Ebooks are more popular than ever, making Kindle a household name. While many think of Kindles as the series of Amazon ereaders, there is also a free Kindle app for other devices.

Do you really need to invest in a Kindle when you can just use the Kindle app on your smartphone or tablet?

Skipping on the Kindle may save you anywhere between $90 and $350, but you may lose out on some key features. Learning more about the advantages and disadvantages of the two will help you decide whether the Kindle or Kindle app is the right choice for you.

Buying a Kindle: Pros

There are many reasons why people invest in a physical ereader. You can carry a nearly unlimited amount of books in your pocket without needing to worry about a heavy backpack or dim lighting. Kindles come with up to 32GB of storage space. Even larger books often come in at under 1MB of space. At nearly 900 pages, Dune is only 2846KB.

There are several different models to choose from, but the most popular models are the Kindle Paperwhite and the Kindle Oasis, with the newest Kindle release in October 2021.

kindle on books

You can use these devices to access your Kindle library, including any purchased Amazon ebooks and Kindle Unlimited (when you pay the subscription.) Special kid-friendly modes enable parental controls, so children can safely enjoy the devices without risking inappropriate content or unwanted purchases.

What separates reading on a Kindle vs. your phone or tablet? Kindles are not only lightweight (both under 7oz/200g), but they are waterproof, making them the perfect way to enjoy a nice book at the beach or in your bath.

The fact that the Kindle isn't backlit is another huge plus: looking at backlit screens, like your phone or your iPad, might make it harder to sleep at night, and it's harder on your eyes over long periods of time. The e-ink screen and built-in LEDs of the Kindle provide soft lighting that's very easy on your eyes without making it hard to read at night.

Direct access to the Kindle store is also a great feature of owning a Kindle; you can open up the store from your device, browse books, and download them immediately. If you have a 4G-enabled Kindle, you can do this from anywhere you can get cell reception. This is great if you're stuck at an airport or somewhere else where you might have to pay for Wi-Fi when you really want a new book.

Buying a Kindle: Cons

With all of those benefits, it's going to be hard to find enough drawbacks to dissuade you from buying a Kindle, but there's definitely one con that's worth mentioning: price. The base model is $90. That said, you can look into purchasing models from older generations for a better bargain if you don't need the newest features. Just be sure not to go too far back, as some older Kindle devices using 3G will lose their internet connectivity.

kindle device comparison

Is the Kindle worth if you already own a device that can run the Kindle app? While there are advantages to Kindles, since they are designed to offer optimum performance for reading, all they can do is read ebooks and some text files. Kindles can't play videos or download other apps, just read exclusively, making it less enticing for some people.

However, Kindles are superior to tablets for someone who reads a lot on the go and wants something easy on the eyes.

Using the Kindle App: Pros

What exactly is the Kindle app? It's Amazon software that allows you to access your Kindle library through Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, or Blackberry 10 devices. How much does it cost? Absolutely nothing, which does give it an advantage compared to Kindle devices.

The Kindle app works by simply displaying the text right on your screen. It is a comparable experience to reading any other articles or posts on the associated device.

In addition to being available for pretty much any device out there, the interface for the Kindle app is really nice. It has different color schemes (day, night, and sepia) and easy brightness adjustment. While Kindle touchscreens are good, they're not great; using the app on a tablet is going to provide you with crisper, faster interactions.

Because the app is in full color on other devices, you can highlight in multiple colors. That might not sound like a big deal, but if you're using your Kindle for textbooks or any other book for school, you could put that to good use.

Using the Kindle App: Cons

The biggest drawback to using the app is the display on your device; it's just not as nice as the e-ink and LED lighting that comes standard on the Kindles. You can definitely read in the dark, but even in night mode, it's harsh on your eyes. You're probably already spending too many hours looking at a screen, and reading on one isn't going to help. It's also going to be extremely difficult to use in direct sunlight.

kindle app on an ipad

One of the more annoying drawbacks of the Kindle app is that some devices restrict access to the Kindle store. In other words, any time you want to buy a new book, you may need to log into Amazon somewhere else instead of clicking a simple button.

Another device-dependent disadvantage is that your specs limit your experience. Reading from a giant laptop screen or a tiny smartphone is annoying.

Additionally, you may face other distractions using other devices that you don't get from the Kindle. When using a specified e-reader, you don't have to deal with the interruption of other notifications or the temptation or open other apps.

Kindle Device vs. App: Which Should You Choose?

In the battle of Kindle vs. Kindle app, it all comes down to your lifestyle. Someone who reads often (especially when traveling) could really benefit from the Kindle device. However, if you have financial restrictions and don't read much, the free kindle app is probably the wider choice.

In the end, it comes down to what type of reader you are and what experience you need.