ePub reader Chrome: The best options

Although many eBooks may look the same, not all e-books come in the same file format. Most users know about EPUB and PDF e-books. However, few know that even those file formats have many variations based on the technology and security techniques used to make them. EPUB e-books are among the most popular, but unlike a PDF or Word document, not every software or device can read them. That’s where book readers or text to speech apps come into play.

What are EPUB files?

EPUB files are digital text files that can store a wide range of information like images, metadata, tables, words, spacing, etc. This file extension is often standard for e-books and similar content. Opening EPUB files typically require an e-reader. However, it doesn’t have to be a hardware solution.

For example, iPhone and Android mobile devices have built-in EPUB opener software that can open e-books in an EPUB file format. Microsoft Edge can also open these files on Windows 10 and 11.

The best EPUB readers for Google Chrome

Just because many devices have built-in EPUB readers doesn’t mean all of them are great. Like other software tools, a third-party option can work better. If you want a good Google Chrome EPUB file reader, the following apps can help you read and open EPUB files:

EPUB File Reader

EPUB File Reader is an EPUB reader free to download online. Its software allows you to see a document chapter directory on one side and the content of the file on the other side. However, this reader is only compatible with Windows XP/Vista/7 and Windows 8 (PC).

Readium

Readium is a Chrome extension and free EPUB reader built from the open-source ReadiumJS. The reading app uses JavaScript to load EPUB files in web browsers. Although it’s a minimalist EPUB reader, it has some customization features.

Readium lets users adjust the font size, margins, display format, text, and background colors. This makes it easy to customize the appearance and perhaps makes reading easier for people with dyslexia. Note that people with dyslexia and similar reading difficulties can benefit from non-white backgrounds and larger font sizes that can eliminate letter confusion.

Mobi Press eReader

The MobiPress eReader is another solution for reading EPUB files in your favorite Google browser. The app works with EPUB 2 and EPUB 3 non-DRM files. Although this limits its use, it’s still an efficient eReader.

Interestingly, the app is part of the MobiPress book production platform. Therefore, it should work seamlessly with e-books that you can open in Kobo, Adobe Digital Editions, iBooks, and other similar tools. Additionally, its standout feature is the developer tool suite. e-book writers can use the MobiPress eReader app to run validation checks and other neat tricks for self-publishers.

Right-click on the app and make a desktop link for faster access, especially if you don’t always use Chrome as a default browser.

EpubPress

EpubPress is a productivity app and e-book reader available in the Google Play Store. You can read online or offline without seeing ads, banners, and other annoying elements.

The app is available on iPhones, iPads, Android devices, Kindle, and Nook, among others. In addition, you can download and read existing non-DRM EPUB files with the EpubPress app. Such versatility puts it ahead of some of the other e-readers.

EPUB Reader

EPUBReader is one of the most popular Chrome apps for reading EPUB books. The add-on built-in HTML 5 can read the EPUB format directly in the browser. You can open e-books directly from the website or double-click in your preferred file explorer, and EPUBReader opens the file in your browser.

Furthermore, the extension doesn’t need local memory to open non-DRM e-books, making it ideal for Chromebooks. Going a step further, the extension supports 24 languages and has read-aloud functionality when paired with the Read Aloud app.

Adobe Digital Editions

You may need a specific e-reader if you have Adobe e-books with DRM protection. The Adobe Digital Editions e-book reader works on iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android devices. It’s free to use and doesn’t contain in-app advertising.

Adobe Digital Editions supports EPUB files and PDF e-books and has online and offline functionality. It also has multiple integrations with e-book services and public libraries.

Speechify

If you want a full-service EPUB reader online and offline, Speechify is the best choice. At its core, Speechify is a text to speech (TTS) reader. That means the app can take written words and turn them into speech. It does this with advanced AI algorithms and speech synthesis that produce natural-sounding voices.

But Speechify supports text from many file formats like TXT, Docs, PDF, Gmail emails, and more. It even supports EPUB files, as long as you use non-DRM e-books. The app allows users to create bookmarks, import files from Google Drive, and more. Therefore, Speechify can help you load EPUB documents, read the text, and generate a narration for an even easier reading experience.

Speechify: The best online EPUB reader

Whether you need an Android EPUB reader or an iPad EPUB reader, Speechify is the best option. Use it to open EPUB online and offline, as well as on many different devices like Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, and iOS. Not only is Speechify the best EPUB viewer around, but it’s also the leading text to speech service for all your TTS needs.

There are many reasons why Speechify is the best text to speech software and best EPUB reader. One major reason are the many natural-sounding voices to choose from—over 200 male and female voices in more than 30 different languages and accents. You can even speed up or slow down the reading speed and have the app highlight the text as it reads to you out loud. Speechify also comes with optical character recognition (OCR) technology. As a result, it can transform digital and physical text from screenshots, illustrations, and scanned paperback photos into speech.

Instead of simply reading your EPUB files, you can enhance them with an immersive auditory experience across all your devices.

Try Speechify today in your Chrome browser on a Mac, Windows PC, or other devices, and enjoy reading EPUBs without opening a new tab.

FAQ

What is the best EPUB reader for Chrome?

Speechify is the best EPUB reader for Google Chrome because it comes with added functionality powered by OCR and text to speech technologies.

Can EPUB be read on a browser?

Some browsers, like Microsoft Edge, have built-in support for EPUB files. Others need users to install an EPUB extension and activate it in the toolbar to read non-PDF e-books.

What are the disadvantages of EPUB?

Less e-reader compatibility and the difficulty of creating EPUB files are the only significant drawbacks for avid e-book readers and self-publishers.