Free Software Collection
Free Ebook Readers and Library Managers
An ebook bought from a commercial store is usually not a book but a licence: wrapped in DRM, openable only in that vendor's app, gone when the account is, and liable to be silently replaced when an edition is withdrawn. The tools here deal with the other kind of ebook — DRM-free files you hold, public domain works, scans, PDF papers. The list runs through management and conversion, desktop reading, e-ink devices, and citation.
6 curated recommendations
Selection Criteria
- Book files live locally, tied to no bookstore account.
- Open formats — EPUB, PDF, MOBI — are supported, with no proprietary lock-in.
- No cap on library size and no registration.
- No copyrighted books are bundled or distributed.
Recommended Tools
Calibre
All-in-one e-book management and conversion
- Open Source
- No Ads
- No Tracking
- Offline
KOReader
Install it on a Kindle or e-ink device and take the reader back
- Open Source
- No Ads
- No Tracking
- Offline
Thorium Reader
Reading EPUB on a desktop, with the most serious accessibility work in the field
- Open Source
- No Ads
- No Tracking
- Offline
Sumatra PDF
An ultra-lightweight PDF reader for Windows
- Open Source
- No Ads
- No Tracking
- Offline
Okular
The universal document viewer from KDE
- Open Source
- No Ads
- No Tracking
- Offline
Zotero
A free reference and research manager
- Open Source
- No Ads
- No Tracking
- Offline
FAQ
- How do I manage an ebook library?
- Calibre. Management, format conversion, metadata completion and transfer to devices in one place. EPUB to MOBI, PDF to EPUB and similar conversions all work, covers and descriptions are fetched automatically, and a connected Kindle or other reader receives books directly. It also runs a local server so other devices in the house can read from a browser.
- What reads EPUB on a computer?
- Thorium Reader, which takes accessibility more seriously than its peers — screen reader compatibility, adjustable size, spacing and leading, and complete read-aloud, which makes a real difference for readers with limited vision. Ordinary reading is clean too, with no account and no recommendations. For PDFs, SumatraPDF on Windows starts with essentially no wait, while Okular on Linux has broader annotation and format support.
- Can a Kindle run different reading software?
- KOReader supports Kindle, Kobo, reMarkable and Android devices. It reads EPUB, PDF, DjVu and comic formats with full control over layout and fonts, and its PDF reflow is far better than stock firmware — fitting an academic paper onto a six-inch screen is handled much more gracefully. Be clear that installing on a Kindle requires jailbreaking, which carries risk; read the official documentation before starting.
- How do I manage PDFs and references?
- Zotero. It captures metadata from web and journal pages, manages full-text PDFs, and inserts citations and builds bibliographies in thousands of journal styles while you write. For LaTeX, JabRef in this directory is more direct, since its library file is BibTeX text that versions in Git alongside the paper.