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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Is it worth paying for

Amazon Kindle

65
Value score / 100 Worth paying? Depends It depends

The Amazon Kindle app is generally worth using for its convenience and vast selection, but recent updates have introduced significant usability issues that detract from the experience, especially for series readers.

Free + in-app purchases seen up to $35 4.9★ lifetime (5,719,776) since 2009

The Kindle app offers a convenient way to access a vast library of books and read across multiple devices, with many users praising its ease of use and the value of Kindle Unlimited R5R29. However, recent updates have negatively impacted user experience, removing key features like series tracking and causing app crashes and glitches, making it frustrating for many R1R19. While the app itself is free, in-app purchases are for books and Kindle Unlimited subscriptions.

Free vs paid

The free Kindle app allows users to read purchased ebooks and access a wide selection of titles R4R10R18. Many users appreciate the convenience of carrying their library everywhere and reading across devices R8R22R49. The paid aspect primarily involves purchasing individual books or subscribing to Kindle Unlimited R5R29. Kindle Unlimited offers access to many titles, including audiobooks, which subscribers find valuable for keeping their curiosity fed without buying physical books R5R228. Some users also note that Kindle books can be less expensive than physical copies .

Value complaints

  • Kindle Unlimited's slow release of subsequent books is seen as a tactic to prolong subscriptions.R38
  • Some users feel tricked by Audible pricing, expecting free content but being charged a small fee.R362
  • The inability to purchase books directly within the app without using a browser is inconvenient.R352
  • Some Kindle Unlimited books are unavailable to certain users, making shared reading difficult.R522

Where it delivers

  • The app provides convenient access to a vast library of books, allowing users to read anywhere and adjust text size and brightness.R4R8R10R18
  • Kindle Unlimited offers a wide selection of titles, including audiobooks, keeping users engaged without needing to buy physical books.R5R29R228
  • The app allows seamless reading across multiple devices with syncing capabilities.R22R29R40R49
  • The dictionary feature for instant word lookup is highly valued.R22
  • Footnote handling is praised for its ease of navigation between text and notes.R47
Worth paying if

You are a frequent reader who values the convenience of carrying a large library on your device and appreciates the cost savings on ebooks compared to physical copies R18. It is also worth paying for Kindle Unlimited if you read many books and series, as it provides access to a wide selection of titles and audiobooks that can keep you engaged without additional purchases R5R29R228.

Skip / stay free if

You are heavily reliant on features like tracking series releases or viewing all books in a series, as recent updates have removed or broken these functionalities R1R19. You should also skip paying if you experience frequent app crashes, syncing issues, or find the new interface difficult to navigate, as these problems are widely reported R32R130.

Evidence note: Recent reviews are heavily skewed negative due to significant app updates that removed or broke popular features, causing crashes and navigation difficulties. This contrasts with the high lifetime rating, which likely reflects the app's historical performance.

Frequently asked

What are the main issues with the latest Kindle app update?
The latest Kindle app update has removed or broken several key features, including the ability to track series releases, view all books in a series, and easily access reading insights and challenges R1R19R30. Users also report frequent app crashes, syncing problems, and difficulties with navigation R32R130.
Is Kindle Unlimited worth the subscription cost?
Kindle Unlimited is considered worth the subscription cost by many users because it provides access to a vast number of titles, including audiobooks, which helps keep them reading without needing to purchase individual physical books R5R29R228. However, some users find the slow release of subsequent books in a series annoying, viewing it as a tactic to prolong subscriptions R38.
Can I read library books on the Kindle app?
Yes, the Kindle app can link to libraries, but some users report difficulty accessing their books from services like Libby R23R51.
Does the Kindle app have ads?
Some users have reported annoying "ads" for new books within the app R78. One review specifically mentioned ads after every two songs, implying a premium subscription is needed to remove them R12.
Are there issues with syncing across devices?
While many users praise the ability to read across devices with synced progress R22R29R49, recent reviews indicate problems with books not syncing or downloading automatically, and issues with Whispersync R130.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R38] 3/5 · US Kindle Books: I like KU but the slow release of subsequent books is annoying and just a way for Amazon to drag out your subscription
  2. [R362] 3/5 · GB Audible: I used to like this app but this is the second time audible has tricked me. I know it’s only 99p but when the price on the website says 0p(free). Then I expect free but Amazon charges me 99p I’ve had enough of these tech bro companies fleecing everyone and getting themselves stinking rich 🤬
  3. [R352] 3/5 · GB Book purchase: Ridiculous that I can’t purchase a book via the app without having to access a browser!
  4. [R522] 3/5 · CA Missing books: There’s a few books that my siblings can get on kindle unlimited that are unavailable to me. Makes our book club hard to do!
  5. [R4] 5/5 · US Titles and volumes: So many titles and so many varieties
  6. [R8] 5/5 · US Love It: As good as it gets. I can read books from my phone anywhere with minimal issues. Been doing it for years and the convenience is beyond description. Enjoy!
  7. [R10] 5/5 · US Easy: Easy to use. Great book selection/all genre
  8. [R18] 5/5 · US Read anywhere and everywhere: My life has changed since I started using this app for downloading and reading books. I love that I can adjust the brightness of the background for all kinds of lighting, and the size of the text. Most of all I love how easy it is to download a book into the app, to read now or later. If I get a good book recommendation I will buy that book immediately! I still use my
  9. [R5] 5/5 · US Keeping me sane!: So many titles included with the sub to keep my curiosity fed without need of an expansion to my house for physical books! The app also keeps track of the series that I’m reading and lets me know when the next one is available. LOVE it. And I’m one of the people who swore that she would never read from a “device”.
  10. [R29] 5/5 · US Love. Love. Love.: Probably one of the most used apps on my phone. I mainly use my actual kindle, but having the app allows me to pick up where I left off at when I can’t exactly read my kindle. Kindle unlimited is an amazing program and allows me to read so many books. Definitely worth every penny.
  11. [R228] 3/5 · US Great for reading at night!: I finally, realized how Kindle fit into my reading habits. I signed up for the free trial for 4 months. It has been wonderful so far. So many books I have had on my TBR are available at no charge. Many books also have the audio book too. So I can read at night without a light, since I am on my iPad. I probably will keep Kindle pass the trial period, because it is such
  12. [R22] 5/5 · US Convenient: Great to be able to read across my devices that stay synced. Available when I’m waiting, such as medical waiting rooms. I also love being able to instantly look up the definition of words in the text.
  13. [R40] 4/5 · US Kindle: Thanks to my Kindle app and my Kindle device, my phone is my library.
  14. [R49] 5/5 · US Love carrying all my library everywhere: I’ve been using Kindle and the app for years. It’s one of the best things to have with me wherever I go. Having access to all my books on my ipad and phone is priceless. Enjoy the seaching features and the notebook. Highly recommended app.
  15. [R47] 5/5 · US Footnotes: I have especially enjoyed the way Kindle handles footnotes. Tap the number and you go to the note; tap the number on the note itself and it takes you back to the place where you left off in the reading. I have been reading Les Misérables and it has allowed me to understand the historical references while still allowing ease of moving back and forth from text to note and back.
  16. [R1] 5/5 · US Home Screen: I normally love this app, but they just changed the home screen. It usually had a tab where it would say continue a series you have started and another tab where it said upcoming releases for you and I looked at those religiously and now they’re gone and I hate it sometimes I don’t write down books that are coming up because of those tabs and now I’m scared that I’m going to miss one
  17. [R19] 2/5 · US Needs improvement: I hate the new update. It is no longer user friendly. I can’t find the continue series option anymore and when I open a book description it no longer takes me to the website when I select see more details and click on the hyperlink for the series. It makes me want to find a new option for reading e-books. I would also like a way to filter out samples without having to remove t
  18. [R30] 1/5 · US Not a fan of new update: Please get rid of “your updates” and bring back am easier way to access reading insights and challenges.
  19. [R32] 1/5 · US Crash On Launch: When attempting to launch the app it bounces once in the dock and then stops. It doesn’t make it to a launch at all I think.
  20. [R23] 2/5 · US Library books difficult to access: It can be very difficult to access my books from Libby.
  21. [R51] 5/5 · US Great app!: Links to library and so much better to read with the larger screens and in the apple ecosystem. Great library and customer experience. Wish it linked better to Audible.
  22. [R12] 1/5 · US TERRIBLE: Ads after every two songs so you’ll by Premium. AINT GONNA HAPPEN!!!
  23. [R78] 3/5 · US Mostly ok but the “ads” for new books are annoying: Please and the ability to view PDF books on scribe and regular kindles
  24. [R130] 1/5 · US Kindle/ app: My books literally will not sink to my app from my kindle so annoying

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store