Bookshop.org Announces Upcoming Kobo eReader Support, Rivaling Amazon’s Dominance This Year

If you’re in the market for an e-reader that enables you to purchase popular titles from local independent bookstores, the Rakuten Kobo eReader stands out. However, this impression mainly stems from outdated methods for acquiring Kobo books, which often required users to create accounts through the bookstores’ websites.

While a few independent bookstores across the country still support Kobo via this approach, most of it has long since ceased. I’ve personally struggled to purchase e-books for my newly acquired Kobo from any of my cherished local bookstores.

I want to back these local shops, but I don’t wish to amass a physical collection of every book I read. I prefer using an e-reader over a mobile app on a smartphone or tablet since e-readers offer extended battery life, digital ink, and glare-free screens, enabling comfortable reading for hours, even outdoors, much like reading a printed book.

An initially promised solution for Kobo users was a collaboration with Bookshop.org, an alternative to Amazon that aids local bookstores with each sale. Bookshop.org already provides e-books through its mobile application for both iOS and Android devices.

This partnership was first scheduled to launch in 2025 but was later postponed to 2026. At one point earlier this year, there were indications that the collaboration might be indefinitely delayed.

After Bookshop.org revised the information on its website regarding Kobo support, changing “2026” to “sometime in the future,” I contacted them for clarification.

In a reply, Andy Hunter, the founder and CEO of Bookshop.org, informed me that advancements have been made with Kobo. The website now indicates that support is anticipated to be available “later this year.”

“The integration with Kobo is a priority for both Kobo and Bookshop.org,” Hunter stated.

The delays have been due to both business considerations and technical hurdles, ensuring that the implementation aligns with publishers’ digital rights management standards. Hunter noted it took time to finalize business agreements and dedicate the engineering resources needed.

Hunter, whose company also offers physical books in competition with Amazon, mentioned that their engineers have been focused on enhancing the mobile app, which was introduced around 15 months ago.

Their efforts are now shifting back to the Kobo integration, although the timeline remains uncertain. “We have recently agreed on business terms with Kobo and are optimistic about this collaboration. However, we cannot confirm a specific launch date until further engineering progress is made,” explained Hunter.

Regardless of whether Bookshop.org successfully implements Kobo support, users of Kobo do not have to limit their purchases to the Japanese-based e-commerce giant, Rakuten. Kobo users can access a wide array of digital rights management (DRM)-free titles on their devices and can also borrow a substantial selection of library books through Overdrive. An alternative independent eBook retailer, eBooks.com, also provides DRM-protected books compatible with Kobo’s format.

For those specifically wishing to support local bookstores with their e-book purchases, opting for a different type of e-reader may be a viable alternative. Devices like the Boox or Meebook, which run on Android and support the Google Play Store, can download the Bookshop.org app, according to the bookseller.

Like many other Kobo users, I am hopeful that the integration with Bookshop.org will become a reality. My primary motivation for selecting this e-reader was to support independent bookstores, a decision influenced by my online research and the confident suggestions of AI tools.

Now that I possess a Kobo Libra Colour, I genuinely appreciate its reading experience, quick response time, and long-lasting battery life. Yet, I also continue to keep my six-year-old Kindle handy for the same reasons.

At the same time, I cherish the unique experience of visiting local bookstores, where personalized recommendations and support for local authors flourish. Here’s hoping that Bookshop.org, the leading e-commerce platform dedicated to helping local shops, will soon offer compatibility with the popular Kobo device, which boasts 12 million users across 190 countries.