Kobo Books & Audiobooks icon
Exploring Kobo Books & Audiobooks: A Comprehensive iOS App Review

by Rakuten Kobo Inc.

4.5
IOSBooks
This app delivers a robust platform for accessing and enjoying e-books and audiobooks on iOS devices. If you need a flexible reading and listening solution, Kobo offers extensive customization and seamless library management. Perfect for users who prefer an alternative to mainstream e-book services with strong cross-device functionality.

Detailed Review

Kobo Books & Audiobooks by Rakuten Kobo Inc. serves as a digital reading and listening platform, positioning itself as a competitor to established services like Amazon Kindle and Apple Books. The app provides access to a vast catalog of e-books and audiobooks, enabling purchases, borrows from libraries, and personal uploads. Its market presence is notable for supporting open EPUB formats, which appeals to users seeking flexibility beyond proprietary ecosystems. Core features include a highly customizable e-book reader with adjustable font styles, sizes, margins, and themes like night mode for reduced eye strain. The audiobook player supports variable playback speeds, chapter navigation, and sleep timers, catering to different listening preferences. Library organization tools allow users to sort titles by collections, recent activity, or manually created shelves. Syncing across devices via a Kobo account ensures that reading progress and bookmarks are updated in real-time, though occasional delays have been noted in user reports. Additional functionalities include integrated dictionary lookup, highlighting, and note-taking, which are particularly useful for students or researchers. In real-world usage, the app excels during commutes or travel due to offline access for downloaded content. The interface is generally intuitive, with a clean layout that minimizes clutter, though some users find the store navigation slightly less streamlined compared to competitors. For instance, a reader can start a book on an iPhone during a lunch break and resume on an iPad at home without losing their place. The audiobook experience is smooth, with reliable background playback that works well during workouts or household chores. User feedback, though limited in official reviews, indicates appreciation for the app's lack of DRM restrictions on certain titles and the ability to import personal documents. Common praises highlight the reading customization options and the affordability of Kobo's frequent sales. However, some early adopters mention minor issues like sporadic app crashes after iOS updates or slower load times in the store section compared to more polished rivals. These points are based on general trends observed in similar app ecosystems and community forums. Overall, Kobo Books & Audiobooks presents a solid choice for iOS users invested in a flexible, cross-platform reading environment. Its strengths lie in format compatibility and user-controlled customization, while its limitations include occasional performance hiccups and a slightly smaller exclusive content library than some competitors. For those prioritizing control over their digital library and cost-effective access, the app delivers reliably with room for incremental improvements.

Key Features

  • Customizable e-book reader with adjustable fonts, themes, and brightness for tailored reading comfort in various environments.
  • Audiobook player featuring speed control, sleep timer, and chapter skipping to enhance listening sessions during activities like driving.
  • Cross-device synchronization that updates reading progress and bookmarks automatically across iOS devices and Kobo e-readers.
  • Integrated dictionary and highlighting tools allowing instant word lookups and note-taking for educational or reference purposes.
  • Library organization with collections and search filters enabling efficient management of large e-book and audiobook catalogs.
  • Offline access for downloaded content, ensuring uninterrupted reading or listening without an internet connection, ideal for travel.

Why Users Love It

Flexible reading options
Affordable book deals

Perfect for: Ideal for avid readers and audiobook enthusiasts who value customization and cross-device continuity.

Ranking History

Track Kobo Books & Audiobooks's performance in Books over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#47

Best Rank

#36

All-time high

Average Rank

#42

30-day average

User Reviews

radiogoat
Jul 16, 2025

Since I installed the Kobo app a few years ago I’ve had issues with simply reopening a book to the page I left off on. This happened on every device I have Kobo installed. Kobo would pick some random page, usually 20 pages back from where I actually left off. I’m glad to say the recent re-write of the app in the last major update has finally cured these issues. I’m finally able to reopen a book and start on the page I left off on. As a bonus the new endless scroll mode is quite nice. It’s available as an option under reading preferences. Recent update fixes issues with reopening app Since I installed the Kobo app a few years ago I’ve had issues with simply reopening a book to the page I left off on. This happened on every device I have Kobo installed. Kobo would pick some random page, usually 20 pages back from where I actually left off.I’m glad to say the recent re-write of the app in the last major update has finally cured these issues. I’m finally able to reopen a book and start on the page I left off on.As a bonus the new endless scroll mode is quite nice. It’s available as an option under reading preferences.

DreadTurtle
Oct 1, 2025

I love the app, but can I kindly be able to rate the books I read without having to go on the website itself. Rate my books I love the app, but can I kindly be able to rate the books I read without having to go on the website itself.

Lonely Listener/Reader
Aug 28, 2025

I absolutely love this app. I listen to audiobooks while I am working and can listen to several books a week, and Kobo doe not disappoint !! The books are always there and a ton of options to pick from!! LOVE THIS APP I absolutely love this app. I listen to audiobooks while I am working and can listen to several books a week, and Kobo doe not disappoint !! The books are always there and a ton of options to pick from!!

nanopearl
Aug 23, 2025

I recommend buying/downloading ebooks on kobo rather than kindle. This app has an important feature that kindle app does not— you can annotate with handwritten notes in your ebook using Apple Pencil. The kobo ereader device also allows you to handwrite notes on epub files. amazing app for ebooks! I recommend buying/downloading ebooks on kobo rather than kindle. This app has an important feature that kindle app does not— you can annotate with handwritten notes in your ebook using Apple Pencil. The kobo ereader device also allows you to handwrite notes on epub files.

hanoo88
Aug 17, 2025

Many thanks, really last update is wonderful many thanks for that Wonderful update Many thanks, really last update is wonderful many thanks for that

App Details

Developer

Rakuten Kobo Inc.

Platform

ios

Rating

4.5

Last Updated

11/15/2025