In 2025, accessing free books legally has never been easier, thanks to a wide range of online platforms offering digital libraries with millions of titles. Whether you’re looking for classic literature, modern indie works, academic textbooks, or audiobooks, there are numerous websites that provide free downloads in various formats like EPUB, PDF, and Kindle. From renowned archives like Project Gutenberg and Open Library to platforms supporting independent authors like Smashwords, these resources cater to different reading preferences and needs. Below is a curated list of 15 great websites where you can legally download free books in 2025.

1. Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org)

One of the oldest and most famous sources for free eBooks. It offers over 75,000 books that are in the public domain, meaning their copyrights have expired. You can download books in multiple formats like EPUB, Kindle, and plain text.

2. Open Library (openlibrary.org)

A project of the Internet Archive, Open Library provides access to millions of books, including both public domain and modern books available through lending. You can “borrow” some newer books, similar to a library.

3. Google Play Books

Google Play Books has a free section where you can find a variety of books. You just need a Google account to download them, and they can be read on a phone, tablet, or web browser.

4. ManyBooks (manybooks.net)

Offers thousands of free eBooks, including classic literature and indie publications. It supports multiple formats, making it compatible with different eReaders.

5. BookBub (bookbub.com)

Not only does BookBub provide free eBooks, but it also alerts users about discounts on bestsellers. You can filter books by genre and retailer (Amazon, Apple, Kobo, etc.).

6. LibriVox (librivox.org)

If you prefer audiobooks, LibriVox offers free recordings of books in the public domain, read by volunteers. This is great for classic literature lovers.

7. Internet Archive (archive.org)

A massive digital library with millions of free books, movies, software, and music. Books can be downloaded or borrowed, depending on copyright status.

8. Smashwords (smashwords.com)

A self-publishing platform where indie authors offer their books for free or at discounted prices. You can find a mix of genres and formats.

9. PDFBooksWorld (pdfbooksworld.com)

Specializes in digitizing and reformatting classic books into high-quality PDFs. Great for readers who prefer PDFs over EPUB or MOBI formats.

10. Bookboon (bookboon.com)

Focuses on educational books, especially in business, engineering, and IT. It’s a great resource for students and professionals.

11. Free-eBooks.net (free-ebooks.net)

Requires free registration but offers a variety of books in multiple genres. Premium users get additional benefits like unlimited downloads.

12. Standard Ebooks (standardebooks.org)

Unlike some sites that offer scanned copies of old books, Standard Ebooks carefully formats and proofreads its public domain books for a high-quality reading experience.

13. eBooks.com (ebooks.com)

While mainly a paid bookstore, eBooks.com offers a selection of free books. You’ll need an account to download them.

14. Feedbooks (feedbooks.com)

Offers a collection of free public domain books and original works from indie authors. The books are available in EPUB and PDF formats.

15. Planet eBook (planetebook.com)

Specializes in classic literature, offering free PDFs of public domain books. A great site for lovers of classic novels like Pride and Prejudice or 1984.

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How to Use These Sites

• Most 0f these sites let you download books in different formats (EPUB, MOBI, PDF, etc.).

• Some sites, like Open Library and Internet Archive, require you to create an account for borrowing.

• Make sure you comply with copyright laws in your country when downloading books.

In 2025, there are many excellent websites where you can legally download free books, whether you’re interested in classic literature, academic resources, audiobooks, or contemporary indie works. Platforms like Project Gutenberg, Open Library, and Internet Archive are great for classics and public domain books, while Smashwords, BookBub, and Feedbooks provide access to modern indie titles. For students and professionals, Bookboon and PDFBooksWorld offer valuable educational content.

Each of these sites has its own strengths, so depending on what you’re looking for, you may find some more useful than others. Whether you prefer reading on an eReader, listening to audiobooks, or downloading PDFs, there’s a free book resource available for you.