KOReader vs Readest
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted e-books & media library options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | KOReader | Readest |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 98 · Excellent | 97 · Excellent |
| Category | E-books & Media Library | E-books & Media Library |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Lua | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | binary, source | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 29,880 | ★ 24,565 |
| First released | 2012 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Kindle, Pocketbook reader | Kindle, Apple Books |
What are KOReader and Readest?
KOReader
KOReader is an open-source document viewer for EPUB, PDF, DjVu, and many other formats, optimized for e-ink screens. It can connect to self-hosted OPDS catalogs and supports syncing reading progress.
- E-ink optimized rendering
- Many document formats
- OPDS catalog support
- Reading progress sync
Readest
Readest is an open-source ebook reader with a self-hostable sync server for keeping reading progress and annotations consistent across devices. It supports EPUB and other common formats.
- Cross-device progress sync
- EPUB and PDF support
- Annotations and highlights
- Self-hostable sync server
KOReader vs Readest: key differences
KOReader is written in Lua, while Readest is built with TypeScript. KOReader is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Readest. KOReader is the more established project (first released 2012), while Readest arrived in 2024. Readest lists first-class Docker deployment; KOReader does not.
Why pick each one
Choose KOReader if…
- Excellent e-ink support
- Huge format support
- Highly customizable reading
Watch out for
- Dense menu system
- Install varies by device
Choose Readest if…
- Clean modern interface
- Cross-device sync
- Multiple format support
Watch out for
- Relatively young project
- Smaller community
Frequently asked questions
Is KOReader or Readest better?
Neither is universally better. KOReader has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are KOReader and Readest free and open-source?
Yes. KOReader is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Readest under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run KOReader and Readest with Docker?
KOReader: check the project docs for container support. Readest: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, KOReader or Readest?
KOReader has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Readest. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.