11 Best Online Bookstores to Buy and Rent Books in 2026

I’ve bought books from just about every online bookstore over the past 15 years. Amazon gets the most attention, but it’s far from the only option, and depending on what you’re looking for, it’s often not the best one either.

If you want cheap used books, ThriftBooks beats Amazon’s prices consistently. If you care about supporting independent bookstores, Bookshop.org sends profits directly to local shops. If you need academic textbooks without the sticker shock, Perlego gives you unlimited access for $12 a month.

I’ve put together this list of the 11 best online bookstores based on price, selection, shipping, and what they actually do well. Some specialize in used books, others in rare and collectible editions, and a few focus specifically on textbooks and academic materials. I’ve also included a comparison chart and a decision flowchart to help you pick the right store for your needs.

Online Bookstore Comparison

Before diving into individual reviews, here’s how the major online bookstores compare across key criteria. This should help you narrow down your options quickly.

Bookstore	Best For	Price Range	Free Shipping
ThriftBooks	Cheap used books	$3.59+	Orders $15+
Books-A-Million	New books, deals	$$	Orders $59+
Barnes & Noble	New books, eBooks, textbooks	$$$	Orders $40+
AbeBooks	Rare, collectible, used	$-$$$$	Varies by seller
Bookshop.org	Supporting indie stores	$$	Orders $10+
Better World Books	Used books, charity	$	Always free
Perlego	Academic textbooks	$12/mo unlimited	Digital only
Powell’s	New + used, indie	$$	Orders $50+
Book Outlet	Bargain new books	$	Orders $35+
Biblio	Rare, signed editions	$$-$$$$	Varies by seller
KidsBooks	Children’s books	$$	Orders $50+

1. ThriftBooks

ThriftBooks is the largest online seller of used books in the world. They process over 30,000 used books daily and maintain a massive inventory of more than 13 million titles. I’ve been buying from ThriftBooks for years, and the value is hard to beat.

Books start at $3.59, and free shipping kicks in at just $15. That’s about 4-5 books for the price of one new hardcover at a traditional retailer. Their condition grading is accurate too. I’ve ordered dozens of books rated “Good” and they’ve always been perfectly readable.

ThriftBooks also runs a ReadingRewards program. Every purchase earns points, and once you hit the threshold, you get a free book. It’s not a massive perk, but for frequent readers it adds up. They also have a “Deal of the Day” section with additional discounts.

The downsides? Selection depends on what people sell, so you won’t always find specific recent releases. And there’s no eBook option. It’s physical books only.

2. Books-A-Million

Books-A-Million (BAM) is the second-largest book retailer in the United States after Barnes & Noble, with over 200 physical stores and a solid online presence. They carry new books, bargain books, toys, games, and gifts.

BAM’s Millionaire’s Club membership ($25/year) is worth it if you buy regularly. Members get 40% off hardcovers, 10% off almost everything else, free shipping on $25+ orders, and exclusive coupons. If you buy even 5-6 hardcovers a year, the membership pays for itself.

Their bargain section is particularly good. I’ve found recent bestsellers marked down 50-75% off retail. The online experience isn’t as polished as Amazon’s, but the prices more than make up for it.

3. Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble is the largest dedicated bookstore chain in the US with over 600 retail locations. Their online store carries practically every new title in print, plus eBooks through the Nook platform, audiobooks, and a growing selection of vinyl records and board games.

B&N’s Membership ($39.99/year) gives you 10% off everything, free shipping, and exclusive member pricing. Their textbook rental program is also solid. You can rent textbooks for a semester at a fraction of the purchase price and return them when you’re done.

If you’re a student, check their textbook prices against Textbooks.com and Perlego before buying. Barnes & Noble isn’t always the cheapest for textbooks, but their rental program and in-store pickup make them convenient.

4. AbeBooks

AbeBooks is a marketplace connecting buyers with thousands of independent booksellers worldwide. It’s owned by Amazon but operates independently, and it’s the go-to destination for rare, out-of-print, and collectible books.

I’ve used AbeBooks to track down out-of-print textbooks, first editions, and signed copies that you simply can’t find anywhere else. The marketplace model means prices vary widely between sellers, so it pays to compare listings for the same title.

AbeBooks is also strong for used textbooks. International editions (same content, different cover, fraction of the price) are readily available from overseas sellers. Shipping takes longer, but the savings can be 60-80% compared to US retail prices.

The downside is inconsistency. You’re buying from individual sellers, so shipping speed, packaging quality, and return policies vary. Check seller ratings before ordering, especially for expensive items.

5. Bookshop.org

Bookshop.org was founded in 2020 as a direct alternative to Amazon. The concept is simple: buy books online, and a share of the profit goes to independent bookstores. They’ve distributed over $30 million to indie bookshops since launch.

Books on Bookshop.org are priced at retail (no discounts), but you’re paying for the impact. When you buy a book, the affiliated indie bookstore earns a 30% commission. If you don’t choose a specific store, the profits go to a general fund split among independent bookshops.

Bookshop.org also has excellent curated lists. Staff picks from actual indie bookstore employees, themed collections, and bestseller lists that reflect what independent stores are selling, not just Amazon’s algorithm. If you like discovering books through human curation rather than algorithms, this is the store to browse.

Which Bookstore Should You Use?

With 11 bookstores on this list, it helps to know which one fits your specific needs. This flowchart maps your reading habits to the best store.

6. Better World Books

Better World Books combines used book selling with a social mission. For every book sold, they donate a book to someone in need. They’ve donated over 35 million books to date and funded over $35 million in literacy programs worldwide.

The standout feature? Free shipping on every order. No minimum. That’s rare in online bookselling and makes them competitive even when individual book prices are slightly higher than ThriftBooks. They also accept book donations through drop boxes at libraries and campuses across the US.

Their selection of used textbooks is decent, and they often have titles that complement what you’d find on free online libraries. If you want a physical copy of something you’ve read digitally, Better World Books is a good place to look.

7. Perlego

Perlego is a subscription-based digital library focused on academic and non-fiction books. For $12/month, you get unlimited access to over 900,000 titles from publishers like Pearson, Wiley, Oxford University Press, and McGraw-Hill.

For students, Perlego is a game-changer. A single college textbook can cost $100-$300. With Perlego, you get access to thousands of textbooks for less than the price of one. The built-in tools (highlights, notes, flashcards, citation generator) are designed for academic use.

The catch? It’s digital only. You can’t order physical books, and the library skews heavily toward academic and professional content. If you’re looking for novels or general fiction, Kindle Unlimited is a better fit.

8. Powell’s Books

Powell’s Books is an iconic independent bookstore based in Portland, Oregon. Their flagship store, Powell’s City of Books, covers an entire city block and is the largest independent bookstore in the world. Their online store carries both new and used books.

What makes Powell’s unique is that new and used copies sit side by side on the same page. You can compare prices instantly and decide whether the savings on used are worth it. Their condition descriptions are detailed and reliable.

Powell’s also has a strong buyback program. You can sell your used books online or in-store for cash or store credit. Store credit is worth more (typically 25-40% more than cash), which keeps the cycle going. Free shipping on orders over $50.

9. Book Outlet

Book Outlet sells brand-new books at 50-80% off retail prices. These are remaindered books, publisher overstock, and slight imperfects (a small ding on a corner, a remainder mark on the edge). The content is perfect; only the exterior might have minor cosmetic issues.

I check Book Outlet regularly for deals. I’ve found bestselling novels for $3-4 that retail for $16-28. The catch is availability. Their inventory rotates constantly, and once a title sells out, it might not come back. If you see something you want, buy it immediately.

Book Outlet is particularly good for stocking up on gifts. Buy 10 books for the price of 2-3, and you have your gift ideas for book lovers sorted for the entire year.

Bookstore Pricing Breakdown

Price is often the deciding factor when choosing where to buy books. Here’s how the online bookstores break down by typical price range.

10. Biblio

Biblio is a marketplace for rare, collectible, and used books. It operates similarly to AbeBooks but positions itself as a more ethical alternative (Biblio is independently owned, while AbeBooks is owned by Amazon).

Their catalog includes signed first editions, antiquarian books, and hard-to-find titles from independent and professional booksellers around the world. Biblio also offers a Bibliophile membership ($5.99/month) with 15% off every order, free shipping, and early access to rare finds.

If you collect first editions, signed copies, or vintage books, Biblio’s quality guarantee and money-back policy make it a safer bet than general marketplaces. Their focus on independently owned booksellers means you’re also supporting small businesses.

11. KidsBooks

KidsBooks is a Canadian-based online bookstore that specializes in children’s literature. They carry picture books, middle grade, young adult, educational materials, and activity books from all major publishers.

What sets KidsBooks apart is their age-based browsing system. You can filter by exact age range (0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, teen) rather than broad categories. Their staff picks and themed collections are curated by people who actually know children’s literature.

Prices are standard retail, but they run frequent promotions and bundle deals. If you’re buying books for classrooms, libraries, or bulk gifts, their customer service team handles institutional orders. Free shipping on orders over $50 (within Canada and US).

How to Save Money Buying Books Online

After years of buying books from every store on this list, here are the strategies that consistently save the most:

• Compare used before buying new. Check ThriftBooks, AbeBooks, and Better World Books for used copies before paying full price. A “Good” condition used book reads exactly the same as a new one
• Stack membership discounts. BAM’s Millionaire’s Club ($25/year) and B&N Membership ($39.99/year) pay for themselves with 5-6 purchases
• Use Perlego for textbooks. At $12/month for unlimited access, it’s dramatically cheaper than buying individual textbooks that cost $100+ each
• Watch Book Outlet’s daily deals. New books at 50-80% off, but inventory moves fast. Check regularly and buy when you see something
• Consider eBooks for fiction. If you read a lot of fiction, Kindle Unlimited or your local library’s Libby app can save hundreds per year
• Buy international editions for textbooks. Same content, different cover, 60-80% cheaper. AbeBooks has the best selection of international editions

Frequently Asked Questions

The best online bookstore depends on what you’re buying and what matters to you. For everyday used books, ThriftBooks is hard to beat. For supporting local shops, Bookshop.org. For textbooks, Perlego. For rare finds, AbeBooks or Biblio.

I use multiple stores depending on what I need. ThriftBooks for casual reading, AbeBooks for anything out of print, and Perlego when I need to reference academic material without buying a $200 textbook. That combination covers about 90% of what I look for.

If you’re looking for free alternatives, check out the best websites to download free eBooks or free online libraries for public domain and Creative Commons titles.

Disclaimer: This site is reader-supported. If you buy through some links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I trust and would use myself. Your support helps keep gauravtiwari.org free and focused on real-world advice. Thanks. - Gaurav Tiwari