Epic! Terms of Service

Item: Epic!
Rating: 52
Author: Terms.Law Editorial Team

Last updated: October 2024 | Reviewed: February 2026

Digital reading library with 40,000+ books. Free during school hours but confusing access restrictions for home use.

Grade C

Bottom Line: Epic! offers an impressive digital library, but the terms create confusion. The app is free during school hours (for educator accounts), but home access requires a $9.99/month subscription. Upon cancellation, you lose access immediately - including any books children were in the middle of reading. The auto-renewal practices are standard but the confusing school/home access model catches many parents off guard.

Category Scores

COPPA Compliance 70/100

Subscription Practices 48/100

Access Model Clarity 38/100

Parental Controls 55/100

Content Access Rights 50/100

Positives

✓ Massive Library

                    Over 40,000 books including popular titles, audiobooks, and educational videos. Strong content for early readers through middle school.

✓ Free School Access

                    Teachers can provide free classroom access, and students can use Epic! during school hours at no cost when connected through a school account.

Key Concerns

⚠ Confusing School vs Home Access

Many parents are surprised to learn that free access is only available during school hours. Home access (evenings, weekends, summers) requires a paid subscription.

"Epic! School provides free access during school hours. For unlimited access anytime, including at home, subscribe to Epic! Unlimited."

⚠ Immediate Access Loss on Cancellation

When your subscription ends, children lose access to all books immediately - including books they were partway through reading. There's no grace period to finish current books.

⚠ No Offline Reading After Cancel

Unlike purchased ebooks, you cannot keep any content after cancellation. Any books downloaded for offline reading become inaccessible.

"Upon cancellation, your access to the Epic! library will end at the conclusion of your current billing period."

⚠ Price Increases

Epic! has raised prices multiple times. Original subscribers who paid less may see significant increases upon renewal. The terms allow price changes with notice.

Comparison: Digital Reading for Kids

Feature	Epic!	Libby (Library)	Kindle Kids
Monthly Cost	$9.99	Free	$4.99
Library Size	40,000+	Varies by Library	1,000+ included
Keep After Cancel	No	No (borrowed)	Purchased books
Offline Reading	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wait for Popular Books	No	Yes	No

Recommendation

For Parents: Epic! is great for voracious readers, but consider whether your child will use it enough to justify the cost. Check if your local library offers Libby or similar apps first - they're free.

Alternative: If your child's school uses Epic!, maximize the free school access. Use public library apps like Libby or Hoopla for evening and weekend reading at no cost.