Scribd vs. Oyster vs. KU vs. public library/overdrive

Alohamora · 12-16-2014, 08:46 PM

I've been using Kindle Unlimited since I found out about it in August. Just found out about Scribd and Oyster (thanks to this forum).

My local library has a good selection of fiction, I've got over 250 titles on my overdrive wishlist, of which over 150 are currently available for immediate checkout. But they are seriously lacking in some non-fiction categories that I'm currently interested in. That's why I jumped on KU when I found out about it.

I signed up for the Scribd trial a couple of days ago, I like their selection of fiction and non-fiction, they have the well-known authors that KU is missing. But the kindle/android app is annoyingly slow, especially the page turn slide animation, it's distracting. I'm going to give it a chance to see if I can get used to it during the trial, but really, why don't they have a better app?!

The little I've looked at Oyster, they seem to have similar selection to Scribd, how's their android app? I'll probably do their trial after the Scribd one is up.

Just wondering about user's opinions from people who've used one or more of these subscription services.

Blossom · 12-17-2014, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alohamora

I've been using Kindle Unlimited since I found out about it in August. Just found out about Scribd and Oyster (thanks to this forum).

My local library has a good selection of fiction, I've got over 250 titles on my overdrive wishlist, of which over 150 are currently available for immediate checkout. But they are seriously lacking in some non-fiction categories that I'm currently interested in. That's why I jumped on KU when I found out about it.

I signed up for the Scribd trial a couple of days ago, I like their selection of fiction and non-fiction, they have the well-known authors that KU is missing. But the kindle/android app is annoyingly slow, especially the page turn slide animation, it's distracting. I'm going to give it a chance to see if I can get used to it during the trial, but really, why don't they have a better app?!

The little I've looked at Oyster, they seem to have similar selection to Scribd, how's their android app? I'll probably do their trial after the Scribd one is up.

Just wondering about user's opinions from people who've used one or more of these subscription services.

Oyster app is much nicer than Scribd. Scribd does not seem to care about reader experience. They keep it bare bones. The margins are too wide. Customer support is nice but the developer don't seem to care they could have more members by giving us more formatting options. I use Scribd because they have a ton of Romance books but I also don't care for their reading app.

eschwartz · 12-17-2014, 05:52 PM

I am currently happy with OverDrive. But the only one I would consider is KU, so I can read it on an E-Ink ereader.

tubemonkey · 12-17-2014, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I am currently happy with OverDrive. But the only one I would consider is KU, so I can read it on an E-Ink ereader.

I'd go with that too.

Hampshire Nanny · 12-17-2014, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I am currently happy with OverDrive. But the only one I would consider is KU, so I can read it on an E-Ink ereader.

Me too. I don't want to do any serious reading on a tablet, netbook, or PC. Fortunately, my library also has Freading, which delivers ePub books to ADE and I can read those on an E-Ink reader, just not the Kindle. And, I'm lucky to have one of those!

Blossom · 12-17-2014, 06:59 PM

I don't use eInk anymore. I prefer my tablets.

Alohamora · 12-17-2014, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

I don't use eInk anymore. I prefer my tablets.

Me too. All I need to do is adjust the backlight to match the surrounding light level (using Screen Dim app on the devices that need it) and I'm very pleased with reading on a tablet.

With the Scribd app, the font is OK, the spacing is OK and I'm not fussy about margins, but I hate how distracting the page turn "slide" is, because it's not smooth. The overall slowness of menus and book loading doesn't help either.

I will try Oyster next month.

NickyWithNook · 12-17-2014, 11:01 PM

I'm in a free trial for Scribd right now and it's OK. Oyster looks good too. I went with Scribd because I had a code for a three-month trial instead of just a one-month trial.

mystika1 · 12-19-2014, 03:53 PM

I already have Kindle Unlimited, but Oyster looks like it would have more of the titles that I like. I am going to have a new tablet for Christmas, so I am waiting until then to get the Oyster trial. Is the reader experience better than the Kindle app? I hope that they offer more/better fonts. Most apps have like three skinny fonts and I hate that. I like options. :-)

Penny

SteveK · 12-19-2014, 05:22 PM

I've been a subscriber to Scribd for over a year. I don't care for their app, but I tolerate it because they offer a decent selection of titles, now including many audiobooks. They do offer many titles from some major publishers, so I've never had any problem finding something to read. But I do wish their reading app was more robust, as it is sorely lacking in terms of user options.

SteveK

library addict · 01-13-2015, 10:28 AM

Macmillan signed with Scribd and Oyster. 1000 test titles.

macmillan-subscription-ebooks

Blossom · 01-13-2015, 02:00 PM

Awesome!!! I am going to see what they got.

12-16-2014, 08:46 PM	#1
Alohamora Evangelist Posts: 446 Karma: 8897438 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: USA Device: Android phone, Fire tablet, ios phone	Scribd vs. Oyster vs. KU vs. public library/overdrive I've been using Kindle Unlimited since I found out about it in August. Just found out about Scribd and Oyster (thanks to this forum). My local library has a good selection of fiction, I've got over 250 titles on my overdrive wishlist, of which over 150 are currently available for immediate checkout. But they are seriously lacking in some non-fiction categories that I'm currently interested in. That's why I jumped on KU when I found out about it. I signed up for the Scribd trial a couple of days ago, I like their selection of fiction and non-fiction, they have the well-known authors that KU is missing. But the kindle/android app is annoyingly slow, especially the page turn slide animation, it's distracting. I'm going to give it a chance to see if I can get used to it during the trial, but really, why don't they have a better app?! The little I've looked at Oyster, they seem to have similar selection to Scribd, how's their android app? I'll probably do their trial after the Scribd one is up. Just wondering about user's opinions from people who've used one or more of these subscription services.

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12-17-2014, 05:52 PM	#3
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	I am currently happy with OverDrive. But the only one I would consider is KU, so I can read it on an E-Ink ereader.

12-17-2014, 06:59 PM	#6
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	I don't use eInk anymore. I prefer my tablets.

12-17-2014, 11:01 PM	#8
NickyWithNook Guru Posts: 749 Karma: 3942770 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: American living in Australia Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite (Don't use Nook anymore)	I'm in a free trial for Scribd right now and it's OK. Oyster looks good too. I went with Scribd because I had a code for a three-month trial instead of just a one-month trial.

12-19-2014, 03:53 PM	#9
mystika1 Addict Posts: 353 Karma: 1360168 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Louisiana Device: IPad Air 2, , Kindle Voyage, Kobo Aura HD, Kobo Aura H2Ov1, Kobo Mini	I already have Kindle Unlimited, but Oyster looks like it would have more of the titles that I like. I am going to have a new tablet for Christmas, so I am waiting until then to get the Oyster trial. Is the reader experience better than the Kindle app? I hope that they offer more/better fonts. Most apps have like three skinny fonts and I hate that. I like options. :-) Penny

12-19-2014, 05:22 PM	#10
SteveK Addict Posts: 272 Karma: 1017902 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Kindle PW, PW2, Kindle3, Kobo Glo, tablets, phone	I've been a subscriber to Scribd for over a year. I don't care for their app, but I tolerate it because they offer a decent selection of titles, now including many audiobooks. They do offer many titles from some major publishers, so I've never had any problem finding something to read. But I do wish their reading app was more robust, as it is sorely lacking in terms of user options. SteveK

01-13-2015, 10:28 AM	#11
library addict Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,885 Karma: 35535698 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Nexus 7 2, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8" (retired=Sony PRS650, Kobo Mini)	Macmillan signed with Scribd and Oyster. 1000 test titles. macmillan-subscription-ebooks

01-13-2015, 02:00 PM	#12
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	Awesome!!! I am going to see what they got.

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