About Obooko | Our Story & Mission
Obooko is a legal, free ebook download and reader platform founded in 2010 that provides PDF and ePub books to readers globally.
A New Chapter
In a world of endless scrolling, shrinking attention spans, and algorithms designed to keep us hooked on nothing, we're losing something vital. Our brains are being rewired by platforms built to distract rather than enrich.
At Obooko, we're building something different.
Humans became who we are through stories: creating them, sharing them, learning from them. Reading expands minds and transforms lives. We believe reading is a net benefit to humanity, and we exist to increase the world's reading minutes.
Fiat Libri. Let There Be Books.
Our Story
Obooko was founded in 2010 by publishing industry veteran Tony Stanton, who built a trusted community where readers could discover free, legally-licensed ebooks and where independent authors could share their work with the world. For over a decade, Obooko has served readers across the globe with quality fiction and non-fiction—no fees, no tricks, just books.
In 2025, George took the reins. George is a UX designer, entrepreneur, and lifelong reader. He has built multiple technology companies at the intersection of the creative arts and technology. But more than any of that, he's someone whose life was changed by reading.
"In my twenties, I read the Steve Jobs biography. By the last page, I had decided to change careers, go back to study, and start over in technology. It was a born-again moment. I've felt blessed ever since to build things that change people's lives. A book kicked all of this off for me."
We're now not just a free book community, but a modern reading platform built to grow book reading in age of distraction.
What We're Building
The time people spend reading is declining. The time spent on entertainment apps is surging. We're here to reverse that trend.
Obooko is a free reading platform, books supported by ads, revenue shared with authors, a place where anyone can discover their next great read without barriers. No subscriptions, no lock-in, just books.
For Readers
Read anywhere, anytime. Create a free account and build your personal library. Add as many books as you like and read them across any device—phone, tablet, laptop, desktop. Your library travels with you.
No subscriptions. No paywalls. Every book on Obooko is free to read. We're funded by advertising, not your wallet. You'll never hit a paywall or be asked to upgrade.
Discover your next favorite book. Browse thousands of titles across 30+ genres. Get personalized recommendations. Find hidden gems from emerging authors alongside established voices.
Your reading life, your choice. We don't believe any single company should dictate how readers access books. No proprietary formats. No device lock-in. Read free across all your devices in our online reader, or download books in PDF, EPUB, or Kindle formats and read however you prefer.
For Authors
Reach readers who actually read. Obooko's community of dedicated book lovers are here because they want to discover new voices. No algorithm burying your work. No pay-to-play visibility.
You control your content. Upload your books in minutes. Update them anytime. Remove them whenever you want. No exclusivity requirements, no lock-in contracts. Your work remains yours.
Get paid for your words. We share advertising revenue with our authors. Monetize your backlist with a few clicks. Every read earns—no minimum thresholds, no complicated royalty calculations.
Connect with your readers. Receive direct feedback and ratings from verified readers. Build a relationship with your audience. Understand what resonates.
Free tools to help you publish. Convert your manuscript to ebook formats, find the right categories for your book, and check if your files are audiobook-ready—all free, all designed to remove friction from your publishing journey.
No gatekeepers. Unlike platforms that demand exclusivity or bury indie authors beneath traditional publishers, Obooko was built for independent voices. Your book gets the same visibility as everyone else's.
Where did the name Obooko come from?
We wanted to create a unique name containing the word 'book', while also conveying the service we offer. Thus, from 'download books online, to read offline' came forth OBOOKO: the initial letters from Online and Offline forming typographic book ends. The word Obooko, in any form, is a registered trademark.
Are the free ebooks distributed legally?
Absolutely! For your peace of mind, every free book on Obooko is distributed under license, with the written permission of the author or publisher, in compliance with U.S., U.K. and international Copyright law. We operate in a legal, honest and truthful manner, as you would expect.
Are the books available only in English?
Yes, we publish and distribute English-language works exclusively. We do not translate or rewrite books, neither do we distribute on any platform other than Obooko. If you come across a book published in any other language, with our name and licence, it will be an illegal copy distributed by scammers. Please let us know if you are aware of any. Thanks.
Are the ebook files safe to download?
Yes. Our books are checked for computer viruses and malware before being made available for distribution. Each download is a single file: it will not be attached to any software promos or other nasty stuff you didn't ask for. When you download a PDF file, you get a PDF file, nothing else. It's also good to know our books do not contain advertising or affiliate sales links within.
How does Obooko remain free?
There are no fees or charges to use this website or download free books. We fund the platform through advertising, which means you never have to pay. The revenue from advertising supports our running costs and is shared with authors. We do not allow advertising inside the books you download. We thank you for allowing us to show ads in your browser: it's readers like you who keep Obooko free and authors paid!
Why do we require registration?
Registration lets you give direct feedback and award star-ratings to authors, and confirms you are a bona fide member (not a bot). Our principal reason, however, is to ensure users are at least 13 years old. Although we consider Obooko to be a family-oriented site, some free ebooks are intended for mature readers (17+). We comply with the directives of COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule.
The Mission
More readers. More authors. More books in more hands.
Reading is solitary, but its impact is universal. We're building the tools, the community, and the platform to bring books to everyone.
Let There Be Books.
Get Involved
Readers: Sign up free and start building your library. Rate books, share discoveries, and help us spread the word.
Authors: Publish your work on Obooko at no cost. Reach readers worldwide and earn revenue from your books.
Everyone: If you believe reading matters, tell a friend. We grow through word of mouth—people like you who believe in what we're building.