If you mean Scribd’s former ebook and audiobook service, the name to look for now is Everand. Scribd, Inc. separated its products: Everand carries ebooks, audiobooks, podcasts and magazines, while Scribd focuses on user-uploaded documents and professional content. See the company’s explanation at Scribd, Inc.’s product overview.
The best replacement depends on what you actually need. Kobo Plus is the closest non-Amazon mixed ebook-and-audiobook subscription; Kindle Unlimited is strongest for heavy ebook readers; Libby is the best free option when your library participates; and Audible or Libro.fm are better when audiobook ownership matters.
Quick comparison
Prices, catalogs and eligibility can change by country and plan. The U.S. figures below were checked against the linked vendor pages and should be confirmed at checkout.
| Service | Best for | Ebooks | Audiobooks | Access model | After cancellation | U.S. status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindle Unlimited | Heavy ebook readers | Strong | Limited/secondary | Subscription borrowing | Access ends | U.S. |
| Kobo Plus | Mixed reading without Amazon | Strong | Strong | Subscription borrowing | Access ends | U.S.; country-dependent |
| Libby | Free library borrowing | Yes | Yes | Library loans | Loan ends | Library-dependent |
| Hoopla | Instant library media | Yes | Yes | Library loans | Loan ends | Library-dependent |
| Audible | Premium audiobook access | No meaningful ebook substitute | Strong | Credits, included titles and purchases | Purchased titles generally remain | U.S. |
| Spotify Premium | Existing Spotify subscribers | No | Plan-dependent | Included listening time and possible top-ups | Included access ends | Plan- and market-dependent |
| Libro.fm | Audiobook ownership and bookstore support | No | Strong | Purchases and membership | Purchased titles generally remain | U.S. |
| Perlego | Academic and professional books | Strong in its niche | Not central | Subscription access | Access ends | Country-dependent |
1. Kindle Unlimited: best for heavy ebook readers
Kindle Unlimited is the closest fit if your priority is reading a large number of ebooks for one recurring fee. Its strongest areas include romance, science fiction, fantasy, mysteries, genre fiction and independently published books. Kindle devices and Kindle apps provide the most seamless experience.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
What you get
- A broad subscription-borrowing catalog, with titles returned when you cancel.
- Particularly deep coverage of genre and self-published fiction.
- Kindle-device and app integration.
Where it differs from Everand
Kindle Unlimited is not a mixed media replacement. It is not designed for Everand’s magazines, podcasts, documents or broad audiobook offering, and many major new releases are excluded. Amazon’s publishing and distribution ecosystem also shapes the catalog.
Choose it if: you own a Kindle or read several genre ebooks each month. Skip it if: you mainly want premium audiobooks, magazines or a device-neutral service.
2. Kobo Plus: best non-Amazon ebook-and-audiobook subscription
Kobo Plus offers separate Read and Listen plans plus a combined plan, making it the most direct non-Amazon competitor for readers who want both formats. Kobo’s U.S. page advertises more than 1.5 million ebooks and more than 150,000 audiobooks in the combined plan; those figures are catalog claims, not a guarantee that every title is available in every country.
U.S. pricing signal
| Plan | Displayed U.S. price |
|---|---|
| Kobo Plus Read | $7.99/month |
| Kobo Plus Listen | $7.99/month |
| Kobo Plus Read & Listen | $9.99/month |
| Introductory offer | 14-day trial for new subscribers, where offered |
Kobo pages have also shown a $0.99 promotional display in some dynamically generated views. Treat that as a temporary or page-specific promotion and verify the final U.S. checkout price.
Devices and limits
Kobo Plus works in Kobo apps and on compatible Kobo e-readers. Subscription titles are borrowed, not permanent purchases. Kobo states that after opening up to 15 Kobo Plus books during a 30-day offline period, the device may need to reconnect; see Kobo’s plan information. Not every Kobo store title is included, and availability varies by country.
Rank #2
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Upgrade your reading experience – The Signature Edition features an auto-adjusting front light, wireless charging, and 32 GB storage.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Adapts to your surroundings – The auto-adjusting front light lets you read in the brightest sunlight or late into the night.
Choose it if: you want ebooks and audiobooks without Amazon. Skip it if: your main goal is the widest selection of major new releases.
3. Libby: best free alternative
Libby lets readers borrow ebooks, audiobooks and, in some library systems, magazines at no monthly charge from participating public libraries. You normally need a valid library card. Eligible U.S. library ebooks may sometimes be delivered to Kindle e-readers, depending on the title and library configuration.
The trade-off for free access
- Popular titles can have holds and long waitlists.
- Libraries buy a limited number of copies and set loan periods.
- Loan, hold and simultaneous-borrowing limits differ by library.
- Each library system has its own catalog; a title available in one city may be absent in another.
Multiple library cards can broaden access only where you are legally eligible under each library’s rules. Libby is borrowing infrastructure, not an unlimited on-demand subscription. Use Libby Help for device and account details.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →4. Hoopla: best for instant library borrowing and mixed media
Hoopla can provide ebooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, television, magazines and music when your library subscribes. Many items are available immediately rather than through a traditional hold queue.
What can limit it
- Your library must offer Hoopla; individuals cannot simply join as a standalone free service.
- Libraries set monthly borrow limits, which can vary sharply.
- Catalogs and borrowing rules differ between library systems.
Check your library and the Hoopla help center before relying on it for a specific title. Hoopla is especially useful when you want comics or video alongside books.
Rank #3
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
5. Audible: best for audiobook depth and ownership
Audible is primarily an audiobook service, combining a membership catalog with credits, sales and individual purchases. It is a stronger choice than Everand when you need major releases or want purchased audiobooks to remain available after cancellation, subject to Audible’s account and licensing terms.
How the economics differ
Audible is not “listen to everything for one flat fee.” Desirable titles may require a credit or separate purchase, so heavy listeners can pay more than they would with an unlimited catalog. Conversely, a purchased book is generally retained, unlike a borrowed subscription title. Review current benefits at Audible’s membership page and help center.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallChoose it if: audiobook depth, new releases and continued access to purchases matter most. Skip it if: you want a large ebook-and-audiobook catalog for one predictable fee.
6. Spotify Premium: best for existing Spotify users
Spotify Premium includes audiobook access for eligible plans in selected markets. It is convenient if you already use Spotify for music and podcasts, but the benefit is measured in included audiobook listening time or other plan entitlements—not unlimited listening.
Check before subscribing
- Eligibility and included hours vary by plan and market.
- Heavy listeners may exhaust the allowance and need paid top-ups or another service.
- Spotify is an audio platform, not an ebook or e-reader replacement.
Confirm the entitlement for your account in Spotify’s audiobook support page. Best fit: occasional audiobook listening for an existing Premium subscriber.
Rank #4
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Battery life for your longest novel – A single charge via USB-C lasts up to 12 weeks.
- Read in any light – Adjust the display from white to amber to read in bright sunlight or in the dark.
7. Libro.fm: best for owning audiobooks while supporting bookstores
Libro.fm sells audiobooks and offers membership options that let customers choose an independent bookstore to support. It is built around purchasing books rather than borrowing an unlimited rotating catalog. Purchased titles are generally available through the account after cancellation, subject to platform terms.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →That makes Libro.fm a strong ethical-commerce and ownership choice for listeners who buy a few specific books. It is a poor substitute for readers who want unlimited ebooks or all-you-can-listen access. See current options at Libro.fm membership.
8. Perlego: best for academic and professional books
Perlego specializes in academic, business, technical, educational and professional books. For a student or working professional, that focus can be more useful than a much larger general-fiction catalog.
Verify the exact edition
Textbook availability varies by publisher, country, institution and plan. Search for the required title and ISBN—or confirm the edition with your school—before paying. Subscription access ends when the plan ends, and Perlego is not a broad source of popular novels or mainstream audiobooks. Current plans are listed at Perlego pricing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Scribd alternative should you choose?
For the closest mixed ebook-and-audiobook experience
Compare Everand with Kobo Plus. Everand is the successor to the former Scribd reading product; Kobo Plus is the clearest competing subscription for both formats. Everand’s current support page lists U.S. Standard at $11.99/month for one unlock, Plus at $16.99 for three unlocks and Deluxe at $28.99 for five unlocks. Unlocks provide access for the subscription duration, so do not describe these plans as unlimited access to every title. Details are at Everand’s plan page.
Best Value
- Our fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever – The next-generation 7“ Paperwhite display has a higher contrast ratio and 25% faster page turns.
- Upgrade your reading experience – The Signature Edition features an auto-adjusting front light, wireless charging, and 32 GB storage.
- Ready for travel – The ultra-thin design has a larger glare-free screen so pages stay sharp no matter where you are.
- Escape into your books – Your Kindle doesn’t have social media, notifications, or other distracting apps.
- Adapts to your surroundings – The auto-adjusting front light lets you read in the brightest sunlight or late into the night.
For the lowest possible cost
Try Libby first, then Hoopla if your library offers it. The services are free to the reader but depend on a participating library’s budget, catalog and borrowing limits.
For Kindle owners
Kindle Unlimited is the natural fit for Kindle devices and apps. Libby may deliver some eligible U.S. library ebooks to Kindle. Everand’s app and web access should not be treated as universal support for Kindle or Kobo e-readers.
For audiobook ownership
Choose Audible, Libro.fm or individual purchases from Chirp, Apple Books or Google Play Books. These are purchase models, not unlimited subscriptions. Chirp’s official site is Chirp; Apple Books is at Apple Books, and Google Play Books is at Google Play Books.
For students and professionals
Start with Perlego, but confirm the exact textbook edition and access terms. A general ebook subscription may not contain the required academic title.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Important checks before you subscribe
- Search for your must-read titles while signed into the correct country storefront.
- Confirm whether a listing is included or merely available for separate purchase.
- Check the edition and whether an audiobook is abridged or unabridged.
- Distinguish offline access from ownership: downloaded subscription books normally stop working when access ends.
- Verify Kindle delivery, Kobo e-reader support, web access and offline rules for your device.
- Read trial cancellation and billing dates, especially when subscribing through Apple or Google.
- Recheck availability if you move countries; catalogs, prices and eligibility can change.
Availability outside the United States
Country matters for every service in this comparison. Kobo Plus, Spotify audiobook benefits, Everand plans and library catalogs can vary by market. Libby and Hoopla are additionally dependent on local library participation. Storytel and Bookmate operate internationally, but their current U.S. signup availability and catalogs should be verified before treating them as U.S. recommendations; see Storytel and Bookmate.
The Bottom Line
There is no universal winner. Choose Kobo Plus for a non-Amazon mixed subscription, Kindle Unlimited for genre-heavy ebook reading, Libby for free library access, Audible for premium audiobook breadth, Libro.fm for audiobook purchases that support independent bookstores, and Perlego for academic books. Remember that Everand—not Scribd—is the current name for the former Scribd reading service.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
