Komikku vs Panels

Komikku9.1Visit PPanels7.6Visit

Higher score Komikku #1 in Comic Book Reader Apps 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Komikku

vs

P Panels #5 in Comic Book Reader Apps 7.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Panels

• Komikku fits best

  Linux readers who want manga and local comics

• Panels fits best

  Apple users who want cloud libraries and panel reading

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Side by side

Feature	Komikku 9.1/10 Visit ↗	PPanels 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	7.6
Ranking	#1 in Comic Book Reader Apps	#5 in Comic Book Reader Apps
Best for	Linux readers who want manga and local comics	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	Desktop	Mobile, Desktop
Platforms	Linux	iOS, macOS
Support	Community	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	3 integrations	8 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Komikku 0/4 · Panels 4/4
Panel-by-panel mode	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Library organization	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Cloud sync	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Manga reading	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Archive formats	Not checked yet	CBZ, CBR, CB7 (7z), PDF, comic ePUB
Platforms	Linux	iOS, macOS
Our review
Pros	Reads online sources and local CBZ, CBR, CBT, EPUB and PDF files. Offers RTL, LTR, vertical and Webtoon reading modes. Tracks series through AniList, MangaUpdates and MyAnimeList.	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
Cons	Available for Linux only. Support is community-based. Its desktop focus may not suit readers seeking a mobile app.	Available only on iOS and macOS Cloud libraries and OPDS require a premium option Page filters and text detection are premium features
Our verdict	Komikku is a free, open-source manga and comics reader for GNOME on Linux. It is aimed at readers who want to browse series from online servers as well as read files stored locally. Supported local formats include CBZ, CBR, CBT, EPUB and… 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

• Komikku — where it wins

  • Reads online sources and local CBZ, CBR, CBT, EPUB and PDF files.
  • Offers RTL, LTR, vertical and Webtoon reading modes.
  • Tracks series through AniList, MangaUpdates and MyAnimeList.

  Where it doesn't

  • Available for Linux only.
  • Support is community-based.
  • Its desktop focus may not suit readers seeking a mobile app.

• 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

• Komikku9.1/10 · Free plan

  A free Linux reader for online manga and local comics, with library and series tracking.

  Visit KomikkuFull verdict →
• PPanels7.6/10 · Free plan

  A capable Apple-only comic reader with archive support, cloud libraries, and panel-by-panel modes.

  Visit PanelsFull verdict →