zyBooks

What zyBooks is

zyBooks provides interactive digital courseware designed to take the place of textbooks in STEM courses. Its materials combine concise text with animations, question sets, interactive tools, integrated homework, and real-world labs. Courses cover computer science, engineering, data science, information technology, math, and statistics. With zyLabs, learners can edit and save code, start servers to view web projects, open GUI applications, and choose from multiple language options. Instructors can add their own content, create sections and chapters, and set course content and pacing. zyBooks supports optional LTI 1.3 single sign-on and grade passback, with documentation for Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, and Moodle. If an LMS connection is not used, instructors can download activity scores as CSV files for upload. Accessibility is measured against WCAG 2.2 A/AA, Revised Section 508, and EN 301 549; accessibility modes and downloadable or printable chapter PDFs are available. Instructors can request an evaluation zyBook, demos, and support. zyBooks reports serving over 1.9 million students across more than 1,800 academic institutions. Subscriptions are paid, and prices appear on each zyBook's home page when unsubscribed; non-student subscriptions require approval.

Who it suits

zyBooks suits students and instructors using digital course materials in STEM subjects, including computing, engineering, math, and statistics. It is also suited to instructors who want to customize course structure and pacing, use coding labs, or connect course activity with an LMS.

Limits

There is no free plan. Student class subscriptions are typically $69 - $90 depending on included content, with discounted pricing for students using zyBooks in a college or high school class; most non-student subscriptions are about $195 and require approval.

Getting started

1. Visit the zyBooks website.
2. Instructors can request a demo or free evaluation zyBook.
3. Choose a zyBook and review its home page for the subscription price.
4. Use the course directly or connect it to an LMS with optional LTI 1.3.
5. Instructors can customize course content and pacing and configure sections or chapters.

Verdict

Choose zyBooks if you want interactive STEM courseware with coding labs, instructor customization, and optional LMS connections. Instructors can request a free evaluation copy. Buyers should check the relevant zyBook's home page for its subscription price; non-student subscriptions require approval.