The ebook vs print debate often turns into a matter of loyalty. It doesn't need to. Each format does some things better than the other. This guide compares them honestly, so you can choose the right format for each book, rather than for all books.
The comparison at a glance
| Ebook | Paperback | Hardcover | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical price | Lowest | Middle | Highest |
| Discounts | Frequent and deep | Occasional, smaller | Occasional, smaller |
| Time to start reading | Seconds | Days (shipping) | Days (shipping) |
| Portability | A whole library in your pocket | One book at a time | Heavier |
| Text size and themes | Adjustable | Fixed | Fixed |
| Search and highlights | Searchable, synced | Pencil and sticky notes | Pencil and sticky notes |
| Lending | Often not possible | Easy | Easy |
| Gifting and signing | Limited | Good | Excellent |
| Durability | Never wears out | Good | Excellent |
| Shelf space | None | Some | More |
Price
Ebooks are almost always cheaper. There is no printing, no paper and no shipping, and ebook prices are easy for publishers to discount. On BooksOasis, for example, house ebooks are typically $9.99, paperbacks $19.99 and hardcovers $29.99, and ebook offers reach 45% off while print offers are smaller.
| Reading 12 books a year | Approximate cost at list price |
|---|---|
| All ebooks at $9.99 | $119.88 |
| All paperbacks at $19.99 | $239.88, plus shipping |
| All hardcovers at $29.99 | $359.88, plus shipping |
Example figures; prices and offers vary.
Reading comfort
Paper doesn't glow, doesn't need charging and never interrupts you. Many readers find it the most relaxing way to read, especially at the end of a day on screens.
Ebooks counter with flexibility: you can make the text as large as you like, switch to a sepia or dark theme, and read in the dark without a lamp. For readers with tired or older eyes, adjustable text can make ebooks more comfortable than print.
Focus and memory
Paper books are free of notifications, which helps concentration. Some research suggests readers recall the sequence of a story slightly better on paper, perhaps because they sense where they are in a physical book.
But how you read matters more than the format. Highlighting, writing notes and reviewing help memory on any medium, and ebooks make highlights searchable and easy to review. If you read on a phone, turning on Do Not Disturb removes most of the distraction gap. See how to remember what you read.
Convenience and portability
An ebook arrives in seconds, on any device you sign in to, and your whole library travels in your pocket. For commuters, travellers and anyone who reads in snatched minutes, that convenience is hard to beat. Download books before you travel and you can read with no signal at all.
A paperback is simpler: no battery, no sign-in, no screen glare at the beach.
Gifting, signing and collecting
Print wins here. A book can be wrapped, inscribed, signed at an event and kept for decades. Hardcovers in particular make lasting gifts and handsome collections, especially for a favourite series.
On BooksOasis, paperback and hardcover editions are printed when you order and shipped to the address you choose, so you can send a book straight to someone as a gift.
Lending and sharing
Lending a paperback is as easy as handing it over. Ebooks depend on the store: some allow limited lending, many don't. BooksOasis ebooks are read in the buyer's own Oasis Reader account and can't be lent, though you can share a favourite line as a quote image.
Space and clutter
Heavy readers know the problem: shelves fill up. Ebooks take no space, and your library stays in your account however many books you own. Many readers keep a small shelf of treasured print books and read everything else digitally.
The environment
There isn't a single answer. Paper books involve paper, printing and transport; a reading device has a manufacturing footprint and uses electricity. Print on demand, where a copy is printed only after it is ordered, avoids printing books that are never sold. Studies generally suggest a device's footprint is spread across the many books read on it, so heavy readers who keep a device for years may come out ahead with ebooks. Occasional readers, or those who pass paperbacks on, may not.
Reading with children
For young children, print books have real advantages: turning pages together, pointing at pictures, and no screen to distract. Many parents keep bedtime stories on paper. Older children and teenagers often read happily on screens, especially when they can enlarge text or read in the dark, and ebooks make it easy to try many books cheaply. A mix works well for most families.
Students and study
For study, ebooks offer search, synced highlights and a library that fits in a bag. Paper offers easy flipping between pages and margin notes by hand. Many students use both: an ebook for searching and quoting, a print copy for close reading of key texts. If you study mostly on a laptop, see reading ebooks on a laptop.
Accessibility
For readers with low vision or dyslexia, ebooks can be transformative. Text can be enlarged far beyond large-print editions, fonts and spacing can be changed, dark themes increase contrast, and devices can read text aloud. Large-print paper editions help some readers, but their range is limited compared with an adjustable ebook.
What about audiobooks?
Audiobooks are a third format, perfect for driving, exercise and chores. They suit different moments rather than replacing reading. Many readers listen during commutes and read ebooks or print in the evening. BooksOasis sells ebooks and print books; pair it with an audiobook app if you listen too.
A lifetime of reading, in numbers
If you read two books a month for twenty years, that is 480 books. At list prices of $9.99 for an ebook and $19.99 for a paperback, the difference is roughly $4,800, before discounts and shipping. That doesn't make print a poor choice; it is a reason to choose print for the books where paper matters most to you.
Which format for which book?
| Type of book | Often best as |
|---|---|
| Thrillers, romance and series you binge | Ebook |
| Books for travel and commuting | Ebook |
| Reference and non-fiction you will search | Ebook |
| Devotionals you read daily | Either; print for a quiet morning ritual |
| Books to give as gifts | Hardcover or paperback |
| Favourites you re-read and keep | Hardcover |
| Books for children | Often print |
Three readers, three choices
The commuter
Reads on the train every day and finishes a book a week. Ebooks on her phone suit her perfectly; she buys hardcovers only of the handful she wants to keep.
The weekend reader
Reads on Saturday mornings with coffee, away from screens. Paperbacks suit him best, and he passes them on to friends when he is done.
The gift-giver
Reads ebooks herself but sends hardcovers to family for birthdays and holidays, printed and shipped straight to them.
The best of both
You don't have to choose once. A common approach is to read the ebook first, cheaply and instantly, and buy the hardcover of the books you love most. On BooksOasis, most books are available as ebook, paperback and hardcover on the same page, so switching formats is simple.
Tips for each format
Getting the most from ebooks
- Set a comfortable theme and text size.
- Download books before travelling.
- Highlight and review what matters.
- Watch for daily and weekly offers.
Getting the most from print
- Keep a pencil for margin notes.
- Use a proper bookmark, not a folded corner.
- Store books away from damp and direct sun.
- Pass on books you won't re-read.
Ebook and print on BooksOasis
- Most books as ebook, paperback and hardcover on one page.
- Ebooks open instantly in Oasis Reader, online or offline.
- Print editions printed on demand and shipped to you or as a gift.
Good to know: each format is bought separately; a print order doesn't include the ebook.
Browse booksPopular in every format
Pick your format on each book’s page.
In short
Ebooks are cheaper, faster, adjustable and portable; print books are tactile, focused, lendable and giftable. Choose book by book: ebooks for everyday reading, travel and deals, print for gifts, favourites and quiet evenings. The best library is the one you actually read.
Questions
Are ebooks cheaper than paperbacks?
Usually. Ebooks have no printing or shipping costs, and they are discounted more often and more deeply.
Do people remember paper books better?
Some studies suggest readers recall the order of events a little better on paper, but active reading habits, like highlighting and reviewing, matter more than the format.
Which is better for the environment?
It depends on how much you read. An e-reader or tablet has a manufacturing footprint; a paperback has paper, printing and shipping. Heavy readers who use one device for years tend to favour ebooks; occasional readers may not.
Can I get both the ebook and the paperback?
On BooksOasis, each format is bought separately. Many readers buy the ebook to read now and a paperback or hardcover of favourites later.
Are paperbacks better as gifts?
Often, yes. A physical book can be wrapped, signed and kept on a shelf. On BooksOasis, print editions are printed and shipped to the address you choose.
Is reading on a screen worse than paper?
For most people it is comfortable with good settings: larger text, a warm or dark theme and regular breaks. Some readers simply prefer the feel of paper.
Do ebooks take up space?
Very little. Thousands of ebooks fit on a phone, and your library stays in your account.
Can I lend an ebook?
It depends on the store. BooksOasis ebooks are read in the buyer's own Oasis Reader account and can't be lent. Print books can be lent freely.
Do ebooks ever go out of print?
An ebook you bought stays in your library in your account. Print editions on demand are printed when ordered, so they don't run out of stock.
Are hardcovers worth the extra cost?
For books you will keep, re-read or give, often yes: they last longer and look beautiful. For a one-time read, an ebook or paperback is usually better value.
How long does a print order take to arrive?
Print editions are printed after you order and then shipped, so delivery takes longer than an instant ebook. Shipping options and costs are shown at checkout.
Which format is best for a book club?
Whichever each member prefers. Ebooks make it easy to search for passages during discussion; print is easy to lend within the group.
Is reading an ebook the same experience as a real book?
The words are the same; the experience differs. Ebooks add adjustable text, search and instant access; print adds the feel of paper and a book to keep. Neither makes the story any less real.
Do print books cost more to ship abroad?
Shipping depends on the destination and the service you choose at checkout. Ebooks avoid shipping entirely, which makes them especially good value for readers outside the US.
Why are hardcover prices so much higher?
Hardcovers use sturdier materials and cost more to print, so they carry a higher price in every store.
Can I read ebooks without buying a device?
Yes. BooksOasis ebooks open in Oasis Reader in the browser on the phone, tablet or computer you already own.
Which format do most readers choose?
Many readers now use both, choosing ebooks for everyday reading and print for gifts and favourites.
Are ebooks and paperbacks the same text?
Yes. On BooksOasis, each format of a book contains the same work; only the reading experience differs.
Choose the format that suits you
Most BooksOasis books come as ebook, paperback and hardcover.