Head-to-head · Comic Book Reader Apps
Komga vs Panels
Komga leads on 0 checks, Panels on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreKomga · 7.7/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresPanels · 4 of 4
Komga scores higher on our rubric for comic book reader apps: 7.7 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.
Komga is the better fit for self-hosters managing shared comic libraries. Panels is the better fit for apple users who want cloud libraries and panel reading.
- Komga fits best
Self-hosters managing shared comic libraries
- Panels fits best
Apple users who want cloud libraries and panel reading
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Side by side
| Feature | Komga 7.7/10 Visit ↗ | Panels 7.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.7 | 7.6 |
| Ranking | #4 in Comic Book Reader Apps | #5 in Comic Book Reader Apps |
| Best for | Self-hosters managing shared comic libraries | Apple users who want cloud libraries and panel reading |
| Pricing model | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension | Mobile, Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux | iOS, macOS |
| Support | Community, Docs | Email, Community, Docs |
| Integrations | 3 integrations | 8 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features Komga 2/4 · Panels 4/4 | ||
| Panel-by-panel mode | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Library organization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cloud sync | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Manga reading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Archive formats | CBZ, CBR, ZIP, RAR | CBZ, CBR, CB7 (7z), PDF, comic ePUB |
| Platforms | web, Windows, macOS, Linux, NAS | iOS, macOS |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | For readers who want to operate their own digital library, Komga is a media server for comics, manga, magazines, and eBooks. It organizes files into libraries and offers a web-based reader, while compatible clients provide another way to… Read the review → |
Panels is a DRM-free comic and manga reader for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, aimed at Apple users who want to keep a digital library organized and read across devices. It handles CBZ, CBR, CB7, PDF, and image-based comic ePUB files, with… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Komga — where it wins
- Organizes CBZ, CBR, PDF, and EPUB files into libraries
- Combines a web reader with metadata editing and reading lists
- Tracks progress per user and restricts access to selected users
Where it doesn't
- Requires users to operate a server on a computer or NAS
- Reading access depends on the web interface or compatible clients
- Support is through documentation and the community
Panels — where it wins
- Reads CBZ, CBR, CB7, PDF, and image-based comic ePUB files
- Supports cloud folders and OPDS libraries, including Komga and Kavita
- Offers panel-by-panel reading, manga direction, and cross-device progress sync
Where it doesn't
- Available only on iOS and macOS
- Cloud libraries and OPDS require a premium option
- Page filters and text detection are premium features
- Komga7.7/10 · Free plan
A strong fit for self-hosters who want shared libraries and per-user reading progress.
Visit KomgaFull verdict → - Panels7.6/10 · Free plan
A capable Apple-only comic reader with archive support, cloud libraries, and panel-by-panel modes.
Visit PanelsFull verdict →
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Guides on comic book reader apps
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update