README.md

June 3, 2026 · View on GitHub

Episteme Reader Icon  Episteme Reader

A modern, offline-first, privacy-focused document and e-book reader for Android and desktop, built with Kotlin Multiplatform and Compose.

Download from epistemereader.com  Get it on F-Droid Get it on Google Play   Get it on Obtainium


Episteme Reader on Android
Android
Episteme Reader on desktop
Desktop

Overview

Episteme Reader is a customizable reader for documents, e-books, comics, and text-heavy files. The app is designed around local-first reading, deep typography controls, flexible layouts, and a consistent Kotlin Multiplatform core across Android and desktop.

The same core reading experience is available across editions. The main differences are distribution channel, network access, and whether proprietary online services are included.

Core Features

Available across supported editions unless noted in the edition table:

  • Formats: PDF, EPUB, MOBI/AZW3, FB2, DOCX, ODT/FODT, TXT, Markdown, HTML, and comic archives.
  • Reading modes: Paginated reading, vertical scroll, PDF multi-tab reading, PDF reflow, auto-scroll, and musician mode.
  • PDF tools: Ink annotations, highlighting, erasing, text annotations, and reading-focused PDF controls.
  • Customization: App themes, reader themes, custom local fonts, typography controls, spacing, margins, and layout tuning.
  • Library tools: Local folder sync, library organization, bookmarks, progress tracking, and file management.
  • Accessibility: System text-to-speech, app language selection, and reader settings that adapt to different reading preferences.

Editions

EditionPlatformNetwork accessDistributionNotes
Play StoreAndroidOnline-capableGoogle PlayFull Android release with proprietary extras such as ML Kit OCR, cloud sync, AI tools, cloud TTS, and PDF bubble zoom.
OSSAndroidOnline-capableepistemereader.com, GitHub, F-Droid, ObtainiumFully open-source Android build with OPDS, downloadable fonts, and BYOK access to AI and cloud features.
OSS OfflineAndroidOffline-onlyepistemereader.com, GitHub, ObtainiumOpen-source Android build with network permissions removed.
StandardWindows desktopOnline-capableepistemereader.com, GitHubFull-featured desktop release with the shared KMP reader core and online-capable services.
OfflineWindows desktopOffline-onlyepistemereader.com, GitHubDesktop build focused on local reading with online services disabled.

Future desktop platforms can use the same Standard and Offline model as support expands.

Languages

Episteme Reader currently supports: English, Arabic, Belarusian, German, Spanish, Estonian, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and Chinese Simplified.

Want Episteme Reader in another language? Please request it through GitHub Issues or start a thread in Discussions.

Building from Source

  1. Clone the repository:

    git clone https://github.com/Aryan-Raj3112/episteme.git
    cd episteme
    
  2. Build Android:

    • Open in Android Studio and run the ossDebug or ossOfflineDebug variant, or
    • Build from the command line:
      ./gradlew assembleOssDebug
      

    The APK will be generated at: app/build/outputs/apk/oss/debug/Episteme-oss-v{version}-oss-debug.apk

  3. Build desktop:

    ./gradlew :desktopApp:packageReleaseDistributionForCurrentOS
    

    For the offline desktop build, pass:

    ./gradlew :desktopApp:packageReleaseDistributionForCurrentOS -PdesktopFlavor=oss
    

Open Source Libraries

Powered by the Kotlin, Android, and desktop OSS ecosystem:

  • Core and UI: Kotlin Multiplatform, Compose Multiplatform, AndroidX, Jetpack Compose, Kotlinx Serialization
  • Document engines: PdfiumAndroidKt, PDFium, libmobi
  • Parsers: Jsoup, Flexmark, Apache Commons Compress
  • Media and image loading: Coil, Media3
  • Utilities: Room, Timber, JNA

Contributors

ContributorContribution
CCerrer avatar CCerrerTesting and QA
ottozumkeller avatar ottozumkellerGerman translation
TURBOKANTR avatar TURBOKANTRTurkish translation
eyadalkordy24 avatar eyadalkordy24Arabic translation
berebara avatar berebaraRussian translation
mh4ckt3mh4ckt1c4s avatar mh4ckt3mh4ckt1c4sFrench translation

Supporters

Thank you to the people helping keep Episteme Reader moving:

SupporterPlatform
Zorklo avatar ZorkloGitHub Sponsors

Support the Project

Help make Episteme Reader better:

License

Licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0 (AGPL-3.0). See the LICENSE file.