Instead of Readest
Readest alternatives
Readest is a cross-platform reader for EPUB, PDF, and other formats, with highlights, notes, bookmarks, library search, text-to-speech, and side-by-side reading of two books. It connects to OPDS catalogs and calibre libraries, and its free software is open source. Reading data stays on the device by default. Readest also supports passage translation and word lookup, while its cloud options include several third-party services. Those syncing services require a paid plan, which starts at $4.99 per month; the free plan includes 500 MB of cloud storage and 10K AI translation characters per day.
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Libby
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2Borrowing library ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines — Libby centers on borrowing library titles rather than Readest’s personal ebook library, annotations, translation, and broad file-format support.
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Bluefire Reader
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2Organizations launching branded reading apps — Bluefire offers white-label apps with Adobe Content Server support and organizational integrations, unlike Readest’s open-source reader for individual use.
7.6 Visit site - 3
FBReader
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2Readers seeking OPDS catalogs and book-network sync — FBReader syncs collections and reading positions through its Book Network and opens Readium LCP EPUBs; Readest instead offers broader formats and built-in notes and translation.
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Adobe Digital Editions
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1Borrowing or organizing EPUB and PDF publications — Adobe Digital Editions supports EPUB 3 media and public-library borrowing, while Readest supports more formats and adds text-to-speech and parallel reading.
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BookFusion
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+2Cloud-synced ebook libraries with Smart Shelves — BookFusion adds Smart Shelves, Calibre and KOReader integrations, and a digital store; Readest adds OPDS access, translation, and text-to-speech.
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Calibre-Web
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2Self-hosting a Calibre library through the web — Calibre-Web serves a Calibre database with user permissions and metadata tools, unlike Readest’s standalone reader and local-first library.
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Thorium Reader
Free plan iPhoneLinuxMac+1Accessible reading of ebooks, audiobooks, and comics — Thorium Reader adds audiobook and comic formats and names screen-reader support, while Readest includes translation, lookup, and connections to calibre libraries.
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Librera Reader
Free plan Open source AndroidExtensioniPhone+2 - 9
eBoox
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb - 10
Apple Books Digital Narration
Free plan Web - 11
Kobo Books
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb - 12
DinoReader
Free plan Android - 13
Kindle Create
Free plan MacWindows - 14
Foliate
Free plan Linux - 15
Google Play Books Auto-narrated Audiobooks
Free plan Web6.9 Visit site - 16
KyBook 3
Free plan iPhoneMac - 17
ReadEra
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac - 18
Bookworm
Free plan Linux - 19
MLOL Reader
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2 - 20
PocketBook Reader
Free plan AndroidiPhone - 21
MapleRead
Free plan iPhone6.7 Visit site - 22
Talebook
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2 - 23
Moon+ Reader
Free plan Android - 24
Yomu EBook Reader
Free plan iPhoneMac
A different reader may fit better if borrowing library titles, serving an organization’s branded app, or managing a Calibre collection matters more than Readest’s broad reading toolkit. Some options focus on DRM-protected books or library lending, while others sync reading progress across devices or offer offline access under different conditions. Before switching, consider whether you read your own files or borrow them, which formats and devices you rely on, and whether you need a hosted library, an organization’s reading app, or local-first reading. Free access, storage, and platform coverage also vary.