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As I am probably not the only one to look for a RSS reader I decided to share my list of those I think are the best ones. Most people nowadays use Google Reader for RSS (and Atom) feeds but I do not want Google to have all my data, I use far too many Google services by now.
Anyways, I still think that it’s one of the best RSS readers so I included it here in my list of the best 10 cross-platform RSS readers (also referred to as feedreader by many) along with 9 alternatives. Cross platform means they work on Windows, Mac and Linux.
3 of them are open source software based on the Java programming language, that’s why they work on all operating systems. 7 of them are web based feed readers. It means they work in your browser like any website. So here is the list, the desktop programs first:
- RSSOwl - Probably the most popular free open source RSS reader, nice clean interface, support dozens of languages
- BlogBridge - Simple, browser-like interface, also open source and quite popular newsreader
- BottomFeeder - It’s a complex open source RSS reader for the poweruser
- Google Reader - AJAX enhanced most popular web based RSS reader, using the typical Google colors and fonts
- Bloglines - Before Google Reader Bloglines was the most popular online browser based RSS reader, you can make your subscriptions visible for others here
- Netvibes - Netvibes is more a web based starting page than a stand alone RSS reader but you can use it like one
- NewsGator
- FeedShow
- Rocket RSS Reader
- Newshutch
Are newsreaders, feed readers, Atom and RSS readers the same? Yes and no, I prefer the term RSS readers although they also support Atom feeds (just another RSS-like format) because there is a RSS Reader software called Feedreader. I do not want you to mix it up.
I did not include Feedreader here as it only works on Windows. “Newsreader” might refer to the so called Usenet, a part of the Internet that came before the Web and still is used by some people. Usenet newsgroup readers are not the same as RSS newsreaders.
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i do use web-based rss reader only like Newshutch.
here is one more i suggest, Feedraider.
This one here: http://feedraider.com/ ?
I thought you hated feeds, Tad ;).
Yes. I see you are a dilligent reader. My first draft of this post was half explanation why I changed my mind, but then I thought nobody cares and the target audience are the Google visitors anyways as you all already use RSS readers.
I you followed my last 3 or so “great blogs” posts you might have wondered how I manage to read them all without a feed reader ;-)
So finally I had to change my reading habits. And it’s all your fault! Stop writing so many different great blogs! Get a life! And give me a break! Damn blogging bastards!
Haha, I know the feeling. My bookmarks are cluttered beyond belief without having a bunch of blogs in there. I think you’ll like RSS :)
Google Reader is my current choice though I can’t review it against the other options because I haven’t tried them.
Just spent an age looking for readers - my searching has to get better. Thanks for the list.
Netvibes is the best… I honestly couldn’t live without it at this point! And I can use it on any computer no matter where I am.
RSSOwl is unlikely to be the most popular f/loss rss reader irrespective of stretches of imagination.
I’d suspect liferea would take that title, and if not then it would come second to akregator.
Help!
(Heh. I love the dramatic first-timer entry.)
I’ve been wanting to get away from Bloglines for a while now, because the number of feeds I subscribe to and the complexity of my needs is soaring.
However, almost every feature-filled application-based x-platform reader totally screws up content-rich feeds. Take RSSOwl, for example. Half the time, graphics and nice formatting disappear from feeds that look great in Bloglines.
This means I’m finding myself tied to a browser-based reader, when I’m really trying to get away from one. Can you recommend something that’s app based, but offers similar functionality to Bloglines?
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