As an ebook format, EPUB remains the go-to standard for digital books, and that’s for a good reason. It’s lightweight, flexible, and keeps text looking sharp on everything, from modern tablets to older PCs. Yet even with its popularity, not all EPUB readers are built the same. Many users find themselves unsure which app to choose, especially when features like annotations, interactivity, and cross-device syncing come into play.
Picking the right software isn’t always straightforward. The best choice comes down to which features matter most to your reading habits. To make that decision easier, we’ve tested many of the available ones in the market and came up with a list of the best EPUB readers for Windows in 2026!
How to Select an EPUB Reader
Before we go into the details of each software, you have to first understand and identify the features you want. For instance, some EPUB readers keep your notes and highlights synced across devices, while others let you display ebooks with interactive features that go beyond plain text and images.
So let’s take a quick look at the main features you might want to consider while selecting an ebook reader:
- Interactivity: If your ebook includes elements such as videos, audio tracks, animated images, quizzes, or ebook apps, then look for an ereader that is EPUB 3 compliant. This is important because if the reader you are using supports only EPUB 2, it won’t display any of the interactive elements in your ebook.
- Cloud syncing: Some users work on multiple devices and prefer to keep their reading progress, highlights, and notes synced, so they can access them on any device. If that’s the case, then make sure the EPUB reader you select offers this feature.
- Device compatibility: Unfortunately, not all readers can work on all devices. For instance, some readers are mobile only, while others are created for Mac users. So before downloading any software, make sure it’s compatible with your Windows device.
- User interface and ease of use: While this might sound like common sense, some EPUB readers aren’t exactly user-friendly. We have personally tested many of them, and some were just too cluttered or complicated to use.
- Accessibility features: Being able to adjust font size, turn text to speech, or use keyboard navigation can make a huge difference in the reading experience. Sometimes, these features aren’t just a nice-to-have option, but a necessity for readers with accessibility needs.
2026’s Best EPUB Readers on Windows
To provide you with a comprehensive list of the best EPUB readers in today’s market, we’ve personally tested the majority of the available options. This way, we can confidently recommend the top ones for you.
And to make the process of selecting an EPUB reader easier for you, we have rated each one out of 5, based on the above criteria.
1. Kotobee Reader (★★★★⯪)
Having this ereader at the top of the list might sound biased, but just bear with us as we explain its super intuitive features. Not only does it make reading digital books simple and enjoyable, but it also supports interactive ebooks. And it doesn’t matter what language you choose to read, because its interface can be displayed in more than 20 languages.
On top of that, Kotobe Reader allows you to add notes and bookmarks, highlight parts of the text, and look up anything on Google or Wikipedia with just a click of a button, without having to leave the ebook. And if you’re looking for something new to read, you’ll have access to its free integrated library, Kotobee Books, with thousands of ebooks that you can download and read directly from inside the software.
Main Features
- Advanced interactive content support: From embedded videos to advanced ebook apps and widgets, you can view and interact with a wide range of ebook elements.
- Customizable reading experience: Easily adjust font size, line height, and page view(between single-page, double-page, or scroll view mode).
- Library organization: Browse and manage your EPUB collection in one place.
- Free integrated library: Access thousands of free ebooks and audiobooks right inside Kotobee Reader.
- Highlights and notes: Mark text and add personal notes while you read.
- Text-to-speech: Listen to the content of your ebook and enjoy hands-free reading.
- Built-in search: Look up terms instantly using Google or Wikipedia without leaving the ebook.
- Multi-language interface: Switch the reader interface between more than 20 supported languages.
- Table of contents view: Navigate through chapters and sections with a clear TOC panel.
- Audiobook support: Listen to and access audiobooks directly in the app.
Limitations
- For notes and annotations to be synced and accessible on any device, the ebook has to be a cloud-based one.
Best Suited For
- Readers who want to read interactive EPUBs, not just static text.
- Educators, students, and publishers working with multimedia or enhanced ebooks.
- Users who value customization, multilingual support, and a free built-in ebook library.
Our Verdict
Kotobee Reader is a great pick if you want more than a standard EPUB reader. It balances ease of use with support for interactive content, notes, and audiobooks, all in one place. While syncing annotations requires cloud-based ebooks, its flexibility and built-in library make it a strong option for a richer, more engaging reading experience.
2. Aquile Reader (★★★★)
If you are looking for a simple ereader with a clear design and access to free ebooks, then Aquile can be it. With seamless cross-device sync, built-in text-to-speech (TTS), and a fully customizable user interface, it can do the job for you. It can also provide reading insights so you can keep track of your progress.
Main Features
- Cross-device sync: Continue reading across Windows laptops, tablets, and phones.
- Text-to-speech: Converts text into audio for hands-free reading.
- Integrated ebook libraries: Access free ebooks directly from inside the ereader.
- Notes and highlights: Annotate, bookmark, and highlight passages for study or reference.
- Dictionary and Translation: Built-in tools to look up words or translate text instantly.
- Reading customization: Adjust fonts, spacing, and themes to personalize your reading experience.
Limitations
- No support for interactive ebook features.
- The premium version is platform-specific, preventing sync between Windows and Android devices.
Best Suited For
- Readers who want to read text-based EPUB files without interactive elements.
- Students or casual readers who value annotations, highlights, and progress tracking.
- Those who primarily use Windows devices and want a free, accessible library.
Our Verdict
Aquile Reader is a reliable option for anyone seeking a minimalist, functional EPUB reader. While it lacks advanced interactivity and cross-platform syncing, its strong customization, TTS, and free library access make it a great fit for text-based ebook reading.
3. Neat Reader (★★★★)
Neat Reader is a free EPUB reader for Windows that lets you open, read, and annotate EPUB books. It helps you manage your library, take notes, highlight text, and bookmark pages. With versions for macOS, iOS, Android, and web browsers, it syncs your reading across devices so you can pick up anywhere.
Main Features
- Library management: Organize your ebooks, manage collections, and track reading progress.
- Annotations: Highlight text, add notes, and bookmark pages.
- Sync across devices: Keep reading progress, highlights, and notes synced across multiple devices (premium feature).
- Customizable reading experience: Adjust fonts, font size, themes, line spacing, and layouts for comfort.
- Cloud storage: Store and access ebooks and reading data in the cloud (premium feature).
Limitations
- While it does support some EPUB 3 standards, advanced interactive features might not work.
- Advanced features, like cloud syncing and large library management, require a premium plan.
- The interface of this software is functional but fairly basic, so it may feel less polished than other ereaders.
Best Suited For
- Readers who want a simple, reliable EPUB reader with strong annotation tools.
- People who read across multiple devices and want cloud syncing.
- Those who don’t need full EPUB 3 interactivity.
Our Verdict
Neat Reader delivers a dependable, no-fuss EPUB reading experience. Its annotation tools and cross-device syncing make it perfect for readers who want consistency across devices. While advanced interactivity and some premium features are limited, it’s a solid choice for anyone who wants to read, highlight, and manage ebooks efficiently.
4. Thorium Reader (★★★)
Developed and maintained by EDRLab, Thorium Reader is a free, open-source EPUB3 reader with multimedia support. It can be localised in a large set of languages and prioritizes accessibility for readers with visual impairments or dyslexia.
Another perk of Thourium is its clean, intuitive interface that makes navigating EPUBs simple and enjoyable. You can easily jump between chapters, search within books, and customize fonts, colors, and layouts to suit your reading preferences.
Main Features
- Free and open-source: Use the software at no cost and benefit from open-source development.
- EPUB3 support with multimedia: Read EPUB2 and EPUB3 files that include audio, video, and interactive content.
- Wide language coverage: Turn the reader interface into many languages, with new locales added regularly.
- Accessibility features: Rely on tools designed to support readers with visual impairments or dyslexia.
- Clean, intuitive interface: Navigate books easily using a simple, uncluttered interface.
- Reading customization: Adjust brightness, fonts, font size, spacing, hyphenation, columns, and switch between sepia and night modes.
- Bookmarking and navigation controls: Save your place and move smoothly through the content.
- Audiobook support: Listen to audiobooks directly in the app.
Limitations
- No advanced annotations or highlighting.
- Lacks full interactivity support.
- No cross-device syncing.
Best Suited For
- Readers who prioritize accessibility features.
- Those who want a free, open-source reader with multimedia support.
- Users who mainly read on a single device and don’t need syncing or interactive content.
Our Verdict
Thorium Reader is a solid choice for readers who need a simple, reliable EPUB reader with support for multimedia and accessibility tools like text-to-speech and font adjustments. It works best for those who mainly read on a single device and don’t require advanced annotation, interactive content, or syncing across devices.
5. Icecream Ebook Reader (★★★)
Icecream Ebook Reader is a simple, user-friendly EPUB reader for Windows that also supports formats like PDF, MOBI, and FB2. It’s designed for quick, distraction-free reading, with features like bookmarks, highlights, in-book search, text-to-speech, and a comfortable night mode.
Main Features
- User‑friendly interface: Enjoy a simple, clean design tailored for ease of use on Windows.
- Library organization: Add ebooks to your library and organize them for easy browsing.
- Bookmarks and highlights: Save your place and mark important passages as you read.
- In‑book search: Find words or phrases quickly inside the ebook.
- Text-to-speech: Listen to your ebook as the app reads it aloud.
- Customizable reading: Adjust fonts, font size, line spacing, and layout for comfort. Switch to night mode and full‑screen view for an easier reading experience.
Limitations
- No support for interactive EPUB features.
- Notes and reading data stay local and cannot sync across devices.
- Some users report occasional upgrade prompts and minor bookmark inconsistencies.
Best Suited For
- Readers who want a simple, easy-to-use EPUB reader with basic annotation and text-to-speech.
- Those who mainly read on a single device.
Our Verdict
Icecream Ebook Reader is ideal for readers looking for a lightweight, functional EPUB reader without the complexity of advanced features. Its simple interface, text-to-speech, and library organization make it great for casual readers, though it’s not suited for those who need cross-device syncing or interactive ebooks.
6. Calibre (★★⯪)
One of the most well-known ereaders in the market, Calibre is an open-source suite that lets you manage your ebook collection. Many writers use this software to convert their ebooks from one format to another (such as from PDF to EPUB, AZW3, Doc, and many other formats). It can also be a great option for editing the ebooks metadata and keeping your library organized, however you want!
As a Windows EPUB reader, Calibre allows you to display and use limited interactive features such as audio, images, and embedded videos. However, it doesn’t support advanced interactivity or cloud syncing. It’s also important to mention that the interface of this software can feel cluttered or overwhelming for beginners.
Main Features
- Reading customization: Adjust fonts, margins, and colors to suit your preferences.
- Navigation tools: Search within text and move through the table of contents easily.
- Bookmarking: Save your place in the book for quick return later.
- Accessibility option: Basic read-aloud mode (text-to-speech).
- Interactive content display: Handles audio, images, and embedded videos in EPUB files.
- Language compatibility: Supports multiple languages and character sets.
Limitations
- Limited support for advanced interactivity in EPUBs.
- No cloud syncing, so reading progress and notes remain local.
- The interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming for some readers.
Our Verdict
Calibre is powerful for organizing and converting ebooks, but it is less convenient as a dedicated reader. Its interface can be complex, and it lacks modern reading features like synced annotations or advanced interactivity. It’s best for library management rather than casual or interactive reading.
| Reader | Interactivity | Cloud Sync | Device Compatibility | Ease of Use | Accessibility | Rating |
| Kotobee Reader | Supports EPUB3 interactivity, including audio/video | Optional cloud sync for progress, bookmarks, and notes | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web | Intuitive and clean | Adjustable fonts, layout, text‑to‑speech, keyboard navigation | ★★★★⯪Full-featured, highly interactive, supports cloud syncing, excellent UI, and accessibility |
| Aquile Reader | No interactive EPUB support | Cross-device sync (Windows & some mobile) | Windows, Android | Simple and clear | Text-to-speech, font & theme customization | ★★★★Good cross-device sync and TTS, easy to use, but lacks EPUB3 interactivity |
| Neat Reader | Limited EPUB3 interactivity | Sync across devices (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web) | Cross-platform | Functional but basic | Standard font/layout settings; limited accessibility | ★★★★Cross-device sync and note management are strong, but limited interactivity support and basic interface |
| Thorium Reader | Supports EPUB3 multimedia | Local only, no cloud sync | Windows, macOS, Linux | Clean and intuitive | Strong focus on accessibility (screen readers, dyslexia tools) | ★★★Excellent accessibility and multimedia EPUB3 support, local-only, and no advanced annotations |
| Icecream Ebook Reader | No advanced EPUB3 interactivity | Local only, no cloud sync | Windows only | User-friendly and simple | Basic text-to-speech, font & layout adjustments | ★★★Simple, lightweight, and easy to use, but lacks interactivity, cloud sync, and advanced features |
| Calibre | Limited interactivity (audio/images) | Local only, no cloud sync | Windows, macOS, Linux | Can feel cluttered/complex | Basic text-to-speech, font customization | ★★⯪Powerful library management and format conversion, but complex UI and limited interactivity support |
Wrapping Up
The right EPUB reader can turn ordinary reading into something effortless and exciting. You just have to look for the features that matter most to you, whether it’s syncing your notes across devices, exploring interactive content, or just having a clean, distraction-free interface.
Try a few, play around with their tools, and see what feels right. When you find the one that clicks, reading stops feeling like a task and starts feeling like an experience you actually look forward to every day!
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