# The reading super-app

> No other app ships this stack in one place: public-domain books with insights when curated, PDF research beside the page, your own EPUB/PDF/audiobooks, a real shelf to track what you read, LibriVox listen-along, Study from your marks, and native apps that sync—including Mac. Stay inside the book. Start free. Scholar unlocks the full depth.

**For:** Serious readers who refuse to juggle Kindle + Goodreads + ChatPDF + an audiobook app + a phone-only reader.

## The reading super-app — a stack no one else ships

Kindle delivers files. Goodreads tracks shelves. ChatPDF answers a document. Audiobook apps play audio. Phone readers forget the desktop. BetterReads is the only product that puts the full serious-reading stack on one account—so you do not rebuild your library three times.

- Public-domain classics with insights (Chapter / Stage / Epic Lens when curated)
- Import your own EPUB, PDF, and audiobooks (MP3, M4A, M4B, and more)
- PDF research with AI-assisted Ask that stays on the page
- Book tracking and Goodreads import on the same shelf
- LibriVox audiobooks listen-along
- Study — spaced recall from what you marked
- Native iOS, Android, and Mac + web, with cross-device sync

## Read — public-domain library with growing insights

Discover holds a vast free public-domain catalog you can preview and download. A growing curated set adds Chapter Lens (or Stage / Epic Lens where the form demands it), character and theme guides, glossary, and Ask/Explain that stay on the line.

Import your own EPUB, PDF, or audiobook when the edition you care about is not in the catalog. LibriVox listen-along is available on many titles. The brand is not “1,600 free books”—the brand is the stack.

## Reading life — the shelf behind the session

Shelf states, dates, half-star ratings, and Goodreads CSV import (web) make the reading life log credible for switchers. Track titles you read on paper or Kindle too.

## Research — PDFs read as books

Import a paper and keep outline, find, figures, notes, and AI-assisted Ask beside the page—on Mac and in the browser.

## Study — recall from your own marks

Study pulls companion glossary, characters, notes, and saved Explain answers into short, spaced reviews. You try first; coaching is optional.

## Every device you own

Native iOS, Android, and Mac, plus the web. Progress, marks, Study, and shelf states sync on one BetterReads account—no pairing codes, no second library.

## Start free. Scholar for full depth.

You can preview a chapter, browse the public-domain library, build a shelf, and feel the system without paying. Something this complete is not free forever: Scholar unlocks full chapter companions and deeper study tools—the depth that makes the stack worth keeping.

## How to try it

Start a free chapter preview on the web—no account required. Create an account when you want the shelf, Study, and sync. Upgrade to Scholar when you want full companions and deeper study.

## FAQ

### What is BetterReads?

BetterReads is the reading super-app: public-domain classics with in-text insights, import EPUB/PDF/audiobooks, PDF research, book tracking, LibriVox audio, Study, and sync across iOS, Android, Mac, and web. Nothing else combines that stack.

### Is it free?

Browse, preview, and build a reading life free. Scholar is optional and unlocks full chapter companions and deeper study tools—the depth that makes the stack worth keeping.

### Why pay for Scholar?

Something this complete costs real curation and engineering. Free proves the system; Scholar funds full companions and deeper study so the super-app stays excellent.

## Related

- [Best e-reader app](https://www.betterreads.dev/guides/best-ereader-app)
- [Book tracker app](https://www.betterreads.dev/guides/book-tracker-app)
- [Import your files](https://www.betterreads.dev/guides/epub-pdf-import)
- [LibriVox audiobooks](https://www.betterreads.dev/guides/librivox-audiobooks)
- [Mac reading app](https://www.betterreads.dev/guides/mac-reading-app)
- [Cross-platform sync](https://www.betterreads.dev/guides/cross-platform-sync)
- [PDF research](https://www.betterreads.dev/guides/pdf-research-reader)
- [Scholar](https://www.betterreads.dev/scholar)

Updated: 2026-09-27

HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/guides/reading-system