If you’re searching for Z Library alternatives, you’ve probably already hit a few walls: the site disappearing or changing domains, blocks in your country, or nagging doubts about how safe or legal it really is. The good news is that there are plenty of other ways to get ebooks, audiobooks and even academic texts without constantly chasing new mirror links.
This guide walks through practical alternatives to Z-Library, including completely free websites, library apps you can use with a card, paid subscription services for heavier readers, and research platforms. It also briefly explains pirate/shadow libraries so you understand the risks, but doesn’t recommend or link to them. Wherever possible, the options listed are legal in most countries—but laws vary, so it’s always worth checking what applies where you live.
Quick overview: top Z Library alternatives
If you just want names quickly, here are the 15 main Z Library alternatives covered below:
Project Gutenberg – Free public-domain ebooks; 75,000+ titles.
Internet Archive – Massive digital library with millions of scanned books and public-domain downloads.
Open Library – “One page for every book ever published” with digital lending.
Libby (OverDrive) – Free ebooks and audiobooks via your public library.
BorrowBox – Library app popular in the UK, Ireland, Australia & NZ.
Hoopla – Library-powered access to ebooks, comics, audiobooks, films and more.
Google Books – Huge searchable index with previews and full-view books.
ManyBooks – 50,000+ free ebooks plus discounted modern titles.
LibriVox – Free public-domain audiobooks, read by volunteers.
Kindle Unlimited – Subscription with a large ebook catalogue.
Everand (Scribd) – Reading subscription for ebooks, audiobooks and more.
Kobo Plus – Subscription for Kobo users with unlimited ebooks and audiobooks.
DOAB (Directory of Open Access Books) – Index of 100k+ free academic books.
OAPEN Library – Hosting platform for peer-reviewed open access books.
Shadow libraries & pirate sites – Frequently mentioned but high-risk and usually illegal (context only, not recommended).
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg is one of the most important Z Library alternatives if you mainly want classics and older works rather than the latest bestsellers. It’s a long-running volunteer project offering over 75,000 free ebooks in the public domain, all carefully proofread and formatted in multiple digital formats.
Content focus
Classic literature
Older non-fiction, philosophy, history
Some early genre fiction (sci-fi, adventure, mystery)
Best for
Readers who are happy to build a reading list around classic and public-domain books.
Pros
Completely free and legal
No sign-up required
EPUB, Kindle, HTML and plain-text options
Cons
No modern in-copyright bestsellers
Formatting is basic compared to paid editions
How it compares to Z-Library
You won’t find new releases here, but as a risk-free foundation for your digital library, Project Gutenberg is one of the strongest Z Library alternatives.
Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is a nonprofit digital library that acts as a broad Z Library alternative for people looking beyond just ebooks. It preserves millions of books, websites, audio files, videos and more, with a dedicated “Texts” collection that includes public-domain downloads and digitised copies of in-copyright works.
Content focus
Public-domain books (free to download)
Out-of-print and older titles
In-copyright books via controlled digital lending
Best for
Research, niche topics and older works
Finding scans of physical editions and rare books
Pros
Enormous catalogue
Public-domain items can usually be downloaded as PDF/EPUB
Integrated with Open Library for lending
Cons
Interface can feel cluttered
Lending model for newer titles can involve queues and login friction
Some lending practices have been legally contested in some jurisdictions
How it compares to Z-Library
As a research-oriented Z Library alternative, Internet Archive is excellent, especially for older and obscure material, though it’s not a direct replacement for mass downloading recent books.
Open Library
Open Library is a spin-off project from the Internet Archive that works as a more structured Z Library alternative for people who like borrowing rather than hoarding files. Its goal is “one web page for every book ever published,” combining bibliographic data with digital lending of scanned books.
Content focus
Fiction and non-fiction across many decades
Public-domain titles (often full view)
In-copyright books via time-limited ebook loans
Best for
Readers who don’t mind a library-style model
Tracking different editions of the same book
Pros
Free to register and borrow
Can read in-browser; some formats allow download
Strong discovery tools (ISBN, edition, subject)
Cons
Waiting lists for popular books
Reading experience is less polished than commercial ebook apps
How it compares to Z-Library
Open Library is one of the closest legit Z Library alternatives in concept: big coverage, free access, and downloadable files for some titles—but designed around lending rather than permanent downloads.
Libby (OverDrive)
What it is
Libby is a key Z Library alternative for mainstream readers because it connects directly to your local public library’s digital collection. Through Libby, you can borrow ebooks, audiobooks and magazines for free with a valid library card, using an app that’s built specifically for reading and listening.
Content focus
Bestsellers and new releases
General fiction and non-fiction
Audiobooks and magazines
Best for
Readers who want the newest titles without paying per book
People in regions with strong public library systems
Pros
Free once you have a library card
Clean mobile apps; offline reading and listening
Auto-returns, so no late fees
Cons
Catalogue and loan limits depend on your library’s budget
Waitlists for very popular books
How it compares to Z-Library
For many people, Libby is the most practical everyday Z Library alternative: you get a large rotating catalogue of current books, entirely legally, with a smooth user experience.
BorrowBox
BorrowBox is another library-powered Z Library alternative, used heavily by libraries in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other regions. It provides a single app where you can borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and often e-magazines or newspapers using your library credentials.
Content focus
Popular fiction and non-fiction
Audiobooks from major publishers
Digital press content in some systems
Best for
Readers in countries where BorrowBox is the main digital library platform
People who want a simple, library-first reading app
Pros
Free access with a participating library card
Good mobile apps; offline use
Strong local catalogues in supported regions
Cons
Not available everywhere
Doesn’t install on all e-readers (e.g., most Kindles)
How it compares to Z-Library
If your local library uses BorrowBox, pairing it with Libby can cover a huge chunk of what Z-Library used to provide, while staying firmly on the right side of copyright law.
Hoopla
Hoopla is a versatile Z Library alternative that focuses on all kinds of digital media via your library: ebooks, audiobooks, comics, music, movies and TV. Instead of a limited copy model, many titles are available for instant checkout through a pay-per-use deal funded by your library.
Content focus
Ebooks and audiobooks
Comics and graphic novels
Films, TV and music
Best for
Users who want more than just books from a Z Library alternative
Graphic-novel and comic readers
Pros
Free with a participating library card
Large catalogue; instant access to many items
No late fees
Cons
Monthly borrow limits set by your library
Some libraries are dropping Hoopla due to cost
How it compares to Z-Library
Hoopla is a strong all-rounder Z Library alternative if your main goal is “a lot to read and watch from one place,” rather than building your own ebook file archive.
Google Books
Google Books is a huge searchable index of book content that functions as a discovery-oriented Z Library alternative. It lets you search inside millions of books, view full text for public-domain titles, and see previews or snippets for many in-copyright works, with links to buy or borrow.
Content focus
Public-domain books (often full view and downloadable)
In-copyright titles with limited previews
Links to libraries and retailers
Best for
Checking whether a book is worth borrowing or buying
Searching within texts for study and research
Pros
Massive coverage
Powerful full-text search inside books
Some titles downloadable as PDFs
Cons
Many books are preview-only
Not a full lending or subscription service
How it compares to Z-Library
Google Books isn’t a direct replacement, but it’s a useful front-end layer: you discover books there, then get them through library apps, legitimate ebook stores or open-access sources.
ManyBooks
ManyBooks is a reader-friendly Z Library alternative for free and cheap ebooks, bringing together public-domain works and modern titles from indie authors. It started as a front-end for classic texts and now offers over 50,000 free ebooks plus frequent deals on newer books.
Content focus
Classic literature in the public domain
Contemporary indie and small-press titles
Regular promotions and discounted ebooks
Best for
Readers who enjoy trying new or lesser-known authors
People who want a stream of free and cheap ebooks
Pros
Large free catalogue
Multiple formats for most titles
Good genre filters (romance, thriller, sci-fi, etc.)
Cons
Fewer big-publisher bestsellers
Quality can be mixed for very small-press titles
How it compares to Z-Library
ManyBooks works well as a cleaner, safer Z Library alternative when you mainly want something new to read, not necessarily the latest blockbuster.
LibriVox
LibriVox is a specialised Z Library alternative for audiobooks, built entirely around public-domain works. Volunteers from around the world record readings of classic books and make them available for free download or streaming.
Content focus
Classic novels
Poetry, essays and drama
Multilingual recordings
Best for
People who prefer to listen rather than read
Commuters, language learners, and fans of older literature
Pros
All audiobooks are free and public domain
Apps and feeds available; can download MP3s
Growing catalogue with thousands of recordings
Cons
No modern copyrighted audiobooks
Quality varies by volunteer reader
How it compares to Z-Library
LibriVox is the audio counterpart to public-domain ebook libraries; it’s ideal if part of your Z-Library habit was listening to classics in audio form.
Kindle Unlimited
Kindle Unlimited is a commercial Z Library alternative for heavy readers who are comfortable in the Amazon ecosystem. It’s a subscription service that lets you read from a large catalogue of ebooks (and some audiobooks) for a flat monthly fee, with up to a certain number of titles borrowed at once.
Content focus
Genre fiction: romance, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy
Many indie and self-published works
Some non-fiction and comics
Best for
Readers who already use a Kindle or Kindle app
People who read several books per month in popular genres
Pros
Huge catalogue relative to price
Deep integration with Kindle devices and apps
Frequent free trials or promotions
Cons
Not all big-publisher bestsellers are included
Access ends if you cancel the subscription
How it compares to Z-Library
Kindle Unlimited offers a legal “all-you-can-read” feel for a monthly fee, making it a realistic Z Library alternative if you read a lot of genre fiction.
Everand (Scribd)
Everand (the reading app from the Scribd family) is another subscription-based Z Library alternative that covers ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, documents and more. It operates on a hybrid model with a core catalogue plus “unlocks” for premium titles, but still feels like a large digital library for one monthly price.
Content focus
Popular fiction and non-fiction
Audiobooks and podcasts
Magazines, sheet music and documents
Best for
Users who want a single subscription for many content types
Non-fiction readers and audiobook listeners
Pros
Wide variety of formats in one place
Apps across most platforms; offline reading and listening
Includes many well-known titles
Cons
Soft usage limits on some plans
Catalogue can shift as licensing changes
How it compares to Z-Library
Everand functions as a paid but polished Z Library alternative, particularly if you care about both text and audio content under one roof.
Kobo Plus
Kobo Plus is Rakuten Kobo’s subscription-style Z Library alternative aimed at users of Kobo e-readers and apps. For a fixed monthly price, you can read and listen to as many included ebooks and audiobooks as you like from the Kobo Plus catalogue.
Content focus
Genre fiction and mid-list titles
A growing selection of audiobooks
Some region-specific content
Best for
Kobo e-reader owners
Readers who want an “unlimited” experience outside Amazon
Pros
Unlimited reading/listening within the Kobo Plus library
Strong integration with Kobo devices and apps
Multiple plan types (read, listen, or both)
Cons
Availability and catalogue vary by country
As with other subs, not every major bestseller is included
How it compares to Z-Library
Kobo Plus is a natural Z Library alternative for Kobo users, giving you a large rotating library of books to explore with a predictable monthly cost.
DOAB (Directory of Open Access Books)
The Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) is a specialist Z Library alternative aimed at academics and serious non-fiction readers. It’s a community-driven index that lists over 100,000 peer-reviewed open access books and helps users discover trustworthy publishers and titles that are free to read.
Content focus
Peer-reviewed scholarly monographs
Humanities, social sciences, law, education, technology and more
Books from established academic presses
Best for
Students, researchers and professionals
Anyone who needs reliable, citable academic sources
Pros
All titles are open access; free to read online
Quality control via peer review
Good search and browse tools
Cons
Academic style; not casual reading
Does not cover every commercial textbook
How it compares to Z-Library
For academic content, DOAB is one of the strongest fully legal Z Library alternatives, particularly when you need peer-reviewed books you can access anywhere.
OAPEN Library
The OAPEN Library is a hosting platform that works alongside DOAB and acts as a research-focused Z Library alternative for full-text academic books. It provides open access to thousands of peer-reviewed monographs, connecting publishers, libraries and funders via a stable infrastructure.
Content focus
Scholarly books across many disciplines
Open access titles from academic publishers
Long-form research outputs
Best for
Researchers who need downloadable academic PDFs
Librarians integrating OA books into catalogues
Pros
Free to read and download
Curated, peer-reviewed content
Emphasis on long-term preservation
Cons
Narrow focus on scholarly work
Interface is utilitarian rather than consumer-oriented
How it compares to Z-Library
If you used Z-Library mainly as an academic shortcut, OAPEN plus DOAB can supply a legally solid replacement for a significant portion of your research reading.
Shadow libraries and pirate ebook sites (high risk, not recommended)
Shadow libraries and pirate ebook sites are often presented online as “true Z Library alternatives” because they distribute large numbers of in-copyright books, articles and textbooks for free without publisher permission. They typically operate via mirror domains, file-sharing, or anonymised hosting, and frequently reference or replace services like Z-Library itself.
Key risks
Legal: Downloading or sharing copyrighted content without permission may violate copyright law in many countries.
Security: These sites often rely on aggressive ads, pop-ups and risky download links that can lead to malware or phishing.
Privacy: Operators may collect IP addresses, email addresses or browsing data.
Stability: Domains are routinely seized or blocked, so links break and mirrors vanish.
Because of these concerns, this article does not list or link to specific shadow libraries, and does not recommend using them as Z Library alternatives.
Conclusion: building a practical Z Library alternative stack
There is no perfect one-for-one replacement for Z-Library. However, combining several of these Z Library alternatives gives you a strong, sustainable setup:
Use Libby, BorrowBox and Hoopla as your primary free sources for modern ebooks and audiobooks via your local library.
Add Project Gutenberg, Internet Archive, Open Library, ManyBooks and LibriVox for classics, older titles and public-domain audiobooks.
Layer on a subscription like Kindle Unlimited, Everand or Kobo Plus if your reading volume justifies a monthly fee.
For serious study, rely on DOAB and OAPEN Library as your main open-access academic book sources.
That mix won’t give you every book instantly and for free, but it will give you a large, stable and legal reading ecosystem without the constant uncertainty that surrounds shadow libraries.
If you’re also looking beyond Z-Library, make sure you check out our in-depth guide to the best Libgen alternatives for even more ways to find books online.
