Books no longer exist in libraries or bookstores; they are in the digital world. Reading books online or downloading them in PDF is now a common practice for many people. LibGen (Library Genesis) is one of the most popular sites for finding free books.
Students, teachers, researchers, and readers around the globe use LibGen. It provides free access to textbooks, research papers, novels, and scholarly books.
However, LibGen fails to open at times.
In certain countries, it is blocked.
Sometimes links do not work.
Due to such reasons, a great number of individuals seek LibGen alternatives.
In this article, you will get to know:
- What is Libgen?
- Why human beings seek an alternative to LibGen.
- The most suitable substitutes for LibGen.
- Legal and safety issues
- How to download books without problems.
- Questions regarding alternatives to LibGen.
The language used in this article is very simple, and thus one can easily comprehend the content of the article even when one is beginning.
What is LibGen?
LibGen (Library Genesis) is a non-profit making Internet site which offers access to:
- Academic textbooks
- Research papers
- Journals
- Novels
- Reference books
It is very popular among:
- College students
- School students
- Researchers
- Teachers
Some of the formats that one can download books via LibGen are:
- EPUB
- MOBI
Why Is LibGen So Popular?
1. Free Repository of Costly Books
The money factor is one of the largest motivators of the popularity of LibGen.
- Textbooks in colleges are very costly.
- Research papers are quite expensive.
- A lot of students are unable to afford them.
These books can be distributed freely by LibGen, which is beneficial:
- Students
- Researchers
- Teachers
- Self-learners
LibGen is like a saviour to many individuals.
2. Huge Collection of Books
The library of LibGen is very big.
It includes:
- Academic textbooks
- Research papers
- Books in engineering, medicine, and law.
- Novels and fiction
- IT and computer science books.
Old books and new books are available in the same place. This big library will keep the users returning over and over.
3. Just Ideal for Students and Researchers
LibGen has become very helpful in education.
- Students prepare exams using it.
- It is used by researchers in journal papers.
- It is used by teachers as a source of reference.
Most of the universities prescribe high-priced books that students are unable to purchase. LibGen assists them in studying without any financial burden.
4. Name is not required to register or log in
Most websites ask for:
- Sign-up
- Email verification
- Payment details
LibGen does none of this.
- No account needed
- No personal information
- Direct download
This makes LibGen speedy, user-friendly, and stress-free.
5. Easy to Download Books
LibGen allows users to:
- Search by book name
- Search by author
- Search by ISBN
Once you find the book:
- Click the link
- Download the file
Formats available:
- EPUB
- MOBI
It is simple to use, even for a beginner.
6. Available Worldwide
LibGen is in use everywhere in the globe, particularly in:
- Developing countries
- Areas with scanty libraries.
- Book pricing areas are steep.
LibGen is an online library for students who are not able to use large libraries.
7. Assist Self-Learners and Experts
Not only do students use LibGen.
It is also popular among:
- Software developers
- Engineers
- Doctors
- Designers
- Business professionals
Librarians who are interested in acquiring new skills go through LibGen to get learning materials without necessarily incurring high charges.
8. All the Academic Journals under a single place
A good number of research journals cost a lot to read a single article.
LibGen:
- Collects journal articles
- Offers them free of charge.
This is a colossal reason why LibGen is popular in the research community.
9. No-Nonsense Design and Simple Design
LibGen is not cosmetic-conscious
- No fancy design
- No distractions
- Just search and download
The simple design of the website works on
- Slow internet
- Old computers
10. Backup Mirrors and Copies
Even with the failure of one LibGen site:
- Other mirror sites appear
- Content remains available
This makes LibGen difficult to substitute and is never out of reach.
What to Expect from a Good LibGen Alternative.
You should check before using any other:
- Easy to use
- Large book collection
- Multiple download formats
- Fast download speed
- Safe and secure
- Legal (if possible)
Best alternatives to LibGen
1. Z-Library
The most famous alternatives to LibGen are Z-Library.
Features:
- Millions of articles and books.
- Academic and non-academic material.
- PDF, EPUB, MOBI formats
- Simple interface
Pros:
- Huge collection
- Easy to search
- Fast downloads
Cons:
- Daily download limit
- Sometimes blocked
LibGen is often regarded as the closest substitute for Z-Library.
2. Open Library
The Internet Archive is the owner of the Open Library project.
Features:
- Legal digital library
- Millions of books
- Borrow books online
Pros:
- Completely legal
- Trusted source
- Clean interface
Cons:
- Others can only be borrowed.
- Limited academic textbooks
Open Library is a nice alternative to LibGen, should you desire one that is of a legal nature.
3. Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg offers free books that are in the public domain.
Features:
- Over 60,000 free books
- Classic literature
- Multiple formats
Pros:
- 100% legal
- No registration required
- Safe website
Cons:
- Mostly old books
- No modern textbooks
Recommended to people who are fond of age-old novels and literature.
4. Internet Archive
Internet Archive: It is a giant digital library.
Features:
- Books, journals, movies, music
- Scholarly and non-academic materials.
- Book borrowing system
Pros:
- Legal platform
- Massive collection
- Multiple formats
Cons:
- There are books that one has to borrow.
- Limited download options
A good substitute for LibGen, which is safe.
5. Sci-Hub
Sci-Hub is known to be popular for research papers.
Features:
- Millions of research publications.
- Direct access to journals
Pros:
- Excellent for researchers
- Simple search
Cons:
- Not legal in many countries
- Mostly academic papers only
- Ideal for students and researchers, not the laypeople.
6. Google Books
Google Books is the place where you can also read and preview books online.
Features:
- Book previews
- Some free full books
- Trusted platform
Pros:
- Legal
- High-quality scans
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Limited free books
- Mostly previews
- Useful for researching and fast reading.
7.PDF Drive
PDF Drive is a free PDF book search engine.
Features:
- Millions of PDF files
- No registration
- Simple design
Pros:
- Easy downloads
- Wide range of topics
Cons:
- Quality may vary
- Some outdated books
An easy and convenient LibGen alternative.
8. Bookboon
Bookboon provides textbooks and business books free of charge.
Features:
- Educational content
- Business and IT books
Pros:
- Legal platform
- High-quality textbooks
Cons:
- Limited variety
- Registration required
- Good with students and professionals.
9.ManyBooks
ManyBooks offers discounted and free ebooks.
Features:
- Public domain books
- Modern self-published books
Pros:
- Legal
- Clean interface
- EPUB and PDF formats
Cons:
- Fewer academic books
- Good for novel lovers.
10. Open Research Library Meaning & Short Explanation
Open Research Library is an online library where research and academic books can be read for free, and it is legal for everyone.
Features
- Access to academic and research books is free.
- Publicity on academic and peer-reviewed works.
- One can read and download books.
- No payment required
- Easy Search, Simple and clean website.
Pros
- Legal and safe to use completely.
- College-students and researcher-good.
- Good academic materials of high quality and credibility.
Cons
- Not much to read in novels or generally.
- Not as numerous as LibGen or Z-Library.
FAQs
What makes the use of LibGen popular among students?
The reason why students use LibGen is that they have access to free textbooks and study materials, which otherwise are very costly. It makes them save money and study conveniently.
Is LibGen legal to use?
LibGen publishes copyrighted books and does not comply with the laws of the majority of countries. The laws are location-dependent, and therefore, one has to be cautious.
Is it possible to download books without registering?
Yes, the registration is not compulsory in LibGen. It is possible to search for and download books.
What genre of books can be found in LibGen?
LibGen primarily provides academic books, research papers, textbooks and a limited number of novels.
What is the reason why LibGen is blocked in certain countries?
The reason LibGen is blocked is due to the fact that copyrighted content is made free, and this is against the copyright laws in most areas.
Conclusion
The popularity of LibGen was tremendous, as it provided free access to numerous books and research papers, thereby saving money for students and readers.
However, due to the frequent blocking of LibGen, legal issues, and occasional downtime, people needed to find alternatives.
The alternatives of LibGen gained importance to guarantee the uninterrupted access to the books, provide increased safety, and offer more legal opportunities to study and read.
