Fluent Reader vs The Old Reader
Fluent Reader
hyliu.meThe Old Reader
theoldreader.comSide by side
| Figure | Fluent Reader | The Old Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · RSS Reader Software | 8.8 (#5) | 7.2 (#29) |
| Integrations | It supports Inoreader, Feedbin, and services compatible with Fever or Google Reader API. | The Old Reader lists a GoogleReader-like mobile API and Instapaper integration. |
| Purpose | Fluent Reader is a local, cross-platform news aggregator and desktop RSS reader. | The Old Reader lets users subscribe to and read RSS feeds. |
| Reading | It includes a built-in article view for RSS full text and can load webpages in the app or open them externally. | The reader offers list view, keyboard shortcuts, and navigation between posts. |
| Support | The project directs users to report bugs or request features through GitHub issues. | The product tour directs users to its knowledge base and community forums for assistance. |
Plans
In their own words
Fluent Reader
Fluent Reader is a free, open-source news aggregator and RSS reader for desktop, built for local, distraction-free reading. Its built-in article view handles RSS full text and can use Mercury Parser to load full text; webpages can also open inside the app or externally. Search spans titles and article contents, with regular expressions available for searches and rules that can mark, hide, or star articles. Subscriptions can be grouped, imported or exported as OPML, and included in backups. Desktop versions are distributed for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports Inoreader, Feedbin, and services compatible with Fever or Google Reader API, alongside listed compatibility with services such as FreshRSS, Miniflux, The Old Reader, BazQux Reader, and Tiny Tiny RSS. Fluent Reader Lite offers iOS TestFlight access and Android APK downloads. The project says it does not collect, store, or share personal information. However, a connected RSS service may see activity through its API, and connecting one removes local articles with matching source URLs while retaining rules and preferences.
The Old Reader
The Old Reader has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.