As I was recently browsing through the Kindle Unlimited catalogue looking for something to read, it got me thinking about each of the ebook subscription services out there, which ones I’ve used, which ones I haven’t, and which are actually worth paying for. Spoiler: one of the best is free.
Kindle+ (formerly Kindle Unlimited)
I first signed up to Kindle Unlimited back in 2016 at £7.99 a month. The reason was probably the same then as now: to do a bit of binge reading. It specialises in genre fiction, a lot of it self-published, and I like to dip in now and then and see what I can pick up. This time around, it was for a few sci-fi short story collections I was interested in.
What also grabbed my attention this time was a good deal: three months free, then £9.49 a month. I reckon I can read a few bits of genre fiction and some short stories between now and then, and nothing lost. So it’s worth keeping an eye out for a deal. It’s also worth noting that I previously had three months free at the beginning of 2026 and cancelled at the end of that period, before it went to full price (many people forget to cancel). Interestingly, the same deal was offered again just a few months later.
Not just self-published genre fiction
Looking now, I see a few well-known bestselling authors there, such as Alice Feeney and Kristin Hannah, with bestsellers like The Housemaid’s Secret among them, if that’s your bag.
There are short reads from the likes of Paulo Coelho and Lee Child, and longer reads too. I noticed one of my favourite books of recent years, Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe.
There are plenty of health and fitness books too. I noticed a title on tinnitus called Beyond the Noise by Dr Gladys Sanda that I’ve been keeping an eye out for.
There’s a great range of magazines as well. I spotted this month’s Mojo with Bob Dylan on the cover, so I’ll be having a read of that. There’s also manga and comics, if that floats your boat.
And don’t forget about audiobooks. There are plenty to choose from across the genres: thousands, too many to list here. Look for the headphones icon: those titles come with Audible narration included, so you can switch between reading and listening.
How it works
You can borrow up to 20 titles at a time. This reminds me of being a child and going from three library books as a child to six as a teenager. The joys of getting a bag of books during the summer holidays (I wrote here about my love for libraries).
You can read on Kindle devices, Fire tablets, and the Kindle app for Android, iOS, Mac and PC.
Kindle Unlimited is now Kindle+
As of November 2026, Amazon has renamed Kindle Unlimited as Kindle+. According to the email I got, it’s only a new name and a fresh look. The price, how you’re charged, how many titles you can borrow, and your reading history and notes all stay the same for now. It’ll be interesting to see whether the price goes up, or the number of books you can borrow is affected, further down the line.
Is it worth it?
Honestly, I still have about two months left on my free trial, and I think I’ll get plenty of use out of it between now and then. I’ll decide at that point whether to continue or not. Personally, I think it’s good value, but maybe best kept for those times when you’re doing a bit of binge reading.
It’ll appeal to those who read a lot of genre fiction, be that romance, sci-fi or whatever. If you’re a binge reader, it’ll save you buying titles, and you’ll save a fortune. Many readers go through phases where they can’t get enough of a certain genre, and that would definitely be the time for Kindle+.
Libby
Libby is the one I use here in the north of Ireland, through my local library. Libraries NI dropped BorrowBox at the end of January 2026, so since 1 February its digital library has been on Libby only. You can borrow up to 18 ebooks and audiobooks at a time, for 21 days each, and they drop off your account automatically at the end of the loan.
I use Libby mostly on my iPad, but I’ve also used it on my phone. One thing to know if you read on a Kindle: in the UK, Libby doesn’t work with it. You may have seen articles saying you can send Libby books to your Kindle, but that only applies to US libraries.
Magazines
I’m not sure people realise how good Libby is for magazines, everything from National Geographic to Rolling Stone, or simply your own favourite. You can download and read an issue for seven days, and subscribe to get a notification when a new issue arrives.
Books
But it’s books where it really stands out. It doesn’t have every title on the bestseller list that you’re looking for, because availability depends on what your library has bought and what publishers license. (Did I already say support your local library? OK, if I didn’t: support your local library.)
I do see the occasional complaint online that it doesn’t have every title people want. But it’s free, and it’s good. One of my favourite books released in 2026 was London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe. When I checked today, there were 50 copies and 21 people on the waiting list. OK, so you might have to be patient for a week or two, but you’ll then get to read a book that would have cost you £22 on release from your local bookshop. (Did I say support your local bookshop yet? OK: support your local bookshop.)
Audiobooks
It’s also great for audiobooks. I’ve gone into this in my audiobook subscription comparison, and it doesn’t compete with Audible for range or newly released titles, but you should be able to find something of interest.
BorrowBox
BorrowBox is the other big free library app in the UK, and depending on where you live, it might be the one your library uses. It’s run by Bolinda, and you sign in with your library card number and PIN, just as with Libby.
It covers ebooks, audiobooks and what it calls ePress, which is magazines and newspapers, all in one app. Loan limits are set by each library rather than by BorrowBox itself. In Herefordshire, for example, you can borrow six ebooks, six audiobooks and six ePress titles at a time for three weeks, and ebooks can be renewed three times.
It has the same drawbacks as Libby. Popular new releases come with a waiting list, and like Libby, it won’t work with a Kindle. You’ll need the app or another eReader.
As I mentioned above, Libraries NI moved everything over to Libby, but in England, Scotland and Wales, some libraries offer BorrowBox, some offer Libby and some offer both, so check your library’s website before downloading anything.
Others worth knowing about
Prime Reading
If you already pay for Amazon Prime, you have Prime Reading whether you’ve noticed it or not. It’s a smaller, rotating selection of ebooks, magazines and comics at no extra cost. Don’t confuse it with Kindle+: Prime doesn’t include Kindle+, and the Prime Reading library is a fraction of the size. It’s worth a browse before you pay for anything, especially if you only read a handful of ebooks a year.
Kobo Plus
The obvious alternative if you’d rather not hand everything to Amazon. Kobo Plus Read is £8.99 a month, and Read + Listen, which adds audiobooks, is £11.99. You need a Kobo eReader or the Kobo app, so it won’t work on a Kindle. If you already own a Kobo, it’s the natural choice.
Everand
Everand (formerly Scribd) works differently. Instead of unlimited reading, you get a set number of “unlocks” each month: Standard is £10.99 for one, Plus is £14.99 for three, and Deluxe is £24.99 for five. There’s also a rotating catalogue you can read without using an unlock. It suits people who mix ebooks and audiobooks, but fast readers will hit the limits quickly.
Can you read ebooks for free?
Yes, and legally. With a library card, Libby (or BorrowBox depending on where you live) gives you free ebooks, audiobooks and magazines, including new releases if you don’t mind a wait. There’s no monthly fee and nothing to cancel. If you’re still deciding whether to pay for a subscription, start there.
| Service | Price | What you get | Works on Kindle? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle+ (formerly Kindle Unlimited) |
£9.49/month 30-day free trial; watch for 3-month offers |
Up to 20 titles at a time: ebooks, magazines, comics, some audiobooks with Audible narration | Yes | Binge readers of genre fiction |
| Libby | Free with a library card | Ebooks, audiobooks and magazines (Libraries NI: up to 18 titles for 21 days) | No (UK) | Anyone with a library card, and NI readers |
| BorrowBox | Free with a library card | Ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers; limits set by your library | No | Readers whose library uses it (not available in NI) |
| Prime Reading | Included with Amazon Prime | Smaller rotating selection of ebooks, magazines and comics | Yes | Prime members who read occasionally |
| Kobo Plus | £8.99/month (Read) £11.99/month (Read + Listen) |
Unlimited reading from the Kobo Plus catalogue; audiobooks on the higher plan | No | Kobo eReader owners |
| Everand | £10.99–£24.99/month | 1–5 "unlocks" a month, plus a rotating selection | No | Readers who mix ebooks and audiobooks |
Prices checked October 2026.
Which Should You Choose?
Honestly, it depends on your reading needs. If you’re in the midst of a binge on a specific genre, it’s hard to beat Kindle+ (formerly Kindle Unlimited) for range. Only you can decide whether the subscription fee is value for money.
For me, I’ll always be using the Libby app. It’s free. OK, I have to wait for more recent titles, but I’ll generally be able to browse and find something to read. We’re in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, so if you have a library card (and if you haven’t, why not?), what have you got to lose?