Calibre Web

Self-Hosted

Open-source web interface for Calibre e-book libraries

Overview

Calibre Web is a responsive, open-source web interface for managing and accessing your Calibre e-book library. It supports multiple users with customizable permissions, advanced search/filtering by metadata (author, genre, ISBN), in-browser reading, e-book format conversion, and sync with e-readers like Kindle. Deploy via Docker, bare metal, or cloud—no changes to your existing Calibre database required. Features include OPDS feed support, custom themes, and external storage integration. Lightweight and easy to set up with Python dependencies, it’s ideal for self-hosting and sharing libraries across devices.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  calibre_web:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: calibre-web
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Responsive web UI for Calibre library access
Multi-user support with role-based permissions
In-browser reading and format conversion
OPDS feed for e-reader sync

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Calibre Web hard to install?

No—installation is straightforward with Docker (the simplest option) or Python pip. Docker images are pre-built, and the GitHub repo provides step-by-step guides for both methods. You only need to point it to your existing Calibre library path to get started.

? Is Calibre Web a good alternative to Amazon Kindle Cloud?

Yes—if you value data control and self-hosting. Unlike Kindle Cloud, it lets you keep your library local or on your own server, supports more formats, and doesn’t lock you into Amazon’s ecosystem. It’s ideal for sharing your library with family/friends without relying on third-party services.

? Is Calibre Web completely free?

Yes—Calibre Web is open source under the GNU GPL v3 license. It has no hidden costs, premium features, or subscription fees. You only need to cover the cost of hosting it (e.g., your own server or cloud instance).

Top Alternatives

Amazon Kindle Cloud Library Search Google

Apple Books Search Google

Google Play Books Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Document Management - E-books

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Self-hosted (full data privacy and control)
⊕ No subscription fees
⊕ Works with existing Calibre libraries
⊕ Lightweight and resource-efficient

Cons

⊖ Requires an existing Calibre library to function
⊖ Basic technical setup (Docker/Python knowledge helpful)
⊖ Lacks native metadata editing (depends on Calibre)
⊖ Limited cloud sync compared to proprietary tools