Many ebooks come with digital rights management (DRM) protection. Thankfully, it's possible to remove DRM from ebooks. There are lots of tools that make the DRM removal process simple and straightforward.

Here are some of the best ways to remove DRM from your ebooks.

What Is DRM and Why Is It Bad?

In theory, DRM prevents the unlicensed copying and distribution of ebook files, thus safeguarding the commercial interests of the various parties involved. DRM is also available for video games, ensuring that what you're playing is legitimate.

However, DRM is a nightmare for consumers. It can prevent you from reading an ebook on all of your devices, even if you've bought it legitimately.

For example, if you buy an ebook on the Kindle Store, you will only be able to read it on Kindle ereaders or the Kindle app. You'll face issues if you decide to switch to an ereader from a different manufacturer or if you want to use an alternative ereader app on your smartphone.

The solution is to use a DRM removal tool. Don't worry; doing so is not illegal. Here's a rundown of some of the best DRM removal apps available today.

1. Calibre

Boox Tab Ultra Kindle Reading

Available on: Windows, Mac, Linux

Calibre is the best app for organizing and managing your ebook collection. You can use it to edit a book's metadata, convert an ebook into different formats, and even download news and magazine articles onto your ereader device.

Thanks to the presence of plugins, you can also use Calibre to remove the DRM from almost any ebook you own. However, remember that the tool will not work with Apple Books or books from Overdrive.

It is also a little more fiddly to set up than some of the options we'll dive into shortly. You need to set up the plugins correctly, whereas other tools use a one-click solution.

Download: Calibre (Free)

2. Epubor

epubor-2

Available on: Windows, Mac

Epubor has a couple of DRM removal apps. But for most people, the All DRM Removal tool is the correct one.

It lets you remove DRM restrictions from Kindle books, Adobe books, Nook books, Kobo books, and any book you purchased through Google Play. Again, books purchased from Apple's store are not supported.

The app is easy to use, with a simple drag-and-drop interface. Batch removal is also supported, so if you have a collection of books that number in the thousands, you do not need to process each one individually—it is a massive time saver.

You can even use the app to send books directly to your reader. (Note: If you need to convert ebooks between the different formats, check out the same company's Epubor Ultimate tool.)

A free trial is available. Thereafter, you will need to pay $20 for a full license.

Download: Epubor All DRM Removal ($20, free trial available)

3. Any eBook Converter

any ebook convertor drm removal

Available on: Windows

If you want a single tool to remove the DRM for ebooks you've bought from many stores, you might need to pay for the privilege.

One of the best apps for the job is Any eBook Converter. It can remove DRM restrictions on books from Kindle, Adobe, Nook, and Kobo. In total, this tool supports 24 different ebook formats, including EPUB, PDF, MOBI, AZW, TXT, KFX, PRC, HTMLZ, and DOC. The app supports bulk removal.

In addition to its DRM removal capabilities, Any eBook Converter also has a few other useful features.

For example, you can edit an ebook's metadata (including the title, author, publisher, data, identifiers, and language). You can also convert your ebooks into different formats, allowing you to read them on whichever ereader device/app you use. Editing and conversion can only be performed after you've removed the DRM restrictions.

Download: Any eBook Converter ($59.99 for a lifetime license, with another license at $14.95/month or $29.99/year)

4. eBook Converter

Available on: Windows, Mac

eBook Converter is one of the best DRM removal apps for ebooks you can find on the web. The app is an all-in-one solution, meaning it works with Kindle DRM, ADEPT Adobe Digital editions DRM, Barnes Noble NOOK ebooks, and even public library EPUB, PDF, and ACSM files.

There is an auto-import feature, so you can move your entire ebook collection into the app in a single click. One-click conversion is also supported, meaning you don't need to dig around in settings menus and fiddle with endless parameters to get the output you need.

You need to pay $20 for lifetime access to the app.

Download: eBook Converter ($20)

5. DiscoverySoft

Available on: Windows, Mac

DiscoverySoft's ebook DRM removal app will let you read DRM-protected content on any reader, computer, tablet, or mobile phone, thanks to its powerful feature set.

One of the app's key features is the ability to import ebooks from the Kindle for PC app, as well as Nook for PC and Adobe Digital Editions, all with a single click.

Amazon Kindle books published after January 3, 2023, can no longer be downloaded with the Kindle for PC app.

Most popular ebooks formats are supported, including EPUB, PDF, and AZW. The app is available on Windows and Mac, but sadly it is not free. You will need to pay $20 for a license.

Download: DiscoverySoft ($20)

6. Leawo Prof. DRM

Leawo Prof. DRM

Available on: Windows, Mac

The final tool on the list is Leawo Prof. DRM (formerly known as Leawo TunesCopy Ultimate).

The app uses speed as its main selling point—it claims to be as much as 50x faster than some of the other DRM removal solutions we have looked at. That won't make much difference on a single book, but if you are working with thousands of books, the time savings can be significant.

In addition to ebooks, Leawo Prof. DRM also works with audio tracks, subtitles, music ID tags, Audible audiobooks, and more.

However, the extra features come at a cost. Lifetime access is $130; a one-year plan is $80.

Download: Leawo Prof. DRM ($130)

7. ViWizard

viwizard converted
Image Credit: ViWizard

Available on: Mac

If you're looking to remove DRM from an Apple book, ViWizard might be your best option. Thankfully, it's somewhat affordable and retains the quality of the iBook once it's converted. It also supports batch conversion, quickly converting your entire library.

At the time of writing, ViWizard only works for Apple iBooks and is only available for Mac. And while it doesn't have any fancy features like changing the meta information, it's still the best tool for your iBook collection.

ViWizard offers many different tools you have to buy separately, but if you only want to take care of your iBooks, you should be okay with the DRM iBook Copy for Mac tool.

Download: ViWizard ($30)

What’s the Best Way to Remove DRM From Ebooks?

The apps we've discussed here should be able to remove the DRM on almost any ebook you own. But what's the best way to remove DRM from your ebooks?

We rate Calibre the highest; having a single app that can take care of all your ebook management needs is advantageous. And in addition to the DRM removal plugin, there are countless other plugins that will let you supercharge the app and customize it to your needs.

However, from a DRM removal standpoint, Calibre is the hardest to get up and running. If you'd prefer a more straightforward solution, try one of the web apps that support single-click DRM removal.

On the other hand, if you want to remove DRM from an iBook, ViWizard is the best option on the list.