comparison of best websites for free textbooks online

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33 websites to get free college textbooks.

As a college student who wants to make the best grades, you need textbooks to aid your studies, understand your lectures, and in the end, pass your exams without fuss. However, buying these textbooks can be a hassle due to their high prices, low availability, and minimal usage. Also, there are some textbooks that you won’t utilize fully as you only need a few chapters’ worths of information but no one is going to sell part of a textbook to you. Luckily, there are 33 websites where you can get college textbooks for free ! Let’s have a look, shall we?

1. Archive.Org (The Wayback Machine)

Kicking off our list is Archive.org , a site that does more than you think. It offers an extensive catalog of media such as online books, PDFs, documents, and even old YouTube tutorials. 

What’s more, you can download these books in different formats based on your preferences. With archive.org, you can back up your digital books and documents. As a website, it’s a testament to its name and you have access to media you can’t find anywhere else.

2. Bookboon

With Bookboon , you’re not only getting access to textbooks for free but also textbooks that were written and published by the top lecturers of the best universities. Whether the course you’re studying is in the Business department, Economics, Literature, Science and Technology, you have a catalog of top-end books to pick from.

Also, the site offers you a skill learning program for personal development.

3. BCcampus OpenEd

The aim of any free college textbooks website is to make higher learning tools more accessible to the masses. That’s exactly what OpenEd promotes through its catalog of materials centered on the most popular courses in British Columbia.

The books offered are well versed in areas of Accounting, Sociology, Media, Arts, Biology, Business, Skill Learning, Trading, and Technology. The site is easily accessible through keywords and specific fields.

If you’re on the lookout for a free college books website that offers textbooks specifically for science, then look no further. bioRxiv is a science-dedicated website that offers a catalog of books for topics like Dermatology, Ecology, Pharmacology, and so on.

It’s also a site that keeps its consumers informed as you get notifications about newly published articles and papers. They also have a Twitter page that you can follow for updates.

5. Bookshare

It can be hard to find a free college books website that offers the less popular textbooks in the less known fields of study. Luckily, Bookshare is your go-to source for all things non-mainstream. From cooking to literature to graphic arts, there’s a book for each of your needs.

Also, if you require college books for free to prep for an SAT or MCAT, LSAT, or GRE exam, look no further than Bookshare.

6. Cite Seer X

When it comes to getting free college textbooks from before the 21st century, Cite Seer X is the website for you. With a wide array of books written before 2000 and created by Penn University, Cite Seer X offers a portal to the past and ensures you have a blast looking for the books you need. Cite Seer X also offers citations for the content you use; a handy tool.

7. Digital Book Index

As the name suggests, Digital Book Index offers links to hundreds of thousands of digital books for all subject areas. These subject areas range from Math to Sciences to Medicine to Religion to Law to Philosophy and History. At Digital Book Index, you are granted access to thousands of PDF books from authors, publishers, universities, and private websites, all for free.

8. Every Poet

Every Poet is your online buddy for all things poetry. You get access to outstanding classical poetic publications from renowned poets like Sylvia Platt and Robert Frost. What’s more, you can submit your publications for assays and even read other publications from other Every Poet users. A hub for poets looking for free college books, Every Poet is a website dedicated to making your studies of English and literature courses easier.

9. Free-E-Books.net

Free E-Books.net is a website that also offers free college textbooks for students to aid their studies. It offers a catalog of books in all areas of study, with a huge focus on Literature. When you access the website, you get a drop-down menu that organizes all textbooks based on their area of study. Another cool feature is the access to online videos and blogs from skilled experts in various fields of study.

10. Free Book Spot

Free Book Spot is another treasure chest for students looking for free college textbooks to download in PDF format. Here, you can search for digital books on topics such as Agriculture, Economy, Astronomy, Sciences, Math, Archaeology, and much more.

The Free Book Spot website allows you to search for digital books using keywords, authors, ISBN, and languages. You also have access to literature novels.

11. Freeditorial

What happens when you mix the features of an open digital library and an online publishing house to form one website? The result is an open-for-all hub of writers and publishers known as Freeditorial . You see, at Freeditorial, you get access to download free college textbooks from all spheres of education. Also, these books are available in English and Spanish in an easy-to-access catalog. Writers can also publish their works for the masses to see.

12. IntechOpen

IntechOpen has been a household name for all things digital textbooks since 2004. It boasts over 2,000 published textbooks in the fields of computer science books , robotics, and many STEM courses you’re interested in. To further prove its credibility and popularity, IntechOpen has amassed over 60 million downloads on its websites. The website also offers journals that have been reviewed by your peers in your field of study for your reading consumption.

13. Library Genesis

Popularly known as LibGen, Library Genesis is a website that offers college textbooks for free for any kind of student. That’s right, every free college textbook you need is available to download in PDF on the website. You can easily search through the LibGen Library using keywords, ISBN, year of publication, authors, extensions, and so on. The textbooks are available to download in various languages making them a popular choice around the globe.

14. Libre Texts

When it comes to the user-friendly interface and a large digital library, Libre Texts packs a punch in the hub of the digital book. With 398 textbooks on offer, the website is host to over 220 million students looking for free college textbooks. Also, it’s the kind of website you go to when searching for PDFs that have already been tested and reviewed by your fellow college students.

Lyryx is a website that offers free college textbooks but it doesn’t end there. With Lyryx, your learning process is taken a step further with the implementation of online assignments tailor-made to help keep your senses sharp and develop your skills. Lyryx as a website offers free college textbooks to all college students with subjects like Mathematics  Statistics, Economics, and Business as their main focus.

16. Manybooks.net

From the name of the website, it’s pretty obvious how abundant the catalog of this website is. With over 29,000 digital books available to college students, Manybooks.net boasts an extensive catalog and houses an attractive interface that makes searching for books to download worthwhile. But it’s not just their books that are many, the website offers free college textbooks in 46 languages making it a global go-to place.

17. Mobilism

Originally created as a forum for users to share their media with others, Mobilism has established itself as an extensive eBook library for the masses. With an extensive catalog and an easy-to-search feature, you’ll face zero difficulties finding the academic books you need. Another great feature of Mobilism is the regular updates, especially to the download links. So, if you encounter a broken link, the authors can be notified and changes will be made.

18. Online Mathematics Textbooks 

Online Mathematics Textbooks  website provides students with a list of 77 titles that can be safely attributed to the category of ‘must-have’ mathematics textbooks. Such a book collection is a real find for aspiring math students and people with a keen interest in math. The book list is thoroughly elaborated by George Cain from Georgia Tech, being at the same time one of the authors of various textbooks, and includes valuable materials created by other professors. All books are 100% free and available for downloading.

19. Openstax.org

Openstax is a website created by Rice University, a nonprofit organization. It’s a website that provides free college textbooks in PDFs with the sole aim of improving students’ access to learning tools. The website offers its services in both English and Spanish languages. As for the textbooks offered, they range in subjects from Math to Sciences to Economics to Business and so on.

20. Open Textbook Library

Open Textbook Library is a free online source for college textbooks that was created by the Open Educational Network. It was set up to help improve the quality of higher education as well as increase access to learning tools such as free textbooks. They offer PDFs for subjects such as Arts, Mathematics, Social Sciences, History, Media arts, Journalism, and many more. These textbooks have been licensed by the authors and made available for your use.

21. OER Commons

A subsidiary of the Open Educational Resources, OER Commons is a digital platform for you to explore thousands of useful digital books. With a variety of subjects available for you, the platform offers you access to educators and their works, all to help improve your educational prowess. The advanced search feature of the website makes it easy to search for the free college textbooks you need quickly and accurately.

22. Ocean of PDF

The name of the website says it all. Just like the ocean is a massive body of water, Ocean of PDF is a massive digital library of free college textbooks for you to pick from. With its extensive library and easy interface, searching for the textbooks you need is a piece of cake. Dive into the Ocean of PDF , and if you don’t find what you need, you can request for it to be added.

23. Open Culture

Founded in 2006, Open Culture is a website that offers an immense amount of resources with textbooks offering every form of knowledge available. The site is most popular for its provision of materials centered on cultural and educational media content. The site is home to thousands of free college textbooks and you can bump up your learning with audiobooks if you wish. The website is easily accessible and the contents are of top quality and free too.

24. Project Gutenberg

A dream come true for students of the Humanities department. Project Gutenberg is a project that offers an increase in the distribution of useful resources, especially free college textbooks. Humanities students will love this site because of its extensive library of large fictional and cultural resources. The textbooks are easy to search for and downloading them is no fuss at all.

25. PDFBooksWorld

Sometimes your search for a free college textbook requires a trip to the past and that’s what PDFBooksWorld offers its users. The website’s library is filled with textbooks written by renowned authors from the pre-digitization age. One feature that makes this site worthwhile is the availability of different digital textbooks, each suited to the different screen sizes available. This makes reading a lot easier.

26. PDF Grab

PDF Grab is another website that grants you access to free college textbooks in the form of e-books or PDFs, depending on your visual preference. The search feature of the website allows you to search using either the title of the book or ISBN. With PDF Grab, you get access to digital books of different categories including Business, Law, Medicine, and so on.

27. PDF Drive

There are classical books that help your research, and then there are the new, modern textbooks that offer a different perspective to your learning scheme. PDF Drive is just the website you need to discover these textbooks and download them for free. Browse through their catalog and discover the most sought-after textbooks.

28. PDF Magazine

Just like the name suggests, PDF Magazine is host to thousands of magazines that can be viewed and downloaded in PDF format. The large library of this website contains half a million resources and is a good place to source the free college textbooks you need. A great feature of this website is the availability of textbooks in 40 different languages, making it easy to access globally.

29. ScholarWorks

A few of the free textbook websites on this list have their roots in universities, and this is no different. Created and maintained by Grand Valley State University, ScholarWorks offers a wide range of free college textbooks for students and aims to improve learning at a higher level. This is achieved through the easily accessible digital books written and published by scholars. 

30. Saylor Academy

Saylor Academy is a digital free college textbooks library that offers you textbooks in PDF, Microsoft Word, and Epub formats. Added to that, you’re allowed to review each textbook through a survey so you can let the publishers know what you think of their books and papers. Saylor Academy offers diverse digital books across many fields of study including online marketing and public speaking.

31. Sci-Hub

Sci-Hub is for students in the science field looking for free college textbooks specific to their area of study. Regardless of its specificity, the website has a lot of great content and features digital books, journals, and research papers. The site also houses files that are hard to find and makes it easier to access a lot of science-related textbooks.

32. The Assayer

If you’re on the lookout for a large digital library that houses all the free college textbooks that remain constant from year to year, then The Assayer is a great pick. The contents of the digital library are textbooks that have been released by publishers and made available for public use. This site makes it easier to download textbooks from previous years rather than spend money on new ones.

33. Wikibooks

Picture a website that has an immense wealth of knowledge in all fields across the globe. This is exactly what Wikibooks offers. It’s a site dedicated to helping you start up and build your knowledge in all fields including STEM courses, Social Sciences, and language learning. Browse the various e-books available to get started.

Olivia Smith

Olivia Smith is a seasoned content writer and BookScouter website advocate. She believes that high quality well-researched content is the key to success for any business. Having been involved in content marketing for 6+ years, she's proud to help BookScouter users to complement their education and pursue personal development delivering great stories and pieces of advice.

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Share this post, published august 24, 2023 in general, the best websites for free college textbooks: a comprehensive guide, by scholarly, introduction.

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the best websites for free college textbooks. In today's increasingly expensive education landscape, finding affordable resources is essential for students. Thankfully, the internet has made it possible to access high-quality college textbooks without breaking the bank.

In this article, we will explore a range of websites that offer free college textbooks. From open educational resources (OER) to project repositories, we have curated a list of reliable sources that provide textbooks for various subjects and disciplines.

In the past, acquiring college textbooks often meant shelling out hundreds of dollars each semester. Students had limited options, mainly relying on physical bookstores or campus libraries. This dependence on traditional textbook distribution incurred considerable expenses on students and limited their access to necessary learning materials.

Current State

Today, the availability of digital platforms has revolutionized the textbook market. Numerous websites now provide free college textbooks in digital formats, enabling students to access the resources they need at no cost. These websites leverage open licensing and collaborative efforts to offer textbooks across diverse disciplines. Students can download or read textbooks online, often choosing from a range of formats, including PDF, e-books, and interactive platforms.

Future State

The future of college textbooks lies in the seamless integration of technology and education. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, textbooks will become more interactive, adaptive, and personalized. AI-powered platforms will offer tailored learning experiences, catering to each student's unique needs and learning style. The integration of multimedia elements, such as videos and simulations, will enhance engagement and facilitate deeper understanding of complex concepts.

Here are the key benefits of using the best websites for free college textbooks:

Cost Savings : By accessing free textbooks, students can significantly reduce their educational expenses. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on each textbook, they can allocate the saved money towards other essential needs.

Accessible Education : Free online textbooks eliminate barriers to access, ensuring that all students, regardless of their financial background, can obtain essential learning materials. This inclusivity enhances educational equity and promotes equal opportunities for learners.

Versatility : Websites offering free college textbooks usually provide a wide range of subjects and disciplines. Students can find resources in various fields, from humanities and social sciences to STEM subjects. This versatility caters to the diverse needs of students pursuing different majors.

Sustainability : Digital textbooks are eco-friendly alternatives to their printed counterparts. By utilizing electronic resources, students contribute to reducing paper waste and the environmental impact associated with traditional book production and distribution.

Convenience : Online textbooks can be accessed anytime and anywhere, as long as there is an internet connection. Students can use laptops, tablets, or smartphones to read or download textbooks, allowing for flexible learning on the go.

Significance

The availability of free college textbooks has a significant impact on students and the education landscape as a whole. This section explores the significance of these resources:

Affordability and Financial Relief : College education comes with considerable expenses, and textbook costs often add to the burden. The availability of free textbooks reduces financial strain on students and ensures that the cost of learning materials does not limit educational opportunities.

Expanded Access to Knowledge : Free college textbooks democratize access to knowledge, making educational resources available to a wider audience. Students in developing countries, in particular, benefit from online textbooks, as they may face limited resources and financial constraints.

Promotion of Open Education : The rise of open educational resources (OER) and free college textbooks contributes to the open education movement. Universities and institutions worldwide are embracing OER as a means to foster collaboration, sharing, and innovation in education.

Encouraging Lifelong Learning : Free college textbooks encourage lifelong learning beyond formal education. Individuals can continue to explore subjects of interest and expand their knowledge without financial barriers, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Innovation in Teaching and Learning : Free college textbooks open avenues for innovative teaching and learning approaches. Educators can leverage a variety of resources to design engaging and interactive lessons, incorporating multimedia elements and adaptive learning technologies.

Best Practices

To make the most of free college textbooks, consider the following best practices:

Research and Compare : Explore different websites offering free college textbooks and compare their offerings, formats, and user reviews. Each website may have unique features and subject coverage, so it is important to find the best fit for your needs.

Check for Quality and Accuracy : While the textbooks are free, it is crucial to ensure their quality and accuracy. Look for reputable sources that provide peer-reviewed and professionally curated textbooks to ensure the content is reliable and up-to-date.

Utilize Supplementary Resources : Free college textbooks can be enhanced with supplementary resources such as lecture notes, practice questions, and video tutorials. Check if the website provides additional materials to support your learning and deepen your understanding of the subject.

Engage in Online Communities : Join online communities or forums related to your studies. These platforms provide opportunities to connect with fellow learners and exchange insights or resources about free college textbooks.

Keep Track of Updates : Websites occasionally update their textbook offerings or add new resources. Stay informed about these updates to access the latest materials and improve your learning experience.

Pros and Cons

Here are some pros and cons of using free websites for college textbooks:

• Cost-saving : Free websites provide access to educational resources without any financial burden.
• Wide Selection : Numerous websites offer textbooks from various disciplines, ensuring there is something for everyone.
• Anywhere, Anytime Access : Online textbooks can be accessed on multiple devices, enabling flexible learning.
• Environmentally Friendly : Digital textbooks reduce paper waste, leading to a more sustainable learning environment.
• Supplementary Resources : Some websites offer additional study materials and resources alongside the textbooks.
• Limited Availability : Not all textbooks may be available for free, especially for specialized or niche subjects.
• Quality Concerns : The quality and accuracy of free textbooks may vary, requiring careful evaluation.
• Offline Access : Reliance on an internet connection might be a limitation for students in areas with limited internet connectivity.
• Lack of Interactivity : Free textbooks may lack interactive elements and features compared to commercial alternatives.
• Up-to-date Content : Free textbooks may not be promptly updated with the latest research or developments in the field.

To help you navigate the vast array of websites offering free college textbooks, we have compared some popular options:

OpenStax : OpenStax provides peer-reviewed textbooks in various subjects. Their textbooks are free to download, easy to access, and cover a wide range of disciplines, including math, science, and humanities.

Bookboon : Bookboon offers a large collection of free textbooks for business, engineering, IT, and other fields. Their textbooks are written by experts and are available in PDF format for easy offline access.

Project Gutenberg : Project Gutenberg hosts over 60,000 free e-books, including many classic literary works. While it focuses on public domain books, it also offers textbooks and educational resources in various languages.

LibreTexts : LibreTexts is a project that collaboratively curates textbooks for various subjects. Their textbooks are open-source and available for free, covering STEM, social sciences, and more.

MERLOT : MERLOT is a curated collection of free and open online teaching, learning, and faculty development services. It offers a large selection of textbooks and resources for a wide range of subjects.

When using free college textbook websites, consider the following methods to effectively utilize the resources:

Search by Subject : Start by searching for textbooks specific to your subject or course. Many websites allow you to browse textbooks by subject, making it easier to find relevant resources.

Filter by Format : Depending on your preference and device compatibility, filter textbooks by format. Common formats include PDF, e-books, and interactive platforms such as HTML-based textbooks.

Read Reviews : Read user reviews or ratings to determine the quality and usefulness of a particular textbook or website. Reviews can provide valuable insights and help you make informed decisions.

Utilize Advanced Search : Use advanced search options, if available, to narrow down your textbook search. Filtering by author, publication year, or specific keywords can help you find the most relevant resources.

Combine Multiple Resources : Don't limit yourself to a single website. Combine resources from different websites to access a wider range of textbooks and supplementary materials.

AI has the potential to transform the landscape of free college textbooks. Here are some ways AI can impact the field:

AI Applications : AI can enhance free textbook platforms by providing personalized recommendations based on individual students' learning preferences and performance.

AI Techniques : Natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms can be used to improve the search capabilities of textbook websites, enabling more accurate and efficient results.

AI Benefits : AI-powered platforms can offer adaptive learning experiences, identifying areas of difficulty for students and providing targeted resources to enhance understanding.

AI Challenges : The integration of AI in free textbook platforms may pose challenges such as data privacy, algorithm bias, and ensuring the accuracy of AI-generated content.

AI Online Apps : AI has already made its way into online study apps, offering features like flashcard generation, text-to-speech, and automated question generation.

Common Techniques

When using free college textbook websites, consider employing these common techniques for a better learning experience:

Effective Note-Taking : Develop effective note-taking strategies to synthesize information from textbooks and consolidate key concepts.

Active Reading : Engage actively while reading by highlighting and annotating important points to promote better comprehension and retention.

Collaborative Learning : Join online study groups or forums to engage in collaborative learning and benefit from the collective wisdom of peers.

Time Management : Create a study schedule to ensure regular and consistent learning, especially when using self-paced online textbooks.

Practice Problems : Look for websites that provide practice problems or exercises related to the content covered in your textbooks to reinforce learning.

While free college textbooks offer numerous advantages, certain challenges should be considered:

Quality Control : Not all textbooks available for free online undergo the same rigorous editorial processes as traditional publishers. Verify the credibility and accuracy of the resources before relying on them.

Limited Availability : Some niche subjects or specialized courses may not have a wide range of free textbooks available. In such cases, students may need to explore other alternatives, such as borrowing from libraries or purchasing used copies.

Digital Distractions : Online textbooks come with potential distractions such as social media, email notifications, and other online temptations. Practice self-discipline to maintain focus while studying.

Internet Reliance : Access to free online textbooks is contingent upon a stable internet connection. Students in areas with limited internet access may face difficulties accessing resources consistently.

Copyright Restrictions : Free textbook websites often adhere to open licensing, but it is crucial to respect copyright laws and avoid unauthorized sharing or distribution of copyrighted material.

Potential Online Apps

Here are some online apps that complement the use of free college textbooks:

Scholarly : Scholarly is an AI-powered study platform that offers features like text completion, flashcard creation, and an AI-powered tutor. It assists students in generating flashcards, studying with AI-generated questions, and transcribing pictures and PDFs into text.

Quizlet : Quizlet allows students to create interactive flashcards, practice quizzes, and study sets. It offers various study modes, including games, and allows sharing and collaboration with peers.

Khan Academy : Khan Academy provides free video lessons, practice exercises, and personalized learning platforms across various subjects and grade levels.

Coursera : Coursera offers online courses in collaboration with universities and organizations worldwide. It provides opportunities to explore subjects in-depth and earn certifications.

Google Scholar : Google Scholar provides access to a vast range of academic literature, research papers, theses, and dissertations. It is a valuable resource for students seeking additional scholarly material.

Free college textbooks have revolutionized the educational landscape, offering students access to high-quality learning resources without financial constraints. The best websites for free college textbooks provide cost savings, increased accessibility, and a sustainable alternative to traditional printed textbooks. By utilizing the websites mentioned in this guide, students can enhance their education, broaden their knowledge, and save money along the way.

In conclusion, we encourage students to explore the benefits, best practices, and potential of AI-powered study apps in conjunction with free college textbooks. By leveraging these resources effectively, students can optimize their learning and embark on a fulfilling educational journey.

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32 Websites To Get The Best College Books For Free

By: Author Nicole Booz

Posted on Last updated: March 12, 2024

Categories College

Are you a college student looking for ways to save money on textbooks? Here are 32 places and 10 tips to get college books for free!

Are you a college student looking for ways to save money on textbooks? If so, this post is for you!

I used to spend a few hundred dollars per semester on textbooks before I realized that there were a ton of ways to get the material for a reduced price or even free.

As college students , we know how exorbitant the pricing of textbooks can be. The high cost of textbooks is unfair truly unfair. Higher education is not cheap, that’s for sure.

No matter what subject areas you’re looking for for your college courses , we’re covering the best websites to find college books for free.

In this post, we’ll discuss the various options available for getting free or discounted college textbooks.

We’ll look at websites that offer ebook editions of textbooks, sites that specialize in renting and selling used books, as well as other online resources that can help you save money on college textbooks.

Additionally, we’ll review some tips for tracking down the best deals and discounts available.

We’ll also cover how to use library resources to get free access to certain books . By the end of this post, you’ll be armed with the knowledge necessary to find affordable textbooks for your courses. So let’s get started!

Websites To Get College Books For Free

Finding free college textbooks can be a challenge, but there are several online resources where you can access or download them for free.

Here are some places to look for free college textbooks:

1. OpenStax ( https://openstax.org/ ):

OpenStax by Rice University is a nonprofit organization that provides free, peer-reviewed textbooks for a variety of college subjects. They offer downloadable PDF versions as well as online interactive versions of their textbooks.

2. Project Gutenberg ( https://www.gutenberg.org/ ):

Project Gutenberg offers over 60,000 free eBooks, including many classic literature and academic texts. While it may not have textbooks for every subject, it’s worth checking to see if they have any relevant materials.

This is especially a good place to look if you do not need the latest edition of a book.

3. Open Textbook Library ( https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/ ):

The Open Textbook Library provides a collection of free, peer-reviewed textbooks from various disciplines. You can browse their catalog and download the textbooks in PDF or read them online.

4. LibGen ( http://libgen.is/ ):

Library Genesis, often referred to as LibGen, is a popular online platform for accessing free scientific articles, textbooks, and research papers. It provides a vast collection of materials, including textbooks, though availability may vary.

5. Bookboon ( https://bookboon.com/ ):

Bookboon offers a selection of free textbooks and educational materials primarily focused on business, engineering, IT, and finance . They provide downloadable PDF versions.

6. Open Culture ( https://www.openculture.com/free_textbooks ):

Open Culture provides a list of websites where you can find free textbooks and educational resources. They have links to various platforms and repositories that offer free textbooks in different subjects.

7. Internet Archive ( https://archive.org/ ):

The Internet Archive is a digital library that offers access to a wide range of materials, including books, articles, and textbooks. You can search their collection and see if they have the textbooks you need available for free.

The wayback machine let’s you access anything that ever existed on the internet, for te most part.

8. Project MUSE ( https://muse.jhu.edu/ ):

Project MUSE is a digital collection of scholarly books and journals. While not all content is free, some publishers make their textbooks available for free on this platform. Utilize the search bar to find what you’re looking for in a digital format.

9. BCCampus OpenEd ( https://open.bccampus.ca/ )

BCCampus OpenEd provides an extensive collection of open textbooks for various fields. The textbooks are available in PDF and EPUB format and can be downloaded for free.

10. Bookshare ( https://www.bookshare.org/cms/get-started/textbooksonline )

Bookshare is an online library that provides access to free digital texts for individuals with print disabilities. They have a variety of college textbooks available in accessible formats, such as audio and braille.

11. bioRxiv ( https://www.biorxiv.org/ )

bioRxiv is a preprint server for the life sciences. It provides access to free research papers, articles, and textbooks from various scientific fields.

12. Cite Seer X (https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/index)

Cite Seer X is a scientific literature search engine that provides access to over 8 million research papers, books, and articles. While not all of the content is free, they have a significant amount of open-access material available.

13. Every Poet (http://www.everypoet.com/)

Every Poet is a platform for free digital poetry books. They have an extensive collection of poems from various authors, along with some prose texts. While not all of the content is strictly academic in nature, it might be helpful if you’re looking for additional reading material related to your courses.

14. Google Books ( https://books.google.com/ ):

Google Books offers a vast collection of books, including many college textbooks. While not all books are available for free, you can often find preview pages or sections of textbooks that can be useful for studying .

15. HathiTrust Digital Library ( https://www.hathitrust.org/ ):

HathiTrust is a partnership of academic and research institutions that provides access to a vast digital library. They offer millions of books, including textbooks, that you can access for free if you are affiliated with a participating institution.

16. BookFinder ( https://www.bookfinder.com/ ):

BookFinder is a search engine for books that allows you to compare textbook prices and find the best deals on new, used, and rare books. While not all books are free, you can often find significantly discounted prices or used copies at low cost.

17. InTechOpen ( https://www.intechopen.com/ ):

InTechOpen provides open-access textbooks in various scientific disciplines. They offer PDF versions of their books that can be downloaded for free.

18. OER Commons ( https://www.oercommons.org/ )

OER Commons is an online library and resource sharing platform, where you can find open educational resources from around the world. They have a variety of free textbooks available in different subjects.

19. Libre Texts ( https://libretexts.org/ ):

Libre Texts is an open educational resource platform that provides free textbooks in various subjects. They offer interactive versions of their textbooks as well as PDF and EPUB formats that can be downloaded for free.

20. WorldCat ( https://www.worldcat.org/ ):

WorldCat is a catalog of books, articles, and other materials from libraries around the world. While not all of the content is free, you might be able to find some relevant textbooks that are available to borrow from a library near you.

21. Lyryx ( https://lyryx.com/ ):

Lyryx is a platform for accessing free open-access textbooks. They have a wide range of titles, including many related to mathematics and science (STEM fields). The books are available in both PDF and HTML formats.

22. Online Mathematics Textbooks ( https://cain.math.gatech.edu/textbooks/onlinebooks.html ):

Online Mathematics Textbooks is a repository of free mathematics textbooks from various universities. You can browse through their catalog and download the books in PDF format.

23. Textbook Revolution (http://textbookrevolution.org/):

Textbook Revolution is an online platform that provides access to free educational materials, including textbooks and lecture notes. They have a variety of textbooks available in different subjects, and all of them can be downloaded for free.

24. Ocean of PDF ( https://oceanofpdf.com/ ):

Ocean of PDF is an online library that offers a selection of free e-books in various genres. While not all books are educational in nature, you might be able to find some relevant textbooks and other materials.

25. Ebook Lobby ( https://ebooklobby.com/ ):

Ebook Lobby is an online platform for accessing free e-books. They have a variety of books available in different genres, including textbooks and lecture notes that can be downloaded for free.

26. Project Gutenburg (https://www.gutenberg.org/):

Project Gutenburg is a library of free digital books. They have an extensive collection of texts, including many older textbooks and classic literature that are available in PDF format.

Other Places To Find College Books For Free:

In addition to the previously mentioned resources, here are some other places where you can find free college textbooks:

College or university libraries:

Your college or university library may have copies of textbooks that you can borrow. Check with the library staff to see if they have any textbook lending programs or electronic resources available.

Online forums and communities:

There are online forums and communities where students share resources, including textbooks. Websites like Reddit (r/FreeTextBooks, r/TextbookRelease) or specialized student forums may have posts or threads where users share free textbook resources.

OpenCourseWare (OCW) platforms:

Many universities and educational institutions provide free access to their course materials, including textbooks, through OpenCourseWare platforms. Examples include MIT OpenCourseWare ( https://ocw.mit.edu/ ) and OpenLearn ( https://www.open.edu/openlearn/ ), among others.

Public libraries:

Local public libraries often have textbooks available for borrowing. While the selection may not be as extensive as a college library, it’s worth checking if they have any textbooks relevant to your studies.

BookMooch (https://www.bookmooch.com/)

BookMooch is a website for swapping books. Members can exchange their old textbooks with other users, so it’s worth checking if they have any relevant titles available.

You may find someone willing to give away or trade the textbooks you need.

PaperBackSwap ( https://www.paperbackswap.com/ )

write about paper backswap

PaperBackSwap is another website where you can swap books with other users. They have a wide selection of textbooks and other books, so it’s worth checking if they have any materials that you need. Additionally, the site also offers discounts on certain titles.

By using these resources and being mindful of your budget, you should be able to get the textbooks

Hot Tips To Find College Books For Free

Even when searching these sites, there are some extra tips that can help you find books for free or even a lower cost.

1. Ask your professor if they have any free textbooks available:

Professors often have access to various resources and may be able to help you find free textbooks or other course materials.

2. Compare prices online before buying a textbook:

Take the time to compare prices for the textbooks you need on various sites, so you can get the best deal.

3. Look for digital versions of textbooks:

Some publishers offer digital versions of textbooks that are cheaper or even free. Be sure to check if there’s a digital version before buying the physical copy.

4. Consider renting textbooks instead of buying them:

Renting textbooks can be cheaper than buying them, and some platforms offer discounts for students. The good thing is that some college campuses actually offer this service.

5. Take advantage of online forums and student communities:

Look for posts or threads on online forums such as Reddit, specialized student forums, and other platforms where students share resources. You may be able to find free textbooks or discounted books from your peers.

6. Take advantage of public libraries:

Your local public library may have copies of textbooks available for borrowing. This is a great place to look for free textbooks – the library is usually a great resource for everyone.

7. Check out OpenCourseWare platforms:

Many universities and educational institutions provide free access to course materials, including textbooks, through OpenCourseWare platforms.

8. Take advantage of book swap websites:

Websites like BookMooch and PaperBackSwap allow users to exchange their old textbooks with other members, so it’s worth checking if they have any materials that could be useful for you.

9. Make use of online libraries and repositories:

There are many online libraries, archives, and repositories where you can find free textbooks in various subjects. Do a quick search to see if the textbooks you need are available.

10. Consider buying used textbooks:

Used textbooks are often cheaper than new ones, and you can find them online or through bookstores. Just make sure to check the condition of the book before buying it.

Follow these tips, and you should be able to save a lot on your college textbooks! With some research and creativity , you can get free books that will help you succeed in your academics. Best of luck!

How can you college books for free through the library?

Many libraries offer free access to college textbooks through their online databases. You can search for the books you need online, and then access a digital version of the book that you can read on your computer or other device.

Additionally, some libraries may have physical copies of textbooks available in their collections that you can check out. Be sure to ask library staff if they have any textbooks available for your specific course.

You can also look into interlibrary loan programs, which are collaborations between libraries that let you borrow materials from other participating libraries. This is especially helpful if your college library doesn’t have the textbook you need.

Another option is to use free ebook downloads offered by many libraries. Some may offer access to certain collections of ebooks and other digital materials, such as textbooks. Check with your local library to see what they offer.

Finally, you can look into book exchange programs offered by some colleges and universities. These are websites where students can offer their used textbooks for sale or trade to fellow students. The books may be available at a discounted price or even for free in some cases.

Alternatives To Getting College Books For Free

If you’re not able to find some of the books you need for school for free, there are still ways you can get them at a reduced price.

Here are some alternatives to getting free books:

1. Rent textbooks:

Renting textbooks can be a good way to save money on your college expenses. Many online stores offer textbook rentals at discounted prices, making them a great option for students on a budget.

2. Buy used textbooks:

Check second hand through online retailers like Amazon, Thriftbooks, and eBay. You can also likely find books in different languages this way, if you need them.

3. Buy digital versions:

Many publishers offer digital versions of textbooks that are cheaper or even free. Be sure to check if there’s a digital version before buying the physical copy.

4. Look for discounts and coupons:

Online stores and bookstores often have discounts and coupons available. Make sure to check if there are any applicable for the textbooks you need.

5. Borrow from friends or family:

Friends or family members may be willing to lend you their old textbooks, so don’t be afraid to ask around! It never hurts to try.

You could post what you’re looking for on social media as well as share what you have for sale or trade.

6. Look for scholarships:

Some universities and organizations offer scholarships or financial aid specifically for textbooks, so it’s worth checking if there are any available.

Personally I would avoid using student loans for college textbooks. It’s just not worth it when you can find most textbooks in a more inexpensive way.

7. Organize a book swap in your dorm or on your campus:

Organizing a book swap is a great way to get the textbooks you need and also help your fellow students out.

All you have to do is put up some posters announcing the event, and people will likely be more than willing to take part in it. Group by major, like the social sciences, physical sciences, etc to get the most out of the swap.

By taking advantage of these alternatives, you should be able to find the textbooks you need without breaking the bank. Good luck!

Final Thoughts on Finding College Books For Free

Finding college textbooks for free or at a reduced price can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. With some research and creativity, you can get free books that will help you succeed in your academics.

When you consider the price of textbooks, you’ll realize it’s worth it to spend the time to find alternatives.

Look into the various options available on websites such as BookMooch and PaperBackSwap, take advantage of online forums and student communities, and check public libraries for textbooks. You can also look into OpenCourseWare platforms, take advantage of book swap websites, or make use of online libraries and repositories.

Additionally, consider renting textbooks or buying used ones to save some money . Finally, don’t forget to look for discounts from online stores, borrow from friends or family, or organize a book swap in your community.

Remember that the availability of specific textbooks for free may vary, and it’s recommended to explore multiple sources and platforms to increase your chances of finding the books you need.

Follow these tips, and you should be able to save a lot on your college textbooks! Best of luck!

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About the Author

Nicole Booz is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of GenTwenty, GenThirty, and The Capsule Collab. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is the author of The Kidult Handbook (Simon & Schuster May 2018). She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably hiking, eating brunch, or planning her next great adventure.

Website: genthirty.com

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6 Best Websites for Free College Textbooks

Textbook costs add to the expense of higher education. but if you’re savvy, you can get them for free..

October 21, 2022

All college students have been there. You receive the reading list for your classes, and you’re excited to learn more about a subject you love or will prepare you to launch your career. But then you Google the names of the textbooks on your reading list and realize that most of them have triple-digit price tags. The average textbook costs between $80 and $150 . That’s a lot of money when you already have to contend with tuition and student loans . Fortunately, there are ways to secure free college textbooks.

We’ll outline the six best websites to help you do exactly that (and three sites to steer clear of).

6 sites that offer free college textbooks

You can’t afford to waste time before you get the textbooks you need, so let’s skip straight to the good stuff. We’ve compiled a list of the six best websites for securing free college textbooks below.

1. OpenStax

The Texas-based Rice University provides free college textbooks through OpenStax , but the site isn’t just for its own students. It’s a nonprofit project used by more than 7,000 schools across the globe. 

The textbooks span various subjects, from computer science to social science. You can download all the titles for free, and everything’s vetted to ensure it’s licensed. 

It even has high school textbooks and additional learning resources through the OpenStax Tutor.

2. Project Gutenberg

Named after Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, Project Gutenberg is a nonprofit project with one primary mission: to break down the barriers to education across the world by providing resources in various languages and formats.

While most sites are inconsistent about the file types available for any given book, Project Gutenberg provides HTML, PDF, MOBI (for Kindle), EPUB and even plain text for every title.

If you’re a humanities or literature student, this one’s a must, as you’ll find most of the classics here. It’s not so reliable with more modern textbooks, but you may just get lucky.

3. Internet Archive (The Wayback Machine)

Internet Archive is a search engine that contains pictures of websites and pages from “way back” — meaning you can access internet content that has since been deleted or changed. 

The website also has a dedicated section for books called the Open Library . There are some titles you can read from your browser right away; others you’ll have to “borrow” (meaning you’ll only have the book for a fixed period and a limited number of people have access at any given time). Most books can only be borrowed for one hour, but it’s sometimes possible to rent one for a few days.

4. The Open Textbook Library

Not to be confused with Internet Archive’s Open Library, Open Textbook Library contains various textbooks that are openly licensed (meaning they can be legally attributed with the right attribution). With just over 1,000 textbooks, it has a smaller library than others.

5. ScholarWorks

Grand Valley State University offers ScholarWorks , which lets you download free college textbooks from a wide array of topics, even if you’re not a student. You don’t need to create an account on the site to start reading.

6. Bookboon

Bookboon contains a range of ebooks and audiobooks. Most of the content is focused on professional development rather than being strictly academic, but you may find it useful if you study a business-related subject. It also has some science books.

But before you get too excited, it’s time for the bad news. Bookboon is only free for a limited time. You can register and enjoy a free trial for 30 days, but after that, you’re looking at a minimum of $5.99 per month.

3 sites to avoid for free college textbooks

When you search for “free college textbooks,” it’s important to be careful about the websites you click on. Digital piracy — the distribution of content to get around copyright law and payment — is illegal and could leave you vulnerable to ransomware.

Yet piracy is common practice for most digital file types, from movies to music, and textbooks are no exception. To avoid breaking the law and the consequences that come with it, stay away from the three websites mentioned below. If you come across another site we haven’t mentioned that seems “too good to be true,” do your research before hitting the download button.

1. Library Genesis (LibGen)

LibGen provides a range of textbooks in electronic form (mostly EPUB and PDF files). It has a simple interface and a huge online library boasting millions of titles, including articles and magazines.

However, while this sounds great from a student’s perspective, LibGen contains many files that have been distributed illegally. It’s also been sued by the likes of science publisher Elsevier. 

2. Free Book Spot

Free Book Spot doesn’t host its own content but provides links to external sites on the web. You can also request the site owners to seek a book you’re after.

Since this site is simply an index of links from all over the web, you should be careful with the resources you find there. It may expose you to viruses or pirated textbooks.

3. PDF Drive

As the name suggests, PDF Drive hosts PDF textbooks, which it sources from elsewhere on the web using crawlers. It has more than 81 million titles, but as with the sites mentioned above, the free college textbooks you find on this site may infringe on copyright laws.

Other tips to get cheaper textbooks

Free college textbooks might be ideal, but cheap textbooks are the next best thing. If you don’t like online textbooks and prefer to work from physical copies, you may need to explore other avenues. But don’t worry, you can still keep costs low.

One of the best ways to save on college textbooks is to buy second-hand — and thanks to the internet, it’s also easier than ever. You no longer need to rely on previous students or local sales and can turn to the likes of Amazon and eBay to buy from students across the country.

You may even be able to get grants or financial aid . There are various student scholarships available with the purpose of helping students to get the textbooks they need, including Barnes and Noble Book Scholarships and the Women in Higher Education book scholarships.

Now, back to studying

It’s the 21st century, and securing free textbooks has never been easier. Whatever you’re studying, there’s a good chance there are open educational resources to help you if you’re willing to spend some time looking for them. So, count your blessings and go download some books.

If you’re anything like the average college student , there’s a good chance you have credit card debt. So, if you manage to save some money by getting your textbooks for free, consider using it to pay off your debt. 

Not sure where to start? Check out the Tally† credit card repayment app , which takes your higher-interest credit card debt and turns it into one lower-interest line of credit. It will also automate your payments.  

† To get the benefits of a Tally line of credit, you must qualify for and accept a Tally line of credit. The APR (which is the same as your interest rate) will be between 7.90% and 29.99% per year and will be based on your credit history. The APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Annual fees range from $0 to $300.

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University Libraries

Free textbook alternatives, open access books toolkit.

• OAPEN: Open Access Books Toolkit This toolkit aims to help book authors to better understand open access book publishing and to increase trust in open access books. The OAPEN Open Access Books Toolkit covers specific topics related to open access books. Each article offers a quick and brief introduction to a particular aspect of open access book publishing. The toolkit also serves as a signposting tool: articles include a list of sources referenced, further reading and links to definitions of key terms.

Other OER resources

For more information on OER resourcs beyond textbooks, see our Open Educational Resources (OER) Guide .

Sample of free OpenStax textbooks

The textbooks below are all available for free use online. They can also be downloaded for use offline, and print copies may be purchased for a lower cost than traditional textbooks.

Find other OpenStax books available in the UNT Libraries catalog by searching " OpenStax " , or see the full range of texts offered at OpenStax.org . 

Scholarly Communication Librarian

Why do we need alternatives to conventionally published textbooks?

 According to a  2018 survey of students at public colleges and universities in Florida,  the high cost of textbooks impacts student success in a variety of ways:

Furthermore, in  a 2020 report from the Student PIRGs , out of 4000 students surveyed from over 80 institutions, 25% reported having to work extra hours to afford course materials, 19% made course decisions based on the cost of materials, and 11% went without meals in order to afford course materials. 90% of these students worried that their grades would be affected by not having required course materials. Benefits of using online open texts, besides cost:

Most open texts can be adapted to fit your specific course and assignment needs.

Open texts can be updated or supplemented periodically to keep up with new developments in the field.

If your textbook is online, you can start using it from the first day of class: no need to provide extra time for students to buy a copy!

See also this  literature review of empirical studies on the effects of use of OERs , including open textbooks.

Evaluating free textbook alternatives

Free textbook alternatives, just like conventionally published textbooks, vary in quality. The directories listed below each have a mechanism for reviewing textbooks to be included.

The UNT Libraries have non-circulating print copies of some of the textbooks from OpenStax available for inspection by faculty members considering adopting them.  Please contact John Martin  for more information.

• InclusiveAccess.org Is automatic textbook billing inclusive? Decide for yourself.

Finding free textbook alternatives

The books found in the directories below can be read online for free, and many can also be downloaded in various formats. Most are made available under a Creative Commons license that allow you to redistribute it and possibly even modify it for your own use. Be sure to check the terms of use for the specific book you are using.

Instructors may wish to download a book and make it available through Canvas to ensure that a link to an online version does not break during the semester. If you do so, please indicate the CC license that is included with the book on your Canvas site.

• Directory of Open Access Books The DOAB is an online directory of high-quality, peer-reviewed books published in open access format.
• eLangdell Bookstore (CALI) Free, peer-reviewed, CC-licensed books and other materials on law and related topics from the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI)
• OER Commons This directory includes all sorts of open educational materials (not just textbooks) for all audiences. The "discover" and advanced search features let you limit to textbooks and choose an educational level.
• Open Educational Resources: Open Textbooks (Leeward Community College) A guide to open textbook resources in a variety of subject areas.
• Open Textbook Library All books included in the Open Textbook Library are known to have been adopted outside the author's institution or are published in affiliation with an institution, scholarly society, or professional organization. All are available for download and are licensed for reuse.
• Oxford Open Oxford University Press (OUP) is the largest university press in the world and a major publisher of academic journals, both in the sciences and the humanities. OUP is also one of the first university presses to publish an open access journal and currently maintains a number of publications that fall under open access, which users can peruse through the link. OUP also offers a limited number of monographs for open access as well.
• Pressbooks Directory Provides a searchable index of openly available books published across all Pressbooks networks.These books may be adopted as is or imported into our local Pressbooks platform for adaptation. There is a printable guide and an interactive tour on the site as well.
• SpringerNature Open Access eBooks A downloadable list of hundreds of OA eBooks spanning science, technology, medicine, humanities and social sciences are available through SpringerNature.
• Using Pressbooks Directory (video)

Instructors may wish to download a book and make it available through Canvas to ensure that a link to an online version does not break during the semester.

Ready to create your own open textbook?

If you're ready to create a textbook and make it free to read online and free to download, there are a couple of options available specifically for UNT faculty:

• If you'd like to create a textbook for use in a UNT course, you may want to submit a proposal to UNT Open Texts , a collaborative effort of the UNT Press and the University Libraries to support the publication of peer-reviewed, open access textbooks for use in UNT courses.   
• If your project doesn't fit the parameters of UNT Open Texts, then you might try a tool called Pressbooks .  UNT Libraries now has an instance of Pressbooks set up for faculty use. A sample of an OTN Pressbooks textbook can be seen here: Fundamentals of Business (2018). 

​ Contact  [email protected]  to learn more about either of these opportunities.

Note that if you decided to use material that you authored in your own classroom, you'll need to follow  the procedure for getting authorization to do so .

Here are some other resources that could be helpful:

• BC Campus Guides BC Campus OpenEd has created some useful guides for those considering adapting or creating their own open textbooks.
• LibreTexts LibreTexts offers easy-to-use online platform for the construction, customization, and dissemination of open educational resources (OER), including existing OpenStax textbooks.
• OER Commons OER Commons offers Open Author for creating textbooks, plus tools for creating interactive lessons and modules.
• Open Education Network Includes resources on authoring and adapting open textbooks, as well as videos and resource links on OER adoption.
• Open Modernisms This site allows scholars of modernism to build custom anthologies or coursepacks, hosted on this website, of out-of-copyright primary materials.
• OpenStax-CNX OpenStax is best known for their collection of high-quality open textbooks, but they also offer a platform called CNX that be used to create and remix modules of educational content.
• Rebus Community You can find collaborators for creating an open textbook through the Rebus Community.
• Rebus Community: Office Hours A series of YouTube video discussions of issues related to adopting, adapting, or creating open textbooks and other OER.
• Texas Open Education Resources Grant Program Grants offered by the State of Texas for the development of Core Curriculum courses using only OER resources.
• UNT OER Grants Information on grants to help develop new OER course materials for use in UNT courses.
• UNT Open Texts UNT Open Texts is a collaborative effort of the UNT Press and the University Libraries to support UNT faculty, including instructors and lecturers, who wish to publish an open access textbook for use in UNT courses.
• Last Updated: Jul 14, 2022 10:13 AM
• URL: https://guides.library.unt.edu/alt-textbooks

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10+ Best Websites To Download Free PDF Textbooks [2024]

Gone are the days when you had to pay full price for books. Now you can find college textbooks online for free. One not-so-great thing about college education is expensive books. The amount of money it takes out of your pocket to pay for textbooks is huge. No matter how financially prepared you think you are for college, the cost of textbooks will frustrate you at some point. So, there are several best websites to download free PDF textbooks.

Today, there are many resources on the Internet where you can find a lot of books available for downloading in electronic form. From PDFs and eBooks to renting or using university libraries, there are plenty of ways to get free (or very cheap) university materials. This way, you’ll have certain savings to invest in other beneficial ways. Read this article to learn about the 10 best websites to download free PDF textbooks in 2024.

10+ Best Websites to Download Free PDF Textbooks

12 best websites to download free pdf textbooks, tips for downloading free pdf textbooks, comparison of best websites for free textbooks online, bonus website to download pdf books.

• Library Genesis
• Centslessbooks
• Project Gutenberg
• Open Library
• DigiLibraries
• Amazon Kindle
• Google Books
• Digital Book Index
• Internet Archive

1. Library Genesis

Library Genesis is a website where many students visit books from different domains. Here, books are easily accessible, shared, and bought. You can have a long list of books to buy. It’s a good way if you do not wish to purchase expensive textbooks.

Website: https://libgen.li/

2. Centslessbooks

What makes CentslessBooks different from other websites? It provides a comprehensive list of all e-books that are available for free in the Amazon Kindle Store. If you select any e-book, it will direct you to the Kindle Store. Kindle offers the purchase of a hard copy for those who want it, and a free version is also available.

Website: https://centslessbooks.com/

3. OverDrive

On OverDrive, you can explore and read over a million eBooks for free. However, the only thing is that you must have an active student ID or public library card to access the books for free. Another plus of Overdrive is that it also has a wide selection of free audiobooks .

Website: https://www.overdrive.com/

4. Project Gutenberg

Well, if you’re looking for the biggest and oldest free eBook sources, your search should end here. You won’t believe it, but there are over 70,000 e-books on the site, and considered as one of the best websites to download free PDF textbooks.

Another advantage is that Project Gutenberg does not require you to register with the site to access the books. All books were available in Kindle, HTML, ePub, and plain text formats.

Website: https://www.gutenberg.org/

5. Open Library

From the Open Library, you can access and download books in various formats, such as MOBI, EPUB, PDF, etc. It is essentially a search engine that allows you to search the Internet Archive’s e-book library.

There are over 1.5 million books available on the site, and they cover all categories like romance, history, children, etc.

Website: https://openlibrary.org/

6. Bookboon

Well, Bookboon is one of the great sites to download free books in PDF format. You can download more than 75 million books in PDF format from this site. Bookboon is basically a website aimed at students.

All free textbooks are written by professors from the best universities in the world. The site is very easy to navigate and is definitely the best eBook site you can visit today. Also, as per user reviews only, it is considered as one of the best websites to download free PDF textbooks.

Website: https://bookboon.com/

7. DigiLibraries

The site claims to offer a digital source of e-books for every taste. Depending on your taste, you can browse through different categories of e-books.

The good thing is that the site allows you to browse books by title, author, or topic. DigiLibraries supports downloading files in EPUB, PDF, and MOBI formats.

Website: https://digilibraries.com/

8. Amazon Kindle

Well, Amazon Kindle is one of the best places to read e-books and one of the best websites to download free PDF textbooks. The Kindle is now the main source for downloading e-books. While not all books available on Kindle are free to download, if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, you can read many books for free.

You can download the Kindle app on Android or iOS . The desktop version is also available to read books stored in your Kindle library.

Website: Amazon Kindle

9. Google Books

The Google Play Store has a separate section for books. Go to the Google Play Store and select the books section. In this section, you will find many popular books.

Google Play has a section for free books of various genres. The free section lists new books almost every day. You can’t download books. However, you can read them through the Google Play Books app.

Website: https://books.google.com/

10. Digital Book Index

The Digital Book Index is another website where students can find free university textbooks in PDF format.

Textbooks in the Digital Book Index are available in history, social studies, medicine and health, math and science, philosophy and religion, law, and other subject areas. You can also search for textbooks by author, title, subject, and publisher.

Website: http://www.digitalbookindex.org/

11. Openstax

OpenStax is another website where college students can access 100% free online college textbooks in pdf format, available in English and Spanish . Its mission is to improve access to education and learning for all. It publishes openly licensed books.

OpenStax publishes high-quality books that are reviewed by experts. These openly licensed college textbooks are completely free online. You can also print them in a very affordable manner. The textbooks provided by OpenStax are written by professional authors. They follow standard length and sequence requirements. This allows them to be tailored to your existing course. OpenStax also has textbooks for high school courses.

Website: https://openstax.org/

12. Internet Archive

The Internet Archive is an easy-to-use website. Students can download free university textbooks online. Free PDF college textbooks are available for almost every subject area.

Books published before 1926 are also available for download . Hundreds and thousands of modern books can also be rented online. The Internet Archive is a non-profit library containing millions of free books, movies, websites, and more.

Website: https://archive.org/

• Visit the official websites of universities and educational organizations. It is a safe way to download free PDF versions of textbooks.
• Use open-access resources such as OpenStax . It will allow you to access free electronic versions of textbooks in various subjects.
• Check online libraries such as Google Books . Here you can find free passages and sometimes entire textbooks.
• Use platforms that provide free books, such as Project Gutenberg . Classic textbooks are also available.
• Check out educational research sites that often offer free PDF versions of academic books and articles.

ScholarWorks

ScholarWorks offers a range of free online college textbooks. Get free college textbooks in PDF format here. This makes it easy to find the textbooks that are suitable for your college course.

Besides various other reading materials, textbooks rank as one of the largest college bills. By following this guide closely, you’ll never need the costly text books anymore. This is a modern-day method of obtaining college textbooks. It is now possible to get free pdf copies of books on the Internet without having to spend your hard-earned money . Easily access some of the best websites to download free PDF textbooks and get the required material.

Best Websites To Download Free PDF Textbooks [2024] – FAQs

1. how can i download textbooks for free.

You can simply download free textbooks from the websites listed above.

2. Is Bookboon a safe website for free textbooks?

Yes, Bookboon is a safe website for free textbooks.

3. Is it safe to download books online?

Yes, if you are not downloading books from a pirated site, it’s completely safe to download books online.

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The 11 Best Sites to Get College Textbooks Online

Don't let college textbooks empty your pockets every semester. Use these websites to buy or rent cheap college books.

College textbooks can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars per semester. For the average undergraduate college student, that could add up to approximately $5,000 just for textbooks. But as with many things, these days, there are great opportunities to save a lot of money online.

Not sure where to start? Here are the eleven best sites to buy college textbooks for less.

Chegg is an excellent resource for finding affordable college books online. You can rent books and get free shipping when you return them.

Another option is to buy new or used textbooks, which come with a 21-day refund guarantee. Plus, you may use coupons or get free shipping on orders over a certain amount for extra savings.

In addition to hardcover books, students can choose from over 400,000 Ebooks and rent them for as long as they need for just $6.99 per month. All eBooks come with a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Related: Websites to Download Free Textbooks

If you're interested in selling your books when class ends, you can receive a quote, which is a great way to recoup some money. If, for some reason, Chegg isn't offering a buyback on that particular book, you can do some goodwill and donate it through the site.

Amazon has long been considered one of the best sites to buy college textbooks. It features thousands of titles in every category you could think of, from science and math to business.

Search for new or used textbooks by author, title, or topic, and then check out the price Amazon has to offer. Some books can be downloaded on Kindle for free, while others are available for rent.

Related: Websites Other Than Amazon to Find Great Kindle Books

If you're an Amazon Prime member, remember that you can save on shipping and get your book quickly. Alternatively, take a look at Amazon Prime Student for additional benefits and college deals just for you.

3. BookFinder

BookFinder browses hundreds of websites to help you find cheap textbooks online. Start by entering the ISBN, title, or author, select the book you want, and then you'll see prices from online stores like Amazon, eBay, Valore Books, and others.

Depending on the seller, you can purchase used or new books. Just click on the price for the online shop, and you'll be taken there to buy your book. With some luck, you could save up to 80 percent on your order.

4. CampusBooks

CampusBooks is similar to BookFinder in that it scours the web for terrific prices on college books. You'll get results from stores like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Chegg, all in one handy spot. And you can choose to rent instead of buy where available.

To get some money back after the semester ends, simply click the Sell button and then enter the book's ISBN. The platform will display a list of buyback websites along with price estimates.

5. SlugBooks

While a bit more limited than other platforms, SlugBooks is still worth a look when searching for cheap textbooks.

Look for the book you're interested in and then review the list price along with deals from stores like Amazon, Campus Book Rentals, and Chegg.

Click the purchase or rental price you want, head to that online shop, and buy what you need. SlugBooks also offers an option to sell your books . Enter your state and school and then list your textbooks so that other students can see and, hopefully, buy them.

6. ValoreBooks

ValoreBooks offers decent prices for renting or buying college textbooks, along with the option to sell your books. Enter the ISBN, title, or author to begin your search, and you should see suggestions immediately beneath the search box.

You'll then see the prices for new and used textbooks. You can also view alternate edition pricing for books that may include international, instructor, or previous edition options.

If you decide to buy, just add the book to your cart. Otherwise, you can scroll down to see additional marketplace prices with shipping details and costs.

Related: How to Use Kindle for Mac to Read Books and Make Notes on Your Mac

ValoreBooks is a nice and easy option for getting cheap textbooks online. With some research, you can save up to 90 percent on most titles.

Alibris features thousands of textbooks, as well as regular books, digital books, music, and movies. The platform claims that users can save up to 80 percent on most products.

Textbooks are available as new or used from a variety of sources like Big River Books, Goodwill, and Half Price Books. You can get all of the details right on the search results screen, including shipping options and costs.

Instead of being directed to a different site to get your book, just add it to your cart and make your purchase on Alibris.

8. Affordabook

Affordabook will browse over ten different websites for cheap textbooks. Enter the book title, author, or ISBN, and you'll see results for buying or renting the book from online stores. If you decide to buy or rent the book, just click the button for the spot you want to shop at.

If you sign up for a free account, you can set up search preferences and receive newsletters. Plus, you can create a handy Watched List of books so that when one reaches your target price, you'll be notified. This is a good way to keep an eye on the books you want without lifting a finger.

There's the option to buy new or used textbooks and study guides. Alternatively, you may rent the book you need. Students can also list their textbooks for sale to make some extra money .

9. AbeBooks

AbeBooks has been in business since 1996, offering cheap textbooks from thousands of independent sellers. Buyers can order new or used books, including older editions that may not be available anywhere else.

Simply enter the book title, ISBN, or author name in the search bar and then place your order or save the product for later. All textbooks come with a 30-day return policy, which makes everything a lot easier. If, say, you're not satisfied with the condition of your book, you may return it within one month from the delivery date.

Like other websites on our list, AbeBooks also allows users to sell their books and other products, including maps, comic books , collectibles, and works of art.

This service is available to sellers from around the world, meaning that you can set your own shipping rates and reach a global audience.

10. Textbooks Wise

Textbooks Wise is similar to a few other sites on our list, as it displays prices from stores like Amazon and eBay, all in one convenient place. Search for new, used, rental, or electronic books, and then head to the site when you're ready to check out.

While Textbooks Wise doesn't offer anything unique, it's still another great option if you're having trouble finding affordable college books online.

11. Textbooks.com

One final site to check out is Textbooks.com. Like the others, start by entering the ISBN, title, or author. Then, review your search results for new and used books.

What's cool about Textbooks.com is that as you compare prices, you can also see the book condition. Whether new, like new, or in acceptable condition, you'll be able to find cheap college books easily.

As of today, the platform offers more than ten million titles and free shipping on all orders over $25. Depending on the book you want, it's possible to save 70 percent or more.

For further savings, consider buying digital textbooks. This way, you can access them instantly without having to pay for shipping.

Discover the Best Way to Shop for Cheap Textbooks

Forget the campus bookstore and save some cash by buying or renting your college textbooks online. Each of these sites can help you save a bundle while making it easier to find the textbooks you need.

Remember to check their buyback programs when school is over! There are plenty of students who may need what you have to offer.

Compare Book Prices Online

Your recent searches, no recent searches found, for students.

• Textbook Search

Compare prices on new and used textbooks, rentals, old editions, and international edition textbooks.

• Textbook Buyback

Compare textbooks buyback prices and pick the best offer. Shipping costs included.

BookFinder.com Report 2017

The BookFinder.com Report is issued every year, tracking the most sought after out-of-print books in America.

Find books with just one search

Since 1997, BookFinder has made it easy to find any book at the best price. Whether you want the cheapest reading copy or a specific collectible edition, with BookFinder, you'll find just the right book. BookFinder.com searches the inventories of over 100,000 booksellers worldwide, accessing millions of books in just one simple step.

Original Editions

To find original editions, please select "Show more options" to refine your search by publication year. You can also choose to limit your search to first editions, signed editions, or hardcover.

Save big this semester by using BookFinder.com to find the cheapest textbooks. Search by ISBN to ensure that you find the exact edition, or you can search by author, title and publication year.

• Book Search
• Search by ISBN
• Search Signed Books
• Preferences
• Our Booksellers
• For the Press
• Media Mentions

Cheap College Textbooks

• Buy & Rent Textbooks
• Sell Textbooks

To compare prices of multiple books at the same time, just enter a list of ISBNs separated by commas or spaces. For example, searching for "9780393347258,9780451205766,9780312361815" will return a price comparison for all three books. If you prefer searching for one book at a time, we store your most recent book searches in the sidebar, so you'll still only be one click away. No need to copy/paste the same ISBN twice!

ISBNs are 10 or 13 digit numbers that identify a specific edition of a specific textbook. Go to your university website or class syllabus and find the ISBN numbers of your required books! We'll make it easy to compare prices online! Simply search for these numbers in the box above and SlugBooks will do the rest! Pro-tip: you can search for multiple ISBNs at the same time by entering a comma separated list of ISBNs into the bar above! (for example: "9781449410247, 9781449427702, 9781449401160")

If you've been assigned a homework code bundle , contact your professor and ask them to give you the ISBN for the separate components in the bundle. You can still save money by purchasing the book separately from the homework code.

If you've been assigned a custom edition , all you need is the ISBN for the NON-CUSTOM EDITION to save money. You can either contact your professor, or look at the copyright page of the custom edition to get this. The non-custom version also has sell-back value when you're done with it, unlike the custom edition.

ISBNs are 10 or 13 digit numbers that identify a specific edition of a specific textbook. Go to your university website or class syllabus and find the ISBN numbers of your required books! We'll make it easy to compare prices online! Simply search for these numbers in the box above and SlugBooks will do the rest! Pro-tip: you can search for multiple ISBNs at the same time by entering a comma separated list of ISBNs into the bar above! (for example: "978111111111, 97811111111111, 9781111111111")

Just like we compare buying and rental options, we also compare sellback options. Most of the same websites that sell books to students are also interested in buying books. When you search for a book by ISBN, we provide a list of quotes. If you decide to sell your book to one of the sites, they will provide you free shipping labels. After you print the label, simply drop the book in the mail with the shipping label and you'll have that sweet sweet cash (or Amazon store credit if you sold through Amazon Trade-in) before you know it!

Typically the shipping label provided is trackable - give it two-three weeks after the book has been delivered to start looking for your check in the mail (or if you did Amazon trade-in, your Amazon.com store credit). You can also check with the website you sold the book to.

Compare prices between all of our online options including:

By compiling prices on textbooks into one, convenient spot, SlugBooks provides students with the cheapest prices available - even if those prices happen to be at the university bookstore. Buying or renting your textbooks has never been easier or cheaper. Just type in the school and the class and voila - the cheapest available textbook prices. We also allow search by ISBN, for those who prefer searching by book. We compare textbook prices between the largest and most trustworthy online new, used, rental and digital textbook sellers, including Amazon and Chegg.

...but they don't have to be. SlugBooks levels the playing field by providing information and finally (finally!) lets the student stick it to the man. We've seen $200 textbooks selling for less than $10 online. Our comparison tool makes sure that you'll never get taken advantage of again.

When it's not the beginning of the semester, we are busy producing animated miniseries for our college audience. We work with some of the best writers, voice actors and animators that colleges around the world have to offer. Our two pilot miniseries, DORMS and SUITE SISTERS , follow a pair of male and female roommates through their freshmen years of college. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!

We partner with established internet comic artists, most of whom happen to be in college. Through art, our comics shed light on the joys and sorrows of the college experience. All of the work is licensed under Creative Commons (BY-NC)! If you are an aspiring comic artist, contact us! We'd love to feature your work.

If you have books for sale, you can either list them in our localized students exchanges (every college has its own exchange), or you can sell textbooks through our sellback page, which also allows you to compare textbook prices between all of the sites that buy them back.

...that SlugBooks provides include course material previews, study material links, and if you follow us the social networks we participate in, you'll get first dibs on coupons and discounts as they become available. We are the hub for getting the best deals on books. The days of opening tons of tabs in your browser or writing down each individual ISBN are over!

Sell Your Textbook

If you have this book go ahead and post it here and your listing will appear for all students at your school who have classes requiring this specific book. Make sure to price the book competitively with the other options presented, so you have the best chance of selling your book.

Our buyback partners are not buying this book at this time.

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9 Best Websites To Buy College Textbooks Online

There are several ways to access your textbooks for a lower price. Buying textbooks online can be a great way to save money.

Dec 07, 2022

There's no denying it - the price of textbooks is absolutely out of control. And because new textbook editions typically come out every few years, many students struggle to sell back their books at the end of the semester.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to avoid the campus bookstore and get your textbooks at a drastically reduced cost. We'll go over some of the best options in the article below.

Better World Books

Better World Books is an online store that sells both used and new college books, as well as regular books. They have a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot with more than 11,000 reviews. Users say buying books is a simple, easy process, and many praise their customer service experience. 

Better World Books also donates books and raises money for literacy campaigns and libraries. 

AllBookstores.com

AllBookstores.com is an online aggregator where you can search for a book and compare prices from dozens of different retailers. You can compare prices for new, used and rental textbooks to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

ValoreBooks

ValoreBooks lets college students buy, sell and rent both new and used books. The site promises to find the lowest prices for users who rent textbooks. If you can find a  better deal on a rental textbook from another site , ValoreBooks will refund you the difference.

Cheapesttextbooks.com

On Cheapesttextbooks.com, you can buy, sell and rent textbooks. The site will compare textbooks from multiple sites to get an accurate price comparison. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to have access to as many sites as other aggregator services.

CampusBooks.com

CampusBooks.com is another aggregator site where students can check book prices among dozens of different online retailers. The user experience leaves much to be desired, and it can be hard to compare book conditions to find the best value. 

eCampus.com

On eCampus.com, students can rent or buy their textbooks. If you buy your textbook, you can also sell it back to the site when you’re done. 

Students can return textbooks within 25 days. Free shipping is available for orders of $35 or more. The site has a 4.0 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot with more than 2,000 reviews.

Chegg is one of the few providers on this list that offers etextbooks, as well as physical textbooks. If you do buy a physical book, Chegg will give you seven days of free etextbook access so you can complete the readings before your book arrives.

Amazon has a textbook buying and rental service. Wth Amazon Rentals, students can rent a textbook for a semester. Rentals may be new or used. 

Students who choose to rent a textbook can return it to a pre-approved drop-off location. Rentals can be shipped with free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime Student. 

Textbooks.com

Textbooks.com does not allow book rentals for physical textbooks or etextbooks. You can only purchase textbooks.

The site offers free shipping for orders of $25 or more. You can return textbooks within 30 days. 

Which website has the cheapest books?

There is no one definitive source for cheap textbooks. To find the best price, you should scour the sites listed above. Doing this ahead of time will ensure that you’re getting the best deal.

If you’re buying or renting a physical textbook, make sure to look for sites that offer free shipping. Also, if you’re getting a used textbook, verify with your professor that you don’t need any extra supplements, like a special access code. Those usually aren’t available with used textbooks. If you do need a supplement, you will likely need to buy or rent a new textbook.

While older editions of textbooks are often cheaper, they may not include the same information as the updated version. Ask your professor if the exact edition matters or if you can use an older edition. 

How online book buying works

The process of buying or renting a textbook online is fairly similar across the board. First, you will need the ISBN number for each textbook. The ISBN number is the specific serial number for each book. 

Once you enter the ISBN number, you should see if the book is available and in what format. Most retailers sell both new and used textbooks. Some also offer textbook rentals, while others may provide e-textbooks.

Make sure to check the return policy before you purchase a book. Sometimes a professor will include a book on the list that they don’t end up using. If you can return the book before it’s too late, you won’t be charged for it. Ask about this at the beginning of the semester because most retailers have a strict return policy. 

Zina Kumok is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance. A former reporter, she has covered murder trials, the Final Four and everything in between. She has been featured in Lifehacker, DailyWorth and Time. Read about how she paid off $28,000 worth of student loans in three years at Conscious Coins.

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15 Best Websites For Cheap Textbooks 2024

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Textbooks for a lower price!

We all know how ridiculously expensive textbooks can be while studying in college. Sometimes, you misplace them or might not even have received any. These books are a crucial part of studies in college as they not only help as a reference, but they help us make notes and a lot more! Textbooks are like the water to our college life. With high prices, students resort to buying second-hand books, and we will help you choose from the best! Let us not waste any more time and dive right into it.

10 Best Websites for Cheap Textbooks

Many websites offer these same books at a lower price, and if you are looking for websites for cheap textbooks, we might have an offer you can't refuse. Here's a list of the best sites to buy college textbooks at a lower rate.

Best Known For:  E-Books!  Cost : $6.99 per month

First in line is the giant, Chegg . It is a popular cheap textbook website that gives up to 90% off textbook costs during purchase. They also have an extensive rental programme and ebooks, which allow you to buy cheap textbooks. Furthermore, you can ask a question or discover an online tutorial if you need assistance with your studies. In addition to hardback books, students can rent over 400,000 Ebooks. A 14-day money-back guarantee backs all eBooks. If you want to sell your books after class, you can get a quote, which is a terrific opportunity to make money. If Chegg isn't offering a purchase on a particular book, you can do some good by donating it through the site, making it a great website for cheap textbooks.

Why is this cheap textbook site different?

• Provides rental, used, and new textbooks alongside study guides and tutoring.
• Selection may lack some niche titles or older editions.
• Prices are competitive, with frequent discounts and coupons.
• Convenient one-stop shop for all textbook needs.

2. SlugBooks

Best Known For: Price comparison! Cost:  Free

SlugBooks , while more limited than other cheap textbook websites, is nonetheless worth a look when looking for cheap college textbook websites. Look for the book you want, then compare the list price to bargains from stores like Amazon, Campus Book Rentals, and Chegg. Click on the desired book or rental pricing, then go to that online store and purchase what you require. SlugBooks also allows you to sell your books. Enter your state and school, then list your textbooks for other students to see and possibly buy, making it a great website for cheap textbooks.

• Price comparison tool, no extra features.
• Displays lowest prices from different retailers.
• Compares prices across various retailers, not just their own.
• Limited to books from partner retailers.

3. ValoreBooks

Best Known For: marketplace for selling used books! Cost: Free

If you’re googling where to buy cheap textbooks, ValoreBooks is one of the best cheap textbook websites, and for a good reason! It has reasonable costs for renting or purchasing college textbooks and the ability to sell your books. To begin your search, enter the ISBN, title, or author, and you should get options right beneath the search box. The cost for new and old textbooks will then be displayed. You can also view the pricing for different editions of the same book, including overseas, teacher, or earlier editions. Once you find a book you wish to purchase, add it to your shopping basket. Otherwise, scroll down to discover other marketplace prices, including shipping details and fees. ValoreBooks is a convenient and quick way to acquire cheap college textbooks online. With a little research, you can save up to 90% on most titles.

• Online marketplace for buying and selling used textbooks.
• Wide variety, including older editions and international versions.
• Requires searching through individual listings.
• Buyback program, a textbook exchange forum, and price negotiation.
• Best for finding the cheapest used books.

4. AbeBooks

Best Known For: Guaranteed Savings! Cost: Free

AbeBooks has been selling used cheap textbooks from thousands of independent merchants since 1996. Buyers can order new or used books, including older versions that may be hard to find elsewhere. You can also look for textbooks with free shipping. They guarantee 50-90% savings. Their explanation of an ISBN is very beneficial for first-time online book buyers. If, for example, you are dissatisfied with the state of your book, you have one month from the date of delivery to return it, making it one of the best websites for cheap textbooks.

• Marketplace for used and rare books, including textbooks.
• Vast selection, especially for older editions niche titles.
• Prices set by individual sellers are often the cheapest.
• Buyback program, advanced search filters.
• Best for finding hard-to-find books at potentially the lowest price, but requires effort.

Best Known For: Cost-effective and convenient! Cost: Free

Rakuten has everything, so it's another great cheap textbook website for college textbooks. You can filter the huge amount of cheap college textbooks they offer by searching by free delivery, price range, genre, subject, and publisher. Its simplicity makes it a great cheap textbook website.

By purchasing from these sites, you are managing your money properly while saving on textbooks. Other money management methods exist, and our blog on money management hacks will show you how to use them.

• A large selection includes older editions or niche titles.
• Prices set by sellers are often lower due to competition.
• Features like coupons, cashback rewards, and price negotiation.
• Great for finding the cheapest used books, but requires effort and may have condition variability.

6. Textbooks.com

Best Known For: Compare prices while viewing the book’s condition! Cost: Free

Textbooks.com is one cheap textbook website. As with the others, begin by entering the ISBN, title, or author. Then, look through your search results for both new and old books. The wonderful thing about Textbooks.com is that you can compare pricing while viewing the book's condition. You may readily locate cheap college textbooks, whether new, like new, or in acceptable condition. Today, the marketplace offers over ten million titles and free shipping on orders of $25 or more. It can save up to 70% or more on your desired book. Consider purchasing digital textbooks to save even more money. This way, you can have them immediately without paying for delivery, making it a great website for cheap textbooks.

• Compares prices from different retailers for new, used, and rental books.
• Limited to partner retailers, not as extensive as specialised sites.
• Shows the lowest prices but might not always be the cheapest.
• Requires visiting multiple websites to buy.
• Primarily a price comparison tool with basic features.

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7. Knetbooks

Best Known For: Sending reminders and discounts for more convenience! 

Knetbook is a cheap textbook website that only provides rentals and claims up to 85% off standard pricing. Shipping is free in both directions, and you can sign up for text message updates to track your order and receive due date reminders. They also allow you to extend your due date. They will also periodically text you discount codes, making Knetbooks a great website for cheap textbooks. You can easily find cheap college textbooks here.

• Only rents textbooks, no options for buying new or used books.
• Competitive rental prices with discounts available.
• Mainly, stocks of popular textbooks lack niche titles or older editions.
• Focuses solely on renting and lacks additional educational resources.

Best Known For: Most reliable platforms for cheap textbooks! Cost: Free

Regarding cheap textbook websites, Amazon has long been regarded as one of the best places to purchase college textbooks. It has thousands of titles in every subject imaginable, from science and maths to business. Search for new or used textbooks by author, title, or topic, then compare prices on Amazon. Some books are free to download on Kindle, while others can be rented. Remember that if you have Amazon Prime, you can save money on shipping and get your book soon. Alternatively, look into Amazon Prime Student for additional advantages and education bargains tailored specifically to students.

• Offers new, used, and rental textbooks with a wide product range.
• Huge selection, including new releases and older editions.
• Competitive prices with frequent discounts.
• A one-stop shop with Prime benefits.
• Features like textbook buyback, reviews, and rental return labels.
• Convenient option with a good selection and prices, but not always the cheapest.

Best Known For: More vendors, more options! Cost:  Free

eBay is one of the greatest cheap textbook websites because it has many vendors. You can get new and second-hand textbooks, especially older editions, if you can use them. If you bid, you will also experience the excitement of an auction. The downsides are the time commitment required for auctions and the potential for lengthy shipment waits. The seller's pricing determines the amount you save. You can easily find cheap used textbooks and even new ones.

• General online marketplace with various sellers.
• Wide variety of products from individuals and businesses.
• Prices vary, potentially cheaper than specialised sites.
• Different conditions, relying on seller descriptions.
• Includes bidding system and seller reviews.

10. Perlego

Best Known For: Unrestricted access to millions of books!  Cost: £12 monthly 

Perlego provides unrestricted access to its ebook catalogue. They provide a 14-day free trial for students, after which you pay £12 monthly (they are situated in the United Kingdom). The software allows you to highlight, bookmark, and annotate. You cannot, however, read anything offline. When the semester is finished, return your rentals and sell your books on any of the sites listed above. You might also try selling used college textbooks here, which makes it one of the best websites to get textbooks for cheap.

• Subscription service for e-textbooks from different publishers.
• Fixed monthly fee for unlimited access.
• Read on any device with the internet.
• No ownership access during subscription.
• Features like offline reading and note-taking.
• Suitable for heavy readers needing multiple e-textbooks.

11. DiscoverBooks

Best Known For: All kinds of books! Cost: Free

DiscoverBooks is another cheap textbook website that has a collection of books, from popular fiction books to non-fiction books and crafts and hobbies. This platform also offers great discounts if you buy books in bulk! DiscoverBooks also offers a buyback concept where you can get money for books you no longer need!

• Offers new, used, and international textbooks.
• Wide variety, including new releases.
• Buyback program for selling textbooks.
• Free shipping over $45.
• Rewards program for frequent buyers.

Best Platforms For EBooks

1. project gutenberg.

Best Known For: Fiction Content Cost: Free

Project Gutenberg is a volunteer effort to create and distribute ebooks free of cost. If you’re looking for text in the public domain, this website will certainly give you that. It primarily offers fiction content from the Western culture and is one of the best platforms for Humanities students in particular. 

• Provides free ebooks from the public domain.
• Completely free downloads.
• Easy to browse and download.
• Limited features, mainly for ebooks.
• Ideal for free classic literature, not textbooks.

2. Mobilism

Best Known For: Full access to a variety of topics and fields! Cost: Free

If you’re looking for content regarding literature and biology, then Mobilism is the best platform to consider. Mobilism offers a range of textbooks, from introductory courses to advanced studies. It is one of the most preferred digital libraries, as students can post specific requests according to their requirements. It’s also a great platform to read novels!

3. Archive.org

Best Known For: Finding deleted content!  Cost: Free

Archive.org , as the name suggests, is a platform where people can access all deleted content. For instance, if you’re looking for deleted YouTube videos or deleted documents, you can find them here. Mostly, students use this platform to back up their digital textbooks. The best part is that this website lets you download content in different formats.

• Non-profit library with free textbooks online
• Offers scanned textbooks, mainly older editions
• Completely free access
• Download or borrow online
• Needs internet and compatible device
• Provides books in PDF or other digital formats
• Also offers music, movies, and software

4. BookBoon

Best Known For: Paradise for engineers! Cost: $6-$7

Bookboon is an online publishing platform focusing primarily on engineering-related content, so it may not benefit a larger audience. However, for engineering students, this website is an actual boon. With this website, you can find content related to engineering, law, mathematics, natural sciences, and many more. One of the drawbacks, however, is that eventually, you will have to pay a subscription fee of around $6-$7.

• Provides free digital textbooks for higher education.
• Emphasizes Open Educational Resources (OERs).
• No fees, fully free.
• Only available in digital format.
• Limited additional features.
• Ideal for niche subjects or self-improvement.

Best Ways to Find Cheap Textbooks for College

• Utilise Textbook Borrowing : Ask your friends and classmates, or use your school's library to borrow textbooks for free. You can also check if there are any textbook rental programs at your school.
• Utilise Price Comparison Aggregators : Use websites like " BookFinder " or " BigWords " to compare prices from different online stores. This way, you can find the cheapest options for buying or renting textbooks.
• Enroll in a Membership Program : Consider signing up for Amazon Prime Student or a similar program. These memberships offer discounts and free shipping on textbooks and other items. It can save you money in the long run.

We hope this list of cheap textbook websites helps you with your education going forward. If you are saving on textbooks, how about saving money on groceries, too? Our blog on how to save money on groceries will teach you exactly that.

Frequently Asked Questions

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