Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS, Android, Linux & Windows
 

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully, if
possible, is open source & works on Windows, Linux, Android, & iOS?

Someone recently asked on the mobile phone newsgroup:
o What is the Best Android App for Audiobooks and Podcasts?
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.mobile.android/bbfHddTAmlk

My quest crosses platforms, as usual, for iOS, Android, WIndows, & Linux:
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/comp.mobile.android/bbfHddTAmlk/HT9_VmO0DAAJ

*For Windows, my software hierarchy already contains the following:*
which means I've personally tested (at some point in time), these 5:
o calibre https://calibre-ebook.com/download_windows
o hamster http://www.hamstersoft.com/free-ebook-converter/
o lucidor (pale moon) http://lucidor.org/lucidor/
o pdflite http://www.pdflite.com/epub-to-pdf/
o stdu http://www.stdutility.com/stduviewer.html

Given I'm virtually an epub noob, I'm not sure what I'd use on Android.

*F-Droid lists these five epub readers (upon initial inspection):*
o FBReader
https://www.f-droid.org/en/2010/10/07/fbreader.html
o Book Reader Simple
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.axet.bookreader/
o Booky McBookface
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.quaap.bookymcbookface/
o Cool Reader E-Book reader
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.coolreader/
o Comfort Reader (epub streamer)
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.mschlauch.comfortreader/

*Google says these are the best for Android:*
o 15 best eBook reader apps for Android]
[Aldiko, Kindle, AIReader, Bookari, EbookDroid, FBReader, Foxit, FullReader, Google Play Books, KoboBooks, Moon+, Nook, PocketBook, Prestigio, Universal]
https://www.androidauthority.com/best-ebook-ereader-apps-for-android-170696/
o 10 Best Free eBook, PDF & ePub reader Android Apps
[Google Play Books https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.books]
[Amazon Kindle https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.kindle]
[B&N Nookhttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bn.ereader]
[Aldiko https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aldiko.android]
[Moon+ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flyersoft.moonreader]
[Kobo https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kobobooks.android]
[Mantano https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mantano.reader.android.lite]
[FReader https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fullreader]
[EBookDroid https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.ebookdroid]
[Cool Reader https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.coolreader]
https://getandroidstuff.com/best-ebook-reader-apps-epub-pdf/
o 7 Best EBook Reader Apps for Android
[Aldiko, Kobo, Moon+, Universal, Bookari, Lithium, Ereader Prestigio, ]
https://www.guidingtech.com/70390/best-ebook-reader-android/

This article from Android Central summarizes the proprietary issues:
o Using ePub files on Android
https://www.androidcentral.com/using-epub-files-android
"the ePub format is the standard for digital books that aren't
sold by or made for Amazon."

Overall, that Android Central article recommends, in this order:
o Aldiko Book Reader handles ePub, PDF, & Adobe DRM books from Kobo Books
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aldiko.android
o Moon+ Reader supports everything, including ePub, Mobi, CBZ, and ZIP
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flyersoft.moonreader

*Looking for free open source Linux epubs readers seems relatively easy:*
o 7 Best eBook Readers for Linux
[Calibre, FBReader, Okular/KDE, Lucidor, Bookworm, Easy Ebook Viewer, Buka]
https://itsfoss.com/best-ebook-readers-linux/
o 5 of the Best Ebook Readers for Linux Users
[Calibre,FBReader, Cool Reader, EBook Offline Reader, EPUBReader]
https://www.maketecheasier.com/best-ebook-readers-for-linux-users/
o 4 of the Best Ebook Readers for Linux Users
[Calibre, Lucidor, FBReader, CoolReader]
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-of-the-best-ebook-readers-for-linux-users/

*Looking at free iOS epub readers, these pop up in Google searches:*
o Best Free ePub readers for iPhone and iPad
[iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibooks/id364709193#?platform=ipad]
[Nook https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nook/id373582546#?platform=ipad]
[Kobo https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kobo-1-million-free-books/id301259483#?platform=ipad]
[Neosoar https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/neosoar-ebooks-pdf-epub-reader/id454929081#?platform=ipad]
[Google Play Books https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/google-play-books/id400989007#?platform=ipad]
https://www.iphonetopics.com/free-epub-readers-iphone-ipad/
o Best Free eBook Reader for iOS
[Kindle, iBooks, Nook, Google Play Books]
https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/best-free-ebook-reader-ios.htm
o 5 Best eBook Readers For iOS
[Kindle, iBooks, Nook, Kobo, GoodReads]
https://www.guidingtech.com/16090/5-best-ebook-readers-ios-iphone-ipad/

As a test for cross platform Linux, Windows, Android, & iOS, I recently
downloaded an epub file on Windows, and then converted it to PDF using
Calibre and then booted to Ubuntu so that could copy both the epub files
(epub & PDF) using both the iOS iPad and Android phone as a USB stick:
o Phone to PC connection
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/misc.phone.mobile.iphone/4gCXI-0TkvY
Where these three (redundant) screenshots show the cross platform process:
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9159573usb01.jpg
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5844281usb02.jpg
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2947712usb03.jpg

Me?
I don't usually do epub formats, so that's the best I can do for the team.

Others out there must be avid epub aficionados, on all platforms.
I'll be interested in what epub reader folks tend to gravitate to, and why.

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully, if
possible, is open source & works on Windows, Linux, Android, & iOS?

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS,Android, Linux & Windows
 

On 2019-01-06, arlen holder wrote:

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully, if
possible, is open source & works on Windows, Linux, Android, & iOS?
For Linux, I recommend this one:
https://github.com/BasioMeusPuga/Lector
--
press any key to continue or any other to quit...

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS,Android, Linux & Windows
 

Melzzzzz Wrote in message:
On 2019-01-06, arlen holder wrote:

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully, if
possible, is open source & works on Windows, Linux, Android, & iOS?
For Linux, I recommend this one:
https://github.com/BasioMeusPuga/Lector

I guess the stress was being multiplatform,
with Android as mandatory.

--
Libor Striz aka Poutnik ( a pilgrim/wanderer/wayfarer)

"Humour is the only effective weapon against stupidity."
Miloš Forman


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS,Android, Linux & Windows
 

Libor Striz wrote:
Melzzzzz Wrote in message:
On 2019-01-06, arlen holder wrote:

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully, if
possible, is open source & works on Windows, Linux, Android, & iOS?
For Linux, I recommend this one:
https://github.com/BasioMeusPuga/Lector

I guess the stress was being multiplatform,
with Android as mandatory.

The Kindle app. :)

Or, y'know, just getting the PDF version.

--
|_|O|_| Registered Linux user #585947
|_|_|O| Github: https://github.com/dpurgert
|O|O|O| PGP: 05CA 9A50 3F2E 1335 4DC5 4AEE 8E11 DDF3 1279 A281

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS, Android, Linux & Windows
 

On Sun, 6 Jan 2019 16:46:52 -0000 (UTC), arlen holder
wrote:

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully, if
possible, is open source & works on Windows, Linux, Android, & iOS?

I'm using "Cool Reader" on Windoze and Android, works very well and I
like the features particularly on an Android tablet.

https://sourceforge.net/projects/crengine/

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS, Android, Linux & Windows
 

On Sun, 6 Jan 2019 16:46:52 -0000 (UTC), arlen holder wrote:

Someone recently asked on the mobile phone newsgroup:
o What is the Best Android App for Audiobooks and Podcasts?
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.mobile.android/bbfHddTAmlk

I have to admit, Poutnik pointed out that I made a mistake when I assumed a
podcast was an epub file.
o What is the Best Android App for Audiobooks and Podcasts?
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.mobile.android/bbfHddTAmlk

It turns out, based on what Poutnik wrote in that referenced thread, that a
podcast is an RSS-like thing that people subscribe to that automatically
feeds them "stuff" such as this, which Poutnik kindly posted in that thread
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BgKYRD4jZSCboKJxKx8tOOIsnaODPMny/view

I guess the reason I don't understand the allure of "podcasts", is that I
already do something similar with the free open source NewPipe app
https://newpipe.schabi.org/

For example, in response to Poutnik's playlist, I posted mine just now:
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7343245newpipe03.jpg
(That's just what I've been listening to in the past few days though.)

Poutnik explained that podcast apps run things in the background, where I
suspect NewPipe does also, given the Nova-like plethora of options
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7029818newpipe01.jpg

Poutnik said that the podcast plays on top of stuff, but so does NewPipe
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=6402065newpipe02.jpg

Hence, I'm not sure (yet) what a podcast does that we can't already do
except, I guess, that podcasts can be from any web site, not just YouTube,
but, anyone who can run the youtube-dl app can download, basically, any
file that exists on the net (if you can see or hear it - you can save it).
https://github.com/rg3/youtube-dl/

But I do admit that I erred in conflating the original thread on podcasts
with epub files - which turned out to be different things altogether.

Mea culpa.
The epub "problem set" is different from the "podcast" problem set.

--
I _still_ don't get why anyone would podcast when they can do that already.




---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS,Android, Linux & Windows
 

In message Dan Purgert wrote:
Libor Striz wrote:
Melzzzzz Wrote in message:
On 2019-01-06, arlen holder wrote:

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully, if
possible, is open source & works on Windows, Linux, Android, & iOS?
For Linux, I recommend this one:
https://github.com/BasioMeusPuga/Lector

I guess the stress was being multiplatform,
with Android as mandatory.

The Kindle app. :)

The kindle app does not handle ePubs.

Or, y'know, just getting the PDF version.

Also not an ePub.

--
A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS,Android, Linux & Windows
 

arlen holder wrote:
What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully, if
possible, is open source & works on Windows, Linux, Android, & iOS?

Someone recently asked on the mobile phone newsgroup:
o What is the Best Android App for Audiobooks and Podcasts?
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.mobile.android/bbfHddTAmlk

My quest crosses platforms, as usual, for iOS, Android, WIndows, & Linux:
https://groups.google.com/d/msg/comp.mobile.android/bbfHddTAmlk/HT9_VmO0DAAJ

*For Windows, my software hierarchy already contains the following:*
which means I've personally tested (at some point in time), these 5:
o calibre https://calibre-ebook.com/download_windows
o hamster http://www.hamstersoft.com/free-ebook-converter/
o lucidor (pale moon) http://lucidor.org/lucidor/
o pdflite http://www.pdflite.com/epub-to-pdf/
o stdu http://www.stdutility.com/stduviewer.html

Given I'm virtually an epub noob, I'm not sure what I'd use on Android.

*F-Droid lists these five epub readers (upon initial inspection):*
o FBReader
https://www.f-droid.org/en/2010/10/07/fbreader.html
o Book Reader Simple
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.github.axet.bookreader/
o Booky McBookface
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.quaap.bookymcbookface/
o Cool Reader E-Book reader
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.coolreader/
o Comfort Reader (epub streamer)
https://f-droid.org/en/packages/com.mschlauch.comfortreader/

*Google says these are the best for Android:*
o 15 best eBook reader apps for Android]
[Aldiko, Kindle, AIReader, Bookari, EbookDroid, FBReader, Foxit, FullReader, Google Play Books, KoboBooks, Moon+, Nook, PocketBook, Prestigio, Universal]
https://www.androidauthority.com/best-ebook-ereader-apps-for-android-170696/
o 10 Best Free eBook, PDF & ePub reader Android Apps
[Google Play Books https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.books]
[Amazon Kindle https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amazon.kindle]
[B&N Nookhttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=bn.ereader]
[Aldiko https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aldiko.android]
[Moon+ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flyersoft.moonreader]
[Kobo https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kobobooks.android]
[Mantano https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mantano.reader.android.lite]
[FReader https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fullreader]
[EBookDroid https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.ebookdroid]
[Cool Reader https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.coolreader]
https://getandroidstuff.com/best-ebook-reader-apps-epub-pdf/
o 7 Best EBook Reader Apps for Android
[Aldiko, Kobo, Moon+, Universal, Bookari, Lithium, Ereader Prestigio, ]
https://www.guidingtech.com/70390/best-ebook-reader-android/

This article from Android Central summarizes the proprietary issues:
o Using ePub files on Android
https://www.androidcentral.com/using-epub-files-android
"the ePub format is the standard for digital books that aren't
sold by or made for Amazon."

Overall, that Android Central article recommends, in this order:
o Aldiko Book Reader handles ePub, PDF, & Adobe DRM books from Kobo Books
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aldiko.android
o Moon+ Reader supports everything, including ePub, Mobi, CBZ, and ZIP
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flyersoft.moonreader

*Looking for free open source Linux epubs readers seems relatively easy:*
o 7 Best eBook Readers for Linux
[Calibre, FBReader, Okular/KDE, Lucidor, Bookworm, Easy Ebook Viewer, Buka]
https://itsfoss.com/best-ebook-readers-linux/
o 5 of the Best Ebook Readers for Linux Users
[Calibre,FBReader, Cool Reader, EBook Offline Reader, EPUBReader]
https://www.maketecheasier.com/best-ebook-readers-for-linux-users/
o 4 of the Best Ebook Readers for Linux Users
[Calibre, Lucidor, FBReader, CoolReader]
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-of-the-best-ebook-readers-for-linux-users/

*Looking at free iOS epub readers, these pop up in Google searches:*
o Best Free ePub readers for iPhone and iPad
[iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibooks/id364709193#?platform=ipad]
[Nook https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nook/id373582546#?platform=ipad]
[Kobo https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kobo-1-million-free-books/id301259483#?platform=ipad]
[Neosoar https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/neosoar-ebooks-pdf-epub-reader/id454929081#?platform=ipad]
[Google Play Books https://itunes.apple.com/in/app/google-play-books/id400989007#?platform=ipad]
https://www.iphonetopics.com/free-epub-readers-iphone-ipad/
o Best Free eBook Reader for iOS
[Kindle, iBooks, Nook, Google Play Books]
https://www.techsupportalert.com/content/best-free-ebook-reader-ios.htm
o 5 Best eBook Readers For iOS
[Kindle, iBooks, Nook, Kobo, GoodReads]
https://www.guidingtech.com/16090/5-best-ebook-readers-ios-iphone-ipad/

As a test for cross platform Linux, Windows, Android, & iOS, I recently
downloaded an epub file on Windows, and then converted it to PDF using
Calibre and then booted to Ubuntu so that could copy both the epub files
(epub & PDF) using both the iOS iPad and Android phone as a USB stick:
o Phone to PC connection
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/misc.phone.mobile.iphone/4gCXI-0TkvY
Where these three (redundant) screenshots show the cross platform process:
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9159573usb01.jpg
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5844281usb02.jpg
http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2947712usb03.jpg

Me?
I don't usually do epub formats, so that's the best I can do for the team.

Others out there must be avid epub aficionados, on all platforms.
I'll be interested in what epub reader folks tend to gravitate to, and why.

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully, if
possible, is open source & works on Windows, Linux, Android, & iOS?

FB reader.

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS,Android, Linux & Windows
 

Lewis Wrote in message:
..

The Kindle app. :)

The kindle app does not handle ePubs.

Or, y'know, just getting the PDF version.

Also not an ePub.


Many sources are not available as ePub,
especially technical or scanned documents.

IMHO, more important than being multiplatform
is being multiformat
and having the GUI and handling
you like,
what is very important for mobile platforms.

--
Libor Striz aka Poutnik ( a pilgrim/wanderer/wayfarer)

"Humour is the only effective weapon against stupidity."
Miloš Forman


----Android NewsGroup Reader----
http://usenet.sinaapp.com/

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS,Android, Linux & Windows
 

Lewis wrote:
[...] Dan Purgert wrote:
Libor Striz wrote:
Melzzzzz Wrote in message:
On 2019-01-06, arlen holder wrote:

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully, if
possible, is open source & works on Windows, Linux, Android, & iOS?
For Linux, I recommend this one:
https://github.com/BasioMeusPuga/Lector

I guess the stress was being multiplatform,
with Android as mandatory.

The Kindle app. :)

The kindle app does not handle ePubs.

Could've sworn kindle handed epub, maybe I'm crossing it with mobi.
Been a while since I've bought anything with the intention of reading it
away from my PC.

Granted that in either event, it falls short of "open source".


Or, y'know, just getting the PDF version.

Also not an ePub.

Of course it isn't.

It's an alternative option that's well-supported across all named
platforms, with few (if any) formatting artifacts as you transfer it
around.


--
|_|O|_| Registered Linux user #585947
|_|_|O| Github: https://github.com/dpurgert
|O|O|O| PGP: 05CA 9A50 3F2E 1335 4DC5 4AEE 8E11 DDF3 1279 A281

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS,Android, Linux & Windows
 

On Tue, 08 Jan 2019 06:18:25 -0500, Dan Purgert wrote:

Lewis wrote:
[...] Dan Purgert wrote:
Libor Striz wrote:
Melzzzzz Wrote in message:
On 2019-01-06, arlen holder wrote:

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully,

I haven't tried any of them, but searching the descriptions of packages
available for Mageia 6 for the word epub shows the following available
for working with epub files. Whether any of them have windows versions,
I do not know.

calibre, coolreader3, eclipse (with the eclipse-mylyn-docs-epub plugin),
flightcrew (listed as epub validator, so may not be useful for viewing
them), sigl (epub editor).

Regards, Dave Hodgins

--
Change to for
email replies.

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS, Android, Linux & Windows
 

FMurtz wrote:


FB reader.

I abslutely agree!

--
Tim Slattery
tim at risingdove dot com

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS,Android, Linux & Windows
 

In message David W. Hodgins wrote:
On Tue, 08 Jan 2019 06:18:25 -0500, Dan Purgert wrote:

Lewis wrote:
[...] Dan Purgert wrote:
Libor Striz wrote:
Melzzzzz Wrote in message:
On 2019-01-06, arlen holder wrote:

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully,

I haven't tried any of them, but searching the descriptions of packages
available for Mageia 6 for the word epub shows the following available
for working with epub files. Whether any of them have windows versions,
I do not know.

calibre, coolreader3, eclipse (with the eclipse-mylyn-docs-epub plugin),
flightcrew (listed as epub validator, so may not be useful for viewing
them), sigl (epub editor).

Calibre is cross platform and runs on the Mac, Linux, Windows, and even
Windows 32 bit.

It is not really a reader, but it includes reader functionality.

It does not run on mobile.

--
Are you allowed to impeach a president for gross incompetence?
---Donald J Trump

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS, Android, Linux & Windows
 

"David W. Hodgins" wrote in
:

On Tue, 08 Jan 2019 06:18:25 -0500, Dan Purgert wrote:

Lewis wrote:
[...] Dan Purgert wrote:
Libor Striz wrote:
Melzzzzz Wrote in message:
On 2019-01-06, arlen holder wrote:

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully,

I haven't tried any of them, but searching the descriptions of packages
available for Mageia 6 for the word epub shows the following available
for working with epub files. Whether any of them have windows versions,
I do not know.

calibre, coolreader3, eclipse (with the eclipse-mylyn-docs-epub plugin),
flightcrew (listed as epub validator, so may not be useful for viewing
them), sigl (epub editor).

Regards, Dave Hodgins

I have used the Windows Calibre E-reader. It works, but is not always
accurate. It very often differs from Moon+Reader, which is what I use on
Android. It doesn't qualify because it is not open source, and I don't know
if it works on Apple.

Decent cross platform open source free epub reader for iOS,Android, Linux & Windows
 

On 2019-01-08, Tim wrote:
"David W. Hodgins" wrote in
:

On Tue, 08 Jan 2019 06:18:25 -0500, Dan Purgert wrote:

Lewis wrote:
[...] Dan Purgert wrote:
Libor Striz wrote:
Melzzzzz Wrote in message:
On 2019-01-06, arlen holder wrote:

What is a decent general-purpose free epub reader, that, hopefully,

I haven't tried any of them, but searching the descriptions of packages
available for Mageia 6 for the word epub shows the following available
for working with epub files. Whether any of them have windows versions,
I do not know.

calibre, coolreader3, eclipse (with the eclipse-mylyn-docs-epub plugin),
flightcrew (listed as epub validator, so may not be useful for viewing
them), sigl (epub editor).

Regards, Dave Hodgins

I have used the Windows Calibre E-reader. It works, but is not always
accurate. It very often differs from Moon+Reader, which is what I use on
Android. It doesn't qualify because it is not open source, and I don't know
if it works on Apple.

It is open source. a source download link is on the page https://calibre-ebook.com/download_linux

--
When I tried casting out nines I made a hash of it.