Goodbye Google Reader: Here are five RSS alternatives

Summary: Google may be closing down its Reader RSS services from 1 July, but that isn't the end of the RSS party. Here are four cloud-based alternatives and one desktop option all waiting to keep you in touch with the news.

By Ben Woods | March 14, 2013 -- 14:34 GMT (07:34 PDT)

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Readefine

Readefine is the only desktop RSS reader client on this list, and for good reason — put simply, most people prefer a cloud-based service they can access from anywhere.

However, there are still users that prefer to have their news delivered to their desktop, and for those people, Readefine might be worth considering.

Readefine's layout is a little different to most, choosing to display categories horizontally across the top of the screen and with a newspaper column style layout taking most of the page.

Clicking through to an individual article displays it in full screen, where you have the option to star it for later reading or share it through a variety of social networks or email.

Readefine is available to download for free on Windows, Mac or Linux.

Topics: Cloud, Google

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11 comments

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Thanks!

I was surprised to see the notice this morning that Google Reader was being retired. I am not very tech savvy and didn't know what the other top Reader-type services were. Before I even had time to think about it your article was posted (and featured on Google News), I signed up for Feedly and I'm good to go. Everything transferred seamlessly. Thanks a lot!

yeceer
14 March, 2013 15:43

Reply 2 Votes
- feedly
  
  Ditto here.
  
  susanaii
  22 March, 2013 23:16
  
  Reply Vote
Feedly seems to be best.

Feedly seems to be the easiest to migrate to, and their format actually seems pretty good. It uses your existing account with Google, so you don't have to create a new account. And Feedly has announced they're transitioning to their own backend, so they'll continue even when Reader goes down.

Basically, all you need is to get a Feedly reader (available as a plugin for Chrome/Firefox/Safari, or as an app on iOS/Android), login via your Google account (the one you use with Reader), and you're good to go :).

CobraA1
14 March, 2013 15:45

Reply 1 Vote
And Another Google Reader Alternative

Rolio (http://www.rolio.com) is another alternative to Google Reader which, in addition to RSS, also supports the integration of Facebook and Twitter into your timeline for real-time updates. Rolio also supports the importing of your Google Reader feeds.

rolio
14 March, 2013 15:55

Reply 1 Vote
There is also NextGen Reader...

Available for Windows Phone and Windows 8.

toph36
14 March, 2013 16:11

Reply Vote
Thank you!

Ben, very happy you recommended Skimr! http://www.skimr.co

Petr, Skimr Co-founder

skimrss
14 March, 2013 19:59

Reply Vote
NewzSocial: The next step beyond Google Reader

If Google wants to drop Google Reader then there are other alternatives with all the Google Reader functionality and more. I would suggest checking out NewzSocial (http://www.newzsocial.com) which has better functionality than Google Reader and cool social news sharing features built in. NewzSocial also has a channel about the end of Google Reader: http://www.newzsocial.com/googlereader/

NZContentMkt
14 March, 2013 22:14

Reply Vote
Users need more than just reading

web based readers that allow users to search and save sites as well as integrate social media feeds will be the wave of the future...

You should add http://www.vortl.com to the list of browser based readers, it's a new site that goes one step further by being able to do a comprehensive search of sites and automatically add not only RSS, but facebook and twitter feeds of your favorites sites as well.

xpfree
15 March, 2013 05:06

Reply Vote
Alternative

Have a look at Totally.Me if you are looking for a alternative for both Google Reader and iGoogle (shutting down on November 1). Totally.Me offers a visualized experience for all your Social Updates and News Headlines.

Arjan de Raaf
15 March, 2013 05:16

Reply Vote
Another Web-Based Option

Another good option for web-based RSS reader is FeedBin https://feedbin.me/

pauljmartinez
15 March, 2013 05:52

Reply Vote
Nuesbyte.com

http://nuesbyte.com

I've made this one, would love to hear feedback about it

7hundredand77
21 March, 2013 02:23

Reply Vote