# Freading

> EPUB and PDF ebook reader for Freading Ebook Service library cardholders. (iPhone/iPad app by Library Ideas, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freading/id485015785 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Library Ideas, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/485015788)
- Category: Books, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.56/5 from 2,830 App Store ratings · 124 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 20 MB
- Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
- Released: 2011-12-17
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freading/id485015785/reviews.md

## What is Freading?

The Freading application is for reading EPUB books and PDF books. The application was developed for users of the Freading Ebook Service. 

The Freading (free reading) Ebook Service was developed by Library Ideas, LLC and is sold to libraries of all types around the world. End users are registered cardholders of participating libraries. Check with your local library for participation.

The end user should use their browser to navigate the library website, then download the book from a library website into this application. Once in the application, the EPUB or PDF book can be explored and read.

The Freading application is designed to lend full support for Adobe DRM and uses Adobe ID for Authentication.

The Freading application includes many features that you would expect for a good reading experience such as tap or swipe to turn pages, remembering the last page read, and selectable text size.

## Key features

- Read EPUB and PDF books
- Adobe DRM support
- Tap or swipe page turning
- Remembers last page read
- Selectable text size

## What do users think of Freading?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 📚 Wide selection of books
- 🕰 No late fees

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 📱 Difficult to navigate and use
- 🔍 Poor search and discovery
- 📚 Limited book selection
- 🔒 Login and authentication issues

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Books fail to download or open
- App crashes when trying to access downloaded books
- Login process is unreliable and inconsistent

**Most requested features**

- Improve app stability and reliability
- Enhance user interface and navigation
- Expand book selection and search capabilities
- Streamline login and authentication process

## Recent user reviews (10 of 124)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freading/id485015785/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Not user friendly

*2026-07-19, version 3.5*

This app is horrendous. It does not work. The app developers make it impossible to read the downloads.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2026-03-27, version 3.0.2*

I cannot get this app to download the books for me to read. They said they’re downloaded, but they already in the library. It also keeps telling me to sign in even though I am and then sometimes it force closes.

### 1/5 — Poorly written

*2025-12-28, version 3.0.2*

This app freezes and jumps around all over the place.  Why would any publisher, library, or author choose this format?

### 1/5 — Download failure

*2025-12-17, version 3.0.2*

Just tried downloading a book and the pages will not download, blank pages.

### 1/5 — Great titles, TERRIBLE App!

*2025-11-03, version 3.0.2*

Once again I tried giving Freading a chance because I like how there are no wait times for books. However, it keeps saying I cannot have more books when I clearly still have more “ tokens” or whatever to borrow. It will say 1/5, meaning I can still get four books but it won’t let me.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve redownloaded this app to my mobile phone. Same issue with my Kindle— in fact, on the Kindle, it doesn’t open at all!!!!

Then I downloaded Adobe Digital Editions to read Freading.com downloaded books on there, but ADE stopped working!

I think this is the most horrid app on the market and I’m surprised it’s still here🙄

### 1/5 — Scam

*2025-10-01, version 3.0.2*

I’m pretty sure this just works to shovel library money to the developer. I checked out a book, but there is no way to open it. This site/app has not been updated in a decade (regardless of what they claim). I’m a developer, so if I can’t figure out how to open a book that’s been checked out and downloaded, then it’s not a priority of Freeding. A simple “open book” button would do wonders.

### 1/5 — Endless loop

*2025-08-02, version 3.0.2*

Nothing downloads. It’s an endless loop of sign in, download but you need to sign in.

### 1/5 — Unusable

*2025-05-07, version 3.0.2*

I’ve tried to download a book several times and it just keeps crashing and forcing me to sign in again and then crashing again before I can download a book.

### 1/5 — Terrible app

*2025-04-25, version 3.0.2*

Zero stars is not an option so it gets one. I usually use Libby on my iPhone but the book my library has that I want is available only via Freading. I went through the app setup process which was confusing and loaded poorly. I had to do it twice since I got error messages the first time. I finally downloaded the book but now it won’t open in the app. There’s no option to return it and try again. When I click redownload, I get an error message. I closed the app and restarted my phone. Deleted and redownloaded the app. Nothing. Awful experience. The app looks exactly the same as the website. Why bother having an app?! Asking my library to get the book in Libby format which is a MUCH better app. Frustrated. Hate this app. 😤

### 5/5 — Reading a book has never been easier

*2025-01-25, version 3.0.2*

If you can’t get to a library, this is the next best thing. I love that I can read it on my phone and don’t have to worry about returning a book that I might not even crack. I get to read it at my leisure and don’t need to worry about wear and tear. Thank you!

## Frequently asked questions about Freading

### What is the Freading application?

The Freading application is designed for reading EPUB and PDF books. It is specifically developed for users of the Freading Ebook Service, which is provided to libraries worldwide.

### How do I get books to read in Freading?

You need to be a registered cardholder of a participating library. Use your library's website to download books directly into the Freading application.

### Does Freading support DRM?

Yes, the Freading application fully supports Adobe DRM and uses Adobe ID for authentication to ensure secure access to borrowed books.

### What reading features does Freading offer?

The app provides a good reading experience with features such as tap or swipe to turn pages, automatically remembering the last page you read, and the ability to select your preferred text size.

### Is Freading free to use?

The Freading application itself is free to use. The Freading Ebook Service is provided to libraries, and end users access it through their library cards.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.5 — 2026-06-25

Misc. bug fixes.

### 3.0.2 — 2022-01-14

Update for UI Strings.

### 3.0.1 — 2021-10-14

Fixes an expiration date UI display issue.

### 3.0 — 2021-09-21

Sign In using Freading Account
Improved Accessibility
EPUB 3 Support
Dark Mode Support

### 2.6 — 2018-04-04

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Updates for iOS 11 
New layouts for iPhone X

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## More apps by Library Ideas, LLC

- [Freegal Music](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/freegal-music/id508036345)
- [IR Books](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ir-books/id1484973704)
- [iVOX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ivox/id1537800024)
- [Music & Memory](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/music-and-memory/id6744754176)

All apps by Library Ideas, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/485015788

## Related topics

[freading](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/freading) · [library ebook service apps like freading](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/library-ebook-service-apps-like-freading) · [proquest ebook central](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/proquest-ebook-central)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*