Amazon has been my go-to for buying books, especially for the convenience of Kindle and Audible while travelling. However, I’ve recently been asking myself: is there an alternative to Amazon that aligns with ethical values, supports independents, and offers e-book freedom?
Amazon dominates the global book market—up to 60% of U.S. book sales and roughly the same share in e-books. Yet this dominance raises concerns: tax practices, environmental impact, limited support for local bookstores, and DRM-heavy e-books. Oh, and everything to do with Jeff Bezos.
Fortunately, a growing movement of Amazon alternatives offers more compelling options…
- 1. Bookshop.org – The Leading Ethical Amazon Alternative
- 2. ThriftBooks – Secondhand Treasure Trove
- 3. Better World Books – Giving Back with Every Purchase
- 4. Powell’s Books – Iconic Independent
- 5. Alibris & Biblio – Marketplaces of Rarity
- 6. Libro.fm – Ethically Sourced Audiobooks
- 7. Hive – UK-Based Bookshop Supporter
- 8. Libby/OverDrive – Borrow, Don’t Buy
- 9. Project Gutenberg & Standard Ebooks – Classics, DRM-Free
- 10. Kobo – Flexible DRM Options
- 11. Perlego – “Spotify for Textbooks”
- 12. Calibre + Cloud Apps – Personal E-book Management
- Comparison Table
- Choosing the Best Alternative to Amazon for You
- More Alternatives to Amazon for Books
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase using a link, but at no cost to you.
1. Bookshop.org – The Leading Ethical Amazon Alternative
Founded in January 2020 by Andy Hunter, Bookshop.org has rapidly become a top alternative to Amazon for books. As a certified B-Corp, its mission is clear: financially support independent bookstores.
What is a B Corp?
A Certified B Corporation (or B-Corp for short), is a for-profit company that has been verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. It measures companies that balance purpose with profit.
Revenue Sharing
- Independent bookstores receive 30% on physical book sales, with an additional 10% pooled and distributed to the Bookshop network.
- In January 2025, Bookshop introduced ebooks—100% of digital sale proceeds go to local bookstores.
Support for Independents
- Nearly $40million raised to date (as of August 2025).
- US and UK coverage, enabling shoppers to choose “favourite stores” or contribute to a shared pool.
Ebook Alternatives to Amazon
- New ebook app/web reader; DRM-free options available.
Personally, I’ve found Bookshop.org to be the best alternative to Amazon. The library is huge and I’ve found lots of books by authors all over the world, many of which are also available in e-book format. This is important to me in my commitment to reading a book from every country.
I also love that every purchase supports independent bookstores. Bookstores are my favourite places in the world, so to be able to keep those places going in a massive bonus.
Pledge: So, moving forward, I’m switching all book links on this blog to Bookshop.org links instead. Amazon links will appear alongside as an alternative (no judgement if that’s the best way of buying books for you), but Bookshop.org will be the main recommendation.
However, if this isn’t the best Amazon alternative for you, I’ve researched way more options:
2. ThriftBooks – Secondhand Treasure Trove
As the largest online used bookstore, ThriftBooks offers great value:
Sustainability & Selection
- Partners with libraries and non-profits to resell or recycle books.
- Vast catalogue of titles at reduced prices.
Ebook Note
- Primarily physical books; ebook options limited or non-existent.
ThriftBooks is a solid choice when searching for alternatives to Amazon for books, especially for thrift-conscious readers and collectors. What bookworm doesn’t love used books?
3. Better World Books – Giving Back with Every Purchase
Better World Books blends commerce with activism:
Ethical Impact
- B-Corp status; funds literacy projects worldwide.
- Offers carbon-balanced shipping.
Inventory
- Mix of new and used titles.
- Recycles or rehomes every book in their stock.
This Amazon alternative has a tangible global impact. I love that proceeds from every purchase go towards global literacy projects.
4. Powell’s Books – Iconic Independent
Portland-based Powell’s is the independent bookstore—online and offline:
Massive Inventory
- Claimed to be the world’s largest independent bookstore, with an extensive online presence.
Community & Curation
- Personal staff picks, author events, and local flair.
This is a great alternative to Amazon for readers seeking a curated and community-centred experience, especially if you’re familiar with Powell’s already and want to support the store.
5. Alibris & Biblio – Marketplaces of Rarity
Mighty in rarity and second-hand finds:
Alibris
- Independent sellers—with careful selection required
- Works with independent booksellers worldwide
Biblio
- Marketplace supporting over 7,500 booksellers. Offers carbon-offset shipping
These two are ideal for readers looking beyond the mainstream, who value vintage and rarity.
6. Libro.fm – Ethically Sourced Audiobooks
For audiobook lovers, Libro.fm shines as an alternative to Audible:
- Buy vs. rent model using credits.
- Supports local bookstores with every purchase.
A standout ethical Amazon alternative for audio readers.
Tip: Libro.fm has a free trial. Learn more about how to get it in my post on how to get free e-books and audiobooks.
7. Hive – UK-Based Bookshop Supporter
Hive is for UK and global shoppers:
- Local bookstore support—10% goes to your local indie at purchase.
- E-book options with Adobe Digital Editions support.
Best for UK shoppers seeking a local-feel alternative to Amazon for books.
8. Libby/OverDrive – Borrow, Don’t Buy
Public librarians’ secret weapon:
- Free e-books & audiobooks with library card.
- Supported by local libraries using OverDrive and the Libby app.
The ultimate e-book alternative to Amazon—free, legal, and community-based! If you’re from the US and you have a library card, check this out immediately.
Tip: Overdrive is free. Learn more about how to get access in my post on how to get free e-books and audiobooks.
9. Project Gutenberg & Standard Ebooks – Classics, DRM-Free
Looking for e-book alternatives to Amazon that let you own your books outright?
- Project Gutenberg – 60,000+ public-domain e-books; free and DRM-free.
What is DRM?
DRM, or Digital Rights Management, in e-books is a system of technologies and policies that controls the access, usage, and distribution of digital content to prevent copying and sharing.
It acts as a “digital lock”, using encryption and authorisation to ensure that only permitted users can access the content, restricting use to specific devices or accounts. It’s why you can’t share an e-book or audiobook with someone else.
- Standard E-books – High-quality digital editions; no DRM.
These e-book alternatives to Amazon allow you to own, keep, and share your favourites forever!
Tip: Project Gutenberg is free. Learn more about how to get access in my post on how to get free e-books and audiobooks.
10. Kobo – Flexible DRM Options
For other flexible platforms in the digital book sphere, check out Kobo, which supports DRM-free files at publisher discretion.
- Google Play Books – DRM status varies; publisher-controlled.
Tip: Kobo has a free trial. Learn more about how to get it in my post on how to get free e-books and audiobooks.
11. Perlego – “Spotify for Textbooks”
Perlego is a great resource for academic readers:
- Subscription access to 1 million+ educational e-books.
- Multi-language; offline reading supported.
12. Calibre + Cloud Apps – Personal E-book Management
Not a store, but indispensable:
- Calibre – Free software to manage e-book libraries and file conversions.
- Cloud-access tools like CalibreBox enable reading anywhere.
A powerful combo for readers wanting autonomy beyond Amazon.
Comparison Table
Choosing the Best Alternative to Amazon for You
Borrow instead of buy? → Libby/OverDrive is your library in your pocket.
Want to support local, independent bookstores? → Bookshop.org makes it effortless.
Prefer used or rare books? → Try ThriftBooks, Biblio, or Better World Books.
Love audiobooks? → Libro.fm is the ethical choice.
Want free ebooks you own? → Project Gutenberg & Standard Ebooks are unbeatable.
More Alternatives to Amazon for Books
In an era dominated by Amazon, it’s reassuring to know there are thoughtful, ethical, and diverse Amazon alternatives for every kind of reader—whether you prefer physical books, audiobooks, e-books, or academic texts.
If you know of any more, or if you have experiences with the alternatives in this list that you’d like to share, please let me know in the comments.
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