# Nomad Reader

> Nomad Reader is small application designed for convenient epub/fb2 books reading

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/net.runserver.textReader](https://chrome-stats.com/d/net.runserver.textReader)

## Overview

- **ID:** `net.runserver.textReader`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Alexei Garbuzenko
- **Category:** BOOKS\_AND\_REFERENCE
- **Downloads:** 139,826
- **Rating:** 1.67 / 5 (687 ratings)
- **Version:** 0.12.4
- **Last updated:** 2016-11-09
- **First published:** 2011-04-29
- **Publisher country:** UA
- **Size:** 535 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-12
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.runserver.textReader)
- **Website:** [https://runserver.net/apps/](https://runserver.net/apps/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://runserver.net/ad/privacy\_en.html](https://runserver.net/ad/privacy_en.html)

## Description

Nomad Reader is a lightweight and elegant application tailored for seamless reading of epub and fb2 books on Android devices (versions 1.5-3.1). It offers rich support for images, styles, internal and external fonts, and features an intuitive bookshelf with Cover Flow to simplify book selection. The reader optimizes performance on devices like the Nook Touch, featuring enhanced e-ink font rendering and rapid page turns, especially suited for black-and-white displays.

Currently in beta and frequently updated, Nomad Reader also extends support to right-to-left languages such as Hebrew, Arabic, Urdu, and Farsi, requiring proper paragraph formatting and direction tags. Built entirely without C++ code, it is compatible with diverse architectures including ARM, x86, and MIPS, ensuring versatility across Android devices. This app provides a polished, user-friendly experience for avid e-book readers seeking convenience and style.

## Rankings

- #189,258 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`

## Review summary

Nomad Reader is praised for its clean UI and strong reading customization, plus privacy-friendly permissions and solid performance on devices like the Nook. However, recurring issues include poor RTL/encoding support, rendering problems with indented text, a library UI that feels like a file explorer and lacks search, and storage detection plus device/ROM compatibility problems. Overall, it’s well-regarded for design and features but needs fixes in encoding, library UX, and compatibility.

### Pros

- Excellent UI with a clean, minimalist design.
- Strong reading customization (text color and size) to mimic an e-ink reader.
- Privacy-friendly: does not require internet permission.
- Feature-rich and generally fast/effective as an ebook reader.
- Works well on devices like the Nook.

### Cons

- Poor RTL/Hebrew support and broader encoding compatibility.
- Some text rendering issues, like indented text appearing as blanks.
- Library UI feels like a file explorer and lacks a usable search.
- Internal storage for books is not recognized.
- Compatibility issues on certain devices/ROM versions.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/net.runserver.textReader)