Burkmak review
A focused open-source reader for Kobo owners who want control over their reading library.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Burkmak is an open-source, self-hosted, multi-user read-it-later application for people who want to save web content and manage a personal reading library. It provides web and Android clients, API access, and an Android share-sheet capture flow, while a bookmarklet offers another way to save links. Automatic article extraction turns saved pages into a clean reader view, with tags, favorites, read-state management, dark theme support, and full-text search across saved content. Its clearest audience is readers who use Kobo devices and want their saved articles connected to a personal knowledge-management workflow.
Kobo support is the defining feature. Burkmak can synchronize through OPDS and the Kobo store protocol, and it generates both EPUB and KEPUB files for Kobo reading. The app also supports text highlights with colors and notes, then exports articles, highlights, and notes to Obsidian. That combination gives Kobo readers a direct path from web capture to e-reader reading and organized notes. The ecosystem fit is narrower than a general read-it-later service: Kobo and Obsidian are the named integrations, while browser-extension support is not part of the product’s feature set.
The trade-off is operational. Burkmak is self-hosted, so it suits people comfortable running their own reading service rather than shoppers looking for a hosted subscription with a conventional plan structure. Capture remains available through the web app, mobile share sheet, and bookmarklet, but desktop workflows may feel less direct without a browser extension. Native Kobo synchronization also has pending physical-device verification. Choose Burkmak for open-source ownership, Kobo delivery, searchable article storage, and Obsidian export; choose another read-it-later app if broad browser integration or a hosted setup is the priority.
Burkmak pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Kobo synchronization with OPDS and the Kobo store protocol
- Full-text search, highlights, notes, tags, and read-state management
- Exports articles, highlights, and notes to Obsidian
- Where it doesn't
- No browser extension for one-click desktop capture
- Requires self-hosting rather than a published hosted plan
- Native Kobo sync still has pending physical-device verification
Burkmak fact sheet, pricing and score →
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