Kavita

Self-Hosted

Open-source e-book and comic manager for self-hosting

Overview

Kavita is a feature-rich, open-source platform for managing e-books and comics. It supports formats like EPUB, PDF, CBR, and CBZ, with automatic metadata scraping to organize libraries. Features include cross-device progress sync, responsive web UI, custom collections, and dark mode. Deploy via Docker (simplest option), Docker Compose, or manual setup on Windows/Linux/macOS—ideal for users wanting full control over their digital library without third-party reliance.

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:
  kavita:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: kavita
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Supports multiple e-book/comic formats (EPUB, PDF, CBR/CBZ)
Automatic metadata scraping and library organization
Cross-device progress sync and responsive web UI

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Kavita hard to install?

Kavita is easy to install—Docker images simplify setup with minimal config. Manual guides are available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it accessible for both tech-savvy users and beginners.

? Is it a good alternative to Amazon Kindle Cloud?

Yes—Kavita lets you manage unDRM'd books freely and avoid subscription fees, unlike Kindle Cloud which locks content to Amazon's ecosystem. It supports more formats but lacks Kindle's native device integration.

? Is Kavita completely free?

Absolutely—Kavita is open-source (MIT license) with no hidden costs, subscriptions, or premium features. All core functionality is free to use, and you can contribute to its development on GitHub.

Top Alternatives

Amazon Kindle Cloud Search Google

Google Play Books Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Document Management - E-books

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full control over digital library (no DRM)
⊕ Open-source and ad-free
⊕ Easy Docker deployment with prebuilt images

Cons

⊖ Requires self-hosting (server or local machine)
⊖ No native mobile app (uses responsive web UI)
⊖ Limited cloud sync (depends on self-hosted infrastructure)