Introduction

EPUB and PDF are the two most common eBook formats. EPUB is a reflowable format that adjusts text and layout to fit any screen — perfect for novels and text-heavy books. PDF, on the other hand, preserves the fixed layout of the original page, making it ideal for textbooks, illustrated content, and documents with complex formatting.

Both formats can be opened on nearly any modern device, but the reading experience and convenience differ depending on the device and app you use.

Quick Comparison: EPUB vs. PDF — Which to Choose

• EPUB

  • Pros: adjustable font and layout, resizes to any screen, supports bookmarks, metadata, and interactive features.

  • Cons: not great for complex page designs (e.g., magazines, technical diagrams).

• PDF

  • Pros: preserves exact page layout, good for illustrated or academic materials.

  • Cons: less flexible on small screens (requires zooming and scrolling).

Supported Devices and How to Open EPUB and PDF

1) Smartphones (iPhone / Android)

iPhone / iPad (iOS / iPadOS)

• EPUB: open directly with Apple Books — tap the file in Mail or Files → “Share” → “Books.” Syncs reading progress via iCloud.

• PDF: open in Apple Books or Preview (macOS). For annotations and handwriting, try GoodNotes or Notability.

• File transfer: AirDrop, iCloud Drive, Mail, or Files app.

Android (Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.)

• EPUB: use Google Play Books, Moon+ Reader, Aldiko, FBReader, or ReadEra.

• PDF: Google PDF Viewer, Adobe Acrobat Reader, or Xodo (great for highlighting and markup).

• File transfer: USB, Google Drive, email, Bluetooth, or SD card.

2) Tablets (iPad, Android)

• iPad is one of the best all-around devices for both EPUB and PDF. Use Books for reading and GoodNotes or Notability for annotation.

• Android tablets work similarly — use Play Books or Moon+ Reader for EPUB, and Xodo or Acrobat for PDFs. A 10”+ screen is recommended for comfortable reading.

3) eReaders (e-ink devices)

Designed for long reading sessions, these devices feature paper-like screens and long battery life.

Amazon Kindle

• EPUB: Kindle does not natively support EPUB, but you can convert files using Calibre or send via Send to Kindle (Amazon auto-converts).

• PDF: readable on Kindle, but small-screen models may require zooming. Best on Paperwhite, Oasis, or Scribe models.

• Tip: for better reading comfort, convert PDFs to Kindle’s AZW3 format using Calibre.

Kobo (Rakuten Kobo)

• EPUB: natively supported, including DRM-free books.

• PDF: supported, though readability depends on screen size.

PocketBook

• Supports both EPUB and PDF out of the box, often with built-in annotation tools and audio features.

Onyx BOOX / Boyue / Other Android-based eReaders

• Run Android, so they support EPUB and PDF natively and can install apps like KOReader or Moon+ Reader.

Barnes & Noble Nook

• Supports EPUB and PDF formats; mostly used in the U.S.

4) Laptops and Desktop Computers (Windows / macOS / Linux)

Windows

• EPUB: use Calibre, Thorium Reader, or SumatraPDF.

• PDF: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Edge, SumatraPDF, or Foxit Reader.

macOS

• EPUB: open directly in Books.

• PDF: open in Preview or Adobe Acrobat for more advanced features.

Linux

• EPUB: Calibre, Foliate, Okular, Evince.

• PDF: Okular, Evince, Zathura.

5) Web Browsers and Cloud Services

• Web browsers: most can open PDF files directly (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari). EPUBs may require browser extensions or online readers.

• Cloud services: upload to Google Play Books or Google Drive to read in the browser and sync across devices. Dropbox also supports viewing.

6) Other Smart Devices

• Smart TVs: technically possible via browsers, but not practical.

• Digital notebooks (reMarkable, Supernote, etc.): optimized for PDFs; EPUBs often need to be converted.

• Smartwatches: not suitable for eBooks due to screen size.

• Web readers: many eBook stores and library platforms offer in-browser reading for EPUB and PDF.

How to Open or Transfer Files (Step-by-Step)

A) On iPhone / iPad

1. Tap the EPUB/PDF in Mail or Files → “Share” → open with Books or another app.

2. Transfer via AirDrop or iCloud Drive.

3. Use cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) to open files in any app.

B) On Android

1. Download the EPUB/PDF via USB, cloud, or email.

2. Open in Google Play Books, Moon+ Reader, or Acrobat Reader.

3. Upload to Google Play Books on desktop to sync to all devices.

C) On Kindle

1. Transfer via USB → copy file to the “documents” folder.

2. Send to Kindle email → automatic conversion to Kindle format.

3. Use Calibre to convert EPUB/PDF to AZW3/MOBI.

D) On Kobo / PocketBook / Onyx

• Connect via USB and copy files directly — EPUB and PDF work natively.

E) On PC / Mac

• Open in Calibre, Preview, Acrobat Reader, or your browser.

Recommended Apps by Task

• Best for EPUB: Apple Books, Google Play Books, Calibre, Thorium Reader, Moon+ Reader, FBReader, Aldiko.

• Best for PDF & annotations: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Xodo, Foxit, GoodNotes/Notability (iPad), PDF Expert (iOS), Okular (Linux).

• For conversions & library management: Calibre (Windows/macOS/Linux).

• For Android-based eReaders: KOReader or built-in apps.

Reading Tips and Tricks

• For novels → use EPUB (adjustable, easy on the eyes).

• For textbooks, manuals, or illustrated books → PDF.

• If PDFs are hard to read on an eReader, convert to EPUB (Calibre) or read on a tablet.

• For handwritten notes → use a tablet with a stylus (iPad + Apple Pencil or Android tablet + Xodo).

• Sync your library through Google Play Books or Apple Books to continue reading on different devices.

• Before buying an eReader, check its supported formats — not all support EPUB natively.

Common Issues and Fixes

• EPUB won’t open on Kindle → use “Send to Kindle” (auto-converts) or convert via Calibre.

• PDF too small to read → read on a larger device or convert to reflowable EPUB.

• Books with DRM protection → read using the store’s official app (Kindle, Kobo, Nook).

• Incorrect metadata or missing cover → edit in Calibre.

Choosing the Right Device

• For long reading sessions (fiction): e-ink readers (Kobo, PocketBook, Kindle).

• For study and annotation: 10”+ tablet (iPad + Apple Pencil, or Android tablet with Xodo).

• For quick access anywhere: smartphone + cloud sync.

• For managing large libraries: desktop computer with Calibre.

Conclusion

Reading EPUB and PDF eBooks is now possible on virtually any device — smartphone, tablet, eReader, or computer. Your ideal setup depends on what you read and how you read: EPUB for flexibility, PDF for precision.