Calibre Companion Alternative (2026) — CaliMob for Android & iOS
Calibre Companion was the default way to get books from desktop Calibre onto a phone. It is effectively abandoned (infrequent updates; Android-only), so many Calibre users are searching for a Calibre Companion alternative that still understands a real Calibre library — not just a pile of EPUB files.
CaliMob is that replacement for most people: it syncs your Calibre library (metadata, covers, series, tags) from cloud or local backends, includes a built-in reader for ebooks, comics and audiobooks, and works on Android and iOS. Free to download, no ads.
Why people leave Calibre Companion
- Not a reader — Companion hands files to Moon+, ReadEra, or another app. Comics and audiobooks need yet more apps.
- Android-only — no maintained iPhone / iPad path for the same workflow.
- Wireless Device vs modern backends — Companion shines at Calibre Connect/Share as a Wireless Device; Content Server / OPDS need the local network. It also has cloud folders (Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, …), but not WebDAV or FTP/SFTP, and still no in-app reader.
- Stale maintenance — Calibre and Android keep moving; an unmaintained companion becomes fragile.
What to use instead
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| CaliMob | Full Calibre library + built-in reader on Android and iOS; backends including Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, WebDAV, FTP/SFTP, OPDS, Content Server | Reading customization is solid, not as deep as Moon+ Pro |
| Calibre Sync | Active Companion-style sync to cloud folders; often paired with a separate reader | Not a full ebook / comic / audiobook reader in one app |
| justRead (iOS) | iPhone / iPad users who want strong two-way Calibre sync | iOS-focused; different product from CaliMob’s cross-platform + comics/audiobooks story |
| Moon+ / ReadEra + OPDS | You only need a great standalone reader and an OPDS catalog | No native Calibre metadata.db / series / tags sync |
| Calibre-Web-Companion | You already run Calibre-Web / CWA as the server | Requires a self-hosted web stack; not a drop-in for a desktop Calibre + cloud folder |
For a feature-by-feature table against the old app, see CaliMob vs Calibre Companion. This page answers the “what should I use now?” question.
How CaliMob replaces Companion in practice
- Keep organizing books in desktop Calibre as usual.
- Put the library on a cloud folder (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, WebDAV/Nextcloud, …) or use Content Server / OPDS when you prefer local network.
- Install CaliMob, connect the same backend, and read EPUB, PDF, CBZ/CBR, and audiobooks in one app.
- Optional: use the Calibre plugin / CaliWeb backup for progress and metadata across devices.
Setup walkthrough: Android guide · Read Calibre on iPhone · FAQ.
Android vs iOS
Companion never covered iPhone well. If your search is “Calibre on iPhone,” CaliMob is built for that path (cloud backends + reader on iOS). On Android you get the same library model plus the formats Companion never handled in-app (comics, audiobooks).
Verdict
If you want one maintained app that replaces Calibre Companion and a separate reader, with cloud sync and both mobile platforms: choose CaliMob. If you only need a sync client and already love Moon+, Calibre Sync remains a fair Companion-shaped option. If you are iOS-only and prioritize two-way Calibre sync above comics/audiobooks in one package, evaluate justRead as well.
Ready to switch from Calibre Companion? Google Play · App Store, or try the demo library. Feature detail: CaliMob vs Calibre Companion.