The House That Amazon Built
Amazon changed the e-book world completely. The Kindle and its store made it effortless for readers to buy and download books in seconds, and that convenience pulled millions into Amazon's system. The catch is that Kindle devices only work with Amazon's own file format, which makes it harder for other companies like Barnes & Noble or Kobo to compete.
Because Amazon reaches so many readers, most authors and publishers feel like they don't have much choice but to sell through the Kindle platform. Books listed on Kindle are seen by more people than anywhere else. That kind of reach gives Amazon a lot of control over pricing and distribution, which makes it difficult for smaller platforms to survive.
An article published in 2022 argues that the e-book market would benefit from greater openness, such as letting Kindle devices read books bought from other stores. More flexibility would give readers and writers real freedom and allow competition to grow again2.
Reader's Choice
Amazon might dominate the market, but it isn't the only option when it comes to e-books and e-readers. Other e-readers still have loyal users and unique features that make them worth a look. Each brand handles books and formats a little differently, and some are more flexible than others. The table below shows how the four major e-readers - Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Boox - compare in compatibility, and what each of them can actually do.
| Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024) |
Barnes & Noble Glowlight 4 Plus (2023) |
Kobo Clara (2024) |
Boox Go 7 (2025) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book Sources | The Kindle Store, library apps like OverDrive or Libby, Kindle Unlimited subscription, or transferring compatible files through USB ("sideloading"). | Barnes & Noble's online bookstore or Adobe DRM-protected files transferred from your computer. | Kobo's bookstore, OverDrive and Libby for library loans, Google Play Books, or compatible files transferred from a computer. | Works with multiple platforms since it runs on Android. You can install apps for Kindle, Kobo, Libby, or use downloaded files. |
| File Types Supported | AZW, MOBI, limited PDF, TXT, converted EPUB. | EPUB, PDF. | EPUB, EPUB3, PDF, MOBI, TXT, HTML, RTF. | EPUB, MOBI, PDF, DOCX, TXT, HTML, ZIP. |
| Unique Features | Integration with Amazon's store, waterproof design, and syncing between devices through your Amazon account. | Built-in store, adjustable lighting, and physical page-turn buttons. | Support for borrowing e-books directly from libraries, customizable font options, and waterproof designs on most models. | Android system allows for app downloads, note-taking features, and compatibility with different file formats and stores. |
These devices all make reading easier in different ways, but they also reveal how uneven access can be depending on where you choose to get your books or how you choose to read.
2. Kreutzmann-Gallasch, Antje, and Simone Schroff, "A Case for Openness - Book Publishing and the Role of Amazon," International Review of Industrial Property and Copyright Law (IIC), 2022.