it exists in a legal gray area and should be approached with caution.
What’s the best non-Amazon alternative to Audible?
Libro.fm is the top Audible alternative. It offers DRM-free MP3 or M4B files that you actually own and supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
What is the best Kindle alternative for eReaders?
Kobo is the most user-friendly alternative with wide format support (including EPUB), OverDrive library integration, and a strong catalog. For tech-savvy users, Onyx Boox offers Android-powered flexibility, and PineNote is ideal for open-source enthusiasts.
Can I use Kobo Plus without a Kobo device?
Yes. You can use the Kobo Plus subscription on any iOS or Android device using the Kobo app. You don’t need to buy a Kobo reader, although having one enhances the experience.
Does Bookshop.org sell DRM-free eBooks?
Some titles on Bookshop.org are DRM-free and downloadable as EPUB or PDF. However, most purchases must be read in the Bookshop app or browser due to publisher restrictions. DRM-free titles are clearly marked on their product pages.
Are there any truly free alternatives for eBooks and audiobooks?
Yes! Libraries are your best friend here. Apps like Libby and Hoopla allow you to borrow eBooks and audiobooks for free with a library card. Project Gutenberg and NetGalley also offer legal access to free digital books.
Can I send non-Amazon books to my Kindle?
Yes, but Amazon now restricts this more than before. EPUB files must be converted (Amazon auto-converts them to KFX), and the “Download & Transfer via USB” option is no longer available for most new titles, limiting true ownership.
What’s a good alternative to Kindle Unlimited?
Kobo Plus is the closest subscription-based alternative with unlimited reading and listening plans. Scribd also offers broad access but throttles heavy users. Libraries and ARC platforms like NetGalley are excellent free options too.
