Apple Books vs Epic:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Epic had more branded searches than Apple Books among reading apps worldwide. Epic had about 673,000 branded searches, while Apple Books had 74,000. Epic made up 11.5% of all reading app searches we track, and Apple Books accounted for 1.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about reading apps, Apple Books appeared in three of the five answers and Epic in none.
Who do people search for more?
Epic, about 9 searches for every 1 for Apple Books
Who does AI mention more?
Apple Books, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Epic in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Apple Books, the only one of the two named
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Top reading apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple Books was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Epic did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Kindle3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Libby3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Apple Books3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Reading Eggs2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Teach Your Monster to Read2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- The StoryGraph2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Hooked on Phonics1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Duolingo ABC1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Epic0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Raz-Kids0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about reading apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which reading app should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best reading apps?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best reading app for early literacy?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“reading apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“learn to read app”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Apple Books or Epic more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple Books and Epic by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten reading apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Epic, Apple Books. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Kindle | Epic | Libby | Reading Eggs | Raz-Kids | Hooked on Phonics | Apple Books | Teach Your Monster to Read | Duolingo ABC | The StoryGraph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 55.1% | 9% | 9% | 11.1% | 11.1% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.3% | 0.24% |
| Nov 2025 | 63.4% | 7% | 7% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.94% | 0.23% | 0.19% |
| Dec 2025 | 69.6% | 6.3% | 7.7% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.84% | 0.25% | 0.38% |
| Jan 2026 | 62.7% | 6.9% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 8.4% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.28% | 0.51% |
| Feb 2026 | 59.9% | 8.1% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 8.1% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 0.26% | 0.26% |
| Mar 2026 | 58.4% | 7.8% | 9.6% | 11.7% | 7.8% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.26% | 0.26% |
| Apr 2026 | 62.2% | 6.8% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 8.3% | 1.1% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.22% | 0.27% |
| May 2026 | 61.7% | 6.8% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 6.8% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.91% | 0.27% | 0.27% |
| Jun 2026 | 69% | 3.4% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 5.1% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.68% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 74.4% | 1.1% | 10% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.49% | 0.33% | 0.33% |
| Aug 2026 | 65.4% | 7.2% | 10.7% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.79% | 0.29% | 0.35% |
| Sep 2026 | 57.4% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 7.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1% | 0.38% | 0.25% |
How has the Apple Books and Epic comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Apple Books took it in July 2026, Epic took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple Books’ share of searches among reading apps worldwide moved from 1.5% to 1.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 74K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Epic’s share of searches among reading apps worldwide moved from 9% to 11.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 550K to 673K.
How did search popularity change for reading apps worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Epic overtook Libby to rank 2nd among reading apps worldwide, with 11.5% of the searches.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Apple Books worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 90.5K to 74K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple Books’ and Epic’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Apple Books
1 branded search term
- apple books
Epic
1 branded search term
- getepic
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