Readest v0.12.20

Readest is a modern open source ebook reader designed for readers who want more than a basic EPUB viewer. It combines support for multiple ebook and document formats with annotations, customizable reading layouts, text-to-speech, translation, side-by-side reading, library management, and cross-device synchronization. It is available across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and the web.

Readest is built around the idea of making digital reading feel consistent across devices. Instead of maintaining separate applications for desktop, mobile, and web reading, users can keep the same library and reading progress across supported platforms.

The project is a modern rewrite of Foliate and uses Next.js and Tauri as part of its technology stack. It is released under the AGPL-3.0 license, making the source code available for inspection, modification, and contribution.

Key Features of Readest

Wide Format Support

Readest supports a broad range of formats, including:

• EPUB

• PDF

• MOBI

• AZW3

• FB2

• CBZ

• TXT

This makes it useful as a general reading application rather than an EPUB-only reader.

Customizable Reading Experience

Readers can adjust typography, fonts, margins, spacing, themes, and reading layouts. Both scrolling and paginated reading modes are available, allowing users to choose an experience that suits the book and device.

Parallel Reading

One of Readest's most interesting features is Parallel Read. It allows two books or documents to be displayed side by side with synchronized navigation.

This is particularly useful for comparing translations, studying textbooks, reading technical documentation, or working with two related documents.

Notes and Highlights

Readest provides tools for highlighting passages, creating notes, and bookmarking important sections. These features make it suitable for studying and research as well as casual reading.

Annotations can also be exported, while integrations with services such as Readwise and Hardcover provide additional ways to manage reading information.

Text to Speech

The built-in text-to-speech functionality allows users to listen to supported books instead of reading them manually. Readest supports on-device, browser, and cloud TTS options depending on the platform and configuration.

Translation and Lookup

Readers can select passages and use integrated tools for translation or terminology lookup without leaving the book. DeepL, Wikipedia, and Wiktionary integrations make this particularly useful for language learners and readers working with unfamiliar subjects.

Cross-Device Sync

Readest can synchronize reading progress, highlights, notes, and library information across supported devices. It also supports integration with OPDS catalogs and personal Calibre libraries.

The project also supports synchronization with KOReader, which is especially useful for users who read on dedicated e-ink devices.

Local-First Approach

Readest emphasizes privacy and control over personal reading data. The application can be used locally, while cloud synchronization is available when users want it. The project states that it does not require forced accounts or data harvesting.

Web Version

A web version makes it possible to access the reading experience without installing a desktop or mobile application. This complements the native applications and makes the platform more flexible for users working across different devices.

Download Readest v0.12.20 - Software Mirrors
Readest v0.12.20 for Windows Readest_0.12.20_x64-setup.exe | 59.33 MB Readest_0.12.20_x64-portable.exe | 92.57 MB Readest_0.12.20_arm64-setup.exe | 57.83 MB Readest_0.12.20_arm64-portable.exe | 83.61 MB
Readest v0.12.20 for macOS Readest_0.12.20_universal.dmg | 68.13 MB
Readest v0.12.20 for Linux Readest_0.12.20_arm64.deb | 174.65 MB Readest_0.12.20_amd64.deb | 171.68 MB Readest_0.12.20_amd64.AppImage | 203.57 MB Readest_0.12.20_aarch64.AppImage | 194.36 MB Readest-0.12.20-1.x86_64.rpm | 136.47 MB Readest-0.12.20-1.aarch64.rpm | 134.98 MB
Readest v0.12.20 for Android Readest_0.12.20_legacy.apk | 117.64 MB Readest_0.12.20_armv7.apk | 44.54 MB Readest_0.12.20_arm64.apk | 55.02 MB
Others Download related to Readest v0.12.20 send-to-readest-0.2.1.zip | 468.4 kB Readest_0.12.20_universal.app.tar.gz | 67.79 MB Readest-0.12.20.crosspoint-plugin.zip | 8.65 kB Readest-0.12.20.calibre-plugin.zip | 80.48 kB Readest-0.12.20-1.koplugin.zip | 5.57 MB
Readest v0.12.20 Source Code Readest v0.12.20 Source code (zip) Readest v0.12.20 Source code (tar.gz)
Readest v0.12.20 Release Notes: Release Highlights Vocabulary: You can now build a vocabulary list, mark words as Learning or Mastered for Word Lens hints, and sync with Anki Statistics: Added a reading statistics dashboard so you can see your reading habits at a glance Reading: Added Page Flip and paper curl page turns, a page preview while dragging the progress slider, a straight-line reading ruler, and keyboard-only text selection Styling: You can now ignore publisher fonts, make white image backgrounds transparent, and adjust dialogue highlighting Text-to-Speech: You can now preview voices, pick a default voice per language, and sync downloaded read-aloud audio across devices Library: You can now import pasted text and Word or RTF files, share collections as bundles, search for covers in the app Sync: Added Grimmory, Obsidian, and CrossPoint 2.0 highlight sync, a new view of where your reading data goes, and a switch for servers with self-signed certificates Dictionary: You can now resize the dictionary popup, customize AI context lookups, edit word hints, and choose your lookup app on Android PDF: Text is now sharper, especially on iOS and Android, with smoother pinch zoom, panning, and gapless horizontal scrolling More: The KOReader plugin can sign in with a QR code, iPhone Duo gets book mode on its inner display, and stylus annotation and sync are more reliable What's Changed Click to expand feat(library): show the full book or group title on hover by @chrox in #6785 fix(reader): keep the footer bar off the horizontal scrollbar when zoomed by @chrox in #6786 fix(sync): keep imported annotations through the next sync (#6762) by @chrox in #6787 fix(reader): release closed reader views from the cached book document, closes #6710 by @chrox in #6788 fix(tts): skip bare superscript note markers when reading aloud by @chrox in #6791 chore(agent): maintenance loops with a Reply Desk, lessons and acceptance rules by @chrox in #6796 fix(reader): let the battery percentage follow a custom footer text color by @chrox in #6798 fix(layout): clip nowrapped lines along the line only, keeping footnote icons whole by @chrox in #6801 fix(sync): push a highlight made right after a notes sync by @chrox in #6802 chore: declare tsx for the worktree scripts and clean up merged worktrees in the triage loop by @chrox in #6807 chore(deps): bump the github-actions group with 8 updates by @dependabot[bot] in #6812 fix(deps): resolve open Dependabot alerts by @chrox in #6813 fix(reader): highlight long and nested quoted dialogue by @chrox in #6814 fix(layout): keep the indent on paragraphs with a footnote icon by @chrox in #6828 fix(android): tighten the e-ink device identity whitelist by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #6833 fix(i18n): improve Turkish translations and add missing keys by @AlBPanda in #6830 fix(android): force light native chrome on e-ink devices by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #6799 fix(bookshelves): list filter values only from books still in the library by @jadhavgaurav in #6835 ci: guard the e-ink identity whitelist against Rust/Kotlin drift by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #6834 fix(reader): leave a footnote marker out of a double-click or long-press word by @chrox in #6808 fix(annotator): run quick actions on a selection made in the footnote popup by @chrox in #6809 fix(koplugin): give the Readest Library menu KOReader's UI for CoverBrowser by @chrox in #6845 fix(annotations): import ReadEra backups that split documents across docs_N.json by @chrox in #6846 fix(tts): hold the view still while a note is being typed during Read Aloud by @chrox in #6849 fix(tts): keep the sentence being read across the paragraph look-ahead by @chrox in #6860 fix(reader): open external links with their query string by @chrox in #6861 fix(reader): follow a link inside a table instead of zooming the table by @chrox in #6862 fix(reader): don't make a table that fits scroll because of a link at its edge by @chrox in #6882 fix(annotator): look up the next word in the footnote popup on desktop by @chrox in #6886 fix(md): render $ and $$ math in Markdown books by @chrox in #6887 fix(reader): break the page for page breaks in inline styles by @chrox in #6888 fix(reader): keep book colors that only start like #000 by @chrox in #6883 fix(reader): let a book's own hover style underline its links by @chrox in #6884 fix(reader): show the toolbar on a center tap in a scrolled comic by @chrox in #6885 fix(tts): keep a note's focus when a navigation ends during Read Aloud by @chrox in #6889 fix(desktop): drag the window from an unfocused title-bar search field by @chrox in #6893 fix(epub): bound native zip entry reads during import by @chrox in #6817 fix(api): validate DeepL and AI gateway request limits by @chrox in #6818 chore(agent): lessons from 2026-10-14 to 10-15 by @chrox in #6842 fix(reader): normalize section media types before sanitizing by @chrox in #6819 fix(library): park a finished book as unread when an updated build is re-keyed by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #6871 fix(reader): keep the chosen sidebar tab while Read Aloud plays by @chrox in #6847 fix(reader): sanitize book markup rendered in the app window by @chrox in #6815 fix(reader): don't fail opening a book whose section is still loading by @chrox in #6903 fix(kosync): send and read FB2 positions in crengine's FictionBook form by @chrox in #6905 feat(sync): per-server switch for self-signed certificates by @chrox in #6822 refactor(sync): share the note merge rule between Readest Cloud and file sync by @chrox in #6843 fix(sync): verify a redirect off a self-signed server's origin by @chrox in #6931 fix(tts): support Xiaomi MiMo chat-completions speech synthesis by @izengyx in #6863 fix(tts): accept a pasted speech endpoint as a custom TTS base URL by @chrox in #6906 fix(reader): drive the percent readout from the continuous reading fraction by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #6876 fix(nix): stabilize the dev shell and share Linux runtime dependencies by @Kasifrasi in #6851 fix(storage): check the quota after reserving the row and keep clients off files writes by @chrox in #6820 fix(translate): keep long sentences whole for Yandex and retry rate-limited chunks by @Columpio in #6919 fix(reader): limit pdf zoom in preview to MAX_ZOOM_LEVEL by @jelly-afk in #6904 fix(tts): prepare the next paragraphs' first sentence while one plays by @smist37 in #6910 fix(eink): master scrim switch for capture-blocking overlays by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #6922 fix(proxy): normalize hostnames and validate resolved addresses by @chrox in #6821 fix(opds): drop decoded-body headers from proxied error responses by @chrox in #6942 fix(opds): vary cached proxy feeds on the Authorization header by @chrox in #6946 fix(metadata): reject impossible publication dates by @kelvinalfaro in #6937 fix(reader): pinch a PDF spread without jumping sideways on release by @chrox in #6943 fix(reader): show the every-occurrence toggle's state on e-ink by @chrox in #6948 fix(hardcover): preserve legacy mappings when migration writes fail by @kelvinalfaro in #6938 fix(reader): keep word-final apostrophes inside single-quoted dialogue by @chrox in #6950 fix(reader): detect the language of Markdown and HTML books with none declared by @chrox in #6952 fix(reader): keep the bars hidden when the window gives focus back by @chrox in #6954 fix(tts): read PDF words across line breaks, and hyphenated words whole by @chrox in #6955 fix(sync): say when the device clock keeps changes from syncing by @chrox in #6956 fix(kosync): send and read MOBI positions in crengine's HTML form by @chrox in #6951 fix(translate): leave ruby readings out of the text sent to the translator by @chrox in #6953 fix(pdf): keep PDF text sharp at fractional display scales by @chrox in #6949 fix(reader): keep word-final apostrophes before a dash inside single-quoted dialogue by @chrox in #6957 fix(tts): read a PDF aloud in the language of its page by @Armone0 in #6944 fix(reader): dismiss the selection toolbar on a click beside the text by @chrox in #6961 fix(reader): keep the mouse Back button in the book when it's released off the page by @chrox in #6963 fix(pdf): don't select text while a drag pans the page by @chrox in #6962 fix(reader): add touch-accessible web fullscreen by @kelvinalfaro in #6964 fix(reader): use the correct form of 2 in Chinese footer numbers by @RaphaelFakhri in #6966 fix(reader): pinch a PDF spread with one finger on each page by @chrox in #6968 fix(reader): keep the tabular-nums utility effective below Chromium 119 by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #6970 fix(reader): give the remaining-info readout tabular-nums like its siblings by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #6971 fix(android): keep the reading position when the screen wakes by @chrox in #6972 fix(library): wrap the select-mode action bar instead of clipping it by @chrox in #6973 fix(library): keep the title bar draggable in select mode by @chrox in #6978 fix(reader): turn a fixed-layout page by a drag across the page, not the cell by @chrox in #6983 chore(deps): bump the github-actions group with 6 updates by @dependabot[bot] in #6981 fix(ios): play narration and TTS through the native player on iPad by @chrox in #6979 fix(reader): hide the bars when the pointer crosses their edge strip into the book by @chrox in #7005 feat(library): add .rbooks collection bundle export and import by @Armone0 in #6945 fix(reader): show selection toolbar after off-text mouse release by @kelvinalfaro in #6988 fix(import): name the files a mixed drag-drop skips by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #6991 fix(reader): dismiss footnote popup in Paragraph mode by @kelvinalfaro in #6996 fix(reader): keep Russian prepositions with quoted words by @kelvinalfaro in #6998 chore(deps): bump webpki chain for the emSign/eMudhra intermediate CA distrust by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #7002 fix(tts): play stored narration audio in place instead of copying it by @chrox in #7004 fix(deps): resolve open Dependabot alerts by @chrox in #7007 fix(import): map a ZIP with no book inside to "format not supported" by @kelvinalfaro in #6997 chore(deps): bump the dompurify override floor to 3.4.17 by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #7003 fix(android): play stored narration audio in place from the book file by @chrox in #7010 fix(handwriting): keep undo history and new strokes when a drawing syncs by @chrox in #7014 fix(pdf): keep a pan going past the page edge and turning at the end by @chrox in #7012 feat(stats): add reading statistics dashboard by @realdanvanth in #6986 fix(docker): bump node base image to 24.22.1 for the 2026-10 Node security releases by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #7016 fix(reader): keep the header with the pointer on the top edge of a maximized window by @chrox in #7017 fix(ios): play stored narration audio in place from the book file by @chrox in #7019 fix(koplugin): connect over IPv4 in forked sync workers on macOS by @chrox in #7021 Import pasted text into the library by @kelvinalfaro in #6992 feat(notion): colour highlight quotes and send notes as callouts by @chrox in #7029 fix(rsvp): keep Bengali vowel signs and conjuncts with the focus letter by @chrox in #7028 fix(handwriting): re-measure the page after a push page turn by @chrox in #7030 fix(deps): bump next to 16.4.2 for the open Dependabot alerts by @chrox in #7032 fix(annotator,notion): keep a highlight's colour on Annotate; Notion note template; working sync links by @chrox in #7031 fix(reader): fit cover image to page in paginated mode and preserve aspect ratio by @Armone0 in #7027 ci(android-e2e): retry the emulator system image install by @chrox in #7036 Add native Android paper curl and stabilize page turns by @sadikh94 in #7001 fix(audiobook): stream paired local audio through the media proxy on desktop (#6848) by @chrox in #7037 feat(ios): turn pages with the native paper curl by @chrox in #7046 fix(tts): resume a mid-sentence pause in place from media keys by @chrox in #7069 feat(tts): keep the chosen sleep timer for the rest of the app launch by @chrox in #7070 fix(sync): keep a position read just before closing the book by @chrox in #7071 fix(layout): keep a percentage-width image next to text at its size by @chrox in #7072 feat(library): accept docx and rtf imports via silent EPUB conversion by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #7050 fix(reader): jump to a typed page when the field loses focus by @chrox in #7080 fix(storage): delete a book file uploaded under its hash name by @chrox in #7063 feat(library): Manage Cache on desktop by @chrox in #7066 fix(build): turn off the Turbopack build cache that Next 16.4 enables by @chrox in #7082 fix(dictionaries): create the database folder before opening it by @chrox in #7076 fix(tts): step back into the previous page at its last sentence by @chrox in #7077 fix(library): sort a subgroup by its own name inside a parent group by @chrox in #7081 fix(annotator): keep a dragged selection handle on its line by @Armone0 in #7053 fix(tts): open the Workers Edge TTS socket over cloudflare:sockets by @smist37 in #7056 fix(library): open a .zip of images as a comic by @chrox in #7078 feat(reader): calibrate the page-number readout with real screen counts by @k6G52m4Dz75W in #7060 fix(reader): keep native curl pages when a turn redraws unchanged highlights by @chrox in #7112 feat(reader): preview the page under the progress slider while dragging by @chrox in #7110 fix(handwriting): keep the pen fine on wide desktop pages by @chrox in #7109 fix(reader): keep the screen awake after the window is refocused on Linux by @chrox in #7108 fix(novel): recognize 第N頁 and traditional chapter units in chapter titles by @chrox in #7107 fix(reader): keep a note's own styling in the footnote popup by @chrox in #7111 fix(reader): compare curl overlay markup in paint order and check new overlays by @chrox in #7114 fix(reader): keep native curl pages when progress sync starts by @chrox in #7115 fix(library): retry a synced cover whose download failed by @chrox in #7116 fix(reader): never open the media viewer for note-reference markers or chapter-length tables by @doublex640 in #7083 fix(build): make pnpm preview serve pages and rewrites again by @chrox in #7141 fix(reader): stamp sections loaded after a theme switch with the live theme by @chrox in #7121 fix(reader): show the page's own rendering in the image viewer by @doublex640 in #7096 fix(reader): give volume keys back when Use Volume Keys is turned off by @chrox in #7140 ci: pin the Playwright jobs to ubuntu-24.04 by @chrox in #7151 chore(deps): bump the github-actions group with 7 updates by @dependabot[bot] in #7149 feat(reader): Page Flip page-turn style on Android, iOS and desktop by @chrox in #7160 fix(crosspoint): link a reader's copy to an Audiobookshelf ebook (#7086) by @ts-eva in #7087 test(reader): unmount each image-gallery test's viewer by @chrox in #7163 fix(kosync): sync an Audiobookshelf ebook under its file's id (#7088) by @chrox in #7161 fix(hardcover): reuse journal entries already on Hardcover instead of duplicating them by @chrox in #7162 fix(hardcover): sign in through Readest's own Hardcover OAuth app by @chrox in #7165 fix(reader): stop translation DOM work after the hook unmounts by @chrox in #7167 feat(library): page count badge on covers as a per-bookshelf option (#6909) by @Armone0 in #7142 feat(ios): book mode on iPhone Duo's inner display by @wemcdonald in #7137 feat(tts): let custom TTS services set their audio format and voices by @sunnymodi21 in #7155 fix(annotations): save exports to storage on Android and clear the bottom inset by @chrox in #7169 fix(ios): keep the orientation lock when the scene is resizable by @wemcdonald in #7146 fix(tts): upload existing downloaded packs when sync is on, skip listening cache by @chrox in #7176 fix(nix): add missing build/runtime dependency by @dastarruer in #7170 fix(kosync): read xpointers with explicit [1] steps from newer crengine by @bercedev in #7172 test(kosync): check both xpointer forms against crengine at two DOM versions by @chrox in #7178 feat(reader): swipe past a zoomed PDF page's edge to turn, like Photos by @sunnymodi21 in #7175 fix(sync): stop opening a "Sync failed" dialog for file-sync errors by @chrox in #7183 fix(ui): stop the plan cards clipping on iOS 16, closes #7181 by @chrox in #7184 fix(tts): stop caching, packing and syncing the same sentence twice by @chrox in #7187 fix(desktop): reopen the in-app browser window at its last size and position by @NeilN1 in #7185 fix(tts): give up on a silent Edge connection after 30s on every transport by @chrox in #7188 feat(sync): sync downloaded read-aloud audio through Readest Cloud and every file-sync backend by @chrox in #7177 fix(android): keep the page-turn cover below the keyboard, closes #7171 by @chrox in #7191 feat(sync): record each book's synced read-aloud packs in its config by @chrox in #7190 feat(koplugin): sign in with a QR code; fix the logged-out label and global logout (#7186) by @chrox in #7192 fix(sync): list every page of a book's cloud files for synced data by @chrox in #7199 fix(reader): disable separate cover in scroll layouts by @kelvinalfaro in #7195 fix(reader): hide dismissed footer immediately by @kelvinalfaro in #7197 fix(reader): keep the screen awake while speed reading plays by @chrox in #7200 fix(reader): wrap long text in scroll mode by @kelvinalfaro in #7196 ci: run the web browser tests in their own job by @chrox in #7202 chore(agent): update agent memories by @chrox in #7203 fix(android): continue recorded narration while screen locked by @kelvinalfaro in #7194 feat(settings): search the font lists in Font settings by @chrox in #7204 fix(library): keep two FB2 documents that share a title and author (#7150) by @chrox in #7205 fix(tts): keep the page when Read Aloud reads text the book hides by @chrox in #7207 feat(reader): improve stylus annotations and finger navigation by @chrox in #7213 fix(koplugin): wait for Wi-Fi before pulling on wake by @chrox in #7215 feat(reader): choose tap or long press to open the image viewer per book by @chrox in #7208 fix(library): add stable colored placeholder covers by @chrox in #7222 fix(opds): allow trusted private catalogs at runtime by @chrox in #7225 fix(tts): start Storyteller narration at the current text by @chrox in #7223 fix(windows): make Explorer thumbnails opt-in by @chrox in #7220 fix(android): open linked images on touch hold by @chrox in #7221 fix(tts): publish downloaded audio records without a page turn by @chrox in #7224 fix(opds): match equivalent trusted IPv6 literals by @chrox in #7226 fix(reader): navigate paragraphs with volume buttons by @chrox in #7227 fix(reader): allow gapless horizontal PDF scrolling by @chrox in #7232 fix(tts): keep skipped utterances from aborting replacement speech by @chrox in #7233 fix(tts): show a custom TTS voice's listed name instead of its id by @onedge in #7229 test(novel): make failed image placeholders deterministic by @chrox in #7236 fix(sync): ignore stale duplicate reading positions by @chrox in #7231 fix(reader): highlight continued multi-paragraph dialogue by @chrox in #7238 test: use four workers for unit tests by @chrox in #7242 fix(tts): play local AAC narration natively on Linux by @chrox in #7240 fix(ios): capture readable shared pages when loading stalls by @chrox in #7241 feat(dictionary): customize context prompts and response limits by @chrox in #7244 fix(security): remediate Dependabot dependency alerts by @chrox in #7248 fix(library): preserve original filenames and use PDF filename titles by @chrox in #7237 fix(reader): release volume keys while reader controls are open by @chrox in #7254 fix(reader): highlight long punctuated single-quoted dialogue by @chrox in #7255 feat(reader): add dialogue highlighting weight options by @chrox in #7256 feat(kosync): support original filename checksums by @chrox in #7253 feat(library): add searchable history dropdown by @chrox in #7261 fix(account): require explicit confirmation before deleting account by @chrox in #7258 fix(ios): decode imported file URL basenames once by @chrox in #7263 test(reader): handle cancelled paginator previews in browser tests by @chrox in #7267 feat(ios): add fullscreen system dictionary setting by @chrox in #7269 fix(library): ignore leading English articles in title sorting by @chrox in #7271 feat(reader): make white image backgrounds transparent by @chrox in #7270 feat(reader): show background textures in footnote popups by @chrox in #7268 feat(android): choose the system dictionary lookup app (#4937) by @chrox in #7272 perf(web): run the web Worker near Supabase with Smart Placement by @chrox in #7273 perf(api): stop hot sync routes loading the TTS engine and DOMPurify by @chrox in #7274 feat(translator): add a Thinking setting to custom LLM translators, fix translator field sync by @chrox in #7275 fix(sync): sign bucket-root listings with a trailing slash by @gilgamesh-tkh in #7278 fix(dictionary): stream context dictionary responses by @chrox in #7285 fix(sync): support provider downloads and generic transfer history by @chrox in #7289 feat(reader): add a straight-line reading ruler by @chrox in #7288 feat(vocabulary): vocabulary builder and Learning/Mastered marks for Word Lens by @chrox in #7284 feat(metadata): search for book covers in app by @chrox in #7290 fix(koplugin): collect sync workers before KOReader exits by @chrox in #7293 fix(reader): keep the sidebar button top-left on tablets, tidy the transparent-image row by @chrox in #7294 chore(agent): update memories by @chrox in #7295 fix(bookorbit): let the web proxy run on Cloudflare Workers by @chrox in #7296 feat(reader): vim-style find to start and extend a selection from the keyboard by @you-gao in #7282 fix(library): refresh external sources without a Readest login by @chrox in #7297 fix(reader): use platform-specific spread defaults by @chrox in #7299 perf(reader): subscribe the vim command line to the store fields it uses by @chrox in #7301 feat(reader): ignore publisher font names by font category by @chrox in #7298 fix(reader): draw PDF text at the screen's full resolution on iOS and Android by @chrox in #7300 fix(reader): preserve publisher font lists and category fallbacks by @chrox in #7302 fix(bookdrop): keep received file names inside the inbox by @chrox in #7304 fix(auth): keep the sign-in callback URL out of logs by @chrox in #7305 fix(annotator): line the note card up with its popup box by @chrox in #7310 feat(annotator): draw a global annotation's copies as a dashed underline by @chrox in #7309 fix(send): allow PATCH through CORS so the apps can approve a sender by @chrox in #7312 fix(sync): sync a re-enabled or cleared custom TTS field to other devices by @BEMELON in #7307 feat(tts): read aloud with Speech Dispatcher voices on Linux by @chrox in #7314 feat(vocabulary): redesign the mobile header by @chrox in #7315 feat(crosspoint): sync CrossPoint 2.0 clippings with Readest highlights by @chrox in #7317 fix(annotator): clear a moved highlight's old anchors on the server too by @chrox in #7319 fix(sync): give HTML chapter files their own sync identity by @chrox in #7321 fix(reader): reach the last page when a book ends partway into a spread by @chrox in #7320 feat(tts): preview voices and pick a default voice per language by @chrox in #7322 feat(library): remove selected books from the device only by @chrox in #7324 fix(sync): stop idle notes pushes and keep what a push leaves out by @chrox in #7326 chore(deps): bump actions-rust-lang/setup-rust-toolchain from 2.0.0 to 2.0.1 in the github-actions group by @dependabot[bot] in #7331 fix(kosync): follow a percentage-only position on PDFs and push 1-based pages by @chrox in #7334 feat(vocabulary): sync with Anki on Android by @chrox in #7328 feat(reader): vim-style find selects text in PDFs too by @chrox in #7333 ci(codeql): use advanced setup and skip Rust analysis on PRs without Rust changes by @chrox in #7335 fix(reader): shrink default list indent under Override Book Layout by @chrox in #7338 chore(tts): shorten Readest Voice download windows to 16 sentences or 512 chars by @chrox in #7339 fix(wordlens): hint a word that ends where an inline element starts or ends by @chrox in #7340 feat(sync): add a Grimmory integration (#7337) by @chrox in #7341 fix(tts): preview voices at the player's speed by @chrox in #7345 fix(reader): keep native curl pages in step with the toolbars and panels by @chrox in #7343 feat(reader): move menu options to Settings and add Vocabulary to the view menu by @chrox in #7348 fix(sync): match books for Grimmory stats alone, and undo a failed connect by @chrox in #7347 fix(tts): play Media Overlay clips whose text target is an image by @chrox in #7352 feat(dictionary): resize the dictionary popup from a corner grip (#7344) by @chrox in #7354 feat(integrations): sync highlights into an Obsidian vault on desktop and Android by @chrox in #7349 fix(wordlens): hint Learning phrases of two or more words by @chrox in #7350 fix(auth): send password sign-in through a Worker on readest.com by @chrox in #7355 fix(dictionary): give the popup's resize grip a 32px hit area by @chrox in #7357 test(dictionary): drag the resize grip from a hit-tested point outside the popup by @chrox in #7359 feat(dictionary): edit a Learning word's hint in the dictionary popup by @chrox in #7356 fix(wordlens): match phrases on token edges, retry after a rejected match by @chrox in #7358 fix: reader search, e-ink paging, cache and koplugin delete from user reports by @chrox in #7360 fix(reader): apply Open Images to every book and to tables by @chrox in #7363 chore(agent): update agent memories by @chrox in #7365 feat(integrations): show where reading data flows and what is working by @chrox in #7366 fix(tts): stream staged narration audio so a long chapter can't kill the app on Android by @chrox in #7367 release: version 0.12.20 by @chrox in #7368 New Contributors @AlBPanda made their first contribution in #6830 @izengyx made their first contribution in #6863 @Kasifrasi made their first contribution in #6851 @jelly-afk made their first contribution in #6904 @Armone0 made their first contribution in #6944 @RaphaelFakhri made their first contribution in #6966 @realdanvanth made their first contribution in #6986 @sadikh94 made their first contribution in #7001 @doublex640 made their first contribution in #7083 @wemcdonald made their first contribution in #7137 @sunnymodi21 made their first contribution in #7155 @bercedev made their first contribution in #7172 @NeilN1 made their first contribution in #7185 @onedge made their first contribution in #7229 @gilgamesh-tkh made their first contribution in #7278 @you-gao made their first contribution in #7282 @BEMELON made their first contribution in #7307 Full Changelog: v0.12.16...v0.12.20

Performance and User Experience

Readest has a clean interface that focuses on reading rather than surrounding the user with unnecessary controls. The application feels closer to a modern productivity tool than a traditional ebook utility.

Its biggest strength is the combination of simple reading features with tools aimed at deeper study. Side-by-side reading, annotations, translation, TTS, and customizable typography make it useful for everything from casual novels to technical books and academic material.

The project is also developing quickly. Recent releases have improved library performance, PDF support, reading layouts, synchronization, OPDS management, and accessibility.

Because Readest is still actively evolving, users should expect some features and interfaces to change over time.

Pros

• Free and open source.

• Supports EPUB, PDF, MOBI, AZW3, FB2, CBZ, and TXT.

• Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and the web.

• Clean and customizable reading interface.

• Side-by-side Parallel Read mode.

• Highlights, notes, and bookmarks.

• Text-to-speech support.

• Translation and dictionary tools.

• Cross-device synchronization.

• OPDS and Calibre support.

• KOReader synchronization.

• Local-first and privacy-focused design.

• Active development.

Cons

• Some advanced functionality is still evolving.

• Cloud-based features may require additional configuration or services.

• Users looking for a very minimal ebook reader may find the feature set extensive.

• The ecosystem is smaller than established commercial ebook platforms.

Who Should Use Readest?

Readest is an excellent choice for students, researchers, developers, language learners, academics, and anyone who reads across multiple devices.

It is particularly appealing to people who want more control over their ebook library while still having modern conveniences such as synchronization, text-to-speech, annotations, translation, and OPDS support.

For users who already have a Calibre library or use KOReader on an e-ink device, Readest is also worth considering because of its interoperability with those ecosystems.

Final Verdict

Readest is one of the most impressive open source ebook readers currently available. It combines the simplicity of a traditional reader with features normally found across several separate applications.

The ability to read multiple formats, compare books side by side, annotate documents, translate passages, listen through TTS, and synchronize reading progress across platforms gives Readest a strong advantage over basic ebook readers.

It is not simply trying to replace a conventional EPUB viewer. Its focus on deep reading, study, interoperability, and cross-platform access makes it a compelling choice for anyone who wants a more complete reading environment while keeping their books and data under their control.

Free

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Software Informations:
Developer:
Bilingify LLC
Operating System:
Windows / macOS / Linux / Android
Date Added:
2026-11-06T13:07:19.474Z
Categories:

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