You might have seen all the commotion lately surrounding Amazon’s Kindle, and their decision to remove the “Download and Transfer via USB” option from their systems. While this is a change that won’t affect the majority of Kindle users, that hasn’t stopped many people from ultimately switching their ereader of choice from Kindle to Kobo, in search of a more open and ownership-driven ebook ecosystem.

If you’re searching for an ereader, or considering switching from one to another, this guide will serve as the ultimate place for you to compare and contrast price, ebook ecosystems, hardware and more. We’ll be comparing Amazon’s Kindle, Rakuten’s Kobo, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, and Onyx’s BOOX. 

The Ebook & eReader Ecosystem

One of the most important aspects of choosing an eReader is its ebook purchasing experience and ecosystem. Each brand is tied to a specific store, meaning books purchased within that ecosystem are generally locked to that company’s devices unless converted (which can be difficult or at best, legally ambiguous).

Amazon has come under the most heat for this recently, but it’s important to note that with a Rakuten Kobo, you’re essentially still locked into the same type of system. You should read the terms and conditions when buying ANY digital media, because more often, you’re simply purchasing a license to access that content, which can be revoked or changed at any time. 

This is still true for Rakuten’s Kobo, as well as Amazon’s Kindle (and others.)

While Amazon does have the most restrictive ebook purchase policy (ebooks purchased on Amazon must be read in the Kindle app or on a Kindle device and cannot be downloaded onto an external drive or computer), even the Kobo wants you to remain in their ecosystem. 

Most of their ebooks available for purchase are in the form of an Adobe DRM file, meaning they’re encrypted through digital rights management (to prevent piracy), and must be downloaded/stored through Adobe’s Digital Editions Software. 

This is currently a free Adobe software, but Adobe has also come under fire in recent years for removing their one-time purchase model in favor of a subscription for all of their softwares. 

Once upon a time, you could just buy Photoshop once – now you’re locked into an Adobe Suite monthly or yearly fee. Just like Amazon, Rakuten, Adobe, or ANY of these companies can change their policy at any time, which makes me hesitant to say that Kobo is the perfect solution to the ebook digital ownership problem.

However, you’ll see that Kobo DOES offer a bit more flexibility, and we’ll get into that now: 

Comparing & Contrasting the eBook Ecosystems

Kindle (Amazon)

Amazon’s Kindle Store is the largest ebook marketplace, offering both Kindle Unlimited ($11.99 per month) and Prime Reading (included with Prime) subscriptions. Kindle Unlimted is often touted as an amazing place for indie authors to get their works out there, and a convenient and accessible price point for readers. Kindle devices do not natively support the widely used EPUB format, requiring conversion for non-Amazon books. Kindle also supports the Libby app for library downloads to be easily sent to Kindle devices!

Kobo (Rakuten):

Kobo eReaders access the Kobo Rakuten Store and support EPUB files, allowing users to sideload books from third-party retailers. They also integrate with OverDrive’s Libby,, making it easy to borrow library books similar to Kindle. However, many users have reported that this isn’t as seamless, and can sometimes require extra effort and steps. However, ebooks purchased from Rakuten generally are protected by Adobe’s Digital Editions, and you can only read on devices synced to this account. The Kobo ebook stores selection is also not as wide as Amazon’s but still has lots of options.

Nook (Barnes & Noble)

Nook eReaders tie directly into the Barnes & Noble bookstore, offering a decent selection, though not as extensive as Amazon’s. If you often enjoy shopping physically at Barnes & Noble, utilize their rewards system and prefer for all your purchases to be in one place, then this might be the option for you.

Boox (Onyx)

Unlike the others, Boox runs on Android, meaning you can install the Kindle, Kobo, Nook, and Google Play Books apps, making it the most flexible in terms of ebook sources. Due to this, they also support many file formats, including PDF, EPUB, and JPG, and third-party cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive. For the tech savvy, this is the most flexible and free option. 

The Ultimate eReader Comparison

Now, let’s get into the more hardware and use-case pros and cons for each!

The Pros & Cons of Amazon Kindle (Amazon)

Pros:

• Strong Ecosystem: Access to Amazon’s vast library, Kindle Unlimited, and Prime Reading.
• Whispersync & X-Ray Features: Syncs reading progress across devices and provides detailed book insights.
• Variety of Models: Ranges from budget-friendly (Kindle Basic) to premium (Kindle Scribe).
• Great Battery Life: Lasts weeks on a single charge.
• Solid Build Quality: Water-resistant models (Paperwhite & Oasis).

Cons:

• Limited File Support: Primarily supports Kindle’s AZW and MOBI formats, requiring conversion for EPUBs.
• Locked into Amazon Ecosystem: No direct access to competing bookstores.
• No Expandable Storage: Except for Kindle Scribe, storage is fixed.

The Pros & Cons of Kobo (Rakuten)

Pros:

• Open Ecosystem: Supports EPUB, OverDrive (library borrowing), and can sideload books easily.
• E-Ink and ComfortLight PRO: Adjustable color temperature reduces eye strain.
• Variety of Models: From budget (Kobo Nia) to high-end (Kobo Sage).
• Waterproofing: Many models are water-resistant.
• Note-Taking Feature: Available in premium models (Kobo Elipsa).

Cons:

• Weaker Bookstore than Amazon: Selection isn’t as large as Kindle’s.
• No Native Kindle Book Support: Amazon books need conversion.
• User Interface Can Feel Slower: Not as smooth as Kindle’s software.

The Pros & Cons of Nook (Barnes & Noble)

Pros:

• Direct Access to B&N Store: Good for those who prefer physical bookstores.
• Supports EPUB: More flexible than Kindle in file compatibility.
• Physical Page-Turn Buttons: A feature on some models for easier navigation.

Cons:

• Limited International Availability: Mostly U.S.-focused.
• Slower Software Updates: Lags behind Kindle and Kobo in innovation.
• Ecosystem Not as Robust: Smaller book selection compared to Amazon.

The Pros & Cons of Boox (Onyx)

Pros:

• Android-Based: Runs full Android, allowing installation of Kindle, Kobo, and other apps.
• Wide File Support: Reads EPUB, PDF, MOBI, etc.
• Powerful Note-Taking & Stylus Support: Excellent for productivity and annotation.
• Large Screen Options: Good for PDFs and textbooks.

Cons:

• Expensive: Generally pricier than Kindle and Kobo.
• Shorter Battery Life: Due to its Android OS and larger screens.
• Software Complexity: More versatile but requires tech-savviness to set up.

Hopefully this ereader roundup helps you decide on your next purchase – whether that’s a switch from one device to another, or you’re looking to dive into the wonderful world of ereading! It can save you money, hassle and is truly one of the best technological advances in recent years, despite some of the drawbacks.

Happy reading.