Why Choose CLU?
There are a lot of comic servers out there. Some are better than others, but they all serve a similar purpose: to read your comics.
Most media servers like Komga and Kavita are fantastic Readers. They excel at metadata consumption and reading.
CLU is different. CLU is a Manager first, and a reader second.
The CLU Difference
CLU was built for the curator. For the collector who wants to fix a messy filename, delete an ad page from a CBZ, or restructure their folders without leaving the browser. If your hobby is organizing your collection, CLU is for you.
| Feature | CLU | Komga | Kavita | ComicRack (Win) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Read Comics | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Manage Files (Move/Rename) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Edit Archives (Delete/Crop Pages) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Batch Improve (Upscale/Enhance) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Download (GetComics/Metron) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Platform | Docker/Web | Docker/Web | Docker/Web | Windows Desktop |
Key Features
1. Edit Your Comics
CLU allows you to open a CBZ/CBR file and modify it directly:
- Crop Covers: Remove borders or text from covers.
- Delete Pages: Remove ads or unwanted pages.
- Add Pages: Insert missing pages or covers.
- Split & Combine: Split a file into two or more files or combine multiple files into one file.
- Convert: Convert PDF and CBR files to jpeg or WebP CBZ files.
No other self-hosted server allows this level of granular control.
2. File Management
CLU respects your filesystem.
- Move & Rename: Organize your library structure from the UI.
- Series Mapping: Easily map series to your existing folders.
- Repair Files: Rebuild files with bad images or CRC errors.
- Duplicate Detection: Detect and remove duplicate files.
- Bulk Operations: Perform operations on multiple files at once.
3. Downloads and Metadata
Expand your collection and get metadata without leaving the app.
- Metron: View weekly releases, search series and get metadata.
- Direct Downloads: Search and download comics directly to your server, no setup needed.
- ComicVine: Used as a secondary source for metadata.
- Grand Comics Database: Locally running clone can be user for quick, bulk metadata updates.
Use CLU if you want to find specific back-issues, curate your library, or fix existing files.
Who is CLU for?
- The Curator: You want your files perfectly named and organized.
- The Editor: You want to fix that one issue with the low-res cover.
- The Collector: You want to find and download new issues easily.
If you just want to read, Komga is great. If you want to manage, get CLU.