Everand, formerly known as Scribd, is a subscription-based digital library offering a wide range of content including ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and documents. I started using Scribd during the pandemic because they had a great trial deal and well, I had a lot of time to read!
Fast forward a few years and the app has rebranded as Everand and I decided to try out their free trial once more.
Trying to decide if Everand for you? Here’s an overview of its key features, pros, and cons, and my personal experience:
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Subscription Model
For a flat monthly fee (around $11.99), subscribers get unlimited access to Everand’s vast library, plus there’s a 30-day free trial.
However, the “unlimited” aspect has some caveats. Certain high-demand books may become temporarily unavailable based on usage, a practice Everand employs to manage content licensing costs. (See “Where the Crawdads Sing” in the screenshot below.)
One of my pet peeves is when someone recommends a great book but it’s not available on Everand; I wish there was the option to buy books that aren’t included in the subscription. I’ve also started reading a book and then had it removed from Everand, which is frustrating.
Audiobook Experience
Everand’s audiobook collection is impressive and rivals other dedicated services like Audible. Unlike Audible, where users pay per audiobook or need credits, Everand’s subscription includes access to audiobooks at no extra cost.
The listening experience is smooth, and the mobile app makes it easy to listen offline, which is a big plus for travellers like me. I like to read ebooks on flights and listen to audiobooks while I’m working or on a long road journey.
I also like that Everand tells me how long each audiobook is, how far I am through it in percent, and there are also speed options. I often listen on 1.5x or even 2x speed if the narrator is particularly slow.
One thing I don’t like, which I don’t believe is Everand’s fault, is that there are a lot of book summaries available; in some cases, in lieu of the actual book. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m reading the full version, abridged, or a summary. Also, some of the narrators are a bit annoying, but again, not Everand’s fault.
User Interface & Accessibility
Everand’s app and website are user-friendly, with a clean, intuitive design. I preferred the Scribd branding, but it’s no biggie. The app works well across devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops, though I only really use it on my phone.
It allows for offline downloads, bookmarking, and highlighting, which I use often. Plus, there’s a dark mode and adjustable font sizes for comfort.
You can “save” books so you essential create a to-read list. Plus, you can actually create different lists of books if you want to as well.
The only thing I find frustrating is that it’s not easy to hop back and forth while reading (for example, if you want to refer to a map or other reference somewhere in the book as you read along).
Lesser-Known Features
Magazines
I have never used this feature, but if you want to read a newspaper on your commute or check out the latest edition of your favourite magazine (remember those?!), I like that this option exists.
Documents
One of Everand’s lesser-known but powerful features is its document-sharing platform. Users can upload and share their own documents, presentations, or reports, making Everand an excellent resource for professionals, students, and researchers.
This aspect of the platform gives it a more academic edge compared to pure entertainment-focused services like Kindle Unlimited. I can’t say I use this feature much, but it’s interesting to be able to read around a certain book on the same topic.
However, note that there isn’t a “documents” section on Everand; you need to search, then scroll to the bottom where it says, “Related Articles” (pictured above).
Podcasts
I find this unnecessary. I can listen to podcasts in my podcasts app, on Spotify, YouTube… why would I listen here?
Sheet Music
I only just found this as I was writing this post! I play a (very little) bit of piano and this is so cool!
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
- Extensive Library: Millions of books, audiobooks, magazines, and documents.
- Affordability: A flat fee for access to a vast selection of content.
- Audiobooks Included: Audiobook access without additional costs or credits.
- Offline Reading & Listening: Download content for offline use.
- User-friendly: The app and website are easy to navigate.
- Content Limitations: Heavy readers might face content restrictions due to Scribd’s usage cap system.
- Limited New Releases: While the library is extensive, Scribd doesn’t always have the latest releases in every genre.
- Temporary Unavailability: Some titles may be “unavailable” after a certain amount of usage in a month, especially for popular titles.
Conclusion
Everand is a good choice for readers who appreciate variety and affordability. Its subscription model, combined with access to both ebooks and audiobooks, makes it a compelling alternative to more expensive services like Audible and Kindle Unlimited.
While it might not have all the latest titles or infinite access to popular books, its value lies in offering a well-rounded selection of content across multiple formats. I’ve never run out of books to read on there, but if you’re looking for something specific, that’s Everand’s downfall.
For the next month I’m going to be trying out Audible, which I’ve never used before, so I can compare the services.
Read next: Discover more services in how to get free ebooks and audiobooks, or check out how to gift Audible and Kindle books.