Textbooks are expensive, especially if you’re paying full price for all your required readings throughout the semester. That’s why many students decide to rent e-textbooks in order to save money. However, this isn’t always the best option. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of renting and buying e-textbooks so you can make an informed decision about which option is best for you.
Benefits of Renting
1. You don't have to pay the full price upfront.
2. You can often rent for a shorter period of time than you would buy for, which can save you money.
3. You don't have to worry about reselling the book later on.
4. Renting gives you the flexibility to change your mind if you don't like the book or need to switch to a different edition.
Benefits of buying
When you buy an e-textbook, you own it outright. This means that you can keep it for as long as you want and refer back to it whenever you need to. Additionally, buying an e-textbook gives you the freedom to annotate, highlight, and make other changes to the text without worrying about violating any terms of service. You also don't have to worry about your e-textbook becoming outdated because newer editions are automatically downloaded onto your device when they're released. However, not all textbooks are available in digital format, so if this is a requirement for your school or program then renting may be your only option.