EPUB is a free, standardized format that almost every hardware eReader or desktop software understands. Amazon’s Kindle, however, cannot read EPUB texts without using some intermediary software that converts these books into a format the Kindle can understand. While there are a few competing formats, EPUB has turned into the de facto standard for eBooks. Some vendors, like Sony, wrap a digital rights management (DRM) solution around these books, but others just publish completely open, non-DRMed versions of their books. The EPUB files from Google Books will not be locked down by a DRM solution.
Here are some applications that can allow you to open and read an EPUB ebook.
Stanza – read EPUB ebooks on pc, mac, ipod touch and iphone.
JediSaber has a nice page reviewing all of the ebub readers listed above, but if you’re in a hurry and want to select the best to use on your operating system here’s the summary:
For Windows: Adobe Digital Editions for it’s management functions and excellent ePub format support.
OS X and/or iPhone/iPod Touch: Stanza is the winner, hands down.
Linux: Calibre
Khader says
Thank you! I needed a quick and to-the-point review about reading ePub on PC and your post was it!
QA says
Stanza is really good! I just downloaded it for Mac.
Now I just need to find more websites offering DRM-free EPUB books and I can start building a book collection and sync it through my Dropbox across all of my computers. That would be ideal.
Rin says
Thanks a lot for your recommendations! It helped a lot for someone who knows next to nothing about epub files. Thanks again!
Thomas George says
Thank you for your review and recommendation for reading epub files
Hani says
Thanks a lot! This really helped 🙂
Elevic Pernis says
I found bookworm good enough for me. Plus, I don’t need to install software any time. I can read the ebook wherever there’s internet access. Downside though is that my connection at home is crappy these days.
kybaig says
thanks for you post, i was looking for a program to read epub files and your post really helped me out, thanks alot
6rac3 says
Bookworm works brilliantly on my blackberry curve. Thanks for the post!!! Will be bookmarking your site for further reference. 🙂
Rogue says
Great list, thanks
Muhammad Baiquni says
Thank you. Now, I can open the ebooks formated on epud standar.
I use the Adobe Digital Editions.
Bill says
I used Caliblre; it took just seconds and converted beautifully….thank you SO MUCH!
Bill says
oops…I meant Calibre…sorry for mispelling!
David says
Thanks for the links. I found the Adobe one did the job. I didn’t subscribe as I don’t have an adobe account.