Free, open-source alternatives to Amazon Kindle
Amazon's e-book store and reader. 5 apps you can run yourself instead of Amazon Kindle, sorted by how well they replace it. Each one is open source, so your data stays with you.
Calibre WebBest match
Browse, read and download eBooks using an existing Calibre database.
Calibre
E-book library manager that can view, convert, and catalog e-books in most of the major e-book formats and provides a built-in Web server for remote clients.
Kavita
Cross-platform e-book/manga/comic/pdf server and web reader with user management, ratings and reviews, and metadata support.
Calibre Web Automated
All-in-one solution, combining the modern lightweight web UI from Calibre-Web with the robust, versatile feature set of Calibre (fork of Calibre Web).
Komga
Media server for comics/mangas/BDs with API and OPDS support, a modern web interface for exploring your libraries, as well as a web reader.
Side by side
| App | Stars | License | Activity | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calibre Web | 18,374 | GPL-3.0 | Python | |
| Calibre | 26,131 | GPL-3.0 | Python, Debian packages | |
| Kavita | 11,841 | GPL-3.0 | .NET, Docker | |
| Calibre Web Automated | 6,411 | GPL-3.0 | Docker | |
| Komga | 6,737 | MIT | Java, Docker |
Why replace Amazon Kindle?
Amazon Kindle works, but your data lives in someone else's account, the price can change at any time, and features can disappear. An open-source app you run yourself is yours: you choose where it runs, who can see the data, and when to update.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to Amazon Kindle?
Calibre Web is the closest open-source replacement for Amazon Kindle in our list. Calibre and Kavita are worth a look too, depending on what you need.
Can I self-host an alternative to Amazon Kindle?
Yes. All 5 apps on this page are open source and can run on your own server, usually with Docker, or on a managed host that installs them for you.