In the digital age, access to knowledge and literature has never been easier. Whether you’re a student, researcher, or casual reader, these 30 legal websites offer millions of free books across genres to download. Below, we break down each site’s official URL, copyright compliance, and pros/cons to help you build your digital library ethically and affordably.
30 Legal Websites to Download Free Books in 2025
1. Planet eBook
- URL: https://www.planetebook.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Hosts high-quality public domain classics. Users must verify local copyright laws before downloading.
- Pros: Mobile-friendly design; no ads.
- Cons: Limited to older classics; no audiobooks.
2. Free-eBooks.net
- URL: https://www.free-ebooks.net/
- Copyright Compliance: Mix of public domain and original works. Requires registration; limits downloads to 1 book/month for free users.
- Pros: Diverse genres; includes audiobooks.
- Cons: Aggressive ads; premium upsells.
3. ManyBooks
- URL: https://manybooks.net/
- Copyright Compliance: Curates public domain and Creative Commons titles. Partners with Project Gutenberg.
- Pros: User-friendly; multilingual options.
- Cons: Some outdated sections; limited new releases.
4. LibriVox
- URL: https://librivox.org/
- Copyright Compliance: Volunteer-read audiobooks of public domain works.
- Pros: Free audiobooks; community-driven.
- Cons: Inconsistent narration quality.
5. Internet Archive
- URL: https://archive.org/
- Copyright Compliance: Hosts public domain and licensed works. Offers controlled digital lending.
- Pros: Vast multimedia library; rare manuscripts.
- Cons: Cluttered interface; slow downloads.
6. BookBub
- URL: https://www.bookbub.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Promotes free/discounted books from publishers.
- Pros: Bestseller deals; email alerts.
- Cons: Limited to promotions; requires account.
7. Open Library
- URL: https://openlibrary.org/
- Copyright Compliance: Borrows books via controlled digital lending. Linked to Internet Archive.
- Pros: Catalogues every published book; editable entries.
- Cons: Borrowing limits; some titles unavailable.
8. BookBoon
- URL: https://bookboon.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Offers free textbooks and business eBooks with ads.
- Pros: Focus on education; ad-supported model.
- Cons: Ad interruptions; limited genres.
9. Feedbooks
- URL: https://www.feedbooks.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Mix of public domain and original works.
- Pros: Clean interface; customizable fonts.
- Cons: Paid content mixed with free.
10. Smashwords
- URL: https://www.smashwords.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Self-published works; authors retain rights.
- Pros: Indie authors; multiple formats.
- Cons: Variable quality; no audiobooks.
11. Project Gutenberg
- URL: https://www.gutenberg.org/
- Copyright Compliance: Public domain only. Users outside the U.S. must check local laws.
- Pros: 75,000+ titles; no registration.
- Cons: Mostly pre-1920s works; limited languages.
12. Google Books – Best Websites to Download Free Books
- URL: https://books.google.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Offers previews and full public domain books.
- Pros: Advanced search; integrates with Google services.
- Cons: Mixed free/paid content; limited downloads.
13. PDFBooksWorld
- URL: https://www.pdfbooksworld.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Public domain classics in PDF format.
- Pros: Simple downloads; no registration.
- Cons: Limited to classics; outdated design.
14. FreeTechBooks
- URL: https://www.freetechbooks.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Focuses on free tech/engineering books.
- Pros: Academic focus; updated frequently.
- Cons: Niche audience; ads.
15. Bookyards
- URL: https://www.bookyards.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Aggregates links to free eBooks; verify sources.
- Pros: Massive collection; multiple languages.
- Cons: Broken links; unclear copyright status.
16. GetFreeBooks
- URL: https://www.getfreebooks.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Curates free eBooks; some may require permissions.
- Pros: Updated daily; diverse categories.
- Cons: Redirects to external sites.
17. eBookLobby
- URL: https://www.ebooklobby.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Links to free books; verify legality per country.
- Pros: Wide range of topics.
- Cons: Outdated interface; ads.
18. FreeComputerBooks
- URL: https://freecomputerbooks.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Specializes in free computer science books.
- Pros: Categorized by topic; no registration.
- Cons: Cluttered layout.
19. OpenCulture
- URL: https://www.openculture.com/free_ebooks
- Copyright Compliance: Lists public domain and legally free books.
- Pros: Curated quality; includes courses.
- Cons: Not a direct download site.
20. LibGen (Library Genesis)
- URL: http://libgen.rs/
- Copyright Compliance: Hosts pirated content; use with extreme caution.
- Pros: Extensive academic resources.
- Cons: Illegal in many countries; ethical concerns.
21. Goodreads
- URL: https://www.goodreads.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Recommends books; some free titles via authors/publishers.
- Pros: Community reviews; reading lists.
- Cons: Limited free downloads.
22. Obooko
- URL: https://www.obooko.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Original works from authors; free with registration.
- Pros: Unique content; no ads.
- Cons: Small collection.
23. O’Reilly
- URL: https://www.oreilly.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Free trial for tech/professional books.
- Pros: High-quality tech content.
- Cons: Subscription required after trial.
24. PDFdrive
- URL: https://www.pdfdrive.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Hosts a mix of public domain and copyrighted material.
- Pros: Massive PDF library; no registration.
- Cons: Legal gray area; ads.
25. Anna’s Archive
- URL: https://annas-archive.org/
- Copyright Compliance: Mirrors controversial libraries like LibGen.
- Pros: Extensive database.
- Cons: Legal risks; ethical issues.
26. PDFroom
- URL: https://pdfroom.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Public domain and user-uploaded content.
- Pros: Fast downloads; clean interface.
- Cons: Unclear copyright for some files.
27. PDF Coffee
- URL: https://pdfcoffee.com/
- Copyright Compliance: User-uploaded documents; verify legality.
- Pros: Niche academic papers.
- Cons: Risky copyright status.
28. Dokumen Pub
- URL: https://dokumen.pub/
- Copyright Compliance: Academic and professional documents; some pirated.
- Pros: Technical resources.
- Cons: Legal ambiguity.
29. Z Library
- URL: https://singlelogin.re/
- Copyright Compliance: Controversial; hosts copyrighted books illegally.
- Pros: Vast collection.
- Cons: High legal risk; domain changes frequently.
30. Ocean of PDF
- URL: https://oceanofpdf.com/
- Copyright Compliance: Notorious for pirated bestsellers.
- Pros: Popular titles.
- Cons: Illegal; site was often taken down.
Key Takeaways
- Public Domain Focus: Sites like Project Gutenberg and Planet eBook prioritize classics with expired copyrights.
- Borrowing Models: Open Library and Internet Archive use digital lending for copyrighted works.
- Indie & Self-Published: Smashwords and BookBub highlight emerging authors.
- Controversial Platforms: LibGen, Z Library, and Ocean of PDF host copyrighted content; use with extreme caution.
Conclusion
From timeless classics to modern indie gems, these 30 websites democratize access to literature. Always verify a site’s copyright compliance to stay on the right side of the law. Prioritize ethical platforms like Project Gutenberg or Open Library, and avoid illegal repositories to support authors and publishers. Happy reading!
