# calibre review, pricing and alternatives

Source: https://listme.name/software/calibre
Website: https://calibre-ebook.com/

Free e-book library manager with conversion and reading tools

calibre is free e-book management software for Windows, macOS and Linux. It keeps an e-book library in one place, converts books between formats and reads them. The code is published under GPL-3.0.

calibre is e-book software that the project calls a one-stop solution for all e-book needs. It manages a library of books on your computer and converts books between e-book formats. It also includes a reader for opening books on the desktop.

The program runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and its source is on GitHub under GPL-3.0. calibre is a desktop tool rather than a phone app, so it suits people who want to organize a large personal library and move books to other devices. Readers who want a simple reader on a phone may prefer Apple Books or KOReader.

- Free and open source | Windows, macOS, Linux | open source (GPL-3.0)
- Price: Free and open source under GPL-3.0
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## Strengths

- Free and open source under GPL-3.0
- Manages a personal library on the desktop
- Converts books between formats

## Limits

- No phone app, so reading on a phone needs another tool
- Desktop tool rather than a reading app

## Rankings

- #6 of 10 in [best Ebook reader apps](https://listme.name/best/ebook-reader-apps), score 83.0: Free and open source library manager that converts books between formats on Windows, macOS and Linux. It is a desktop tool with no phone reading app, so it complements a reader rather than replacing one.

## Alternatives

- [Kindle](https://listme.name/software/kindle), score 90.0
- [Apple Books](https://listme.name/software/apple-books), score 88.0
- [Readest](https://listme.name/software/readest), score 86.5
- [KOReader](https://listme.name/software/koreader), score 85.0
- [Libby](https://listme.name/software/libby), score 84.5
- [Thorium Reader](https://listme.name/software/thorium-reader), score 80.0
- [Foliate](https://listme.name/software/foliate), score 79.0
- [FBReader](https://listme.name/software/fbreader), score 78.5