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Head-to-head · Ebook Reader Software

Readest vs Thorium Reader

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Readest #1 in Ebook Reader Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Readest
Thorium Reader #4 in Ebook Reader Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Thorium Reader

Readest leads on 0 checks, Thorium Reader on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreReadest · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresReadest · 3 of 3

Readest scores higher on our rubric for ebook reader software: 9.4 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Readest is the better fit for cross-platform readers and annotation-heavy workflows. Thorium Reader is the better fit for accessible desktop reading with DRM support.

  • Readest fits best

    Cross-platform readers and annotation-heavy workflows

  • Thorium Reader fits best

    Accessible desktop reading with DRM support

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Side by side

Feature Readest 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Thorium Reader 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.9
Ranking #1 in Ebook Reader Software #4 in Ebook Reader Software
Best for Cross-platform readers and annotation-heavy workflows Accessible desktop reading with DRM support
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $4.99/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations 9 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Readest 3/3 · Thorium Reader 2/3
Annotation tools ✓ ✓
Reading sync ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Offline reading ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, iPadOS
Supported formats EPUB, PDF, MOBI, AZW, AZW3, FB2, CBZ, ZIP, TXT, Markdown EPUB 2/3, Fixed Layout EPUB, PDF, DAISY 2.02/3, Web Publications
Library storage 0.5 GB Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Runs on web, desktop, and mobile platforms
  • Supports broad ebook, document, comic, and text formats
  • Exports notes and excerpts to Markdown, text, or JSON
  • Supports EPUB, PDF, DAISY, and Web Publications
  • Includes annotations, bookmarks, search, and offline reading
  • Offers keyboard navigation and screen-reader support
Cons
  • Cloud storage is part of paid plans
  • Advanced AI tools are limited to the Pro Plan
  • Support varies from community support to priority support
  • Offline reading applies to downloaded publications
  • OPDS browsing depends on available catalogs
  • Readium LCP support is limited to protected LCP publications
Our verdict

Readest is an open-source ebook reader for people who read across devices and formats. It runs on the web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, with support for EPUB, PDF, MOBI, AZW/AZW3, FB2, CBZ/ZIP, TXT, and Markdown. Its reading…

Read the review →

Thorium Reader is a free digital reading application and personal library for ebooks, audiobooks, comics, manga, and documents. It is suited to readers who need broad accessibility support, offline access, and compatibility with EPUB, PDF,…

Read the review →
  1. ReadestEbook Reader Software 9.4Free plan
  2. Thorium ReaderEbook Reader Software 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Readest — where it wins

    • Runs on web, desktop, and mobile platforms
    • Supports broad ebook, document, comic, and text formats
    • Exports notes and excerpts to Markdown, text, or JSON

    Where it doesn't

    • Cloud storage is part of paid plans
    • Advanced AI tools are limited to the Pro Plan
    • Support varies from community support to priority support
  • Thorium Reader — where it wins

    • Supports EPUB, PDF, DAISY, and Web Publications
    • Includes annotations, bookmarks, search, and offline reading
    • Offers keyboard navigation and screen-reader support

    Where it doesn't

    • Offline reading applies to downloaded publications
    • OPDS browsing depends on available catalogs
    • Readium LCP support is limited to protected LCP publications

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update