An Apple Books alternative that works on every device
Apple Books is a lovely reader — as long as you stay inside Apple. If you also read on Android, Windows, or a Chromebook, use a browser reader for the DRM-free PDFs and EPUBs you own.
Credit where it's due: Apple Books looks great and feels native on an iPhone or Mac. But it's a walled garden. Your books and highlights live in iCloud, the app only exists on Apple devices, and the day you're on a work laptop or a borrowed computer, all of it is out of reach.
ReadHere isn't tied to any one ecosystem. It runs in the browser, so you can use the same reading workflow anywhere. With Pro, your library and annotations back up to your own Google Drive so they can follow you across devices.
Where ReadHere is different
- Truly cross-platform. Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, ChromeOS, iPad, iPhone — if it has a modern browser, your reader is there. No app store required.
- PDF and EPUB, treated the same. Apple Books keeps PDFs in an awkward second class. Here they're first-class, with the same highlights and notes as your EPUBs.
- Your files, your storage. With Pro ($10/yr), your library backs up to your own Google Drive — not a locker you can only reach through one company's app.
- The reading basics, done well. Light, Sepia, and OLED themes, curated reading fonts, search inside the book, and your place saved automatically.
- No lock-in. Your books are standard EPUB and PDF files you brought in yourself. Leave whenever you like, with everything you came with.
Side by side
| Apple Books | ReadHere | |
|---|---|---|
| Works on | Apple devices only | Any modern browser |
| Windows / Android / Chromebook | No | Yes |
| PDF support | Second-class | First-class, fully annotated |
| Highlights & notes | Yes (Apple only) | 4 colors, notes, journal, anywhere |
| Where your library lives | iCloud | Your device · your Google Drive (Pro) |
| Offline reading | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Free | Free to read · $10/yr Pro |
Bringing your books over
Any DRM-free EPUB or PDF you already own works. Move the files to the device you're on (or grab them from your cloud storage), open ReadHere, and drag them in. Note that books bought from the Apple Books store with DRM stay locked to Apple's app — that's the store's restriction, and no third-party reader can open them.
Try it in a minute
- Open ReadHere in any browser — no account.
- Drag in an EPUB or PDF you own.
- Read, highlight, and pick up later on a different device.
Using it on Android
On Android, open ReadHere in your browser, choose the EPUB or PDF from Files or Downloads, and begin reading. You can add the reader to your home screen for quick access, then keep reading offline after the book has been opened. See the step-by-step Android EPUB guide for the full workflow.
Common questions
Can I read books I bought on Apple Books?
Only if they’re DRM-free. Purchases locked with Apple’s DRM can’t be opened by any outside reader — that’s the store’s restriction. DRM-free EPUBs and PDFs work fine.
Does it work on Windows and Android?
Yes. ReadHere runs in the browser, so it works on Windows, Android, ChromeOS, Linux, and Apple devices alike.
Where are my highlights stored?
On your device, available offline. With Pro ($10/yr) they back up to your own Google Drive and sync across devices.
Is it free?
Reading is free with no account. Pro ($10/yr) adds Drive backup and cross-device sync.
Read on any device, not just Apple
Open ReadHere in any browser and bring your EPUBs and PDFs with you.