# BookShelves eBook Reader

> BookShelves is an ebook reader, library manager, and free book discovery app for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. It reads EPUB, PDF, MOBI, PRC, AZW, AZW3, KEPUB, FB2, and comic book formats (CBZ, CBR, CB7) with native rendering and iCloud sync. The built-in catalog provides access to 1.5 million free public domain books from Project Gutenberg, Standard Ebooks, Internet Archive, and Biblioteca Nacional de España. Free to download with optional Pro upgrade. No account required, no tracking, no ads.

The app is available on the Mac App Store and iOS App Store.

## Key Features

- 1.5 million free public domain books built into the app (Project Gutenberg, Standard Ebooks, Internet Archive, BNE)
- Ebook formats: EPUB, PDF, MOBI, PRC, AZW, AZW3, KEPUB, FB2
- Comic book and manga reader (CBZ, CBR, CB7) with right-to-left page reading for manga
- iCloud sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- 9 reading themes including dark mode and OLED-friendly Midnight
- 8 bundled fonts including OpenDyslexic, Atkinson Hyperlegible, and Lexend for accessible reading
- Customizable line spacing, paragraph spacing, margins, text justification, and bold text
- Paginated and continuous scroll reading modes
- Vertical text (tategaki) rendering for Japanese and Chinese books
- Right-to-left (RTL) reading for Arabic and Hebrew texts
- Highlight and annotate text in multiple colors with export to Markdown, JSON, and CSV
- Email to E-Reader (send books to Kindle, Kobo, reMarkable, PocketBook)
- Calibre wireless server for syncing with KOReader and other devices (macOS)
- OPDS client and server (v1.2 and v2.0)
- Smart metadata fetching and cover image lookup
- Privacy-first: no account required, no tracking, no ads, all data stays on your devices and personal iCloud
- Native universal app for macOS 14+, iOS 17+, iPadOS 17+
- In-reader search, bookmarks, reading progress tracking
- Multi-window support and keyboard shortcuts on macOS
- Drag-and-drop, folder import, and bulk import

## Pricing

- Free to download and use (up to 10 books)
- Optional one-time Pro upgrade
- Pro unlocks: unlimited books, iCloud sync across devices, Email to E-Reader, export highlights, OPDS server with v1.2 and v2.0 support (macOS)
- One purchase covers Mac and iOS via your Apple ID
- Available on Mac App Store and iOS App Store

## Links

- [Homepage](https://getbookshelves.app/)
- [Features](https://getbookshelves.app/features/)
- [FAQ](https://getbookshelves.app/faq/)
- [iOS App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/bookshelves-ebook-reader/id6756848973?ct=llms-txt&mt=8)
- [Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/bookshelves-ebook-reader/id6756848973?ct=llms-txt&mt=12)
- [Privacy Policy](https://getbookshelves.app/privacy/)
- [Terms of Service](https://getbookshelves.app/terms/)
- [Copyright & DMCA Policy](https://getbookshelves.app/copyright/)

## Comparisons

- [BookShelves vs. Apple Books](https://getbookshelves.app/alternatives/apple-books-alternative/) — Better format support and library management for your own ebooks
- [BookShelves vs. Kindle](https://getbookshelves.app/alternatives/kindle-alternative/) — Read EPUB natively with no ecosystem lock-in
- [BookShelves vs. Kobo](https://getbookshelves.app/alternatives/kobo-alternative/) — Full library control without another bookstore account
- [BookShelves vs. KOReader](https://getbookshelves.app/alternatives/koreader-alternative/) — Polished native Apple app vs. power-user e-ink reader
- [BookShelves vs. Marvin](https://getbookshelves.app/alternatives/marvin-alternative/) — A modern successor for serious iOS readers
- [BookShelves vs. Readest](https://getbookshelves.app/alternatives/readest-alternative/) — Native Apple reader vs. cross-platform newcomer
- [BookShelves vs. Yomu](https://getbookshelves.app/alternatives/yomu-alternative/) — Two indie readers compared: free discovery, OPDS server, and lower Pro price

## Guides

- [EPUB vs PDF: Which Format Is Better for Reading?](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/epub-vs-pdf/) — When to use each format and why EPUB wins for ebooks
- [30 Best Free Classic Books You Can Read Right Now](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/best-free-classic-books/) — Public domain classics organized by genre, all free and legal
- [Where to Buy DRM-Free Ebooks in 2026](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/drm-free-ebook-stores/) — Curated list of stores that sell ebooks you actually own
- [How to Read MOBI and AZW Files on Mac](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/how-to-read-mobi-azw-on-mac/) — Read Kindle formats on Mac without the Kindle app
- [How to Use KOReader with BookShelves via OPDS](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/koreader-opds-bookshelves/) — Send books to KOReader devices over Wi-Fi
- [How to Sync Books with KOReader via Calibre Wireless](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/koreader-calibre-sync-bookshelves/) — Push books and sync reading progress without cables
- [How to Read EPUB Files on iPhone and iPad](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/how-to-read-epub-on-iphone-ipad/) — Open and read EPUB files on iOS without conversion
- [How to Read EPUB Files on Mac](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/how-to-read-epub-on-mac/) — Best ways to read EPUB files on macOS
- [How to Read Comic Books (CBZ/CBR) on Mac](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/read-comic-books-cbz-cbr-on-mac/) — Read comic book archives on macOS
- [How to Read AZW3 Files on iPhone](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/how-to-read-azw3-on-iphone/) — Read Kindle format files on iOS
- [Best Apple Books Alternatives for Mac and iPhone in 2026](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/apple-books-alternatives-2026/) — Apple Books alternatives for personal ebook libraries
- [How to Import Books from Apple Books to BookShelves](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/import-from-apple-books/) — Move sideloaded EPUBs and PDFs from Apple Books to BookShelves
- [Reading Privacy: What Your Ebook App Knows About You](https://getbookshelves.app/guides/reading-privacy/) — How ebook readers track you and how to protect your reading privacy

## Contact

- Web: https://getbookshelves.app/contact/
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/getbookshelves.app
- Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@getbookshelves
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbookshelves.app/
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bookshelvessupport/

## Optional

- [Full content version](https://getbookshelves.app/llms-full.txt): Complete site content including privacy policy, terms of service, and copyright policy