Reader Apps

Most reading happens on phones and tablets, not on dedicated e-readers. Pair these apps with e-reader hardware, the library / Libby workflow, and Self-Host Libraries (Calibre Web Automated / Komga / Kavita / Audiobookshelf) on your homelab.

Self-host & FOSS first

• ★ ★ KOReader — AGPL; runs on Kindle / Kobo / Boox / desktop; native OPDS so it talks to any FOSS server. The default reader for free / self-host workflows. See KOReader and OPDS Protocol.
• ★ FBReader — free OSS; Android / iOS / desktop; OPDS; long-running.
• ★ Thorium Reader — free OSS; desktop EPUB reader; OPDS subscription.
• ★ Calibre Viewer — free; bundled with Calibre; great for desktop reading.
• ★ Librera Reader — free + paid Pro; Android; OPDS; deep customisation.
• Moon+ Reader — free + paid pro; Android; very customisable; closed source but long-running and OPDS-friendly.
• ReadEra — free + paid pro; Android + Win + Mac; ad-free; many formats.
• Lithium — free + paid; Android; minimalist; popular in /r/ereader.

Kindle ecosystem

• Kindle app — free; iOS / Android / Mac / Win / web; reads any book bought from Amazon
  • sideloaded via "Send to Kindle" (PDF / EPUB / DOCX up to 200 MB as of 2024).
• Kindle Cloud Reader — free; browser-based; works on Chromebooks / Linux; no install.
• Send to Kindle (web + email) — free; the official sideloading channel; accepts EPUB natively since late 2022.

Kobo ecosystem

• Kobo app — free; iOS / Android / Mac / Win; reads anything from Kobo store + Adobe-DRM EPUBs from libraries / other stores.
• Kobo Cloud / kobo.com reader — free; web reader.
• Kobo Plus — paid (~$10/mo); ebook + audiobook subscription.

Apple ecosystem

• ★ Apple Books — free; iOS / iPadOS / macOS / visionOS; surprisingly polished EPUB + PDF reader; iCloud sync; the default for Apple-only users. 2024 added AI-narrated audiobook generation (controversial — flag for authors).
• iBooks (legacy) — old branding; same product on older iOS / OS X versions.

Google ecosystem

• ★ Google Play Books — free; Android / iOS / web; uploads any EPUB / PDF up to 100 MB per file (~1000 books); cross-device sync; cheap a la carte purchases.

FOSS / cross-format (full coverage above)

See the Self-host & FOSS first section at the top of this page for KOReader, FBReader, Thorium, Calibre Viewer, and the Android FOSS readers.

Library / borrowing apps

See Library & Borrowing (Libby).

Comics / manga readers

• ★ Komga + Komelia / Tachiyomi-shape clients — see self-hosted libraries.
• Panels — paid iOS; gorgeous comics reader; OPDS support.
• Chunky Comic Reader — paid iOS; classic.
• Mihon (Tachiyomi fork) — free Android; manga; unofficial.

Pick this if…

• Power user / multi-format / OPDS / FOSS: KOReader.
• Cross-platform OSS reader: FBReader / Thorium.
• Library borrower: Libby + your e-reader's native app.
• Best free reader on iOS / Mac (closed but native): Apple Books.
• Buy-once, read-anywhere across phones (paid + closed): Google Play Books.
• Locked into Amazon library: Kindle app + Send to Kindle for sideloads.
• Just-want-an-Android-reader, FOSS: Librera or FBReader.