Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Kobo

calibre is a cross-platform e-book management application for organizing and maintaining personal e-book libraries. It helps you catalog books, edit and convert formats, retrieve metadata, and transfer content to e-reader devices.

Key Features

• Library management with sorting, filtering, and metadata (authors, series, tags, covers)
• E-book conversion between major formats (including EPUB and Kindle formats)
• Built-in e-book viewer and editing tools
• Metadata and cover fetching from online sources
• Device integration for transferring and managing books on supported e-readers
• News and web content fetching with conversion into e-book formats

Use Cases

• Maintain a searchable personal e-book library across multiple formats
• Convert and edit e-books for compatibility with specific devices
• Automatically download news sources and send them to an e-reader

calibre is a mature, widely used tool for users who want full control over their e-book collections, including format conversion and device syncing, in a single application.

Calibre-Web is a web application that connects to an existing Calibre library database to provide a clean interface for browsing, reading, and downloading eBooks. It adds multi-user access, permissions, and device-friendly catalog feeds on top of your Calibre-managed collection.

Key Features

• Browse and search a Calibre library with advanced filtering
• In-browser reading for supported eBook formats
• OPDS catalog feed for eReader and mobile reader apps
• User management with per-user permissions and access restrictions
• Admin UI for configuration and library settings
• Shelves/collections and support for Calibre custom columns
• Metadata editing and metadata download from external sources (plugin-extensible)
• Optional on-the-fly conversion using Calibre binaries
• Send-to-device workflows, including Kobo sync support
• Multiple authentication options (LDAP, OAuth, proxy authentication) and magic-link login

Use Cases

• Host a private household eBook library accessible from browsers and eReaders
• Provide a multi-user library portal for small organizations with access controls
• Publish an OPDS catalog for reading apps while keeping downloads restricted to authenticated users

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires a valid Calibre library database; it is not a replacement for Calibre’s library management workflow
• Some features (conversion, certain cover extraction, Kobo sync) require external binaries/tools to be installed and configured

Calibre-Web is a practical companion to Calibre for anyone who wants a web-based reading and sharing experience over an existing Calibre library. It is especially useful when you need multi-user access, OPDS support, and browser-based reading without exposing the full Calibre desktop application.

Audiobookshelf is a self-hosted server for managing and streaming audiobooks and podcasts. It provides library organization, metadata handling, and playback progress syncing across devices via web and mobile clients.

Key Features

• Audiobook and podcast library management with search, organization, and cover art/metadata fetching
• Streaming playback with per-user progress tracking and sync across devices
• Podcast discovery with episode downloads and auto-download support
• Multi-user support with custom permissions
• Web client plus Progressive Web App (PWA) experience
• Mobile apps (Android and iOS in beta)
• Bulk uploads via drag-and-drop folders for books and podcasts
• Automated library update detection (no manual re-scan required)
• Metadata backup with automated daily backups
• Tools for chapters and audio file handling (e.g., merge to M4B, embed metadata)

Use Cases

• Run a private audiobook server for a family with separate users and synced progress
• Manage and download podcasts centrally for offline listening across devices
• Organize large audiobook collections with consistent metadata, chapters, and cover art

Limitations and Considerations

• Reverse proxy setups must support WebSocket connections for the web app to work correctly
• Subfolder deployments are constrained to a fixed path ("/audiobookshelf")

Audiobookshelf fits users who want a private, feature-complete alternative for audiobook and podcast hosting with strong library management and multi-device playback. It is especially useful for multi-user households and homelabs that need centralized media control and backups.

Kavita is an open-source, cross-platform reading server that organizes and serves ebooks, comics, manga and image-based books. It provides responsive built-in readers, metadata management and developer APIs to integrate with third-party tools and OPDS-compatible apps.

Key Features

• Built-in readers optimized per format (EPUB, PDF, CBZ/CBR, raw images) with single/double-page and webtoon modes
• Rich metadata support and parsing (filename heuristics, ComicInfo.xml) with filtering, search and smart collections
• OPDS feeds and a documented REST API/OpenAPI for external integrations and mobile apps
• User and role management with OIDC support and granular access/age restrictions
• Annotations/highlights for EPUB with export capabilities and shareable reading lists
• Folder-watching automatic import, full-text/index-backed search, ratings, reviews and reading progress tracking
• Official Docker support and cross-platform distribution; optional Kavita+ subscription adds metadata sync, external ratings/reviews and progress sync

Use Cases

• Host and share a personal or household digital book/comics library with device-optimized readers
• Integrate a catalog into third-party OPDS-compatible reader apps or custom frontends via the REST API
• Catalog and manage large collections with rich metadata, curated reading lists and shared user permissions

Limitations and Considerations

• Kavita uses a file-based SQLite backend by design; it does not provide official support for external RDBMS backends, which can limit scalability and introduce locking concerns at very large library sizes
• Some advanced features (external metadata sync, aggregated ratings/reviews, progress sync) require the optional paid Kavita+ service, which is node-locked to a server

Kavita is focused on delivering a full-featured self-hosted reading experience with extensible APIs and active community development. It is suitable for home and small-group deployments that need device-optimized readers, rich metadata and OPDS integrations.

Komga is a media server for managing and reading digital comics, manga, magazines, and eBooks from your own library. It provides a responsive web interface, rich library organization tools, and integrations through OPDS and a REST API.

Key Features

• Organize CBZ, CBR, PDF, and EPUB files into libraries, collections, and read lists
• Responsive web UI with an integrated web reader and multiple reading modes
• Metadata editing for series and books, including automatic import of embedded metadata
• Multi-user support with per-library access control, age restrictions, and label restrictions
• REST API for automation and community integrations
• OPDS v1 and v2 catalog support for compatible reading apps
• Device sync features including Kobo Sync and KOReader Sync
• Download books, whole series, or read lists
• Duplicate file detection and duplicate page detection/removal
• Import books directly into series folders and import ComicRack CBL read lists

Use Cases

• Run a central home library for comics and manga accessible from browsers and OPDS clients
• Sync and manage reading across Kobo or KOReader devices alongside a web reader
• Build scripts and integrations around your library using the REST API

Komga is a strong choice for anyone who wants a structured, multi-user comics and eBook library with modern reading options and broad client compatibility via OPDS and device sync.

Librum is a native, cross-platform e-book reader and personal library manager that lets users organize, read and sync books across devices. It provides an integrated bookstore, highlighting and annotation tools, and optional AI-assisted lookups and summaries for text within books. (librumreader.com)

Key Features

• Modern native reader with text search, highlighting and bookmarking.
• Supports major formats: PDF, EPUB, CBZ, FB2, MOBI, XPS, TIFF and image collections.
• Personalized online library with collections, tags, metadata editing and cross-device sync.
• Free in-app bookstore (claimed ~70,000 books) and reading statistics.
• AI integration for explanations/summaries and quick lookups (limited free usage per account).
• Customizable interface, keyboard shortcuts and theme support.
• Build tooling: CMake-based build with Qt (Qt 6.5 recommended) and platform-specific instructions for Linux, Windows and macOS. (github.com)

Use Cases

• Personal library management and daily reading across desktop platforms (Windows, Linux, macOS).
• Syncing reading progress, highlights and metadata between devices via Librum’s cloud (or self-hosting with Librum-Server).
• Power users and packagers building from source, integrating into distributions or deploying as Flatpak for Linux. (github.com)

Limitations and Considerations

• Some features are marked "Coming Soon" in the project (mobile clients, TTS, advanced note-taking and some personalized stats).
• Community reports have noted occasional platform-specific issues (e.g., Flatpak/permission and image library mismatches causing crashes in older distributions); users should test distribution builds and check issues before wide deployment. (github.com)

Librum is a GPL-licensed open-source project intended for users who prefer a native, Qt-based reading experience with optional cloud sync and self-hosting paths. It’s suitable for both casual readers and power users who want to compile, package or self-host their library server. (github.com)

Calibre-Web Automated is an extended Calibre-Web distribution focused on turning a Calibre library into a more automated, all-in-one web-based eBook library solution. It combines Calibre-Web’s lightweight browsing and reading experience with background services that handle ingest, conversions, and maintenance tasks.

Key Features

• Web UI for browsing, searching, filtering, and reading eBooks in-browser
• Automatic ingest service that watches an ingest folder and imports many eBook formats
• Automatic and multi-format conversion workflows (for common eReader formats)
• Metadata and cover management, including enforcement of changes made in the UI
• OPDS catalog support for compatible eReader apps
• Device and reading ecosystem features such as Kobo integration and KOReader syncing
• User management with per-user permissions and content visibility rules
• Enhanced OAuth 2.0 / OIDC authentication options
• Built-in update notifications, server stats, and automated backup tooling

Use Cases

• Running a home or team digital library with automated import and conversion pipelines
• Serving an OPDS catalog and syncing reading progress across supported devices/apps
• Reducing manual Calibre maintenance by automating library upkeep and backups

Limitations and Considerations

• SQLite-backed libraries can be unreliable on network shares (notably NFS/SMB) due to file locking and WAL behavior; special configuration may be required.

Calibre-Web Automated is a strong fit for users who like Calibre-Web’s interface but want more of Calibre’s practicality through background automation. It is especially useful when you want a hands-off workflow for ingesting, converting, and maintaining an eBook collection.

Stump is a free, open-source media server for organizing and reading comics, manga, and other digital books from your own library. It provides a built-in web interface and OPDS support so compatible reader apps can browse and access your collection.

Key Features

• Library management for comics/manga and digital books
• OPDS catalog support for integration with OPDS-compatible clients
• Built-in responsive web UI (shared across web and desktop targets)
• REST API intended for integrations, scripts, and community tooling
• Multi-app architecture including a server and optional desktop app

Use Cases

• Centralize and serve a personal comics and manga library to multiple devices
• Use OPDS to read your collection in third-party ebook/comic reader apps
• Build custom tooling around your library using the HTTP API

Limitations and Considerations

• Actively developed and considered a work-in-progress; features and stability may vary nStump is a strong option for readers who want an OPDS-capable, performance-oriented server with a modern UI and an API-first approach. It is best suited to users comfortable with rapidly evolving software and ongoing updates.

Shelfmark (formerly Calibre Web Automated Book Downloader) is a standalone web application that lets you search, aggregate, and download books and audiobooks from multiple sources in one place. It is designed to act as a download hub that can feed library managers such as Calibre-Web-Automated, Booklore, or Audiobookshelf.

Key Features

• Unified search and browse UI with direct downloads and metadata-driven discovery
• Supports multiple release sources including web sources, torrents, Usenet, and IRC
• Audiobook-focused search and processing support
• Unified download queue with real-time progress and status updates
• Two search modes: direct source search and “universal” search via metadata providers
• Pluggable architecture for adding metadata providers, sources, and download client integrations
• Optional authentication, including proxy auth and reuse of a Calibre-Web user database

Use Cases

• Centralize book and audiobook acquisition before importing into a library manager
• Automate downloads using external indexers/download clients (for example via Prowlarr)
• Run an all-in-one download UI with filtering by format/language and configurable processing

Limitations and Considerations

• Some “universal” features require configuring external metadata providers and API keys
• Access to some sources may require Cloudflare solving/bypass configuration depending on your chosen image and setup

Shelfmark provides an opinionated, practical workflow for discovering and downloading ebooks and audiobooks with minimal setup. It works well as a companion service for building and maintaining a personal digital library and supports extending functionality through its plugin-based design.

pyShelf is a lightweight ebook server designed to run without a desktop environment. It scans your library on disk and exposes a simple web interface for browsing, searching, and downloading ebooks.

Key Features

• Recursive scanning of folders to build a library index
• Automatic cover image aggregation
• Fuzzy search with optional query specifiers (for example tag, author, or title)
• Automated collections based on folder structure
• Download system for supported ebook files

Use Cases

• Self-host a personal ebook library on a headless server or homelab
• Create a simple shared library for a household or small group
• Quickly search and download ebooks from a large folder-based archive

Limitations and Considerations

• Supported formats are limited (notably epub and mobi)
• Several features are explicitly not yet implemented, such as access restrictions and OPDS support

pyShelf is a practical option if you want a minimal, Calibre-like ebook server experience without needing an X server. It focuses on fast library scanning, straightforward browsing, and lightweight operation.

Teemii is a streamlined, self-hosted web application for organizing and reading manga collections. It provides an in-browser reader, import support for common archive formats, and an extensible metadata aggregator driven by agent-based fetchers.

Key Features

• In-browser manga reader with configurable reading direction and dark mode
• Import and store raw manga archives (CBZ/CBR) and manage a local library
• Extensible agent-based metadata aggregation to fetch titles, covers, and details from multiple sources
• Automatic reading progress tracking and scheduled library updates for new chapters
• Cross-platform web UI built for desktop and mobile browsers
• Scrobbling support to sync reading progress with external trackers (Kitsu, AniList)
• Personalized recommendations based on reading habits and library data
• Chapter fetching from multiple online sources with configurable download options

Use Cases

• Maintain a private, searchable manga library and read collections directly in the browser
• Automatically keep a personal archive current by scheduling library scans and chapter downloads
• Aggregate metadata from multiple sources to enrich titles with covers, descriptions, and tracking links

Limitations and Considerations

• Metadata and chapter fetching rely on third-party sources and scrapers; upstream site changes can break some agents until updated
• Mobile use is via the responsive web UI; there is no dedicated native mobile app included

Teemii is geared toward readers who want a self-hosted, customizable manga library with robust metadata aggregation and automated update capabilities. It is suitable for hobbyist and personal-library use where control over sources and storage is required.

Autocaliweb is a web application that provides a clean, Bootstrap-based interface to browse, read, manage and serve eBooks, eComics and PDFs backed by a valid Calibre library database. It bundles user/admin management, OPDS support and automation services and is distributed as a Docker image with manual-install options. (github.com)

Key Features

• Bootstrap 3 responsive web UI with multilingual support and admin/user role management.
• OPDS feed support for eReader clients and in-browser reading for multiple file formats.
• eBook conversion using Calibre binaries (installed in the container) and integration with kepubify for kepub generation.
• Advanced search/filtering, custom shelves, metadata editing and multiple metadata providers (ISBNDB, LitRes, Amazon JP, Hardcover).
• Kobo sync, send-to-eReader features, automatic ingestion/conversion/metadata/cover enforcement and backup services.
• Docker-first distribution (official gelbphoenix image), docker-compose template and Proxmox helper script; manual install script available. (github.com)

Use Cases

• Self-hosted personal or small-team eBook library to browse, read and distribute content to eReaders (via OPDS or send-to-device).
• Automated ingestion and metadata enrichment pipeline for newly added eBooks (auto-convert, fix epubs, fetch metadata, generate covers).
• Manage and serve mixed libraries containing eBooks, comics and PDFs with per-user content visibility and Kobo/KOReader synchronization.

Limitations and Considerations

• Conversion features rely on externally provided Calibre binaries (installed at build/runtime); heavy conversions require adequate CPU/RAM and may be resource-intensive. (raw.githubusercontent.com)
• Project documentation is primarily in-repo and the wiki is noted as "not finished"; some advanced integrations may require reading source/config and community support. (github.com)

Autocaliweb is a pragmatic fork of Calibre-Web and Calibre-Web Automated focused on additional automation, Kobo/metadata integrations and Docker-friendly deployment. It is suitable for users who want an extensible, self-managed web front-end for Calibre libraries with automation features and broad eReader compatibility. (github.com)

Atsumeru is a self-hosted media server designed to manage and serve manga, comics and light novels. It provides library organization, metadata editing and synchronization with native desktop and mobile clients.

Key Features

• Library management for series and archives with support for categories, autocategories and metacategories
• Native clients and manager apps for Windows, Linux, macOS and Android with two-way reading history sync
• Supports archive and ebook formats: CBZ, CBR, CB7, PDF, ePub (limited), FB2 (limited) and DjVu
• Metadata editing with automatic import from ComicInfo.xml and book_info.json and ability to parse from supported catalogs
• Multi-user support with separate histories and access-control features including role-based access
• REST API with OpenAPI/Swagger documentation for integration and automation
• Docker image available for containerized deployment and a runnable JAR for manual setups
• Batch download support to download whole series for offline reading

Use Cases

• Personal library: host and organize a private collection of manga, comics and light novels with rich metadata
• Small groups or household sharing: provide multi-user access with separate reading histories and access controls
• Syncing reading progress across desktop and mobile apps while maintaining local control of content

Limitations and Considerations

• ePub and FB2 support are available but have known limitations in parsing and rendering compared to archive formats
• Runs on the Java platform and requires a Java runtime for the standalone JAR deployment; resource usage scales with library size

Atsumeru is focused on providing a privacy-friendly, metadata-rich media server tailored for sequential reading formats. It is suitable for users who want local control over their manga/comics/light novel collections and integration with native reading clients.

BookHaven is a web-based EPUB library manager and in-browser reader that scans, indexes, and serves a local collection of EPUB ebooks. It provides a responsive UI for browsing, searching, reading, downloading, and managing ebook metadata across devices.

Key Features

• Read EPUB ebooks directly in the browser with a responsive, modern interface
• OPDS feed support for use with OPDS-compatible e-reader apps
• Non-destructive metadata editing (changes stored in the database by default)
• Automatic and manual library scanning with locking to avoid concurrent scans
• Uploads via web UI and post-upload metadata editing workflow
• Basic role-based access control (RBAC) with configurable user roles
• Optional OIDC authentication and Cloudflare Access bypass flag
• Configurable storage with support for MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite and Redis for caching
• Image processing using pyvips and Redis caching for media endpoints to improve performance
• Docker Compose friendly deployment and separate frontend build (Node/TypeScript)

Use Cases

• Centralize a personal or household EPUB collection for browser access and downloads
• Serve an OPDS catalog to mobile e-reader apps while managing metadata centrally
• Provide shared reading access with role-based permissions for small groups or teams

Limitations and Considerations

• Primary format support is EPUB; other ebook formats have limited or no native support
• Search is designed for filtering by author, title, and series; full-text or advanced indexing may require external tooling
• Performance for very large libraries depends on DB choice, Redis caching, and host resources

BookHaven is focused on offering a simple, self-hosted EPUB library with web reading, OPDS access, and metadata management. It is designed for easy Docker deployment and local network or private cloud usage.