Best Panels Alternative for macOS

TL;DR

Panels is a beautifully designed comic reader, but it requires a $9.99/year subscription for advanced features and focuses heavily on iOS. Krazoom is built exclusively for macOS, offers library management and all core features for free, and never asks you to subscribe.

Why people look for a Panels alternative

Panels is a great app — it's well-designed and popular on iOS. But macOS comic readers have different needs, and some things about Panels push people to explore alternatives.

Subscription fatigue

Panels Plus costs $9.99/year to unlock smart lists, OPDS, and other features. For a comic reader, many users prefer a one-time purchase or free app.

iOS-first design

Panels was built for iPhone and iPad first. The macOS version works, but it can feel like a port rather than a native Mac app.

Limited free tier

Basic reading is free, but organization features like smart lists are locked behind the subscription.

No folder-based library

If you've already organized your comics into folders, you want a reader that respects that structure rather than importing everything into its own database.

Krazoom: a macOS-first comic reader

Krazoom is built with SwiftUI exclusively for macOS. It's not a port from iOS — every interaction is designed for mouse, keyboard, and trackpad. And the core experience is completely free.

Native macOS app built with SwiftUI — fast, smooth, and feels right at home
Reads CBZ, CBR, PDF, and image folders out of the box
Folder-based library that works with your existing collection
Smart library with saved searches, reading status filters, and collections
Single and double page reading modes with zoom and swipe gestures
Reading progress saved automatically — pick up where you left off
No account, no subscription, no tracking

Krazoom vs Panels: detailed comparison

Feature	Krazoom	Panels
Price	Free	Free + $9.99/yr subscription
macOS native	SwiftUI, macOS-first	Catalyst / iOS port
CBZ support	✓	✓
CBR support	✓	✓
PDF support	✓	✓
Image folders	✓	✗
Folder-based library	✓	Import-based
Saved searches	Free	Panels Plus ($9.99/yr)
Reading progress	✓	✓
Double page mode	✓	✓
Keyboard navigation	Full keyboard support	Limited
Multi-window reading	✓	✗
OPDS support	✗	Panels Plus
iOS / iPhone	macOS only	✓
Cross-device sync	Coming soon (Pro)	✓
Live translation	✗	✓
Privacy	No tracking, no account	Account optional

Who should switch — and who shouldn't

Switch to Krazoom if you...

Read comics primarily on your Mac
Want a genuinely native macOS experience
Don't want to pay a yearly subscription
Have your comics organized in folders already
Value privacy and don't want to create an account
Want full keyboard and multi-window support

Stick with Panels if you...

Read on both iPhone/iPad and Mac and need sync
Use OPDS servers to stream comics
Need live translation for manga
Prefer an all-Apple-devices ecosystem app

Switching from Panels takes minutes

Krazoom reads your comics directly from their folder — there's no import step, no database migration, and no conversion needed.

Point Krazoom at your comic folder and it auto-scans everything
CBZ, CBR, and PDF files work immediately
Your folder structure is preserved — Krazoom doesn't move or copy files
Set up saved searches and collections to recreate your Panels organization

The best free alternative to Panels for macOS.