Foliate vs Storyteller
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted e-books & media library options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Storyteller
Self-hosted server that syncs ebooks with audiobooks
| Feature | Foliate | Storyteller |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | E-books & Media Library | E-books & Media Library |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 8,756 | ★ 1,500 |
| First released | 2019 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Kindle | Audible, Kindle |
What are Foliate and Storyteller?
Foliate
Foliate is an open-source ebook reader for the Linux desktop built with GTK. It reads EPUB and other ebook formats with a clean paginated view, customizable themes, annotations, and offline reading. It is a desktop app, not a server.
- Ebook reading
- EPUB and PDF support
- Annotations and highlights
- Offline reading
Storyteller
Storyteller is a self-hosted platform that synchronizes the text of an ebook with its audiobook narration. This lets you seamlessly switch between reading and listening while keeping your place.
- Syncs ebook text with audio
- Switch between read and listen
- Self-hosted server
- Companion mobile apps
Foliate vs Storyteller: key differences
Foliate is written in JavaScript, while Storyteller is built with TypeScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Foliate versus AGPL-3.0 for Storyteller. Foliate is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Storyteller. Foliate is the more established project (first released 2019), while Storyteller arrived in 2024. Foliate has the considerably larger community, at 8,756 GitHub stars versus 1,500.
Why pick each one
Choose Foliate if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 8.8k GitHub stars
Watch out for
- Primarily a desktop reader
- See Foliate desktop app
Choose Storyteller if…
- Unique read-listen sync
- Privacy friendly
Watch out for
- Newer project
- Processing is resource intensive
Frequently asked questions
Is Foliate or Storyteller better?
Foliate is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Storyteller if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Foliate and Storyteller free and open-source?
Yes. Foliate is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Storyteller under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Foliate and Storyteller with Docker?
Foliate: yes. Storyteller: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Foliate or Storyteller?
Foliate has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Storyteller. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.