Comparison

Calibre View vs Calibre 2

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Calibre View

Browse and manage your Calibre ebook library on iOS devices. Connect to cloud storage or local files for fast searching, sorting, and filtering. Optimized for large collections and works offline once downloaded.

Highlights
  • Connect to cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, WebDAV)
  • Browse library with metadata only
  • Optimized for large libraries (15,000+ books)
  • Customizable book list columns and sorting
  • Fast search and filtering by tags, authors, series
  • Download books locally for offline reading
  • Supports multiple libraries and quick switching
Features
Read full description

Calibre View lets you browse and search your Calibre ebook library on iPhone and iPad, using cloud storage or local files on your device. Connect your existing Calibre library and explore your entire collection with fast searching, flexible sorting, and powerful filtering, all in a clean, native iOS and iPadOS interface designed for libraries large and small. (Tested with a 16,000-book library!) Whether you want to quickly find a specific book or explore your collection by tags, authors, or series, Calibre View is built to stay responsive and organized, even with very large libraries. Key Features • Connect to Calibre libraries stored in Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, WebDAV, iCloud, or the Files app • Optionally upload only your metadata.db file to browse your library without downloading covers or books • Fast loading, even for huge libraries (a 16,000-book library opens in about 4 seconds) • Advanced search with AND, OR, NOT, exact phrases, and column searches like authors:austen or tags:"science fiction" • Customize which columns appear in the book list, similar to Calibre's desktop view, saved separately for each library • Sort by any Calibre column, including custom columns • Filter books instantly using tags, authors, series, and other metadata fields • View detailed book information and customize what appears on the book details screen • Tap a tag or author in detail view to see every matching book, sorted just like your library • Long-press to copy titles, authors, tags, and summaries • Choose a column for Quick Filter to refine search results, authors, or tags • Covers are downloaded on demand only when viewing book details, saving bandwidth and storage • Download books locally and share or open them in other reading apps in any available format • Support for multiple libraries, with quick switching between them, even across different cloud services • Optimized layouts for both iPhone and iPad, including optional horizontal scrolling for portrait phone use • Works fully offline once a library is downloaded (covers and book downloads require connectivity) • Supports both light mode and dark mode Calibre View is free, with an optional tip jar for anyone who'd like to support development. Calibre View is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Calibre or its developers.

About

Calibre 2

Features
Read full description

Calibre 2 is a fast, private ebook manager and reader. LIBRARY • Add EPUB, MOBI, AZW3, PDF, HTML, Markdown and TXT files • Edit metadata: title, authors, series, tags, ratings, covers • Powerful search (title, author:, tag:, series:) and list or cover views • Organise books into libraries READER • Clean, distraction-free reading with adjustable fonts, themes and margins • Table of contents, bookmarks and reading progress • Built-in PDF viewer PRIVACY FIRST • Works entirely on your device — no account required • Optional free account to sync your library and reading position across devices • Share single books or whole libraries with specific people • No ads, no data selling Calibre 2 is the mobile companion of calibre.online.

Screenshots

Calibre View4 screens
Calibre 21 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Calibre 2 at none against Calibre View's 3. Calibre 2 also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Calibre View sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Calibre 2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Calibre View versus Calibre 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCalibre ViewCalibre 2
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDANIEL EDWARD LAMSONClarence Aubessard

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Calibre View

One-time3
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99
None

Calibre 2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Calibre View free?
Calibre View is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Calibre 2 free?
Calibre 2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Calibre View or Calibre 2 have ads?
Neither Calibre View nor Calibre 2 shows ads.

Other comparisons