"Readest" ebook reader for iPad

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Good morning,

I didn’t want to create another thread but I couldn’t find much discussion about reader apps for the iPad. Plenty of threads on Android reader apps, but very few for the iPad. This is an extremely important problem to me and I think it’ll be helpful to the whole community.

This app is open source and cross-platform:

to deliver a smooth, cross-platform experience across macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and the Web.

The iPad seems like a great platform to use since it’s so locked down.

GitHub page looks amazing:
Readest is an open-source ebook reader designed for immersive and deep reading experiences. GitHub - readest/readest: Readest is a modern, feature-rich ebook reader designed for avid readers offering seamless cross-platform access, powerful tools, and an intuitive interface to elevate your reading experience.

Android app:

It also runs in the browser window: https://web.readest.com/

This is what makes it really stand out for me. No neverending subscription:
ONE TIME payment of $10

Thank you for reading my question!

(Moderation: moved to General, topic edited )

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Need Recommendations for EPUB & PDF Reader for iPad
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Are you really recommending an ebook reader what requires a monthly subscription? Wow.

Use MapleRead. One time purchase.

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This is not a question. This is an ad for a paid app.

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As someone who takes my connection to this community very seriously I’m unbelievably offended by your accusation. This community means too much to me for me to submit a shady sales attempt

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Check my post. Readest offers a one time purchase for $10…

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Readest is a very nice app IMHO, I’m using it myself. You can absolutely use it locally for free/no account.

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Somehow missed this post until now.

Checking out the app, it is indeed a great looking app for your reading needs. I always wanted a tool like this that can be accessible literally anywhere which means also having a web version. I’m still checking out all its features but the biggest problem is not having the option to buy privately. But otherwise, this is looking like a great little app.

Thanks for sharing!

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I do question the long term stability and feasibility of this if such is also the offering. Also, you don’t get a lot of storage space for 10 USD one time payment but higher options do exist.

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I appreciate your replies!

On MapleRead: which app is it? I’m looking at the iPad App Store and there are multiple apps called *MapleRead and some are paid apps? I’m happy to pay extra for additional user security and user privacy.

From what I can gather, it seems like an app that takes user security and user privacy seriously. How do you see it?

Right, the $10 lifetime subscription only comes with 1GB of storage so it should be sustainable for the long term. Even though it’s not much storage, I like that it’s a one time payment!

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I was trying out Readest and it’s one of the best ones. 500MB free goes a long way. The best part, as you mention, is that it’s cross-platform. It seems to have a good privacy policy.

Thanks.

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Why not just use the native Books app? It works wonders on iOS, should be same for iPad

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It’s not cross-platform. There are people like me who need the service for Android and Linux

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It’s only non-Linux. Check Google Play Store: It’s available free:

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What are you talking about? @anon51983832 was referring to and answering the other comment about the native Books app that comes on all Apple devices.

Readest is available everywhere including the web.

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Sorry my mistake! I thought he was talking to me…:sad_but_relieved_face::sad_but_relieved_face:

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Yes, it was my mistake not to refer to the comment above. Readest is completely cross-platform and I’ve been using it since you recommended it.

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I appreciate your reply!

I’m constantly looking for a secure and private way to read ebooks.

Finding a secure ebook reader app is one of my top priorities.

I just came across this article and it looks like a really well made app for Linux as well: This Could Be My New Favorite eBook Reader App on Linux

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I’m liking the app a lot too. I just wish there was a way to pay with crypto.

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Looks decent, even tho that is to be expected given the fact that it’s available on a store.
There are also no trackers which is good. :+1:t2:

Meanwhile, I am extremely not sure about the need of embedding entire NextJS inside of it :unamused_face: but I guess it’s just the mainstream Web dudes at their peak…at least they do use Tauri (better than Electron). :white_check_mark:

Love the sheer amount of releases they do have too, they got them all literally. :joy:

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Text to Speech (TTS) appears to require an active internet connection to be able to use. Testing on GrapheneOS, there doesn’t appear to be an option to use your local TTS engine, only their network-dependent TTS. If I disable network permission, TTS does not work.

Reading and understanding the code is outside my wheelhouse. But right now, I am concerned about the TTS feature and other third-party integrations where there is currently no alternative option that is more privacy respecting.

Their privacy policy states that

Readest may integrate with third-party services, such as dictionary lookups or cloud storage providers (e.g., WebDAV). We ensure these integrations respect your privacy, and we do not share your data with them beyond what is necessary for the requested functionality.

For functionality, wouldn’t that still mean they’re sending the contents of what you read to to the third-party TTS service? The same goes for their other third-party integrations like dictionary lookups and translation service.

I don’t like this. Many of these types of tools already have local alternatives without requiring you to share your data with a third-party. I’m using SherpaTTS from F-Droid, for example, which allows me to download a high quality TTS voice for system use. Other Android E-Readers I’ve used in the past supported it including Librera, ReadEra, etc. These other e-readers functioned just fine without network permission.

An e-reader of all things should be able to function without active internet, both from privacy and usability standpoints.

I’m also having a hard time understanding the difference between their Play Store version and github release.

Equally concerning is this Github issue that indicates a strong dependence on Google services for the Play Store version, but not the GitHub version without proper explanation.

Readest also seems to be struggling with F-Droid release due to not complying with inclusion criteria. I don’t usually install apps from F-Droid directly, but having an app listed there does provide some reassurance for me.

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