College is about learning, growing… and budgeting like a pro. Between tuition, rent, and $7 lattes that feel like a necessity, the last thing any student wants is to drop $300 on a single textbook they’ll barely open after midterms.
But here’s the truth: you don’t have to buy your books at full price — or from the campus store. There are dozens of websites where you can find the same textbooks for way less — new, used, digital, or even rental. You just need to know where to look.
Good news: we’ve done the digging for you. We’ve compiled a list of 18 websites that make textbook buying smarter — not harder. So, if you’re hunting for the best places to buy textbooks online, keep reading.
18 Best Websites to Buy Textbooks Online:
1. Amazon
Amazon is still a major player in the college books game. You can buy new, used, or even rent textbooks from Amazon, and if you’re a Prime member, you can enjoy fast free shipping.
Highlights:
✨ Wide selection of college books
🌟 Fast shipping with Prime
🌍 Marketplace with third-party sellers for more price options
2. Chegg
Chegg isn’t just for homework help. You can buy or rent textbooks, and many come with free eTextbook access for instant reading while you wait for shipping.
Highlights:
📈 Option to buy or rent
🕹️ Free 4-week access to the eTextbook
📖 Access to study tools and solutions manuals
3. BooksRun
BooksRun is a simple, eco-friendly website where you can buy textbooks at low prices. You can also sell or rent books, and for every transaction, they plant a tree.
Highlights:
🌳 Eco-conscious model
🌟 Free shipping both ways
💼 Sell-back option available
4. eCampus
eCampus gives you options—buy new, used, rent, or access eBooks. Their price match guarantee and flexible payment plans make it a top pick.
Highlights:
💳 Payment plans available
🏅 Price match guarantee
📖 Large selection of textbooks
5. CampusBooks
CampusBooks is a price comparison site that lets you see the best deals from multiple vendors in one place. Great if you’re short on time but want to score cheap textbooks.
Highlights:
🔍 Compares prices across platforms
🌟 Filters for rental, purchase, and eBooks
🚀 Quick and efficient
6. DirectTextbook
DirectTextbook pulls prices from across the web to give you the best deals on new, used, and rental textbooks.
Highlights:
💡 Easy-to-use interface
💸 Includes coupons and cashback offers
🌟 Real-time price comparisons
7. TextbookRush
A favorite for both buying and selling, TextbookRush has a huge inventory and even offers store credit bonuses if you trade in your books.
Highlights:
💼 Sell your books back
🌍 Huge inventory
🎁 Rewards program
8. ValoreBooks
ValoreBooks works with a network of sellers to give you discounted prices. It’s especially good for used books and rentals.
Highlights:
💲 Great for used books
🌟 User-friendly design
🚚 Free return shipping on rentals
9. VitalSource
If you prefer digital, VitalSource specializes in eTextbooks. Highlighting, note-taking, and syncing across devices are all seamless.
Highlights:
📲 Instant digital access
📃 Built-in study tools
🔗 Works across multiple devices
10. AbeBooks
Perfect for used books and rare finds, AbeBooks connects you with sellers around the world. You can often snag textbooks at a fraction of the retail price.
Highlights:
🌐 Global seller network
💲 Excellent used book prices
🎨 Great for niche or out-of-print titles
11. Biblio
Known for supporting independent bookstores, Biblio offers a curated selection of used and rare books. It’s also a great source of cheap textbooks.
Highlights:
🌟 Supports small booksellers
💼 Strong selection of used college books
🌱 Eco-friendly shipping options
12. TextbookX
TextbookX offers a mix of marketplace sellers and institutional deals. You can even create a custom storefront for your specific college or course.
Highlights:
📖 Campus-specific storefronts
🌐 Marketplace + retail options
💸 Discount bundles available
13. BetterWorldBooks
Better World Books combines affordable books with social impact. Every purchase supports global literacy programs, and their used college books section is extensive.
Highlights:
🌎 Socially conscious mission
💼 Great used books selection
🌱 Carbon-balanced shipping
14. Alibris
Alibris works with independent sellers to provide college books at competitive prices. You’ll also find rare and international editions here.
Highlights:
🌐 International seller access
💼 Rare and out-of-print books
💲 Often cheaper than retail
15. CollegeBooksDirect
CollegeBooksDirect sells directly to students with no mediator. The prices are often lower, and they stock a large inventory.
Highlights:
📅 Fast delivery
💸 No third-party sellers
📖 Affordable new and used textbooks
16. Textbooks.com
With competitive pricing and fast shipping, Textbooks.com is easy to navigate and reliable. They also have a generous return policy.
Highlights:
🌟 30-day returns
📖 Millions of titles
🚚 Fast shipping
17. Knetbooks
Knetbooks focuses on rentals but also sells textbooks at great prices. The platform is simple and perfect for short-term needs.
Highlights:
🌟 Simple rental process
🚚 Free shipping both ways
💼 Great for semester-length use
18. BookScouter
BookScouter is your all-in-one textbook savings tool. It compares prices from dozens of vendors, helping you find the best deals whether you’re buying, renting, or selling. You can even read vendor reviews and set alerts for price drops.
Highlights:
🔍 Powerful price comparison engine
💲 See ratings and reviews for sellers
🚀 Save big on cheap books and used books
Final Thoughts
Textbooks shouldn’t cost more than your entire meal plan. Luckily, the internet is full of smart ways to save. Whether you’re searching for rentals, digital editions, or used books, these websites to buy textbooks offer something for every type of student.
Now, all that money you saved? Go spend it on coffee, snacks, or maybe just a nap. You earned it.
Before you go, check out these helpful reads to stretch your budget and make the most of your college books:
📦 What to Do With Old Textbooks – Learn how to responsibly reuse, donate, or recycle textbooks you no longer need.
📘 Free College Textbooks – Discover legit websites that offer free textbooks for students.
📚 Where to Sell Textbooks – Find out how to turn your old textbooks into extra cash.
Happy studying!
