Question 1

Is there a free reader I can use without paying?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Free samples open instantly in BookBay's in-browser reader, with reading themes (dark, sepia, paper, high-contrast), font and size choices, line spacing, a table of contents, in-book search, bookmarks and auto-saved reading progress.

Question 2

What does BookBay Pro add?

Accepted Answer

Pro unlocks the power-reader toolkit on every book: select text to highlight it in four colours, attach notes, and export all your highlights and notes to Markdown, CSV, JSON or print/PDF (Readwise-style). It also unlocks a gamified reading-stats dashboard with day streaks, a weekly goal, badges and CSV export.

Question 3

What is a Smart Book?

Accepted Answer

An interactive book you read in your browser here on BookBay, with live trackers, exercises or choose-a-path chapters. You unlock it in My Library with the license key from your purchase email; there is no file to lose.

Question 4

Are my highlights, notes and reading data private?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your highlights, notes, bookmarks, reading progress and stats are stored only on your device in the browser (localStorage). Nothing is uploaded to a server, and you can export your highlights any time.

Question 5

Can I see prices in my own currency?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Pick your country from the selector and each price shows an approximate local-currency amount alongside the USD price. Your exact local total, including any VAT or sales tax, is calculated by the checkout partner at checkout.

Question 6

Why can't I just download every paid book for free?

Accepted Answer

Paid books are never posted publicly — they are delivered by our checkout partner with secure, expiring links, and Smart Books unlock with a license key. That keeps authors paid and prices low, and Smart Books come with a genuinely useful free sample first.

Question 7

Can I read on my phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The store and the in-browser reader are mobile-first, with large touch targets, read-aloud narration for kids' books and a reader menu for contents, search, bookmarks and highlights.