Nina Phillips

With the easy availability of eBooks on the websites today, we prefer to view books on Kindle device. While with several eBook formats’ incompatibility with PC or mobile devices, such as AZW3, ePub and many other eBook formats, we have the need to convert AZW3 to a format that compatible with your target eBook reader devices like PDF.

In this article, we will show you how to convert AZW3 to PDF easily.

This How-to-Guide gives you insights on:

• AZW3 Format Wiki
• AZW3 DRM Removal Before Converting AZW3 to PDF

Part 1: AZW3 Format Wiki

AZW3 is a new version of AZW kindle format and also known as KF8 (Kindle Format 8) developed by Amazon. Compared with other Kindle formats, such as Mobi or AZW, it’s more advanced because it supports HTML5, CSS3 and more layouts, fonts, styles. But the unfortunate fact is that the AZW3 format can only be opened and viewed with Amazon Kindle devices. So, if we don’t have a Kindle device, we can convert AZW3 to PDF.

Part 2: AZW3 DRM Removal Before Converting AZW3 to PDF

Can we convert AZW3 to PDF directly?

No, we can’t do anything before we remove DRM from Kindle books. DRM (Data Rights Management) is a way to protect copyrights for digital media. With DRM technology, it is impossible to steal content for those law breakers.

But don’t worry, this part lists down the top 4 best AZW3 to PDF converters for Mac & Windows, 4 free websites to convert AZW3 to PDF online so that you can read eBooks on almost all popular devices like PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad and mobile phones etc. With their features and pros & cons to let you make a proper choice.

Top 4 Ways to Convert AZW3 to PDF on Mac and Windows

In order to convert AZW3 to PDF, you’ll need a third-party AZW3 to PDF converter to help you. Here we highly recommend Epubor Ultimate. It is one of the most feature-rich

#1. Epubor Ultimate

AZW3 to PDF converter supporting DRM protection removal from Kindle books and convert them to various formats including ePUB, Mobi, AZW3, PDF, Txt. Thanks to its simple to use and intuitive interface, users can quickly and easily customize the settings.

Here are some of the highlights of using Epubor Ultimate

• This softwareis compatible with both Mac & Windows
• Input eBook formats include KFX, EPUB, PDF, AZW, AZW1, AZW3, AZW4, MOBI, PRC, TPZ, Topaz, TXT, and HTML
• Output eBook formats include EPUB, PDF, TXT, MOBI, AZW3
• Automatically scan and detect eBook library
• Remove DRM protection from eBooks

Pros:

• Supports bulk conversion with high quality
• Easy to follow
• DRM protection removal
• Can edit metadata

Cons:

• It is a paid service
• Free trial version doesn’t support more than 10 eBooks’ DRM removal

Epubor Ultimate allow us to convert AZW3 to PDF with simple three steps. Below is the whole process.

Step 1: Download and install the program

Step 2: Remove DRM from AZW3 Kindle Books

After launch the converter, it will automatically detect all your existent books on your device. Drag the AZW3 file books to the right area.

In a word, books added to the right area, DRM removed.

Step 3: Convert AZW3 to PDF

Choose PDF as the output format from the Convert to menu, and then click the convert button again, the AZW3 to PDF conversion will begin.

#2. Calibre

Speaking of converting AZW3 to PDF, Calibre is another super star of eBook reader, converter and manager. It comes with different editions for Windows, Mac OS and Linux. It also supports DRM removal after installing DRM removal plugins.

The features of this AZW3 to PDF converter include:

• Download news/magazines from the web
• Share and backup your library easily
• Supports many file formatsand reading devices
• Displaying, editing, creating and converting e-books, as well as syncing e-books with a variety of e-readers

Pros:

• Completely free
• Fast conversion process
• Cross-platform compatibility

Cons:

• For DRM protected books, you need to install Calibre DeDRM plugin to remove DRM first.

How to convert AZW3 to PDF with Calibre

1. Install Calibre and add DRM plugins into it.

To make sure it can convert AZW3 to PDF successfully without the following situation, you should firstly install DeDRM Plugin to remove DRM from kindle books in Calibre (this step is essential if you have to deal with DRM protected AZW3 books) 

2. Add AZW3 Books

Click Add Books or drag and drop to add your preferred eBooks you want to convert

3. Start to convert AZW3 to PDF

Click Convert books, then a new window will pop up, choose the output format as PDF and then click OK.

#3. Any eBook Converter Free

Any EBook Converter Free is one of the best AZW3 to PDF converter software. It supports has a massive range of input and output eBook formats like EPUB, MOBI, DOCX, PDF, TXT, HTML, FB2, CBZ, CHM, LIT, ODT, PML, RTF, SNB, AZW3 and tons more. In addition to converting AZW3 to PDF, it can view and create eBooks as well.

The following are the key features of Any eBook Converter Free

• Create eBook from PDF, DOCX, TXT and other creation
• Convert between massive eBook formats
• It supports almost all e-reader device
• It intelligently detects and inputs all eBook files included in a folder

Pros:

• Straightforward interface
• Batch conversion
• Free download and no ads
• Can stop the conversion during the AZW3 to PDF process anytime

Cons:

• Only available for Windows

The whole process is just take you simple steps:

1. Input your AZW3 files

Drag and drop the eBooks to the program or click Add Files to input AZW3 files.

2. Select the target Output folder and Format

As all the eBooks are listed in the interface, you can also untick the file you don’t want to convert.

In Output directory menu, choose where you want to save the output file

In Brand menu, choose the brand of your device

In Device menu, choose the type of your device under this brand

In Format menu, choose PDF as you need

3. Convert AZW3 to PDF

When everything’s done, hit Start Conversion to convert AZW3 to PDF.

#4. ePubee manager

ePubee manager is a professional AZW3 to PDF converter helps you reading any eBooks on Kindle, iPad, Sony eReader, Kobo, Nook, nexus 7 and other devices. At the same time, it allows you to convert AZW3 to PDF and multiple formats like PDF, ePub, AZW3, and Mobi.

Features offered:

• Supports almost all eBook reader devices
• Convert a large batch of several books at the same time,
• Convert your eBooks to multiple formats like PDF, ePub, AZW3, and Mobi

Pros:

• Has both Windows and Mac version
• 100% free
• Cloud backup

Cons:

• Can’t convert DRM protected books directly (you have to download a DRM Removal freeware first)

How to convert AZW3 to PDF with ePubee

Step 1: Click +Add or just drag books into the program

Step 2: Go to Convert and choose PDF as the output format

Step 3: Click again the Convert to PDF button, then it will automatically convert AZW3 to PDF 

Convert AZW3 to PDF Free Online

1. Zamzar

Zamzar is the top one choice if we want to convert AZW3 to PDF online because it supports almost all kinds of formats including document, eBook, image, audio and web. You can even get a step-by-step tutorial on its interface. With a batch conversion support, you can convert more than one AZW3 file to PDF.

Pros:

• Handle bulk conversions
• Requires no downloador user registration
• Support a wide range of fileformats

Cons:

• File size limit

2. Online-convert

Online-Convert is one of the most reliable web-based options out there and you can use it to convert a wide variety of file types. Aside from converting AZW3 to PDF, you can also do conversions such as Mobi to ePub, ACSM to ePub, ePub to Mobi, TXT to PDF, HTML to PDF, ePub to PDF, Mobi to PDF, RTF to PDF and many more.

Pros:

• Accepts a variety of input and output formats
• No software installation needed
• Offers optional settings before converting AZW3 to PDF

Cons:

• The number of inputs has the limit of 3 for unregistered users.

3. Cloudconvert

 It’s the first time I use this AZW3 to PDF online website and I really find it a swiss army knife to convert AZW3 to PDF. You can upload AZW3 files from your computer, URL, Google Drive, Drop box and OneDrive.

Pros:

• More than 200 formats are supported
• With OCR feature
• Can convert multiple files at once

Cons:

• It is needed to always have an internet connection

When using these AZW3 to PDF converters online, you may come across many issues as limited uploading file size and numbers, slow uploading and conversion speed etc. What disappointed you most is that most of the Kindle books you purchased are all protected by DRM. However, DRM-protected eBooks cannot be converted with online websites. You can first remove DRM with Calibre or Epubor Ultimate.

The Verdict

We think the desktop and online tools we curated above are the best in converting AZW3 to PDF. So, which AZW3 to PDF software is your best bet? Depending on your needs.

If you are looking for some software totally free and offers good quality, and you never mind to take some complex steps, just choose Caibre.

If you need something easy to use and can handle the DRM issues without install any other plugins, we recommend going for Epubor Ultimate. It is a paid software, but it offers a free trial.

Nevertheless, if you have any issue with all the mentioned AZW3 to PDF software, or you find a cheaper and more reliable solution to convert AZW3 to PDF, please feel free comment below.

Calibre is known as a powerful and easy to use e-book manager. You can use it to edit books’ metadata, convert eBooks to many formats and even download news and magazine from web. Apart from that, Calibre does support DRM removal after installing Calibre DRM Removal plugins like DeDRM with such a function.

In the following, we will give you a full guide of Calibre DRM Removal and the best alternative of Calibre DRM Removal, which can definitely help you remove DRM from Kindle books, Adobe Digital editions and more to let you read your books on your preferred device.

Table of Contents：

• Why Should We Remove DRM from Kindle Books?
• How to Remove DRM with Calibre DRM Removal Plugin on Mac and Windows?
• What if Calibre DRM Removal Plugin Not Working?
• Calibre DRM Removal vs Epubor Ultimate
• Extend: How to Remove DRM Protection from iBooks

Why Should We Remove DRM from Kindle Books?

The DRM (Digital Restrictions Management) puts lots of restrictions on users, in other words, customers do not really own their eBooks after they purchase it. This cannot give people an enjoyable reading experience. As a consumer, the DRM does limit your options.

1. Reading Device. Most of us would like to read eBooks on multiple devices. With DRM, You can only read eBooks on one single device or app.
2. Sharing. We always want to share the same eBook if one of our friends or families already have one. But DRM doesn’t allow you to share the books with others.
3. Back up your books. Although you purchased the digital contents legally from the book store, the DRM protections do not allow you to back up and have full use of them.
4. Conversion. You cannot convert DRM-protected books to other formats like EPUB or PDF that can be read in other apps.

Before we remove DRM from kindle eBooks we should know that it is legal and DRM is about restrictions, not rights.

How to Remove DRM with Calibre DRM Removal Plugin on Mac and Windows?

Although Calibre itself cannot remove DRM from eBooks, it is able to do it with Calibre DRM removal plugin.

Step 1: Install Calibre and DeDRM Plugin

The first thing you need to do is install Calibre and DeDRM Plugin.

1. Go to its official website and download Calibre

2. Download DeDRM plugin and add it to Calibre

1) Run Calibre and navigate to Preference on the top menu bar and select the option Change Calibre behavior

2) Go to the Advanced section and choose Plugins

3) Click on Load plugin from file button and select the DeDRM folder from your device.

A pop-up warning massage will appear and just click Yes to continue.

4) Now the DeDRM plugin has been added under File type plugins.

5) Restart Calibre.

Step 2: Remove DRM from Kindle eBooks with Calibre DRM removal plugin

Just click Add Books to upload eBooks downloaded from Kindle, Kobo, Google Play, Nook etc. Once books have been added successfully, the DRM will be removed automatically.

Pros:

• Totally DRM removal freeware
• Available for both Windows, Mac OS and Linux
• Support 50+ e-book formats

Cons:

• Its complex interface isn’t friendly to novice
• People have to install DeDRM plugin to remove DRM
• It doesn’t work for Kindle for Mac/PC higher than version 1.25
• Cannot remove DRM from iBook

What if Calibre DRM Removal Plugin Not Working?

Admittedly, Calibre DRM removal plugin is great for people who have to deal with eBooks’ DRM, however, the Calibre DRM removal is not working sometimes. Following are 3 most common issues about Calibre DRM removal:

1. Calibre DRM Removal DeDRM plugin doesn’t work

This depends on your Kindle for Mac/PC version. Calibre DeDRM removal plugin does not work for Kindle books downloaded via Kindle for Mac/PC higher than version 1.25. So, the current solution is to downgrade your Kindle for PC/Mac to an older version.

2. Calibre DRM Removal plugin cannot remove DRM from iBooks

Yes, the fact is the Calibre DRM Removal DeDRM plugin doesn’t support iBook anymore. We will talk about how to remove DRM from iTunes music, video and iBook later.

3. Calibre DRM removal plugin has been installed successfully, but it fails to remove DRM from eBooks

Make sure the DeDRM plugin installed is the newest version. Or you can find the latest version of Calibre DeDRM removal plugin at Github.

4. Still Not Working or its process is a little difficult to use

Then there comes to Calibre DRM Removal’s alternative

Alternative of Calibre DRM Removal: Epubor Ultimate

Epubor ultimate an excellent eBook DRM Removal as well as eBook Converter. It can automatically detect e-readers or apps such as Kindle, Kobo, Adobe Digital Editions etc. More importantly, it is very easy to use for beginners and available on both Mac and Windows.

Why Choose Epubor Ultimate as Calibre DRM Removal’s alternative?

• Remove DRM from Kindle eBooks
• Support Kindle for Mac/PC and other Kindle e-readers
• Convert Kindle books to PDF, EPUB, MOBI, AZW3, TXT
• Support 13 input eBook formats
• Batch process multiple eBooks
• Support books purchased from Amazon, Nook, Google Play, Kobo and other popular stores
• Easy to use
• Available for Windows and MacOS

How to remove DRM with Calibre DRM Removal’s alternative?

Step 1: Download Epubor Ultimate on your computer (Mac/Windows)

Step 2: Run it and it will automatically detect the eBooks that have been downloaded to Kindle for PC/Mac and display them at the left column.

Step 3: Drag them from the left to the right column, then the DRM will be removed.

Note: This Calibre DRM removal alternative also comes with a conversion feature. If needed, you can use it to convert eBooks like converting EPUB to MOBI, ACSM to EPUB or others

Pros:

• Support both Windows and Mac OS
• Easy to use
• Both eBook converter and DRM remover

Cons:

• Not free DRM removal
• Cannot remove DRM free on iBooks

Calibre DRM Removal vs Epubor Ultimate 

Extend: How to Remove DRM Protection from iBooks

If you prefer to purchase eBooks from iBook store, you will know that iBooks are all DRM protected by Apple. You can’t read iBooks on other eReaders except iPad. So, in this part you will find a way to remove DRM from iBooks.

Requiem

Requiem is a highly recommended free iTunes DRM removal software specialized in removing FairPlay DRM from iTunes videos, music and books. It makes DRM removal a breeze without losing the original quality. Unfortunately, it stops upgrading in V4.1 for a long time.

1. Download and install it

2. Run it on your Mac/Windows. Then Requiem will automatically detect the DRMed files from the iTunes library and remove DRM from them.

Note: The windows users will need to install Java and before removing DRM you can back up the files because the decrypted files will replace the original files.

Pros:

• Free
• Available for both Mac and Windows
• Small memory

Cons:

• Doesn’t support Mac OS X10.8 or above
• Some bugs will appear
• No release anymore after Requiem 4.1
• isn’t compatible with iTunes 12

Final Words

Now we have a general impression of Calibre DRM removal and its alternatives including their features as well as a few pros and cons. Although we rate Calibre DRM removal the highest, it is the most difficult to run and use. If you want a more straightforward and simple solution, the Epubor ultimate is your favorite.