Bookmate

Bookmate is a subscription-based service for reading e-books and listening to audiobooks, available on Android, iOS, and the web. Its listed catalog includes 1,800,000 books and 100,000 audiobooks in 16 languages, alongside a free collection of 50,000 books. Users can upload their own FB2 or EPUB books for use on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, and adjust brightness, font, and background color. Social tools let readers follow friends’ reading, share books and quotes, and create or subscribe to themed bookshelves. Audiobooks can be saved for offline listening and synchronized across devices so listeners can resume where they left off. Bookmate lists a free plan and a seven-day trial; the Premium plan is listed as free. The subscription page describes monthly and annual options but does not show their prices. An account is limited to one person and no more than three devices. The terms also state that books cannot be downloaded and distributed outside Bookmate.

Bookmate combines e-books, audiobooks, personal uploads, and social reading features across mobile and web. Check the device limit and subscription price details, which are not shown on the subscription page.

Bookmate may suit readers and audiobook listeners who want a catalog across multiple languages, offline listening, or the option to upload their own books. Its social features may appeal to people who share reading activity and recommendations.

Bookmate is a subscription service for e-books and audiobooks, with personal uploads and social reading alongside its catalog. It suits readers who want several formats and languages in one place; the one-person account limit makes it a poor fit for household sharing.

Check the price and device limit before committing.

Overview

Bookmate brings together 1,800,000 books and 100,000 audiobooks across 16 languages. That range makes it useful for readers who switch between formats or languages, while the 50,000-book free collection gives non-subscribers a meaningful starting point. The service also includes comic books and podcasts with Premium, extending it beyond books alone.

Account terms are restrictive for shared use: one person can use an account on no more than three devices. Copyrighted books cannot be downloaded and distributed outside Bookmate, so personal uploads and catalog access should not be mistaken for permission to redistribute content.

Key features

Personal library and reading controls

Users can upload FB2 and EPUB books to read on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. That is a practical advantage for readers who already own compatible files and want them alongside a subscription catalog. Brightness, font, and background color controls offer a few useful ways to tailor the reading display.

Social reading and offline listening

Following friends’ reading, sharing books and quotes, and creating or subscribing to themed bookshelves give readers ways to discover titles through other people’s interests. Audiobooks can be saved for offline listening and synchronized across devices, which helps listeners continue where they left off. The three-device cap still applies, so this flexibility is for one reader’s devices rather than a household.

Pricing

Bookmate uses a freemium model with a free plan and a 7-day trial. The free collection includes 50,000 books, making it the clearest option for readers who want to browse without a paid commitment. Premium is shown as free for 7 days, with books, comic books, audiobooks, podcasts, uploads of personal books, and offline reading and listening; it can be canceled anytime. After the trial, annual and monthly subscription options are offered, but their prices are custom pricing.

The free plan gives access to a smaller collection than the full catalog. Premium suits readers who want broader format access and offline use, but the trial’s length and cancellation terms do not answer what the ongoing subscription will cost. Confirm the price before renewal.

Platforms

Bookmate is available on Android, iOS, and the web. The service’s three-device maximum allows some flexibility across a phone, tablet, and computer, but the single-person account rule rules out treating that allowance as family sharing.

Who it's for

Bookmate is a good fit for individual readers who want books and audiobooks in one subscription, especially those who read in multiple languages, bring their own FB2 or EPUB files, or value offline audiobook playback. Readers who need transparent ongoing pricing or an account shared across family members should look elsewhere. Bookmate also says it does not warrant the security of its website or services, a consideration for users weighing where to keep account activity and personal uploads.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A large, multilingual catalog covers 1,800,000 books and 100,000 audiobooks across 16 languages.
• Pros: The 50,000-book free collection lets readers use the service without starting a paid subscription.
• Pros: Personal FB2 and EPUB uploads, adjustable display settings, and offline synced audiobooks support different reading habits.
• Cons: One-person use and a three-device cap make the account unsuitable for household sharing.
• Cons: The ongoing monthly and annual subscription prices are custom pricing, so readers cannot readily weigh the cost before subscribing.
• Cons: Copyrighted books cannot be downloaded and distributed outside Bookmate, and the service disclaims a security warranty for its website and services.

Alternatives

For a free library-connected route, consider Libby: borrowing requires a library card, and title availability depends on the library’s collection. Sora is another free option for ebooks and audiobooks, with access tied to its student reading app. Hoopla is worth considering if you have a valid card from a participating public library; available titles vary by library catalog.

If you want to run your own audiobook and podcast server, Audiobookshelf is a free self-hosted option. Ubook is another freemium reading and listening service, with Premium at R$24.90 a month and Premium+ at R$39.90 a month.

AudiobooksNow has a 30-day free trial followed by $4.99 per month, with discounts on eligible audiobooks. Browse more options in Audiobook Apps.

Verdict

Choose Bookmate if you are an individual reader who wants a broad multilingual book and audiobook catalog, personal uploads, social discovery, and offline listening in one service. Its free collection makes it easy to start, but the one-person limit and custom-priced ongoing subscription are good reasons to look elsewhere if you need family access or want to know the recurring cost upfront.