If you are an avid reader and do not want to be linked to a particular platform, you will need a tool to convert your electronic books to different formats. The truly excellent eBook converters are hard to come by, so we have achieved the best.
These free eBook converters will handle all common formats: PDF to Mobi, Kindle to Epub, Epub to Mobi and virtually any other combination you may need.
First, a note on DRM (digital rights management). Many e-books are protected by DRM, and removing them is often contrary to the provider's terms of service. It is a system designed to prevent unauthorized copying and exchange (you can lend some Kindle books to friends for two weeks, but not all titles are eligible).
That's a good idea in principle, but it also prevents you from archiving books or reading them on a different device. It also means that, if the seller ever disappears, your library will also disappear.
Please note that the download or exchange of unauthorized copies of electronic books constitutes a violation of copyright. Even if the original text is in the public domain (Shakespeare's works, for example), the book is generally classified as a separate thing. You bought your e-books, so be stingy and just enjoy yourself!
1. Any eBook Converter
Powerful and flexible: the best free eBook converter around
. Any e-Book Converter looks great, smart and tidy, and is packed with features you would normally expect to pay. It allows you to convert to Epub, Mobi, Kindle, PDF and TXT formats, so there is something for your reader or preferred application. It also removes DRM automatically.
The software automatically checks your PC for Kindle, Adobe Digital Editions and Nook ebooks, saving you the effort of importing them. Alternatively, you can connect an e-reader and extract books directly.
Once the book is converted, you can edit its metadata (a good idea to keep your collection organized), including the title, the author, the publication date, the editor and the cover image. There is even a built-in tool to fix EPUB files (which are essentially a type of compressed file file) that use a non-standard structure.
Any eBook converter may seem simple, but it is carefully designed and offers everything you could want. Highly recommended.
2. Caliber
An excellent e-book reader and a converter with add-ons to add additional features
Before downloading Caliber, be aware that you can not operate Kindle or other DRM-protected files unless you install a plug-in Additional: Removal of DRM Tool by Apprentice Alf.
Caliber is primarily an e-book reader instead of a converter, but it does both jobs brilliantly and is a great option if you dislike big commercial providers.
Caliber is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, with a portable version that is ideal if you want to take your library of eBooks to a USB device.
As a side note, if you have converted e-books before, you may be familiar with Hamster Ebook Converter and wonder why we have not included it. The answer is because it's Caliber's open source code, which is fine, but restricts access to it, which is not. If you want the real business, continue with Caliber.
3. ZamZar
An online converter that's great if you just want to convert a single book
ZamZar is an online file converter that can handle a wide variety of file types, including almost any electronic book format that you can throw in that.
We gener
ally do not recommend browser-based tools for file conversion due to the amount of time and data required for uploads and downloads, but e-books are so small that they become almost instantly. You will then receive an email containing a link to a web page where you can download your converted file. We would prefer a direct download link, but it is only a minor inconvenience, and it is a way for ZamZar developers to promote their premium service.
Online storage is available for a subscription fee, as well as the ability to convert multiple files at once.
Before converting e-books with ZamZar, be sure to check the terms of service, especially the section on copyright. As you are loading content on servers owned by someone else, make sure you follow the rules.
