Audiobookshelf-tools vs Readarr
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?
Audiobookshelf-tools
Self-hosted e-book and library management server
VS
Readarr
E-book and audiobook collection manager
| Feature | Audiobookshelf-tools | Readarr |
|---|---|---|
| Category | E-books & Media Library | E-books & Media Library |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Java | C# |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 760 | ★ 3,476 |
| First released | 2024 | 2020 |
| Replaces | Kindle, Goodreads | Goodreads, Audible |
Why pick each one
Choose Audiobookshelf-tools if…
- Tidy library management
- Web reader included
- Active development
Choose Readarr if…
- Automates collection
- Familiar Servarr interface
- Good metadata tracking
Frequently asked questions
Is Audiobookshelf-tools or Readarr better?
Neither is universally better. Readarr has the larger community, while Audiobookshelf-tools is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Audiobookshelf-tools and Readarr free and open-source?
Yes. Audiobookshelf-tools 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-tools and Readarr with Docker?
Audiobookshelf-tools: yes. Readarr: yes.