Filtered ranking
Best Free AI and Machine Learning Books in 2026
6 of the 10 AI and machine learning books ranked on listme.name match: they can be used without paying (a free plan or free version). The order uses the same scores as the full ranking.
The ranking
- 1
Deep Learning
The canonical free textbook for the foundations of deep learning, with the full text online. It predates transformers, so pair it with a current practical guide for modern architectures.
Best for Foundations of deep learning, free online
Read online, PrintFree
- 2
Probabilistic Machine Learning: An Introduction
A broad, current treatment of machine learning as probabilistic modeling, with a free draft PDF. It is more mathematical than the practical texts here and newer than Bishop's 2006 book.
Best for Probabilistic modeling and Bayesian methods
PDF, PrintFree
- 3
Dive into Deep Learning
Free runnable notebooks in several frameworks make it the most hands-on free option here. It covers less theory than the Goodfellow text, and it has no finished print edition listed.
Best for Hands-on deep learning with free notebooks
Read onlineFree
- 4
An Introduction to Statistical Learning (Python edition)
The most approachable text here, with Python labs and a free PDF. It stops short of the mathematics in the Murphy and Bishop books, which suits readers starting out.
Best for Statistical learning for beginners with Python
PDF, PrintFree
- 5
Mathematics for Machine Learning
Connects the mathematics directly to regression, PCA and support vector machines, with a free PDF. It has few code examples, so it works best alongside a practical text.
Best for Math behind classic machine learning methods
PDF, PrintFree
- 6
Speech and Language Processing (3rd edition draft)
A free, current draft on language models and transformers, aimed at language and speech work. It is narrower than the general machine learning books and is still changing.
Best for Language model study with a free draft
PDF, Read onlineFree
At a glance
| Product | Score | Price | Formats | Level | Free to read online | Latest edition | Math required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Learning | 94.5 | Free | Read online, Print | Advanced | Yes | 2016, MIT Press | Heavy: linear algebra and probability |
| Probabilistic Machine Learning: An Introduction | 92.5 | Free | PDF, Print | Advanced | Yes | 2022, MIT Press; draft PDF updated | Heavy: probability and calculus |
| Dive into Deep Learning | 91.0 | Free | Read online | Intermediate | Yes | Continuously updated online | Moderate: calculus and linear algebra |
| An Introduction to Statistical Learning (Python edition) | 90.0 | Free | PDF, Print | Beginner | Yes | 2023, Python edition | Light: basic statistics |
| Mathematics for Machine Learning | 85.5 | Free | PDF, Print | Advanced | Yes | 2020, Cambridge University Press | Heavy: university mathematics |
| Speech and Language Processing (3rd edition draft) | 82.0 | Free | PDF, Read online | Advanced | Yes | 3rd edition draft, August 2026 | Moderate: probability and linear algebra |