Best eReaders Compatible with Onleihe: Your Essential Guide
One of the greatest advantages of eBook readers is undoubtedly the extensive independence with which they can be used: there’s no need to worry about store opening hours, you don’t have to leave the house, and you can browse in complete peace for your next title, usually with the help of available reading samples. But digital offerings aren’t just practical for purchasing eBooks; they also provide a wealth of free eBooks and lending services, where you can enjoy the same benefits.
The most popular eBook lending service in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland is called “Onleihe” (a play on “Online Lending”). However, not every eReader supports this library service. As I frequently receive inquiries about what to consider when buying a reading device in order to use this popular lending service without any issues, let’s explore the answer together today.
Basically, it’s quite simple: as a rule of thumb, almost every eBook reader that is not from Amazon is compatible with Onleihe. There are a few exotic exceptions (like the Sony DPT-S1), but generally, all ePub-compatible models with Adobe DRM support are also suitable for Onleihe.
Now, Onleihe also uses a second method for file protection, known (among other names) as CARE-DRM. Current Tolino and PocketBook models already support this standard, though the quality of implementation can vary (see below).
Onleihe thus supports two different systems, automatically providing the appropriate file depending on the device used to download the eBook. A help page clarifies the most important questions about this.
Term Explanations
ePub is the most widely used open file format for eBooks, supported by all providers outside the Kindle system without the need for conversion. Tolino, Kobo, PocketBook, and several other manufacturers all rely on this standard. Further information on eBook formats can be found here.
Adobe DRM is the copy protection system supported by virtually every eReader (except Kindle). Here you can find more detailed information on DRM and how to register an Adobe ID.
CARE stands for “Content & Author Right Environment” and is based on the European DRM solution Readium LCP (Licensed Content Protection). CARE was developed by the French company TEA (The Ebook Alternative), now known as Vivlio. With CARE or LCP, you don’t need an additional user account to open DRM-protected eBooks, making it easier to handle and less problematic from a data protection perspective.
Adobe DRM or CARE/LCP, as well as ePub support, are therefore prerequisites for using Onleihe on a dedicated reading device. In our eBook reader comparison, you can easily filter the overview by Onleihe support, allowing you to quickly see which devices can specifically be used with the lending service.
Manufacturer-Specific Differences
As is often the case, the devil lies in the details. Even though choosing an Onleihe eReader is pretty straightforward outside of Kindle devices, the possibilities vary significantly between Tolino, Kobo, PocketBook, and other manufacturers.
Below, I describe the three key options for using Onleihe with an eReader. Depending on your preferred method, you can choose the best provider for you.
Option 1: Via PC
Download via PC
Let’s start with Kobo: while the Japanese-Canadian manufacturer’s eReaders support Adobe DRM, they do not allow direct download of ACSM files on the device.
ACSM is the container format that allows the copy-protected eBook to be downloaded. If the eReader’s internet browser cannot process this format, then Onleihe can only be used via a detour on the PC:
- Download the eBook on your computer,
- open it with Adobe Digital Editions (ADE), and
- transfer it via USB to the reading device.
Note: Of course, you can also supply any other Onleihe-compatible eBook reader (not just those from Kobo) with borrowed titles via your PC!
Option 2: Direct Download
An additional option is offered by Tolino, PocketBook, and Onyx: unlike Kobo, the internet browsers of these three providers’ eReaders support downloading and processing ACSM files. This means you can use alternative eBook stores directly on the device, as well as Onleihe:
- Open the Onleihe homepage in the eReader’s internet browser,
- and download the desired eBook directly.
In the Onyx Boox C67ML browser
Previously, the internet browser of PocketBook models was considered relatively slow, which sometimes made usage a bit tricky. However, responsiveness has significantly improved with faster processors. Although the Android-based browsers on Tolino and Onyx are still a tad faster, the difference is now negligible.
PocketBook now also offers its own Onleihe application. This is a specially prepared browser intended only for Onleihe use, making it even easier to handle.
A step-by-step guide on how to use Onleihe directly on the Tolino Vision (and other models) can be found here.
Option 3: Android App
The third option involves using the Onleihe app for Android. With InkBook and Onyx devices, you have the option to install your own Android applications. This allows you to conduct a direct download independently of the internet browser (Option 2, see above) as well. The borrowed title must then be read as usual with the regular eBook app.
- Install the Android Onleihe app,
- and borrow the eBook within it.
Android app in action on Icarus Illumina
Using the app is a welcome bonus for Android users and definitely a viable alternative to browser use. A potential issue could be the app not always functioning smoothly, as Google Play user reviews suggest that the Onleihe program sometimes encounters problems.
Note: Although Tolino eBook readers also use Android as their operating system, the third option described here (app installation) is not possible on models from the German book retail alliance.
CARE-DRM: Tolino vs. PocketBook
As previously mentioned, both Tolino and PocketBook support the newer CARE-DRM of Onleihe.
On Tolino, this support is provided through the so-called “tolino reading experience (beta)”, a separate reading app. This can be activated in the settings. Unfortunately, the beta name is fitting, as this application has not proven particularly stable over the past years. Users frequently report various issues in different forums. Apart from that, this beta app generally offers fewer features than the standard reading application.
PocketBook, on the other hand, implements CARE-DRM support much more smoothly. Additionally, new PocketBook models, as mentioned earlier, even have their own Onleihe application, allowing direct access to the lending service. This makes not just the reading process more straightforward, but also easier and more comfortable downloads. PocketBook is also recognized for a more reliable update policy, where any arising issues are typically addressed promptly.
As a future-proof investment, a PocketBook eReader is currently the better choice for primarily using Onleihe.
Summary
In conclusion, it can be stated that all current eReaders from Tolino, Kobo, and PocketBook, as well as those from various other manufacturers (Bookeen, Onyx, InkBook, …) work with Onleihe. By downloading eBooks on a PC and then transferring them via USB or memory card to the eReader, all these manufacturers can be utilized.
Kindle models do not support Onleihe due to the lack of support for the file format (ePub) and copy protection (Adobe/LCP).
If you want to use the lending service directly on the eReader without always having to go through the detour of the computer, you must narrow down the selection and only include devices that can process the ACSM format directly (Tolino, PocketBook, Onyx) or support LCP (newer Tolino and PocketBook models).
In all cases (no matter how you access the lending service), the eBook is returned after two weeks (in some cases after three or four weeks) and is no longer usable after this period. If you want to return a title early, you can do so via Adobe Digital Editions.
