I have tried several e-book readers over the years. But I was looking for something that worked well on my Windows laptop. That’s when I found Freda. At first, I wasn’t expecting much. But after using it for a while, I was impressed with its performance. The app is lightweight, easy to use, and has many features that make reading smooth. Whether it was syncing my books, changing how the page looks, or reading thousands of free titles, Freda had everything I needed. Below is a breakdown of my experience with this app and why it quickly became one of my favorite e-book readers.
Reasons for Choosing Freda E-Book Reader
The first thing that made me try this app is that it is completely free and works with many file formats like EPUB, MOBI, FB2, HTML, and TXT. Another big reason I chose Freda is that it lets you access over 50,000 free public domain books from sources like Project Gutenberg. This means you get access to a massive collection of classic literature without spending a penny. I didn’t have to download books separately or worry about converting formats. I also liked that you can easily load your own DRM-free books from your local drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and more to read.
I am impressed with the app’s customization features. Freda allows you to adjust fonts, background colors, margins, and use text-to-speech if you are feeling too lazy to read. One standout feature of this app is that if you tap on any word while reading, it will instantly get its meaning or translation. This feature is very useful when I am reading older classics or books with unfamiliar vocabulary. In short, I chose Freda because it seemed flexible, lightweight, and packed with features I actually needed.
Device Compatibility
One of the things I consider before choosing an app is whether it works across the devices I use regularly. The Freda app is available only on the App Store for Android devices and Windows PCs. It is not supported on any other platforms.
- Windows PC – Microsoft Store
- Android Device – Play Store
However, Freda doesn’t have a native app for iOS. This might be a drawback for some people who want a cross-platform experience. If your primary reading device is a Windows-based PC or Android Phone, Freda delivers a good reading experience.
Setting Up Freda EPub EBook Reader
Installing Freda on my device was very easy. The app is free to download, so there were no payment screens or sign-ups. When I opened Freda for the first time, it displayed a clean and neat interface. There is a neat dashboard with access to your library, online catalogs like Gutenberg, and local storage options. To mention, Freda asked for permission to access local files, Dropbox, and OneDrive for syncing. Overall, setting up Freda was smooth and user-friendly. I didn’t have to look up any tutorials or FAQs. If you want an app that you can install and start using within five minutes, Freda is the one you need.
Is Freda Free to Use?
Yes, Freda is free to download and use. You get access to a full-featured e-book reader without paying a penny. Everything from font customization to online catalog access is available for free. The free version does include some ads. The ads only appear at the bottom of the screen, and they don’t interrupt your reading. But if you are someone who prefers ad-free reading, you can opt for a one-time in-app purchase to remove them. If you are on a budget or simply don’t want to pay for a reading app, Freda is a reliable choice.
My Issues with Freda
While I like using Freda, it also has some drawbacks. There are a few things that I wish were better, and they are discussed below.
- Though the UI design seems functional, it looks a bit outdated. Compared to other apps with sleek interfaces, Freda looks and feels like it is stuck a few years in the past. For users who care a lot about visual design, this could be a downside.
- Another issue I noticed is an occasional lag when opening larger EPUB files or switching between sections quickly. It can be annoying if you are reading books with lots of images or complex formatting.
- Lastly, while Freda offers great customization, finding some settings is not easy. The menus can be a bit confusing.
These are the minor complaints and it will not impact your reading that much. If Freda gets a UI refresh or expands to more platforms, it could easily compete with the top-tier e-book readers out there.
Can You Trust Freda? Safety and Privacy Check
When it comes to any app, privacy and safety are always a concern. Fortunately, Freda feels like a safe and trustworthy app. For starters, it is available through the official Microsoft Store and Play Store. Apps in these Stores go through a review process, so there is less risk of malware or shady practices. Freda doesn’t ask for any unnecessary permissions. It only requests access to your files or cloud services like Dropbox or OneDrive if you choose to sync your e-books.
The app doesn’t collect your personal data or show you excessive notifications either. I didn’t feel like my privacy was being invaded. There is also a small but active online community of Freda users, and I found several positive reviews highlighting its safety and reliability. The developer seems responsive and transparent, too. In short, Freda is a safe app to install and use.
My Customer Support Experience
To be honest, I didn’t run into any major issues that required me to reach out to Freda’s customer support. The app worked smoothly from installation to usage. But just to check how responsive they were, I contacted them through email [email protected] or [email protected]. In addition to email, I came across a few blog posts and threads where users had shared solutions for syncing issues or interface customizations.
My Honest Opinion – Is Freda a Good E-Book Reader?
If you are someone who loves reading and wants a free e-book solution for Windows PC, Freda is the app you need to install. It is lightweight, easy to use, and packed with the right features that make digital reading comfortable. The ability to access over 50,000 free public domain books, support for multiple file formats, and the integration with cloud services make this app the best e-book reader.