Readest

Overview

Readest handles EPUB, PDF, MOBI, AZW, AZW3, FB2, CBZ, ZIP, TXT and Markdown files, with offline reading and a library search. Its format range and connections to OPDS catalogs and calibre libraries make it useful for readers who maintain a varied collection rather than relying on one storefront.

Highlights, bookmarks and notes support close reading, while exports to Readwise or Hardcover can carry highlights into those services. Readest stores books and reading data locally by default; optional cloud sync is an explicit choice. That is a sensible privacy default, though anyone who wants syncing must account for the paid-plan requirement for third-party cloud services.

The software is open source under AGPL-3.0. Readest says it uses encryption for sensitive data and secure app-code practices, while acknowledging that no electronic storage or transmission method is completely secure. Screen-reader support is also available, which matters to visually impaired readers.

For more options, browse Ebook Reader Software.

Key features

• Annotation and lookup: Mark passages, bookmark pages, add notes and search the library. Word lookup uses Wiktionary or Wikipedia; passages can be translated using Google, Azure or DeepL. The daily character caps on AI translation make plan choice relevant for frequent translation.
• Parallel reading: Two books can appear side by side with synchronized scrolling and navigation. This is useful for comparing editions or reading related texts, rather than switching repeatedly between books.
• Read-aloud: Books can be spoken using on-device, browser or cloud text-to-speech. Plus includes unlimited AI read-aloud hours; the free and Pro plan summaries do not include that allowance.
• Library connections: OPDS catalogs and calibre libraries connect external collections, while highlight exports support Readwise and Hardcover.
• Sync: WebDAV, Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud Drive and S3-compatible storage are supported, but third-party cloud sync requires a paid plan. Free users get 500 MB of Readest Cloud storage; after downgrading, existing cloud books remain downloadable, but uploads above that cap and third-party sync pause.

Pricing

Readest is freemium. The Free Plan has 500 MB of cloud storage and 10K AI translation characters per day. It is a reasonable starting point for local reading and light translation, but the storage ceiling and paused uploads after exceeding the free allowance constrain cloud-dependent libraries.

The Plus Plan costs 4.99 USD per month and includes 5 GB of cloud storage, 100K AI translation characters per day and unlimited AI read-aloud hours. It fits readers who use speech regularly or need more room to sync. The Pro Plan costs 9.99 USD per month, raises storage to 20 GB and translation to 500K characters per day, and is better suited to heavier cloud and translation use; its plan summary does not include Plus's unlimited read-aloud allowance.

Lifetime Plan options are billed as a One-Time Payment: 1 GB $9.99, 2 GB $14.99, 5 GB $29.99, 10 GB $49.99, and Full Customization $19.99. Custom pricing applies to plans without a stated price. The listed terms give no basis to treat those one-time options as a substitute for the monthly plans' translation or read-aloud allowances.

Free and paid users can seek support through documentation, community channels, GitHub issues and support email.

Platforms

Readest runs on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. That breadth suits readers moving among desktop and mobile devices, with offline reading available when a connection is not at hand.

Who it's for

Readest is a strong fit for readers with mixed-format libraries who value annotations, side-by-side study, lookup and flexible read-aloud. It also suits privacy-conscious users who want local storage by default and open-source software. Readers who need cloud syncing without a subscription, or whose libraries exceed the free storage allowance, should weigh the paid tiers before settling in.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Broad file support, including archive and text formats, reduces the need to convert a varied ebook collection.
• Pro: Parallel reading, notes and highlight export serve study and reference workflows beyond simple page turning.
• Pro: Local-by-default storage and offline reading keep the core reading workflow from depending on cloud upload.
• Con: Third-party cloud sync is gated behind a paid plan, limiting free users who want to keep libraries synchronized through their own storage.
• Con: Free cloud storage is capped at 500 MB, and uploads beyond that allowance pause after downgrading.

Alternatives

Libby is the better fit for readers borrowing digital content with a valid library card: it is free to install and has no subscription costs, while Readest is built around reading files and collections.

Adobe Digital Editions is another free reader option for users who prefer Adobe's ebook software.

ReadEra suits Android and iOS readers who want free reading without ads or registration; its 14.99 USD one-time Premium plan includes Google Drive sync and background text-to-speech. Readest is the stronger choice for Linux and web access or parallel reading.

eBoox is a freemium alternative for readers looking for a free, ad-free option on Android, iOS or web.

Thorium Reader is a free option for readers on Linux, macOS, Windows or iOS who want a reader developed by the EDRLab non-profit.

Kobo Books makes more sense for readers seeking a storefront and audiobook subscription: Kobo Plus Listen costs 7.99 USD per month after a 14-day free trial, with audiobook availability varying.

PocketBook Reader is a free reader app for Android or iOS, though its app stores indicate in-app purchases.

DinoReader is a free Android ebook app if that narrower platform choice meets your needs.

Verdict

Choose Readest if you want one open-source reader for a varied ebook library, with serious annotation, parallel reading and optional listening across desktop, mobile and web. Its local-first defaults are a meaningful advantage; the main reason to look elsewhere is cloud sync, which requires a paid plan and makes the free storage cap a practical limit.