5 Best Free Websites to Read/Download Thousands of Books in 2025
Whether you're a fan of classic novels, contemporary fiction, or scholarly research, there are several reliable platforms where you can legally read and download books at no cost. In 2025, these five websites stand out as the best options for book lovers.
Learn more: 20 Free Websites For Downloading Student Books
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| Comparison Table: Best Free E-Book Websites in 2025 |
1. Project Gutenberg – The Best Source for Classic Literature
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| Free Sites to Download and Read Books Online |
Overview
Project Gutenberg is one of the most renowned free e-book platforms, offering a vast collection of classic works. Founded in 1971, it has since grown to include over 70,000 free books. Its focus is on digitizing public domain books, meaning you can find classic novels, historical documents, and philosophical texts without copyright restrictions.
Key Features
- Over 70,000 free e-books
- Available in EPUB, Kindle, HTML, and plain text formats
- No registration required
- Supports offline reading by allowing downloads
- Offers audiobooks for selected works
Best for
- Readers who love classic literature (e.g., works by Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Mark Twain)
- Those looking for books without digital rights management (DRM) restrictions
How to Use
Simply visit the Project Gutenberg website (https://www.gutenberg.org/), search for a title, and download it in your preferred format.
2. Open Library – A Digital Lending Library for Everyone
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| Open Library |
Overview
Open Library is a branch of the Internet Archive, offering a massive collection of scanned books. Unlike Project Gutenberg, it also provides access to modern and copyrighted books through a lending system. With a free account, you can borrow digital copies just like a traditional library.
Key Features
- Over 1.4 million free books available
- Allows borrowing books for a limited time (up to 2 weeks)
- Includes both public domain and copyrighted books
- Provides books in multiple formats, including PDF and EPUB
Best for
- Readers who want both classics and contemporary books
- Users who enjoy the library experience of borrowing and returning books
How to Use
Create a free account on Open Library (https://openlibrary.org/), search for a book, and click “Borrow” to read it online or download a copy.
3. Standard Ebooks – High-Quality Public Domain Books
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| Standard Ebooks |
Overview
Standard Ebooks is a volunteer-driven initiative that enhances public domain books with modern typography, formatting, and proofreading. If you enjoy professionally designed e-books, this is the best platform.
Key Features
- Focuses on high-quality formatting for a modern reading experience
- All books are available in EPUB, AZW3 (Kindle), and Kepub formats
- Completely free and DRM-free
- Beautiful cover designs and well-organized metadata
Best for
- Readers who want a polished reading experience
- People who dislike poorly formatted free e-books
How to Use
Browse the Standard Ebooks website (https://standardebooks.org/), select a book, and download it in the format that suits your device.
4. Internet Archive – A Vast Collection of Books and More
Overview
The Internet Archive (archive.org) is more than just a book repository—it’s a massive digital library that offers millions of free books, audiobooks, and other media. It includes rare historical texts, scanned editions of physical books, and even out-of-print books.
Key Features
- Over 3 million free e-books
- Includes rare and hard-to-find books
- Offers audiobooks, music, movies, and other digital content
- Supports formats like PDF, EPUB, and Kindle
Best for
- Researchers looking for historical documents and rare books
- Readers who want access to audiobooks and other media
How to Use
Search for a book on archive.org, and you’ll find options to read online or download. Some books are part of a lending program, requiring a free account for borrowing.
5. BookBub – Free and Discounted Books from Major Publishers
Overview
Unlike the other sites listed, BookBub (www.bookbub.com) is a book deal aggregator that offers free and discounted books from publishers and independent authors. While not every book is free, you can find thousands of high-quality e-books that are permanently free or available as limited-time promotions.
Key Features
- Lists free and discounted books across multiple genres
- Partners with major retailers like Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble
- Allows users to subscribe to email alerts for book deals
- Includes both indie and mainstream publications
Best for
- Readers looking for free bestsellers and new releases
- People who enjoy limited-time deals on e-books
How to Use
Sign up for a free account on BookBub, select your preferred book genres, and receive daily emails with free and discounted book offers.
Conclusion
Whether you love classic literature, rare books, or contemporary fiction, these free websites offer a wealth of free reading material in 2025. If you’re looking for classics, Project Gutenberg and Standard Ebooks are your best bet. For a digital lending experience, Open Library is an excellent choice. If you need historical and academic books, the Internet Archive is an invaluable resource. And if you want free and discounted bestsellers, BookBub is the way to go.
With these five platforms, you can build an extensive digital library without spending a dime!
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