YACReader review
A free desktop reader and server pair with mobile apps for browsing and progress sync.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
YACReader brings digital comic reading and collection management together across desktop, mobile and server. Its desktop reader and library run on Windows, macOS and Linux, while iOS and Android apps connect to a library for remote browsing, reading and importing. It suits readers who want to organize a comic collection across devices, including manga readers who prefer right-to-left display. Desktop and server use is free; mobile apps are distributed separately.
Format support covers CBR, CBZ, CB7, RAR (including RAR5), ZIP, 7Z, TAR, PDF and common image files, with image-based EPUB marked experimental. Readers can choose continuous-scroll, double-page or right-to-left modes, bookmark pages, and save or extract pages as images. For collection management, YACReader supports search across comic and folder fields, including query syntax, alongside reading lists, labels, favorites, ratings and metadata management with ComicInfo.xml. Comic Vine is also listed for metadata retrieval.
A server edition can run on a NAS or home server and provides a browser-based interface; mobile apps can connect to browse remotely and sync reading progress. Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and Box are listed integrations. This makes YACReader a fit for readers who value a self-managed library and cross-platform access, rather than a reader seeking only a standalone mobile app. The product is open source and offers email and community support. Readers should also account for the separate distribution of the mobile apps when choosing between a free desktop-and-server setup and a mobile-centered option.
YACReader pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports comic archives, PDFs and image files, including CBR, CBZ and 7Z.
- Offers search, reading lists, labels, favorites, ratings and metadata management.
- Mobile apps connect to a library for remote browsing and reading-progress sync.
- Where it doesn't
- Mobile apps are distributed separately from the free desktop and server editions.
- Server setup requires a NAS or home server for a self-hosted library.
- Image-based EPUB support is experimental.
YACReader fact sheet, pricing and score →
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