Readest review
A cross-platform ebook reader for broad format support and detailed annotations.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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 toolkit includes customizable typography, text-to-speech, translation, dictionary or Wikipedia lookup, side-by-side reading, offline reading, and library organization with search, filters, grouping, and OPDS catalogs. Readers can also highlight, underline, add notes, save excerpts and bookmarks, and synchronize books, progress, highlights, and notes across devices.
The Free Plan costs $0 per month and includes cross-platform sync, customizable reading, AI read aloud, AI translations, and community support. The Plus Plan costs $4.99 per month and adds unlimited AI read-aloud hours, DeepL Pro access, cloud storage, and priority support. The Pro Plan costs $9.99 per month and adds early feature access and advanced AI tools alongside the Plus benefits. One-time options include Lifetime 1 GB for $9.99, Lifetime 2 GB for $14.99, Lifetime 5 GB for $29.99, and Lifetime 10 GB for $49.99. Full Customization costs $19.99 one time and adds lifetime access to additional themes, fonts, layouts, read-aloud, translators, and cloud storage services.
Annotation-heavy workflows are a clear focus. Readest can export annotations to Markdown, plain text, or JSON, and it connects with KOReader, Readwise, BookOrbit, Hardcover, Notion, calibre, Audiobookshelf, LocalSend, and Obsidian. These options suit readers who want their library, reading progress, and notes to move between platforms and related tools. Choose Readest if broad format support, cross-device reading, offline access, and annotation export matter most. Readers seeking paid cloud storage, expanded AI capabilities, or additional customization should compare the Plus, Pro, lifetime storage, and Full Customization options.
Readest pros and cons
- 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
Readest fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update