Software Alternatives & Startups

Okular VS Readest

Compare Okular VS Readest and see what are their differences

Okular

Okular is a universal document viewer based developed by KDE.

Rating
0 reviews
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.

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Okular seems to be a lot more popular than Readest. While we know about 44 links to Okular, we've tracked only 2 mentions of Readest.

social mentions
44 vs 2
PDF Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
170 vs 22

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Okular
R
Readest
Website okular.kde.org readest.com
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Okular 6 features
R
Readest 0 features
  • Open Source
    Okular is an open-source software, which means the source code is freely available. Users can modify and distribute it according to their needs.
  • Multi-Format Support
    Okular supports a wide array of document formats including PDF, PostScript, DjVu, CHM, XPS, ePub, and more, providing versatile document reading capabilities.
  • Cross-Platform
    Okular is available for multiple operating systems including Linux, Windows, and macOS, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
  • Annotation Tools
    It includes powerful annotation features allowing users to add notes, highlight text, and draw shapes directly on documents.
  • Customizable Interface
    The interface is highly customizable, enabling users to tweak the appearance and functionality to match their preferences.
  • Tabbed Browsing
    Okular supports tabbed browsing, allowing users to open multiple documents in a single window, enhancing multitasking.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced PDF Editing
    While Okular provides basic annotation features, it lacks advanced PDF editing capabilities like modifying text and images within a PDF.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might find the extensive range of features and settings overwhelming, leading to a steeper learning curve compared to simpler document viewers.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues when handling very large files, which can result in slower operation and responsiveness.
  • Dependency on KDE Libraries
    To get the best experience, Okular requires KDE libraries, which might not be ideal for users who prefer not to integrate KDE components into their system.
  • Mobile Support
    Okular does not have a dedicated app for mobile platforms like Android and iOS, limiting its usability on tablets and smartphones.

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Okular
R
Readest

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Okular is generally regarded as a good document viewer due to its features, flexibility, and open-source nature, which ensures continual updates and community support.

Why this product is good

  • Okular is considered good for several reasons: it is a versatile open-source document viewer developed by the KDE community, supporting various file formats including PDF, PostScript, and ePub. It offers a range of features such as annotation tools, form filling, text extraction, and multimedia support. Additionally, it is cross-platform, available on different operating systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS, making it accessible for a wider range of users.

Recommended for

    Okular is recommended for students, educators, professionals, and any users who require a reliable and feature-rich document viewer capable of handling a wide range of file formats. It is particularly beneficial for those who value open-source software and need robust annotation and document management tools across different platforms.

Overall verdict

  • Readest is a solid, modern open-source ebook reader that offers a clean, cross-platform reading experience with strong format support and useful features, making it a good choice for readers who want a free, privacy-friendly alternative to proprietary apps.

Why this product is good

  • Free and open-source, giving users transparency and no vendor lock-in
  • Cross-platform support across Windows, macOS, Linux, and the web
  • Supports popular ebook formats like EPUB, allowing flexible library management
  • Clean, modern interface focused on a distraction-free reading experience
  • Offers useful reading tools such as bookmarks, highlights, notes, and customizable layouts
  • Cloud sync options help keep your library and progress consistent across devices

Recommended for

  • Avid ebook readers who want a free, no-cost solution
  • Users who value open-source software and privacy
  • People who read across multiple devices and platforms
  • Students and researchers who need annotation and highlighting features
  • Anyone seeking a lightweight alternative to Kindle or Apple Books

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Okular 3 videos + Add
R
Readest 0 videos + Add

okular, program for annotating your books in linux

More videos

  • - Review: Okular || Awesome PDF Viewer || Best PDF Viewer that I have tried yet.
  • - Okular Document Viewer vs Atril Document Viewer

No Readest videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Okular
R
Readest
100% 100%
0% 0%
79% 79%
21% 21%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Okular and Readest. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Okular no reviews yet
R
Readest no reviews yet

We have no reviews of Readest yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Okular 44 mentions
R
Readest 2 mentions
  • Signing PDFs
    If you mean signing as in "signing with your handwritten signature", you could use Okular () which easily allows you to do that. Filling out forms also works nicely. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Alexandria: A minimalistic cross-platform eBook reader
    I was in a similar position lately until I found Okular. Have you tried it? https://okular.kde.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Help with PDF's
    I would try Okular first, though, which is free and open source: https://okular.kde.org/. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Okular and Readest

When comparing Okular and Readest, you can also consider the following products.