Kobo’s history dates back to early 2009, when it launched in Toronto, and with the unveiling of its first e-reader in 2010, it became an official competitor to the Kindle, which was launched a few years earlier on Amazon. Kobo started out focusing on e-book innovation and app functionality, just as much of Kobo’s development team had focused on apps before that point. So while Amazon and Kobo saw a key shift in book buying, Kobo had a much more e-ink-focused approach than Amazon’s much larger business.
Today, Kobo readers are loved by many real-world users because of their philosophical differences from the Kindle. Like it or not, Amazon owns a large portion of the world’s digital and physical storefront. Under the hood, a Kindle has Amazon’s proprietary Android version, which means you have to follow Amazon’s rules to import books to the device. This can be very handy for ease of use, but Kobo is known for offering greater file type compatibility and less strict guidelines. There are also unlimited plans to consider, as both companies have their own version. Finally, look closely at the hardware, where Amazon offers more devices to choose from, and Kobo may have the right feature-to-price ratio.
Open or closed philosophy
The Kobo also allows you to connect directly to a computer and transfer e-books, while the Kindle controls it, requiring you to “send to Kindle” using a software web portal. This can be frustrating for those who own many eBook formats, but for those who want to download from the dedicated storefront on either device, it probably won’t be a big problem. Then, of course, there’s the fact that Amazon has literally removed features from older devices, while Kobo has a better track record in this regard. The “closed” philosophy of this movement really couldn’t be clearer.
Kindle vs Kobo storefronts and unlimited services
Then there are the display cases themselves. This comparison gets a little more interesting when you look at the deals and offers of both. For starters, Amazon’s Kindle probably offers the greatest selection, simply because it’s the household name in e-book publishing. However, if you’re looking for good deals, it might mean the Kobo store has entirely different sales and discount setups. Some happy users point out that shopping across different storefronts on Kobo will make it easier to find deals, and some reports even confirm that Kobo will match prices in certain regions. So while you can’t always determine the price advantage due to the sporadic nature of promotions, Kobo might offer you more flexibility. At the same time, Kindle often remains in “first place” for e-publishing.
Other Software Considerations
It’s not just the “proprietary” items that are worth considering when you’re deciding between a Kobo and a Kindle. While dedicated storefronts are important, support for third-party apps is a bit freer in the Kobo ecosystem. Take, for example, the popular Libby. This service essentially allows you to request a “copy” of an e-book if you have a valid public library card, the same way you would borrow a physical book from your library. The problem is that you can’t install Libby on e-ink Kindles, whereas you can on Kobo devices. This native support means you’ll have a clean and simple interface for your borrowed eBooks. Kindle allows Libby borrows, but you have to “send” them to the Kindle the same way you do with other e-books, so it’s just not as seamless.
Then there is the Caliber use case, which is really interesting to learn about. Caliber is third-party software that lets you convert eBooks, organize your library, and more, so that the transfer to/from your eReader is at the level of detail and organization you want. As many users note, with Kindle, you can convert and send your files. With Kobo, there are more open plugins that allow for greater customization, providing another rich experience to compare.
Hardware comparison
Right off the bat, if you want stylus support, you’re comparing the Libra Color and Kindle Scribe, both of which are premium devices with premium builds. The Scribe has much more coverage, and its form factor and screen size feel more familiar. As you get to the Clara line, the Kobo value accessory starts to look compelling. The Kindle Colorsoft starts at $189, while the Clara Color costs $159 – a significant saving for a color device. Although the Clara BW is priced closer to the Papersoft ($139 versus $159 for the Kindle), there’s no real budget option with Kobo like there is with the base Kindle. But this lowest model doesn’t offer key features like backlighting and waterproofing, so you’ll have to make sacrifices in those areas.
