Smashwords is a well-known digital publishing platform that enables authors and publishers to distribute their ebooks to major online retailers, including Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, as well as libraries and independent bookstores. With a diverse collection of ebooks spanning various genres, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children's books, Smashwords offers authors the flexibility to set their own prices and provides effective marketing tools to promote their works.

Smashwords offers a variety of free ebooks, including textbooks, on several subjects. These include writing and publishing, business and economics, education and study guides, health and medicine, computer science, law, and the social sciences. Within these categories, you can find free textbooks on topics such as self-publishing, accounting, science, programming, legal research, and psychology, among others.

Aside from publishing and distributing ebooks, Smashwords also provides a free guide to assist authors in self-publishing and formatting their ebooks. The platform boasts a vibrant community of both writers and readers, making it an ideal destination for discovering new and independent authors and titles. Additionally, Smashwords frequently offers discounts and promotions, presenting readers with affordable options to access quality ebooks. All things considered, this is definitely one of the best websites to download free textbooks.

Features: Over 99000 free books, Filter library by category, Publish and distribute your own book, Community Forum.

Pros:

• A wide variety of e-books are available for free or at a low cost.
• Provides authors with an easy platform to publish and distribute their work.
• Supports multiple e-book formats, including EPUB, PDF, and MOBI.
• Offers a user-friendly reading experience with customizable options.

Cons:

• Quality control can be an issue, as anyone can self-publish on the platform.
• Limited selection of textbooks compared to other websites.
• Some books may not be professionally edited or formatted.

Website: https://www.smashwords.com/

The Open Textbook Library is a collection of free, peer-reviewed, and openly licensed textbooks that anyone can use and adapt for their own purposes. The library is maintained by the Open Education Network, a collaborative initiative of higher education institutions and organizations focused on promoting open education and affordable learning materials.

All textbooks in the library are free to access and download, with no registration or fees required. Each textbook undergoes a rigorous peer-review process to ensure its quality and accuracy. All textbooks are openly licensed, meaning that they can be freely used, shared, modified, and adapted by anyone. Many of the textbooks in the library are designed to be accessible to students with disabilities, including those who use assistive technologies.

The Open Textbook Library offers textbooks on a wide range of subjects, including business, education, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and science. Some of the most popular textbooks on the site include "Introduction to Psychology" by Charles Stangor, "College Algebra" by Carl Stitz and Jeff Zeager, and "Elementary Linear Algebra" by Kenneth Kuttler.

Features: Free Textbooks by subjects, focussed on college learning, editing and distribution of free college textbooks available for free too.

Pros:

• Offers a large collection of peer-reviewed, open-source textbooks.
• Textbooks are available for free and are licensed under a Creative Commons license.
• Covers a wide range of subjects and academic levels.
• Enables collaboration and customization of textbooks.

Cons:

• Limited selection of textbooks compared to other websites.
• Textbooks may not cover all topics required for a course.
• May not be suitable for students who prefer physical textbooks.

Website: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/

LibreTexts is a website that provides free, open-access educational resources for various subjects, including mathematics, science, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. It is a collaborative project that aims to make high-quality educational content accessible to students and educators around the world.

The website offers a vast collection of textbooks, lecture notes, interactive simulations, videos, and other learning materials. These resources are created and curated by a community of educators, experts, and students who contribute their knowledge and expertise to develop comprehensive and up-to-date content.

LibreTexts covers a wide range of academic disciplines, including chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, engineering, psychology, sociology, literature, and more. The materials are organized into different subject areas and can be accessed and used freely by anyone with an internet connection.

One of the key features of LibreText is its adaptability. The platform allows educators to customize and modify the content to fit their specific teaching needs. This flexibility enables instructors to create personalized learning materials for their students or incorporate existing resources into their curriculum.

Features: open access to content; large library space to develop and share new free textbooks.

Pros:

• Offers a large collection of open-source textbooks and educational resources.
• Covers a wide range of subjects and academic levels.
• Textbooks are peer-reviewed and available for free.
• Allows for customization and collaboration among educators.

Cons:

• Limited selection of textbooks compared to other websites.
• Some textbooks may not be comprehensive enough for certain courses.
• May not be suitable for students who prefer physical textbooks.

Website: https://libretexts.org/

OpenStax is a nonprofit organization and initiative that provides free, high-quality, open-access textbooks and educational resources for college and high school courses. The organization was launched in 2012 by Rice University and has since become a leading provider of open educational resources (OER).

OpenStax textbooks cover a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, science, social sciences, the humanities, and business. These textbooks are created by expert authors and undergo a rigorous peer review process to ensure their quality and accuracy. The materials are designed to align with standard college and AP (Advanced Placement) courses, making them suitable for both college students and advanced high school students.

One of the main goals of OpenStax is to address the issue of rising textbook costs and make education more affordable and accessible. By offering free digital versions of textbooks, OpenStax helps students save money on expensive traditional textbooks. Additionally, print copies of the textbooks are available for purchase at a fraction of the cost of commercial textbooks.

OpenStax textbooks are available in multiple formats, including PDF, web-based versions, and EPUB formats for e-readers. They can be downloaded directly from the OpenStax website or accessed through various online platforms and learning management systems.

In addition to textbooks, OpenStax also provides supplementary resources such as online homework systems, assessment tools, and instructor resources to support teaching and learning. The organization actively encourages educators to customize and adapt the materials to suit their specific needs, making it a flexible resource for instructors.

Features: All textbooks are free and can be freely accessed. A range of free college textbooks and high school level textbooks are also available online in multiple formats.

Pros:

• Offers a wide range of peer-reviewed, open-source textbooks.
• Textbooks are available for free and are licensed under a Creative Commons license.
• Covers a wide range of subjects and academic levels.
• Offers high-quality textbooks that meet accreditation standards.

Cons:

• Some textbooks may not cover all the topics required for a course.
• May not be suitable for students who prefer physical textbooks.

Website: https://openstax.org/

Bookboon.com is a website that offers a wide range of free and paid eBooks and educational materials primarily targeted towards students, business professionals, and personal development. It was founded in 2005 and has since become one of the largest eBook publishers globally.

Bookboon provides a collection of eBooks in various disciplines, including business, engineering, IT, finance, marketing, languages, and personal development. The platform offers both textbooks and non-fiction books, covering both academic subjects and practical skills relevant to the workplace. The materials are available in PDF format and can be downloaded and read offline.

One of the notable features of Bookboon is its focus on providing free eBooks. The website offers a significant number of free titles that can be accessed without any cost. These free eBooks often include advertisements within the content. Additionally, Bookboon offers a premium service called Bookboon Premium, which provides access to an expanded library of ad-free eBooks for a subscription fee.

Bookboon's eBooks are designed to be concise and practical, providing targeted knowledge and skills in a straightforward and easily digestible format. The materials are written by experts and industry professionals, ensuring the content is relevant and up-to-date. Bookboon also offers a selection of audio and video materials to enhance the learning experience.

While the majority of the eBooks on Bookboon.com are free or available through a premium subscription, the platform also features a marketplace where users can purchase and access additional titles. These paid eBooks often cover more specialized or advanced topics and are priced individually.

Features: user-friendly interface; primarily textbooks on IT, engineering, and business.

Pros:

• Offers a large collection of textbooks and business books for free.
• Textbooks are available in multiple languages.
• Provides textbooks that are professionally edited and formatted.
• Offers a user-friendly reading experience.

Cons:

• Some textbooks may only be available for a limited time.
• May not be suitable for students who prefer physical textbooks.

Website: https://bookboon.com/

Project Gutenberg is a digital library that offers over 60,000 free e-books, mostly in the public domain. It was founded in 1971 by Michael S. Hart, who created the first e-book, The Declaration of Independence.

The mission of Project Gutenberg is to digitize and archive cultural works, including books, music, and other materials, and to make them freely available to the public. The organization's collection includes classic literature, historical documents, and scientific and technical texts.

The texts in the Project Gutenberg collection are digitized by volunteers from around the world who scan physical books and create digital files that can be downloaded and read on a variety of devices. The texts are available in a variety of formats, including plain text, HTML, EPUB, and Kindle.

Project Gutenberg has been widely recognized as an important contributor to the democratization of knowledge and the promotion of literacy. Its collection has been used by students, researchers, and the general public for over 50 years, and it continues to grow with new additions every day.

Features: Older literature is available on one of the oldest PDF textbook platforms.

Pros:

• Offers a vast collection of public domain books for free.
• Books are available in multiple formats, including EPUB, Kindle, and PDF.
• Provides access to classic literature and historical documents.
  

Cons: May not have the most up-to-date textbooks.

Website: https://www.gutenberg.org/

Free-eBooks.net is a website that offers a vast collection of eBooks available for free download. It provides users with access to a wide range of digital books across various genres and subjects.

On Free-eBooks.net, you can find eBooks in categories such as fiction, non-fiction, romance, business, self-help, science fiction, mystery, and more. The website hosts a large and diverse collection of titles from both established and emerging authors.

To access the eBooks on Free-eBooks.net, you can create a free account on the website. Once registered, you can browse through the available titles and download the eBooks in different formats, such as PDF, EPUB, or Kindle format. The platform allows you to download the eBooks to your device and read them offline at your convenience.

While Free-eBooks.net offers a wide selection of free eBooks, it also has a premium membership option called VIP, which provides additional benefits. With a VIP membership, you gain access to exclusive eBooks, priority access to new releases, and an ad-free reading experience.

It's important to note that while Free-eBooks.net offers a substantial collection of free eBooks, not all the books on the platform are necessarily in the public domain or freely licensed. The website curates and hosts books that have been made available by authors and publishers, but it's always recommended to verify the copyright status of the books before downloading or sharing them.

Features: books in a range of categories are available; the platform is easy to use; there are active blog posts and informational videos on the world of literature.

Pros:

• Offers a large selection of free e-books in various genres, including textbooks.
• Provides books in multiple formats, including EPUB, Kindle, and PDF.
• Offers a user-friendly interface for browsing and searching for books.

Cons:

• Quality control can be an issue, as anyone can self-publish on the platform.
• Some books may not be professionally edited or formatted.

Website: https://www.free-ebooks.net/

Internet Archive Books is an online digital library that offers access to millions of books, both in the public domain and under copyright. The organization was founded in 1996 with the goal of providing universal access to all knowledge, and it has since grown to become one of the largest digital libraries in the world.

The books in the Internet Archive Books collection are digitized by volunteers from around the world who scan physical books and create digital files that can be downloaded and read on a variety of devices. The books are available in a variety of formats, including PDF, EPUB, Kindle, and Daisy.

In addition to books, the Internet Archive also offers access to other types of media, such as movies, music, and web pages. The organization's Wayback Machine is a popular tool for accessing archived versions of websites that are no longer available online.

The Internet Archive is a non-profit organization that is funded through donations and grants. Its mission is to provide free and open access to cultural and scientific heritage materials for everyone, everywhere. The organization is committed to preserving and providing access to these materials for future generations.

Features: The widest range of books, videos, and audios are also available for learning purposes.

• Pros:
• Offers access to millions of books, including textbooks, for free.
• Provides books in multiple formats, including EPUB, Kindle, and PDF.
• Offers access to historical and rare books that may not be available elsewhere.

Cons:

• Quality control can be an issue as books are contributed by volunteers.
• Limited selection of current textbooks compared to other websites.
• May not be suitable for students who require more specialized textbooks.

Website: https://archive.org/details/texts

Manybooks.net was founded by Matthew McClintock in 2004, with the goal of providing a platform for free e-books that would be accessible to everyone. The website has since grown to become one of the largest digital libraries, with a diverse collection of books that includes both classic literature and modern works.

One of the features that sets Manybooks.net apart from other e-book websites is its commitment to quality and the user experience. The website has a team of editors who review each book before it is added to the collection, ensuring that it meets the website's standards for formatting, readability, and overall quality.

Manybooks.net also offers a number of features that make it easy for users to find and download e-books. The website has a user-friendly interface that allows users to browse and search for books by author, title, genre, or language. Users can also create their own custom bookshelves and share their favorite books with others.

In addition to its extensive collection of e-books, Manybooks.net also offers a number of resources for authors and publishers. The website has a self-publishing platform that allows authors to upload and distribute their own e-books, as well as a variety of marketing tools and resources to help them promote their work.

Features: Books are available in a wide range of languages and are free and open to all. The user can browse through attractive graphic images of book covers to choose from.

Pros:

• Offers a large collection of free e-books in various genres, including textbooks.
• Provides books in multiple formats, including EPUB, Kindle, and PDF.
• Offers a user-friendly interface for browsing and searching for books.

Cons:

• Quality control can be an issue, as anyone can self-publish on the platform.
• Some books may not be professionally edited or formatted.

Website: https://manybooks.net/

Open Library is the last option on this list of the best websites to download free textbooks. This is an online project that aims to create a comprehensive web page for every book ever published. It is a part of the Internet Archive, a non-profit digital library that provides free access to books, movies, music, and other cultural materials.

The Open Library's mission is to provide universal access to knowledge by creating an open and editable catalog of books. The project combines traditional library cataloging with user-generated content, allowing users to contribute to the database and improve the accuracy and completeness of book records.

Through Open Library, users can search for books by title, author, subject, or keyword. The platform provides information about the book, including its title, author(s), publication date, synopsis, and cover image, if available. Users can also find links to borrow or purchase the book from various online sources.

In addition to book records, the Open Library offers different borrowing options for certain titles. It partners with libraries and lending institutions to provide digital lending services, allowing users to borrow and read eBooks online for a limited period of time.

Open Library also encourages users to contribute and participate in the project. Registered users can create accounts, add new books to the catalog, edit book records, and participate in discussions related to books and authors. This collaborative approach helps improve the quality and accuracy of the catalog over time.

Features: open access and development of the library; wide range of books to choose from.

Pros:

• Offers access to millions of books, including textbooks, for free.
• Provides books in multiple formats, including EPUB, Kindle, and PDF.
• Offers a user-friendly interface for browsing and searching for books.
• Allows users to borrow e-books for a limited time.

Cons: Quality control can be an issue as books are contributed by volunteers.

Website: https://openlibrary.org/