RSS Reader: How the market has changed since the end of Google Reader
Until July 1, 2013, Google Reader was the de facto standard in the area of RSS reader services. The API of the free service enabled a whole ecosystem of different feed readers. If you read an article on a reader connected to the service, it was also marked as read in every other reader linked to your account. What was an extremely practical service for us users probably generated little revenue for Google. It was therefore not surprising that the service was shut down.
After the search giant announced the end of Google Reader in 2013, various providers set about developing their own alternatives. There are now a whole range of services that have either copied the old Google Reader API or developed their own API. Due to the fragmentation of the market resulting from the different APIs, the providers vary not only in price but also in the number of compatible apps. To make your choice easier, we have selected five ways to organize your RSS feed collection and keep it synchronized across different apps.
RSS Reader: The five best platforms for feed junkies
If there is one service that has really blossomed since the demise of Google Reader, it is Feedly. Under the name Normandy, Feedly developed a clone of the Google Reader API, which is now compatible with almost countless RSS reader apps on all platforms. If you are looking for the freedom to choose your reader app, there is basically no way around Feedly. In addition to a web app, the industry leader also offers its own iOS and Android apps.
You can now only subscribe to a maximum of 100 sources in the free version. At least users who were already using the service before the upper limit was introduced do not seem to be affected. Nevertheless, the paid premium version could be worthwhile. Not only does it integrate a powerful search function into the service, but it also supports IFTTT, Zapier, Evernote, Pocket, Buffer, Dropbox and other services. In addition, feeds are said to be retrieved up to ten times faster than in the free version, and you can define your own keyword alarms that inform you about news on topics of your choice. You pay $5.41 per month for this. There is also a team option for jointly maintaining feed lists. This costs $18 per month per user. Payment is possible by credit card or Paypal.
Service offers its own apps for the following platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Recommended third-party apps for the service: Reeder 3 (iOS / macOS), gReader (Android), Nextgen Reader (Windows 8 / Windows Phone), Phonly (Windows Phone)
RSS feed reader services: Inoreader is a good Feedly alternative. (Screenshot: Inoreader)
In contrast to most competing services, you can subscribe to as many feeds as you like with Inoreader, even in the free version. However, you will have to put up with advertising. The service’s web app scores points with three different themes, and the mobile apps are also impressive. Podcast fans will be pleased that Inoreader also has its own integrated audio player. If you don’t like advertising, you have to pay at least $14.99 per year with Inoreader. For professionals, however, the slightly more expensive Plus and Professional offers are more interesting.
Plus costs $29.99 per year and allows you to create up to 30 rules. These allow you to easily find content and automatically tag it, save it in Evernote or a similar service, or use it in a variety of other ways. You also have ten filters at your disposal and can make 30 active searches. The Professional version costs $49.99 per year and not only removes the limits for rules, searches, and filters, but also offers other practical functions such as IFTTT integration or the ability to have articles translated directly via the service.
Service offers its own apps for the following platforms: Web, Android, iOS, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone 8.1
Recommended third-party apps for the service: Reeder 3 (iOS / macOS), FeedMe (Android)
Okay, the Newsblur web app isn’t particularly stylish. But after a certain amount of getting used to it, the interface is actually quite functional and gives you a quick overview of what’s happening in the news. Unlike Feedly, the free version of Newsblur is only interesting for people who only follow a few sources. You’re limited to a maximum of 64 feeds. However, the paid version is significantly cheaper than Feedly at $24 per year.
Newsblur offers its own apps for iOS and Android. There are also a number of third-party apps that work with the service. However, the selection is much smaller than with Feedly. But at least Newsblur also offers its own IFTTT channel. The service is also open source and is under the MIT license. You can find the Newsblur source code on Github.
Service offers its own apps for the following platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Recommended third-party apps for the service: Reeder 3 (iOS / macOS), Hypersonic (Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile), GrazeRSS (Android)
The AOL Reader offers a plain but functional web interface. There is also a suitable app for iOS. An Android version is planned. The number of third-party apps supported is manageable. But you can still find alternatives to the official apps. We have included the AOL Reader in this list because the service is completely free. If you are not picky about your reader apps and don’t want to pay for an RSS reader service, you should take a look at the AOL Reader. However, you are limited to a maximum of 1,000 feeds. For most users, however, this should not be a major problem.
Service offers its own apps for the following platforms: Web, iOS
Recommended third-party apps for the service: vReadr (Android), Feeddler (iOS)
You don’t want to rely on a cloud provider or proprietary software to manage your RSS feeds? Then Tiny Tiny RSS might be just the right solution. The software is open source and is licensed under the free GPL version 3 license. Like Fever, Tiny Tiny RSS uses PHP on the server side. PostgreSQL is recommended as the database.
In addition to the obligatory web interface, there is also an official Android app, which is also under an open source license. There is also an API for connecting third-party apps, but only a few feed readers use it. At least there is a Fever-API-Plugin for the software. This allows you to access your feeds with Fever-compatible apps.
Service offers its own apps for the following platforms: Web, Android
This article is a revision of an article from 2015.