iBooks vs. Amazon Kindle App for iOS

This article does not delve into as to which eBook store has the most number of books, the quality of eBooks available, the price differences between the two eBook stores, or the DRM details for each eBook format. This is about the functionality of each eBook reader especially when it comes to their native eBook reader apps for iOS devices.

Function iBooks Amazon
Kindle App
Synchronization between/
among devices
no yes
Location and
Page Numbers
no yes
PC Program no yes
Availability of eBooks
in non-US iBookstore
no yes

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The first and second items basically refer to synchronization and the ability of resuming reading from where you left off in the other devices. In the Kindle App, synchronization is automatic when you’re connected to the internet, and applies to a wide array of Kindle devices and Kindle programs/apps for PC, Android, iOS, etc. If you’re not connected to the internet, you can take note of the Location number (and for some eBooks, Page numbers) of the part where you left off and input the same to another device, and there you are instantaneously. For iBooks, I have to search for the phrase in order to go to that specific part of the eBook. Yes, iBooks has page numbers, but that which are dynamic and vary depending on the font and the display size of the device you’re using.

You can read Amazon Kindle eBooks in their PC (and Mac) programs, while none exists for iBooks.

Lastly, you can buy Kindle eBooks from Amazon, which you can use your locally (e.g., Philippines) issued credit cards, while you need to have a US iTunes account in order to buy eBooks from the iBookstore.

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