Stiftung Warentest: Bad grades for eBook shops
In November 2013, Stiftung Warentest tested ten e-book shops, including the major book stores from Apple and market leader Amazon. In the race for first place, both top dogs had to surrender to two smaller providers. We name the test winners.
Stiftung Warentest verdict: "satisfactory" to "poor"
First of all: Going on an eBook bargain hunt is not worth it - because here, too, the "fixed book price" of publishers applies. However, eBooks are usually about 10 to 20 percent cheaper than their bound versions. In the large e-shop comparison test, Stiftung Warentest therefore assessed the size of the range, device compatibility, payment options and data protection / terms and conditions.
- In the ranking of the ten tested eBook providers, buecher.de and eBook.de share first place - but with a mediocre "satisfactory".
- Competitor Amazon only finished sixth with its Kindle Store, closely followed by Apple's iBookstore.
- Apple trumps with a wide range of books, but has many illegal clauses in terms and conditions and contracts. test.de also criticizes data protection.
Apparent test winners: buecher.de and eBook.de
The first places "buecher.de" and "eBook.de" only got a "satisfactory" (grade 2.7):
- In the test, both stores only offered a mediocre selection of different books.
- All ten portals tested even disappointed when it came to handling user data. With each provider, the user data can be used for advertising purposes or passed on to third parties.
- The "buecher.de" eBook app was also rated "critical" in terms of "data protection".
- The testers, on the other hand, drew a positive conclusion regarding the payment options of both providers (including PayPal, purchase on account and direct debit).
Amazon and Apple fail in goods test
With currently around 40 percent market share, Amazon is the market leader in the field of eBooks. Despite the wide range, it was only just enough for the online retailer to get a "satisfactory" (mark 3.5). The reasons:
- The terms and conditions of Amazon and Apple show gross violations of the German legal norm.
- The Foundation also criticizes the Amazon reader for insufficient protection when it comes to copy protection. The experts even rank Apple as the bottom of the "information" category. When shopping and using eBooks, however, Amazon was able to convince with its numerous reading samples.
- Apple offers a similar selection to its rival Amazon, but the eBooks are only readable on iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch and are not compatible. However, you can open the eBooks of other providers on the iDevice, as our practical tip explains.
eBook stores in the Stiftung Warentest-Check: the conclusion
- The Amazon Kindle Shop offers the largest selection of books, but there are weaknesses in the terms and conditions. Without this devaluation, Amazon would be the clear test winner.
- For this, the first place in the eBook check - "buecher.de" - offers better synchronization between individual devices, while competitor "eBook.de" does not pass on unnecessary user data.
- All portals show major deficiencies in handling user data in the test.
- At Amazon and Apple, the eBooks are also not compatible: Here it helps to pay attention to the supporting formats when buying an eBook reader.
- You can download the complete test here at Stiftung Warentest for a fee.
eBook reader: the best devices
- The CHIP check of the 20 most important eBook readers with format information can be found here. Or you can search for your favorite eBook from the CHIP leaderboard.