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Best / Ebook & audiobook servers

Best open-source Ebook & audiobook servers

The best self-hosted reading split in the c17.io catalog is Audiobookshelf for audiobooks and podcasts (GPL-3.0), Calibre-Web for a Calibre ebook library, Kavita for a GPL-3.0 reading server, and Komga for comics and ebooks with OPDS. Movies stay on Jellyfin; music stays on Navidrome. None of these is a store catalog.

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Ranked picks

  1. 1

    Audiobookshelf

    GPL-3.0 audiobook and podcast server with apps and progress sync — /compare/audiobookshelf-vs-plex.

    When to pick it: Audiobooks and podcasts you already have.

    14,700 stars in the catalog

  2. 2

    Calibre-Web

    GPL-3.0 web app over a Calibre database.

    When to pick it: An ebook shelf you already keep in Calibre.

    18,412 stars in the catalog

  3. 3

    Kavita

    GPL-3.0 reading server for books and comics you already have.

    When to pick it: A full reading library, not only audiobooks.

    11,887 stars in the catalog

  4. 4

    Komga

    MIT server for comics, manga, magazines, and ebooks with OPDS.

    When to pick it: Comics first, ebooks second.

    6,765 stars in the catalog

How they compare

ToolLicenseSelf-hostBest for
AudiobookshelfGNU General Public License v3.0EasyAudiobooks and podcasts you already have.
Calibre-WebGNU General Public License v3.0EasyAn ebook shelf you already keep in Calibre.
KavitaGNU General Public License v3.0MediumA full reading library, not only audiobooks.
KomgaMIT LicenseEasyComics first, ebooks second.

Related pages

FAQ

Audiobookshelf or Plex?
Audiobookshelf if the job is books and podcasts with progress. Plex is proprietary — /compare/audiobookshelf-vs-plex.
Jellyfin for books?
Jellyfin is movies/shows — /best/media-libraries. You can run both.
Do I get Audible or Kindle catalogs?
No. These play files you already have.
Are these free?
Audiobookshelf, Calibre-Web, and Kavita are GPL-3.0. Komga is MIT. You pay disk. Template users never pay c17.

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