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Looking for the old Scribd ebook service? Start with Everand, Kobo Plus, Libby, Audible, or Kindle Unlimited. Looking for Scribd’s document-sharing platform? That is a separate product and requires a different kind of alternative.
For most readers, Kobo Plus Read & Listen is the closest paid replacement for mixed ebook-and-audiobook access. Libby is the best free option, while Audible is better for major audiobook releases and Kindle Unlimited suits Kindle-heavy ebook readers. The recommendations and prices below are U.S.-focused; catalogs, plans, taxes, and availability vary by country.
The best Scribd alternatives at a glance
| Service | Best for | Access model | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kobo Plus | Mixed ebooks and audiobooks | Unlimited access to included titles | Catalog differs from Everand and Amazon |
| Libby | Free reading and listening | Library borrowing | Holds and availability depend on your library |
| Hoopla | Instant library access | Library borrowing | Monthly limits and catalog vary |
| Audible | New and bestselling audiobooks | Credits plus included catalog | Not an ebook replacement |
| Kindle Unlimited | Heavy Kindle ebook readers | Subscription access to participating titles | Does not include the entire Kindle store |
| Spotify | Existing Spotify subscribers | Monthly audiobook hours | Hours expire and limits can be restrictive |
| Perlego | Academic and professional books | Specialist subscription | Not a general-interest entertainment catalog |
First, understand the Scribd and Everand split
“Scribd alternative” can mean two different things. Everand is the ebook, audiobook, podcast, and entertainment subscription formerly associated with Scribd. Scribd remains a separate document-reading and document-sharing platform. Everand’s support documentation explicitly treats the services as separate subscriptions.
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#1 Best Overall
- 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗥 - Read in colour with a 6” E Ink Kaleido 3 display to enjoy eBook covers, comics, graphic novels, illustrations, and more.
- 𝗡𝗢 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 - With multiple colours available at the touch of a finger, you can highlight your eBooks. Add, erase, or change colours as you go, and easily see all your highlights by chapter at a glance
- 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨 – ComfortLight PRO automatically reduces blue light throughout the day, and you can personalize your reading settings via font size, line spacing, or even Dark Mode
- 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗙 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡𝗬𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 – Full waterproof protection and meets requirements of IPX8 rating – waterproof for up to 60 minutes in up to 2 metres of water
- 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗬 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 - Made with recycled and ocean-bound plastic and repairability to waterproof protection
1. Kobo Plus: the closest paid replacement for mixed-format reading
Kobo Plus Read & Listen is the clearest structural alternative to a mixed ebook-and-audiobook subscription. In the U.S., Kobo lists Read & Listen at $9.99 per month, with ebook-only and audiobook-only plans at $7.99 per month. Kobo advertises more than 1.5 million ebooks and more than 150,000 audiobooks in the combined plan.
The key word is included: unlimited access applies to titles in the Kobo Plus catalog, not every ebook or audiobook sold by Kobo. Search for several authors and specific books before subscribing. Kobo Plus is particularly attractive if you use Kobo e-readers, Kobo apps, or want both formats without buying separate subscriptions.
Choose it if: you want the closest paid alternative to a mixed reading-and-listening service.
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2. Libby: the best free alternative
Libby lets you borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and other digital materials from participating public libraries. You generally need a valid library card or library credentials.
Libby can be better value than any paid subscription, but it is less predictable. Popular titles may have holds, lending periods are controlled by the library, and two library systems can offer very different catalogs. Loans can be downloaded for offline reading or listening. In supported cases, U.S. users can send library ebooks to Kindle, and compatible titles can be read on Kobo devices. The app also supports features such as playback-speed controls, sleep timers, CarPlay, and Android Auto.
Start with your library before paying for a replacement. If you can obtain cards from multiple participating library systems, Libby’s selection may become substantially more useful.
Rank #2
- 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗥 - Read in colour with a 6” E Ink Kaleido 3 display to enjoy eBook covers, comics, graphic novels, illustrations, and more.
- 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗥 - With multiple colours available at the touch of a finger, you can highlight your eBooks. Add, erase, or change colours as you go, and easily see all your highlights by chapter at a glance.
- 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗬 𝗢𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦 - ComfortLight PRO automatically reduces blue light and personalize your reading settings via font size, line spacing, or even Dark Mode
- 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 - Full waterproof protection and meets the requirements of IPX8 rating – waterproof for up to 60 minutes in up to 2 metres of water.
- 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗬 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡 - Made with recycled and ocean-bound plastic and repairability to waterproof protection.
3. Hoopla: the best library complement to Libby
Hoopla offers library-linked access to audiobooks, ebooks, comics, movies, television, music, magazines, and BingePass content. Many supported titles are available immediately rather than through a hold queue.
Hoopla is not identical to Libby. Your library decides which content it licenses, how many monthly borrows you receive, and how long loans last. Some libraries offer a generous catalog; others impose tight limits. Use Hoopla alongside Libby rather than assuming it replaces it.
4. Audible: the best alternative for audiobooks
Audible is the strongest option for bestsellers, new releases, major publishers, Audible exclusives, and Originals. It is primarily an audiobook service, not a full Everand replacement.
U.S. pricing signals listed by Audible include Standard at $8.99 per month, Premium with one credit at $14.95 per month, Premium with two credits at $22.95 per month, and annual 12- or 24-credit plans. Premium also includes unlimited listening from the Plus Catalog. A book redeemed with a Premium credit remains available after cancellation, unlike a subscription-only title.
That ownership distinction matters. Audible credits are best when you want to keep particular audiobooks permanently. Check the final price carefully if subscribing through Apple or Google, because billing-channel pricing can differ.
5. Kindle Unlimited: best for Kindle-focused ebook readers
Kindle Unlimited is a strong choice if you already read on a Kindle or in the Kindle app and regularly choose participating titles. It is often useful for high-volume readers in genres such as romance, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, and independently published fiction.
Kindle Unlimited does not mean access to every ebook in the Kindle Store. Many major new releases and traditionally published titles are sold separately. Audiobook access is also limited compared with a dedicated audiobook service.
Rank #3
- BROWSE & READ EBOOKS IN FULL COLOR - Book covers, comics, graphic novels, illustrations, note-taking and more come to life. No glare in sunlight, no notifications - just you and your eBooks in full-color
- YOUR JOURNAL, DAILY PLANNER AND MORE - Dive into your stories with colorful markups. With Kobo Stylus 2* compatibility (*sold separately), annotate, highlight, and note take your eBooks in color
- READ COMFORTABLY, ALWAYS - Ergonomically designed with page-turn buttons, left/right screen rotation, full font size and margin customization, and landscape mode
- IPX8 WATERPROOF EREADER - Full waterproof protection and meets requirements of IPX8 rating - waterproof for up to 60 minutes in up to 2 meters of water
- BETTER BY DESIGN - Thoughtfully made with recycled and ocean-bound plastic and repairability to waterproof protection
Amazon’s live price and promotional terms should be checked before subscribing because they change by market, account, and promotion.
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6. Spotify: best for occasional audiobook listening
Spotify’s audiobook offering can work well if you already pay for an eligible Premium plan and listen moderately. Eligible U.S. plans include 15 audiobook hours per month. Spotify also lists Audiobooks+ at $11.99 per month for an additional 15 hours and Audiobooks Access at $9.99 per month, with ad-supported music.
The allowance is time-based, not unlimited. Unused hours expire each month, and eligibility differs between individual subscribers, Duo or Family plan managers, and other plan members. Spotify says its audiobook catalog exceeds 700,000 titles, but it does not include ebooks and can become poor value for heavy listeners.
7. Perlego: best for academic and professional books
Perlego is a specialist alternative for students, researchers, professionals, and technical readers. Its plans include Essential, with an 800,000-plus-title library and standard read-aloud, and Complete, with more than 1.5 million books, advanced read-aloud features, and Research Assistant tools.
Perlego emphasizes academic and professional coverage across hundreds of subjects and more than 900 topics and subtopics. Features include citation generation, mobile apps, offline reading, and—on applicable plans—research tools. Publisher rights and territory determine whether a particular title is available.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIt is a poor substitute for popular fiction, mainstream bestsellers, or a large audiobook catalog. Treat it as a professional research service, not a general Scribd replacement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Everand still worth considering?
Yes—especially if you want both ebooks and audiobooks in one app. But current Everand plans do not match the old idea of unlimited access to everything.
Rank #4
- 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗨𝗣. 𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗪𝗡. 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗕𝗜𝗚. – Made for big thinkers and bundled with Kobo Stylus 2, the new upgraded Kobo Elipsa 2E is designed to help you focus and organize your thoughts. With an exterior made of recycled plastic and ocean-bound plastic, the eco-conscious Kobo Elipsa 2E eReader is designed to capture all your big thinking. An excellent choice for anyone who loves to read and wants a lightweight eBook reader that’s easy to use and take with them on the go!
- 𝗚𝗟𝗔𝗥𝗘-𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗞 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬 – Kobo Elipsa 2E has a 10.3” high-resolution E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen with ComfortLight PRO providing a glare-free reading experience including adjustable brightness and colour temperature – so you can reduce blue light and write without your eReader keeping you awake longer than you’d like
- 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 & 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗨𝗣 𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦 & 𝗗𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 – Write directly on your eBooks and PDFs with Kobo Elipsa 2E’s improved note-taking experience with the included ergonomically redesigned and rechargeable Kobo Stylus 2. As ideas come to mind, you can easily make highlights, underline, or write in the margins with your eReader with stylus compatibility. With Kobo’s patented markup technology, you’ll always see your annotations, even if you change your font size. Stay in the moment, without any ads or distractions
- 𝟯𝟮𝗚𝗕 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘, 𝗨𝗣 𝗧𝗢 𝟮𝟰,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦 – With 32GB of storage, carry your entire library and all your notes wherever you go. You can store up to 24,000 eBooks or connect to Wi-Fi and access millions of eBooks and audiobooks through the Kobo Store. With up to several weeks of battery life* on a single charge, you can focus on your reading instead of being tethered to a power outlet *dependent on individual usage.
- 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣, 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗 – At Kobo, we embody everything you love about your favourite local bookshop, perfected for your modern life. Our mission is to bring the power of reading to your world – because we’re booklovers, just like you. Why do we do it? Because we believe stories shape who we are, and words can enhance and transform the world around us.
As of August 17, 2026, Everand’s U.S. plans list Standard at $11.99 per month with one monthly unlock, Plus at $16.99 with three unlocks, and Deluxe at $28.99 with five unlocks. The plans share a catalog of more than 1.5 million ebooks and audiobooks, but some titles require an unlock while others are available without one.
Unused unlocks can roll over for up to six months, and unlocked books remain usable during the subscription. This is access, not permanent ownership. If you cancel, subscription access ends; previously unlocked titles may become available again if you later resubscribe with the same account.
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If you mean Scribd’s document platform
If your goal is document hosting or sharing, book subscriptions are the wrong comparison. Consider:
- Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive: collaborative storage and sharing.
- Dropbox: file storage, sharing, and team workflows.
- Issuu: publishing and embedding magazines, catalogs, and PDFs.
- SlideShare: presentations and professional documents.
- Internet Archive or Open Library: public-access resources and lending, not private document hosting.
These services solve different problems from Everand, Libby, or Kobo Plus.
Which alternative should you choose?
- I want free ebooks and audiobooks: Try Libby first, then add Hoopla if your library supports it.
- I want both formats in one paid subscription: Compare Kobo Plus Read & Listen with Everand.
- I want unlimited included ebooks: Consider Kobo Plus Read or Kindle Unlimited, depending on catalog and device preference.
- I want major audiobook releases: Choose Audible Premium.
- I already use Spotify and listen occasionally: Spotify may be sufficient if 15 hours per month covers you.
- I read academic or technical books: Choose Perlego.
- I want to keep books permanently: Buy individual ebooks or audiobooks; Audible credit-redemption titles remain available after cancellation, while subscription access generally does not.
- I want to upload and share PDFs: Choose a document-storage or publishing platform rather than a reading subscription.
How to test a service before paying
- Search for three favorite authors.
- Check two current bestsellers and one backlist title.
- Test one audiobook and one niche, academic, or technical book if relevant.
- Confirm whether each title is included, requires an unlock, consumes hours, requires a credit, or must be purchased.
- Download a title for offline use and check supported devices.
- Read the cancellation terms and confirm what remains available afterward.
Do not judge a service by its advertised catalog size alone. Your actual authors, genres, formats, country, library system, and device ecosystem matter more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Everand the same as Scribd?
No. Everand is the separate ebook-and-audiobook service, while Scribd is the document-sharing and document-reading platform.
Can I use Libby without a library card?
Usually you need a library card or other credentials from a participating library, although signup options vary by library system.
Does Kindle Unlimited include every Kindle book?
No. It includes only participating Kindle Unlimited titles; many books in the Kindle Store require a separate purchase.
Can I keep subscription books after canceling?
Usually not. Subscription access and library loans end under their respective terms. Audible titles redeemed with credits remain available after cancellation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
