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Best 13 ePUB Readers for Windows (2025)

Best ePUB Readers for Windows – TL;DR

With the rise of digital reading, Windows users can choose from multiple best ePUB readers for Windows. These Windows ePUB reading apps cater to diverse needs, from casual reading to DRM-protected content.

Some apps support cloud syncing, multimedia, and annotations, while others focus on simplicity and speed. Selecting the right ePUB viewer for PC depends on your reading habits, device, and type of content.

ePUB Reader Key Highlight Best For
KITABOO Interactive platform with DRM protection, multimedia embedding, and analytics Publishers, educational institutions, and corporates needing enriched content distribution
Adobe Digital Editions Reliable DRM handling, cross-device syncing, and structured library management Readers seeking secure access and organized eBook collections
Calibre Powerful format conversion, metadata editing, and bulk library management Users managing large eBook collections and multiple formats
Freda Customizable interface with access to 50,000+ free books and cloud sync Students and avid readers needing annotation and cross-device access
Kobo eBooks Cloud sync, progress tracking, and integration with OverDrive library borrowing Casual readers wanting large eBook selection with customization options
NOOK Extensive bookstore integration with customizable reading modes Readers preferring trusted commercial content and intuitive interface
Sumatra PDF Reader Ultra-lightweight, fast performance, supports CBR/CBZ comic formats Casual readers and comic enthusiasts seeking simplicity
Cover Optimized for image-heavy content, manga, and comics Manga and comic lovers needing visual clarity and smooth page transitions
Bibliovore Free with library management, theme customization, and OneDrive sync Users managing extensive libraries needing cloud backup and basic customization
Aquile Reader Modern interface, dual-column layout, text-to-speech, and accessibility features Windows 11 users wanting multimedia support and flexible reading layouts
Icecream Ebook Reader Lightweight, simple interface with night mode and basic annotation Casual readers preferring fast, distraction-free reading
FBReader Lightweight, multi-format support, cross-platform syncing, built-in dictionary Readers with diverse digital collections needing portability and reliability
Bookviser Reader Real book simulation with bookshelf-style layout and catalog integration Casual readers transitioning from print to digital with simple organization

Digital transformation is raging across industries and book publishing and reading are no exception. With the proliferation of mobile devices, readers can now carry libraries in their pockets.

Fortunately, to read eBooks and online comics, you don’t have to buy dedicated tablets like Amazon Kindle. There are alternatives through which you can convert your laptop into a reading device. All you need is to install ePUB readers for Windows.

Popularity of eBooks is growing day-by-day

Did you know that eBooks are responsible for approximately $20 Billion worth of book sales across the world? 

More and more authors are going the route of self-publishing considering the numerous benefits associated with it, such as creative control, higher royalty, and faster publishing time. 

Readers too are adopting new methods owing to various favorable factors such as greater accessibility, portability, and the choice of having millions of eBooks at their disposal.

Table of Contents

  1. KITABOO
  2. Adobe Digital Editions
  3. Calibre
  4. Freda
  5. Kobo eBooks
  6. Nook
  7. Sumatra PDF Reader
  8. Cover
  9. Bibliovore
  10. Aquile Reader
  11. Icecream Ebook Reader
  12. FBReader
  13. Bookviser Reader
  14. Security & Digital Rights Management Support Considerations
  15. Conclusion
  16. FAQs

13 Best ePUB readers for Windows for 2025

Best epub readers for windows

KITABOO

KITABOO is one of the best ePUB readers for Windows. With KITABOO, you can not only access reading material, but also create and distribute eBooks. The platform has various interactive features such as highlights, bookmarks, search, annotations, offline reading and more, that makes the reading experience truly engaging. 

You can customize the reading mode by changing orientations, font style and font size. KITABOO is ideal for corporates, publishers and institutions for their content delivery and distribution needs.

Supported Windows Versions: Windows 10 and Windows 11

Key Strengths: KITABOO offers a comprehensive digital publishing platform supporting ePUB3, PDF, and interactive media. It enables enriched eBooks with multimedia embedding, DRM protection, and advanced analytics. It is considered one of the best ePUB readers for Windows.

Best For: Ideal for publishers, educational institutions, and corporates needing interactive, multimedia-rich content distribution. It enhances engagement and tracks user insights efficiently across devices.

Note: Unlike any other free ePUB reader for Windows, KITABOO focuses on enterprise-level publishing and distribution. It works as a versatile Windows ePUB reading app and ePUB viewer for PC.

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Adobe Digital Editions

Adobe has been at the forefront of developing software for almost every type of creative content. Keeping pace with the digital world, they have created Adobe Digital Editions.

It offers great support for notes, highlights, bookmarks, and ePUB3 standard. Besides, you can easily sync your books across various devices.  

Its organization features are amazing, but you would need to create an account on Adobe to access those. The only downside is that it tends to load slowly if the library is quite large. 

Supported Windows Versions: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and Windows 10

Key Strengths: Adobe Digital Editions supports ePUB2 and ePUB3 formats with bookmarks, annotations, and library management. It offers reliable DRM handling and cross-device syncing. It is considered one of the best ePUB readers for Windows.

Best For: Ideal for readers who want structured library organization and consistent reading experience across devices. It works well for personal and academic eBook collections.

Note: Compared to any other free ePUB reader for Windows, Adobe offers advanced accessibility options. It supports text enlargement and screen readers, enhancing usability for diverse learners.

Calibre

Calibre offers an extensive list of features. You can download ePUB and covers, transfer books across devices, and manage metadata.

Apart from that, you can change the format of books easily through this software. Not just books, you can read comics, novels, and magazines via Calibre. 

It does, however, need a modern user interface that is currently lacking. 

Supported Windows Versions: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and Windows 10

Key Strengths: Calibre is a powerful ePUB viewer for PC offering library management, format conversion, and metadata editing. It supports ePUB, MOBI, PDF, and other formats while allowing bulk file management and device syncing.

Best For: Readers and users managing large eBook collections. Users who need Windows ePUB reading apps with advanced organization and file format flexibility.

Note: Free and open-source, but the interface can feel complex for beginners. Using this Windows ePUB reading app may need some training curve.

Freda

When it comes to user interface, Freda is among the most attractive ePUB readers for Windows. If you are someone who doesn’t compromise on the aesthetic side of things, Freda may be the one for you.

You can customize the look of the app according to your taste with the help of its theming capabilities. The books truly stand out on Freda. 

Moreover, it supports a number of formats, including TXT, HTML, FB2, and Mobi. You get access to over 50,000 free books from online catalogs such as Gutenberg and Feedbooks. 

Supported Windows Versions: Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (x64, x86, ARM)

Key Strengths: This ePUB viewer for PC offers features like text-to-speech, highlighting, bookmarks, and annotations. Integration with online catalogs such as Gutenberg and Internet Archive enhances its utility.

Users can sync their library via OneDrive or Dropbox, ensuring access across devices. Its interface is designed for both mouse and touch navigation, providing a seamless reading experience.

Best For: Avid readers and students seeking a Windows ePUB reading app with robust annotation and cloud-sync capabilities. Its support for multiple formats and customization options makes it suitable for diverse reading needs.

Note: The app’s interface may appear dated compared to newer e-readers. Additionally, it doesn’t support Windows 8 or earlier versions. Despite these drawbacks, Freda remains a solid choice for those prioritizing functionality over aesthetics.

Kobo eBooks

Kobo is not only a remarkable ePUB reader for Windows but also an online eBook hosting platform

With its massive library of over 5 million books, you can purchase and read new ones as soon as they are released. The collection includes children’s books and comics as well!

You get tons of features on Kobo, such as theming, progress tracking, bookmarks, and search. Make use of its modern UI and excellent reading modes for a delightful reading experience. 

Supported Windows Versions: Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (x64, x86, ARM)

Key Strengths: Provides access to millions of eBooks with cloud sync, annotations, theming, and progress tracking. Integrates with OverDrive for library borrowing, enhancing reading flexibility.

Best For: Casual readers and power users seeking versatile Windows ePUB reading apps with customizable reading experiences. Supports both light and dark modes for comfort.

Note: Syncing works seamlessly across devices. But the advanced features require exclusive use of the Kobo ecosystem. It’s a reliable ePUB viewer for PC, enabling offline and online reading.

NOOK

Every voracious reader is aware of Barnes and Noble, the world’s largest bookseller. The offline bookstore giant transitioned to the online world to compete with Amazon Kindle.

NOOK is their ePUB reader which also hosts thousands of books and magazines. It offers a 14-day free trial period for readers. You can test specific news magazines or books before actually purchasing them. 

Apart from that, you can customize themes, line spacing, and fonts to enhance your reading experience. Nook doesn’t, however, manage imported books efficiently. 

Supported Windows Versions: Windows 8 (x86), Windows 8.1, Windows 10

Key Strengths: Combines Barnes & Noble’s extensive eBook store with robust reading tools and customizable display options. Supports annotations, highlights, bookmarks, and adjustable line spacing for an enhanced reading experience.

Best For: Readers who want intuitive navigation, easy access to content, and reliable Windows ePUB reading apps. Ideal for casual and dedicated readers alike.

Note: NOOK excels as one of the best ePUB readers for Windows. However, imported books outside its ecosystem are not handled as smoothly. This makes it less ideal if you have a large third-party library.

Sumatra PDF Reader

Sumatra has all the features of Calibre but outweighs the latter in terms of modern features and faster performance. Besides, it does not take up more than 5 MB of your device’s space!

Not only is it extremely lightweight, but it also supports comic books with CBR and CBZ formats. Moreover, you get an automatic text scaling feature and background color change option with the Sumatra PDF reader. 

There are two drawbacks to Sumatra, though. It doesn’t support metadata editing or book annotations. 

Supported Windows Versions: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 1

Key Strengths: Sumatra PDF Reader is an ultra-lightweight ePUB viewer for PC. It supports CBR, CBZ, and PDF formats. It offers fast performance and minimal system footprint. It is ideal for readers needing a simple, efficient experience without resource overload.

Best For: Users who prioritize speed, minimalism, and lightweight Windows ePUB reading apps. Best for casual reading or comic book collections. Its simplicity suits readers who prefer distraction-free eBook access across multiple devices.

Note: Lacks metadata editing and advanced annotation features. Still, it is considered one of the best ePUB readers for Windows for its portability.

Cover

Cover is one of the ePUB readers for Windows tailored specifically for manga and comics lovers. That means if there is one software that can handle images extremely well, it is Cover!

You get a fully customizable reading mode and excellent library management with Cover. 

While it has been designed for comic book readers, it can support other books as well (preferably image-heavy content).

Supported Windows Versions: Windows 8.1 (x64, x86, ARM), Windows 10

Key Strengths: Cover excels in displaying image-heavy content. It is considered the best ePUB viewer for PC for comics and manga. It provides fully customizable reading modes, zoom options, and smooth page transitions.

Best For: Manga and comic enthusiasts. Readers who need advanced Windows ePUB reading apps for visually rich books and graphic novels. Its image-rendering capabilities enhance detailed illustrations.

Note: While excellent for visual content, it offers limited support for text-heavy books or academic eBooks. Integration with cloud libraries is minimal.

Bibliovore

Bibliovore is a free of cost ePUB reader that you can find easily on the Windows app store. It offers exceptional organizational features through which even a huge library can be managed conveniently.

Moreover, you can edit metadata, manage themes, and change font parameters as per your reading preferences. Use OneDrive to sync your library of books across devices. 

Supported Windows Versions: Windows 8.1 (x64, x86), Windows 10

Key Strengths: Bibliovore provides robust library management, metadata editing, font customization, and OneDrive syncing. It is a reliable ePUB viewer for PC that handles large collections efficiently.

Best For: Suitable for users managing extensive eBook libraries who need Windows ePUB reading apps with cloud backup and cross-device access.

Note: Offers theme customization and font adjustments, but lacks advanced interactive features available in paid apps.

Aquile Reader

This app is not only the best EPUB book reader, but it is also one of the best Windows 11 apps available. It has a modern interface and supports a variety of strong eBook management capabilities. You can upload your own eBook library or browse its vast collection of 50,000 free eBooks. The app has a two-column book-style layout and also supports different layout options. Within one app, you may examine the meaning of words, take notes, highlight sections of text, and create bookmarks. Aquile Reader also includes text-to-speech functionality, allowing you to listen to books like an audiobook. You can also change the appearance, including the dark mode, colors, font, spacing, and more.

Key Strengths: Aquile Reader offers a modern interface with customizable themes, fonts, and layouts. It supports features like text-to-speech, bookmarks, highlights, and annotations.

The app includes a two-column book-style layout and a built-in library with sorting, filtering, and search capabilities.

Best For: Ideal for Windows 11 users. Readers who need Windows ePUB reading apps with customization, accessibility, and multimedia support.

Note: Offers large eBook library access and two-column layouts, but may feel overwhelming for beginners. Requires some time to explore all customization and accessibility features.

Icecream Ebook Reader

This app is ideal for individuals looking for a basic and easy-to-use ePUB reader. It includes a simple and easy-to-use interface and supports all of the fundamental ePUB reader functions, such as bookmarking, highlighting, and note-taking. It also has a night mode that makes reading in low light easier on the eyes.

Key Strengths: Icecream Ebook Reader delivers a lightweight and fast ePUB viewer for PC. It offers customizable fonts, spacing, and background colors.

Users can track reading progress, create notes, and highlight sections for better organization. It also supports multiple ePUB formats, making it versatile for different digital books.

Best For: Ideal for casual Windows users seeking a straightforward ePUB viewer for PC without complex features.

Note: Limited advanced customization and multimedia support. Supports basic ePUB functionality and provides an intuitive interface for quick access.

FBReader

This is a well-known ePUB reader that is compatible with Windows 11. It offers an easy-to-use interface and supports a variety of file types, including ePUB, MOBI, and FB2. The app’s appearance can be customized, including font size, font type, and background color. FBReader also includes a built-in dictionary, allowing you to look up words as you read.

Key Strengths: FBReader supports cross-platform syncing. It keeps progress consistent across devices. It integrates external catalogs for expanding collections. This Windows ePUB reading app remains lightweight, ensuring smooth performance even with larger eBook libraries.

Best For: Best for readers with diverse digital collections seeking stability. Students and professionals benefit from consistent access. Among the free ePUB readers for Windows, FBReader offers portability, reliability, and simple performance.

Note: FBReader lacks deep annotation tools. Still, as a free ePUB reader for Windows, it performs efficiently. It remains a practical ePUB viewer for PC with speed and compatibility across devices.

Bookviser Reader

This app is intended to simulate the experience of reading a book on your Windows 11 tablet. It includes a bookshelf-style layout and allows you to either upload your own books or download them from the Bookviser shop. The software works with a variety of file types, including ePUB, TXT, and FB2. The app’s appearance can be customized, including font size, font type, and background color.

Key Strength: Bookviser offers an immersive reading experience with bookshelf-style organization. It supports direct catalog integration for free and paid books. This feature makes it one of the most unique Windows ePUB reading apps.

Best For: Best for casual readers seeking simplicity and organization. Bookviser helps transition smoothly from print to digital. As one of the best ePUB readers for Windows, it combines ease with discovery options.

Note: It lacks cloud syncing and multimedia features. Still, Bookviser remains a reliable ePUB viewer for PC focused on simplicity and distraction-free reading.

Security & Digital Rights Management Support Considerations

Security and DRM are essential in best ePUB readers for Windows. Digital Rights Management prevents unauthorized distribution of eBooks. Many ePUB viewers for PC use encryption to protect purchased books.

DRM protects eBooks from unauthorized copying, sharing, or piracy. It ensures only legitimate users can access the content.

Users should check compatibility with Windows versions and devices for smooth access. Strong windows ePUB reading apps also offer secure cloud sync and backup features.

DRM in ePub Readers

Kitaboo stands out by combining DRM protection with controlled content distribution. Additional features include password protection, offline restrictions, and secure content sharing. Considering these aspects ensures a safe, reliable, and secure reading experience.

Conclusion

Which of the above ePUB readers for Windows fits well with your requirements? There surely isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. These ePUB readers are, however, best-in-class, and would definitely help you make the right choice.

Contact our expert team now and get started!

To know more, write to us at contact@kitaboo.com

FAQs

An ePUB reader is software that allows users to open, read, and manage eBooks in the ePUB format on Windows or other devices.

Apps like KITABOO and Adobe Digital Editions support DRM, ensuring secure and authorized access to eBooks.

Yes. Most readers, including KITABOO, Aquile Reader, FBReader, and Bookviser, are fully compatible with Windows 11.

Yes. Many Windows ePUB reading apps, such as Adobe Digital Editions, Kobo, KITABOO, and Freda, offer cloud syncing.

KITABOO excels for interactive, DRM-protected, multimedia-rich content, ideal for educational and corporate publishing.

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Mike Harman

Mike Harman

Mike is the SVP Business Development at KITABOO. He has over 30 years experience in achieving consistent top-line revenue growth and building mutually beneficial relationships. More posts by Mike Harman