July 1st is here, so if you haven’t already, now is the time to choose your alternative RSS reader of choice to replace Google Reader. Since I last wrote about Google Reader alternatives, more services have sprung up to fill the voie. The following are the current available web-based RSS readers you have to choose from and some quick facts about each.
If you’re not ready to choose your new RSS reader, that’s OK. But what you will need to do now (like, right now) is download your Google Reader archive on Google Takeout. When you unzip the archive file, you’ll find a subscriptions.xml – this is the file you will import into new RSS reader of choice.
Please note that since I prefer looking at my RSS subscriptions in list view, I have included screenshots of each reader in that view. Many of these services have alternative views with thumbnails, expanded entries, etc.
Feedly
- The service is free.
- Can be used on your desktop with Google Chrome and on iOS or Android devices.
- Includes Google+, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Buffer, and email sharing buttons.
- Includes a score next to each post that represents total Facebook likes and Google +1’s so you can quickly see popularity.
- Allows you to save posts (similar to starring in Google Reader).
- Allows you to tag posts to find content on a particular topic later.
- Ability to search feeds is in the works.
Netvibes
- The service is free.
- Can be used on any desktop browser.
- Allows you to save posts for later.
- Allows you to share to Facebook, Twitter, Buffer, Google+, Pocket, Evernote, Yammer, HootSuite, Flipboard, Readability, or email.
Digg Reader
- The service is free and currently in beta (but may become premium later).
- Can be used in any desktop browser.
- Allows you to Digg and share to Facebook or Twitter.
- Allows you to save for later (similar to starrin in Google Reader).
- Search and other capabilities coming soon.
HootSuite Syndicator
- The app within HootSuite is free. You can use HootSuite with up to five social profiles for free.
- Can be used on any desktop browser.
- Displays RSS feed groupings in streams.
- Allows you to favorite posts (like starring in Google Reader).
- Allows you to share link to post in HootSuite to connected accounts.
- Allows you to save post to read later.
- Allows you to search for posts with specific keywords within streams.
Newsblur
- The service is free for up to 64 feeds, then ranges from $1 – $3 per month.
- Can be used on any desktop browser and on iOS or Android devices.
- Allows you to “train” your reader to help it learn what posts you like / dislike based on site, author, title, and tags.
- Allows you to share the posts with others and see globally shared posts.
AOL Reader
- The service is free and currently in beta.
- Can be used in any desktop browser.
- Allows you to star posts (similar to starring in Google Reader).
The Old Reader
- The service is free.
- Can be used with any desktop browser.
- Allows you to Facebook or Google to find friends to share posts with.
- Allows you to “like” posts (similar to starring in Google Reader).
- Allows you to view trending posts amongst your network.
FeedSpot
- The service is free for basic use. You can upgrade to Gold for $1.99 per month to access advanced features including search.
- Can be used in any desktop browser.
- Includes Facebook, Twitter, Pocket, Bufferapp, Readability, Instapaper, Evernote and more service sharing buttons for Gold members.
- Allows you to star posts (similar to starring in Google Reader).
Curata Reader
- The service is free.
- Can be used with any desktop browser.
- Defaults to expanded post view without the option to change to list or other views.
- Includes Facebook, Twitter, and email sharing buttons.
- Allows you to thumbs up or thumbs down a post.
- Allows you to flag posts (like starring in Google Reader).
Feedreader Online
- The service is free.
- Can be used on any desktop browser (also has downloadable version).
- Allows you to star the article (similar to starring in Google Reader).
- Includes Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, and email sharing buttons.
Feedbin
- The service is $2 per month or $20 per year.
- Can be used in any desktop browser.
- Allows you to star posts (like starring in Google Reader).
- Display is similar to Microsoft Outlook in terms of seeing list view and then the expanded post in the right pane.
CommaFeed
- The service is free.
- Can be used in any desktop browser.
- Includes Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pocket, Instapaper, and Buffer sharing buttons.
- Allows you to star posts (similar to starring in Google Reader).
- Has a search feature, but searches are currently very slow.
While there are other web-based RSS readers out there, these are the best or most promising Google Reader alternatives so far. Right now, my main choice is Feedly, but I might migrate to the RSS reader that enables the best search features in the long run. What are your favorite Google Reader alternatives?
