Kavita vs Komga: Which Should You Self-Host?
Quick Verdict
Both are excellent, but they serve slightly different workflows. Kavita has the better built-in web reader and broader format support (EPUB, PDF, comics). Komga has better metadata scraping, a superior API, and first-class Tachiyomi/Mihon integration. If you read primarily in the browser, choose Kavita. If you read on Android with Mihon, choose Komga.
Overview
Kavita is a self-hosted digital library for manga, comics, ebooks, and light novels. It organizes content by series using folder structure, provides a fast web-based reader, tracks per-user reading progress, and supports OPDS for third-party apps. Built with .NET and Angular.
Komga is a self-hosted comics and manga media server focused on library management and serving. It organizes CBZ/CBR/EPUB/PDF files, provides metadata management, a web-based reader, and an excellent API that powers Tachiyomi/Mihon integration. Built with Kotlin and Spring Boot.
Both solve the same core problem — organize and serve your comic and manga library — but differ in reader quality, format coverage, and ecosystem integration.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Kavita | Komga |
|---|---|---|
| Comic formats | CBZ, CBR, CB7, ZIP, RAR, 7Z | CBZ, CBR, PDF, EPUB |
| Ebook formats | EPUB, PDF | EPUB, PDF (limited reader) |
| Raw images | Yes (folders of JPG/PNG/WebP) | No |
| Built-in web reader | Excellent (manga + ebook) | Good (manga-focused) |
| Tachiyomi/Mihon support | Extension available | First-class integration |
| OPDS feed | Yes | Yes |
| Metadata scraping | Kavita+ (paid, optional) | ComicInfo.xml + external tools |
| Series organization | Folder-based, auto-detected | Folder-based, auto-detected |
| Reading progress sync | Per-user, per-series/volume | Per-user, per-series/volume |
| Collections | User collections | Server-wide + user reading lists |
| User management | Multi-user, age restrictions | Multi-user, library restrictions |
| API | REST API | Comprehensive REST API (Swagger) |
| Themes | Custom CSS themes | Dark/Light built-in |
| Runtime | .NET | JVM (Kotlin/Spring) |
| RAM usage (idle) | ~150 MB | ~200 MB |
| License | GPLv3 | MIT |
Installation Complexity
Both are single-container Docker deployments. Neither requires an external database.
Kavita: Mount directories, start, scan. Simple.
Komga: Mount directories, start, scan. Also simple. One caveat: the config directory must be on local storage (not NFS/CIFS) because Komga’s embedded H2 database needs file locking.
Winner: Tie. Both are equally easy to deploy.
Performance and Resource Usage
| Metric | Kavita | Komga |
|---|---|---|
| Idle RAM | ~150 MB | ~200 MB (JVM baseline) |
| Large library RAM | 300-500 MB | 500 MB - 2 GB (configurable heap) |
| Initial scan speed | Fast | Moderate (generates thumbnails) |
| Large library support | 50,000+ files | 50,000+ files (needs heap tuning) |
| Disk for cache | 1-5 GB (covers) | 500 MB - 2 GB (thumbnails) |
Kavita is slightly lighter on resources due to .NET vs JVM overhead. Komga requires manual heap tuning for large libraries (set JAVA_TOOL_OPTIONS=-Xmx2g). Both handle large collections well once configured.
Community and Support
| Aspect | Kavita | Komga |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 8,000+ | 4,500+ |
| Development pace | Active (monthly releases) | Active (regular releases) |
| Third-party ecosystem | OPDS readers | Tachiyomi/Mihon extensions, extensive API |
| Documentation | Wiki (kavitareader.com) | Docs site (komga.org) |
| Community | Discord | Discord |
Kavita has a larger GitHub following, but Komga has deeper integration with the manga reader ecosystem through Tachiyomi/Mihon.
Use Cases
Choose Kavita If…
- You read in the browser primarily (Kavita’s web reader is superior)
- You read a mix of manga, comics, and ebooks
- You want the widest format support (including raw image folders)
- You prefer lighter resource usage
- You want age-based content restrictions for family members
- You don’t use Tachiyomi/Mihon
Choose Komga If…
- You read manga on Android with Tachiyomi/Mihon
- You want better metadata management (ComicInfo.xml support)
- You want a comprehensive API for integrations and automations
- You prefer MIT-licensed software
- You want server-wide collections in addition to user reading lists
- You use ComicTagger or similar tools for metadata management
Final Verdict
This is genuinely a close call. For most users, Kavita is the better starting point — it has a better built-in reader, supports more formats (ebooks natively), and uses less memory. The all-in-one approach means you don’t need a separate ebook reader for EPUB files.
Komga wins for the Tachiyomi/Mihon workflow. If you read manga primarily on Android using Mihon, Komga’s deep integration is hard to beat — series, reading progress, and library browsing all sync seamlessly.
The two apps are close enough that either choice is good. You can even run both if you want to try each one with your library.
FAQ
Can I migrate from Komga to Kavita (or vice versa)?
Your actual comic/manga files are the same — just point the new app at the same directories. Reading progress and user data won’t transfer between them, but your library will be immediately available.
Which handles webtoons better?
Kavita. Its reader supports vertical scrolling mode (webtoon mode) natively. Komga’s reader is more page-oriented.
Do either support audiobooks?
No. For audiobooks, use Audiobookshelf.
Can I run both on the same server?
Yes. Map them to different ports and point both at the same library directories. The files are read-only from both apps’ perspective.
Which is better for e-ink devices?
Both support OPDS, which works with KOReader on e-ink devices. Neither has a dedicated e-ink mode in the web reader. For e-ink, use OPDS with a native reader app.
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