SHSelfHostIndex

Storyteller vs ttu Ebook Reader

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?
Storyteller Self-hosted server that syncs ebooks with audiobooks VS TT ttu Ebook Reader Browser-based ebook reader with progress tracking
FeatureStorytellerttu Ebook Reader
Deploy effortUnder-an-hour setupUnder-an-hour setup
CategoryE-books & Media LibraryE-books & Media Library
LicenseAGPL-3.0MIT
LanguageTypeScriptSvelte
Setup difficultyMediumEasy
Min. RAM1,024 MB128 MB
Deploymentdockerdocker, bare-metal
GitHub stars★ 1,500★ 1,037
First released20242021
ReplacesAudible, KindleKindle

What are Storyteller and ttu Ebook Reader?

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

Read the full Storyteller guide →

ttu Ebook Reader

ttu Ebook Reader is a self-hostable, browser-based reader for EPUB and HTML books with a focus on language-learning readers. It tracks reading progress and statistics entirely in the browser.

  • Browser-based EPUB reader
  • Reading progress and stats
  • Offline capable
  • Language-learning friendly

Read the full ttu Ebook Reader guide →

Storyteller vs ttu Ebook Reader: key differences

Storyteller is written in TypeScript, while ttu Ebook Reader is built with Svelte. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Storyteller versus MIT for ttu Ebook Reader. Ttu Ebook Reader is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 1,024 MB for Storyteller. Ttu Ebook Reader is the more established project (first released 2021), while Storyteller arrived in 2024.

Why pick each one

Choose Storyteller if…

  • Unique read-listen sync
  • Privacy friendly

Watch out for

  • Newer project
  • Processing is resource intensive
Storyteller details

Choose ttu Ebook Reader if…

  • No backend needed
  • Privacy friendly

Watch out for

  • Reader only
  • No central library
ttu Ebook Reader details

Frequently asked questions

Is Storyteller or ttu Ebook Reader better?

Neither is universally better. Storyteller has the larger community, while ttu Ebook Reader is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.

Are Storyteller and ttu Ebook Reader free and open-source?

Yes. Storyteller is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and ttu Ebook Reader under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run Storyteller and ttu Ebook Reader with Docker?

Storyteller: yes. ttu Ebook Reader: yes.

Which is lighter on resources, Storyteller or ttu Ebook Reader?

ttu Ebook Reader has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 1,024 MB for Storyteller. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.

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