Head-to-head
Apple Books vs Amazon Kindle
Apple Books
60
Winner
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Kindle
85
Amazon Kindle is the superior choice for most users due to its robust feature set, better reliability, and a more extensive library, despite recent UI complaints, while Apple Books struggles with bugs and a less intuitive interface.
Full reviews: Apple Books · Amazon Kindle
Amazon Kindle generally offers a more reliable and feature-rich reading experience with a vast selection of books and strong cross-device syncing. Apple Books, while having some free content, is plagued by bugs, syncing issues, and a clunky interface, making it a less consistent option for dedicated readers.
Head to head
Apple Books Apple Books users appreciate the availability of free books and audiobooks, and the ability to import epub files R5R20R45. However, many users report missing crucial features like editable book records, accessible chapter breaks for audiobooks, and the ability to add bookmarks or notes to audiobooks R15R22. Some also find the search interface weak and poorly designed for finding new books R16.
Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle offers a wide range of features including adjustable text size and appearance, highlighting, an available dictionary, and seamless syncing across devices R68. Users also value the ability to organize and browse books efficiently, and the integration with Goodreads for reviews . However, recent updates have removed the ability to easily view other books in a series or see all details, frustrating many users .
Apple Books Apple Books is described as easy to find free books and generally good for reading R5. However, many users find the interface clunky with needless animations and less intuitive than older versions R6. Specific complaints include difficulty purchasing books, syncing problems, and frustrating UI changes like the bookmark placement R4R9. Some also find it hard to navigate their library and locate books they are currently reading .
Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle is praised for being easy to use, with books readily available upon opening the app and simple navigation . Users appreciate the ability to adjust font, light, and background settings . Despite this, recent updates have introduced significant usability issues, such as the removal of the 'back' arrow button when browsing and difficulties in viewing series details, making navigation frustrating for some .
Apple Books Apple Books suffers from significant reliability issues, with users reporting the app crashing frequently, closing suddenly, and losing functionality R1. Syncing problems are also a recurring complaint, with books reappearing after being deleted or failing to sync correctly R4R30. Some users also note poor optimization, leading to battery drain and device heating R13.
Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle is generally considered reliable, with users stating it 'always works' and they 'never have problems' . However, recent updates have introduced instability, with some users reporting books not syncing or downloading automatically, and the app failing to load or displaying blank screens .
Apple Books Apple Books is free to download and offers a selection of free books and samples, which users appreciate R5R45R57. However, many users complain that the cost of books is too high, especially compared to services like Libby, and wish for lower prices R2R3R12.
Amazon Kindle Amazon Kindle is free to download and offers a Kindle Unlimited subscription, which many users find to be a great value, saving them money on books R101. Users also mention finding books for a cheaper price on Kindle . However, some users note that you don't truly 'own' the books you purchase .
Apple Books Reviews for Apple Books do not directly mention user support experiences. However, the frequent complaints about bugs, crashes, and missing features R1R4R13R15 suggest that these issues are either not being addressed effectively or users are not finding adequate support channels.
Amazon Kindle Reviews for Amazon Kindle do not directly mention user support experiences. However, the widespread frustration with recent UI updates and broken features indicates a perceived lack of responsiveness to user feedback regarding app functionality.
Pick Apple Books if
You are deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem and primarily read free books or import your own epub files, and you are willing to tolerate occasional bugs and a less refined interface R5R45.
Pick Amazon Kindle if
You are a frequent reader who values a vast library, cross-device syncing, and robust reading features like highlighting and dictionary lookups, even if it means dealing with occasional UI changes and not truly 'owning' your books R68.
Evidence note: Recent negative reviews for Amazon Kindle primarily focus on UI changes and broken features from updates, rather than fundamental flaws in the app's core reading experience. Apple Books, while having some positive reviews, shows a consistent pattern of complaints about bugs, clunky design, and missing features across its reviews.
Frequently asked
Which app has more free books?
Can I read books across different devices with these apps?
Do these apps support audiobooks?
Yes, both apps support audiobooks. Apple Books allows users to listen to audiobooks and samples R20R33R45, though some users complain about missing features like bookmarks and notes for audiobooks R15R22. Amazon Kindle also offers audiobooks, but a user noted frustration with not being able to adjust the voice for assisted reading .
What reviewers actually said
Built only from these 110 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.
- [R5] Apple Books Books: There are lots of really good free books and it is rather easy to find them and it shows me how long I’ve read for and it has a lot of books I have been looking for but couldn’t find.
- [R15] Apple Books Add a bookmark and notes feature to audiobooks: I really love Apple Books. I use this more often than other eReaders. How is it that despite how popular and important Apple Books is to readers everywhere, there is no way to add bookmarks or notes to an audiobook? Right now, I have to try to memorize chapters that have the information I need. I am constantly disappointed as this seems like a low
- [R16] Apple Books Great for reading books, lousy for finding new ones: Generally, I love being able to carry my library wherever I go or picking up wherever I left off even when on a different device (iPad, Macbook, iPhone) and read it at a font size and style that is comfortable. I really dislike searching for new books though, the search interface is generally weak and poorly designed for advanced searches.
- [R20] Apple Books Amazing app: I love that you can listen to audiobooks and sample books
- [R4] Apple Books Syncing Problem: Why won’t it stop syncing to my backup ? I physically click it off and it says “no data” I then backup my phone, check and it’s still there ???
- [R6] Apple Books Clunky after so many years: Good enough. A bit clunky with all the needless animations. Old version was more intuitive.
- [R9] Apple Books Book mark.: Stop messing with things that work. Put the bookmark in the top right corner like before. Don’t make things more difficult for us. It should be a 1 tap thing.
- [R1] Apple Books Apple books: It has bugs and close app suddenly & lost its function
- [R13] Apple Books Heats up and drains battery: Just listening to an audio book with the screen off, my brand new iPhone gets warm and drained 10% battery in just 20 minutes. Apple! Come on! It’s YOUR app! Why is it so poorly optimized?!
- [R30] Apple Books No kindle: I have a bible that is better then this and kindle. When I highlight, the words should change color not the passage. And where is the red highlight. All the colors choosen are muttered, and all are almost the same same color. Pages stick. I look up the page isn’t turning but the page number at the bottom is. Close the app reopen and I’m 300 pages in a different direction. If you are g
- [R2] Apple Books Pls be free: Bro I’m trying to read my summer book homework 😭😭😭 but I need to pay more just to read than this iPhone
- [R3] Apple Books I just think the books should cost less: I still think Libby is better because all the books are free
- [R12] Apple Books It’s pretty good: I like the books, love the app, but the cost of the books aren’t very cheap. I kind of wish the costs of the books were lower.
- [R45] Apple Books The books: I didn’t know that you could get the free books for free and they are so good and the auto books were even better!!!🤗🤭
- [R57] Apple Books Free books!!!: I love how they offer free books to download!!
- [R101] Amazon Kindle Love Kindle Unlimited!: As someone who reads a lot of books, this app is a life saver! I cannot tell you how much money I have saved using it!
- [R68] Amazon Kindle Kindle on IPad: The app works very well for me. I love being able to choose the size and appearance of the text. I enjoy the highlighting feature and the available dictionary. It’s convenient to be able to move between devices and be able to pick up in the same place.
- [R22] Apple Books Missing a lot of important features: First is the reality that the records for books are not editable resulting in it being extremely difficult to coherently sort books by author. While audiobooks created by Amazon’s Audible brand are listenable in Apple Books, chapter breaks are not accessible in the Books App. There’s more, but you get the gist.
- [R33] Apple Books Help: This app is so good for me if I don’t have a book I can come here and get a book or a audiobook. Thank you so Apple Books for getting me to read again.
Synthesized from 110 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store