Audiobook and podcast server. It streams all audio formats, keeps and syncs progress across devices. Comes with apps for Android and iOS.
- GPL-3.0
- JavaScript
- Docker
- Actively maintained
E-books comparison
Audiobookshelf vs Calibre Web: which should you self-host in 2026?
Pick Audiobookshelf if you want to stream audiobooks and podcasts with progress sync; pick Calibre-Web if you want a web front end for an existing Calibre e-book library.
Both are open source and run on your own server. Below: a side-by-side of license, stack and features, live GitHub activity, and our verdict on who should pick which.
Browse, read and download eBooks using an existing Calibre database.
- GPL-3.0
- Fluent
- Actively maintained
Head-to-head
Audiobookshelf vs Calibre Web, side by side
Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.
| Aspect |  Audiobookshelf |  Calibre Web |
|---|---|---|
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language/stack | Node.js server with a Vue (Nuxt) web client | Python (Flask) |
| Scope | Audiobooks and podcasts first, with e-book support | E-books stored in a Calibre database |
| Mobile apps | Open-source Android and iOS apps, both in beta | No official app; responsive web UI and OPDS for e-reader apps |
| Standout features | Progress sync, podcast search and auto-download, Chromecast, RSS feeds | OPDS catalog, send to e-reader, Kobo sync, in-browser reader |
| Requirements | Docker image; scans your audiobook folders | Needs an existing Calibre metadata.db library |
| GitHub stars | 14,555 | 18,330 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 487 | 276 |
| Last commit | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 |
| Latest release | v2.37.1Sep 29, 2026 | 0.6.27Aug 8, 2026 |
| Main language | JavaScript | Fluent |
| Official Docker image | Yes | No |
| Repository | advplyr/audiobookshelf | janeczku/calibre-web |
Swipe the table sideways to see both apps. GitHub figures come from the public API. Highlighted values are the higher of the two.
Verdict
Audiobookshelf is the best self-hosted server for audiobooks and podcasts, with playback progress sync and its own mobile apps. Calibre-Web gives an existing Calibre library a browser interface, OPDS feed, e-reader sending and Kobo sync, which makes it the pick for e-book readers.
Best for
Choose Audiobookshelf for
Listening to audiobooks and podcasts across devices with synced progress.
Best for
Choose Calibre Web for
Reading and managing an existing Calibre e-book library from a browser.
Deploy either in minutes
Not sure yet? Spin up a small VPS or a managed instance, try both for a week, and keep the one that fits.
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Can Audiobookshelf replace Calibre-Web?
For audiobooks and podcasts, yes. For a large e-book collection managed in Calibre, Calibre-Web is still the better front end.
Does Calibre-Web need Calibre installed?
It needs a Calibre library database (metadata.db). You can create that with the Calibre desktop app, and Calibre-Web can optionally use Calibre's tools for conversions.
Does Audiobookshelf have an iOS app?
Yes, an open-source iOS app is available as a beta, alongside the Android app.
Which is more popular on GitHub, Audiobookshelf or Calibre Web?
Calibre Web has 18,330 GitHub stars against 14,555 for Audiobookshelf. Over the last twelve months Audiobookshelf received 487 commits and Calibre Web received 276, so Audiobookshelf is the more actively developed of the two right now. Stars measure interest, not fit, so weigh them against the differences above.