With the plethora of ebook reader applications available, pinpointing one that meets all your requirements can be quite challenging. Enter Readest—a free, open-source, and cross-platform ebook reader that has quickly become my top choice, effectively replacing all others.
Seamless Cross-Platform Functionality and Device Synchronization
Many ebook readers limit their usability to specific platforms, but Readest excels with compatibility across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and web browsers. This versatility makes it exceptionally appealing, while its synchronization capabilities enhance its utility for those who read across multiple devices.
As a long-time user of the Kindle app, I appreciate its synchronized library and progress tracking; however, it’s limited to Kindle content, leaving a gap in managing various other ebooks.
Readest provides a comparable cross-platform experience while supporting a broader range of ebooks sourced from various outlets, including free ebook websites.
The app allows cloud syncing for up to 500MB of data at no cost. To avoid needing a premium plan, it’s advisable to upload only a few books at a time.
To set up syncing, launch the Readest app on your device, click the hamburger menu at the top, and disable the Auto Upload Books to Cloud option. After that, navigate back to the menu and choose Sign in to create a complimentary account.
To upload a book to the cloud, simply click the cloud icon located below the respective title. It will then appear in your library across all devices. Personally, I tend to store my ebooks on my desktop PC and upload several titles in one go.
Keep in mind that synchronization may take a few moments, so a little patience is required.
One limitation is the lack of an intuitive method to remove a book from the cloud; you need to delete it from the device you uploaded it from, which then removes it across all synced platforms. If you wish to keep it, you must re-upload the book as synchronization does not happen automatically unless explicitly turned on.
Personalize Your Reading Environment
A quality ebook reader must offer customizable features to enhance the reading experience. Readest delivers an impressive range of settings, including options to insert personalized content CSS and custom reader UI CSS. While this is ideal for power users, it’s great to have such flexibility.
Users familiar with Foliate, a popular Linux ebook reader app, will find Readest particularly appealing, as it serves as a modern reimagining of that application.
If coding your own CSS isn’t your thing, Readest presents five predefined customization options:
- Font: Adjust size, typeface, weight, and font family.
- Book Layout: Modify spacing, margins, and writing direction.
- Theme: Choose from various modes, colors, and highlight options.
- Behavior: Alter scrolling, clicking responses, and animations.
- Language: Set the default language and translation preferences.
Comprehensive Built-In Reading Tools
Unlike many competitors that restrict features in their free versions, Readest offers an expansive suite of reading tools. Readers can take notes, add bookmarks, highlight passages, and perform in-text searches with ease. This is particularly beneficial for students who rely heavily on annotations.
Another feature worth mentioning is the built-in AI reading capability. Currently, this functionality does not extend to PDF files, but future updates may include this support. To drive it, once your ebook is open, click the headphone icon located near the bottom right. If the progress bar isn’t visible, moving your mouse or tapping the bottom of the screen will reveal it.
Activate the AI button (displayed as a green/blue icon above the progress bar) to modify AI settings, including voice speed and types. I recommend experimenting with different voices; a juvenile voice may feel out of place while reading urban fantasy.
To deactivate the AI reader, simply click the headphone icon again. Although free users are limited in the number of hours for this feature, the exact amount available is not disclosed within the app.
In addition to AI capabilities, users can select any word or phrase to access definitions, highlight text, search Wikipedia, receive help with pronunciation, translate terms, or save excerpts to their notebook.
Free users can translate text up to 10, 000 characters daily, with more extensive features available through a paid upgrade.
Engage in Parallel Reading
Readest offers a unique parallel reading feature, allowing users to read two books side by side. This functionality is particularly advantageous for language learners and those involved in research or study.
For language studies, ensure you have books available in both languages. Alternatively, feel free to use the translation feature to access particular passages without utilizing the parallel reading option.
Supported Formats and Optional Premium Features
Readest supports a robust list of formats, including EPUB, MOBI, KF8 (AZW3), FB2, CBZ, TXT, and PDF. It’s important to note that some functions remain under development for PDF files.
Currently, I haven’t found the need to upgrade. However, if you wish to sync larger libraries, access advanced AI reading, translations, or receive early access to new features, an upgrade may be worthwhile. Subscription plans start at just $5 per month—an appealing option for avid readers requiring full cloud access to their ebook collections.
While Readest does have its quirks, such as occasional slow loading times, the extensive array of features available for free, coupled with ongoing developer enhancements, make it a standout choice.
If you’re seeking alternative ebook reader applications, consider exploring the following options:
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