Audiobookshelf vs Readarr
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted apps from related categories — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Audiobookshelf
Self-hosted audiobook and podcast server
VS
Readarr
E-book and audiobook collection manager
| Feature | Audiobookshelf | Readarr |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Media Servers | E-books & Media Library |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | C# |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 13,896 | ★ 3,476 |
| First released | 2021 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Audible | Goodreads, Audible |
Why pick each one
Choose Audiobookshelf if…
- Great mobile apps
- Handles podcasts too
- Simple deployment
Choose Readarr if…
- Automates collection
- Familiar Servarr interface
- Good metadata tracking
Frequently asked questions
Is Audiobookshelf or Readarr better?
Audiobookshelf is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Readarr if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Audiobookshelf and Readarr free and open-source?
Yes. Audiobookshelf is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Readarr under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Audiobookshelf and Readarr with Docker?
Audiobookshelf: yes. Readarr: yes.