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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?
All of the RSS you mentioned are the best ones and at the same time, the most popular ones. Of my my favorites is actually is Newsgator because, well in my case, it brought me the most readers.
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