Wikidpad Notes vs KOReader
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted e-books & media library options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Wikidpad Notes
Self-hosted PDF and document library with reading view
VS
KOReader
Document and ebook reader for e-ink and mobile devices
| Feature | Wikidpad Notes | KOReader |
|---|---|---|
| Category | E-books & Media Library | E-books & Media Library |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Lua |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 8,614 | ★ 28,800 |
| First released | 2019 | 2012 |
| Replaces | Kindle | Kindle, Pocketbook reader |
Why pick each one
Choose Wikidpad Notes if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 8.6k GitHub stars
Choose KOReader if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Mature project with 28.8k GitHub stars
- Written in Lua
- Tiny footprint — runs in 256 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Wikidpad Notes or KOReader better?
Neither is universally better. KOReader has the larger community, while Wikidpad Notes is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Wikidpad Notes and KOReader free and open-source?
Yes. Wikidpad Notes is licensed under GPL-3.0 and KOReader under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Wikidpad Notes and KOReader with Docker?
Wikidpad Notes: yes. KOReader: check the project docs for container support.