Feedly vs The Old Reader
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Feedly is a news aggregator service that allows users to customize their feeds. It provides a simple and intuitive way to stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends from around the world. With Feedly, users can create personalized feeds based on their interests and preferences, and access them from anywhere.
The Old Reader is an RSS-based feed reader that lets users follow websites, blogs, and news sources in one organized feed, deliberately relying on chronological RSS delivery rather than an algorithmic timeline. It also includes social features for sharing and discussing articles with friends who use the service.
- Highly customizable
- Large selection of sources
- Personalized recommendations
- Multi-platform support
- Chronological, algorithm-free feed keeps content organized and predictable
- Simple, low-friction setup by just adding a site's web address
- Long-running service with an established user base
- Social sharing features add a community layer to feed reading
- Can be overwhelming with too many sources
- Limited free features
- Not ideal for casual news readers
- Interface feels dated compared to newer feed reader competitors
- Relies on third-party apps for a native mobile experience rather than a first-party app
- Free tier has usage limits that push active users toward a paid plan
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Feedly
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Alternatives to The Old Reader
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataFeedly offers richer personalization and integrations but can feel overwhelming, while The Old Reader provides a simple, chronological, algorithm‑free experience with fewer features.
Key differences
- •Feedly includes AI‑driven recommendations and extensive third‑party integrations (Evernote, Pocket, IFTTT); The Old Reader does not offer an API or native integrations.
- •Feedly’s interface is highly customizable with filters and categories; The Old Reader uses a straightforward chronological list with limited customization.
- •Feedly supports offline reading on any device; The Old Reader relies on third‑party apps for mobile access and lacks offline capability.
- •The Old Reader’s free tier imposes usage limits that quickly push users to paid plans; Feedly’s free tier is also limited but focuses on feature caps rather than usage limits.
- •Support channels differ: Feedly provides live chat plus email, whereas The Old Reader offers only email and a blog.
Pricing & value
Both are freemium, but The Old Reader’s free tier has stricter usage limits that may force early upgrade.
Ease of use / learning curve
The Old Reader’s simple chronological view is less complex than Feedly’s many customization options.
Features & depth
Feedly offers personalized recommendations, filters, offline access, and discovery tools; The Old Reader is basic.
Integrations & ecosystem
Feedly provides API access and integrations with Evernote, Pocket, IFTTT; The Old Reader has no API or native integrations.
Collaboration
The Old Reader includes social sharing and friend connections; Feedly lacks built‑in social features.
Support
Feedly offers live chat in addition to email, while The Old Reader only provides email and a blog.
Security & privacy
Both are cloud SaaS with no open‑source code; no specific security details are provided for either.
Choose Feedly if…
Power users who need advanced personalization, offline reading, and integration with other productivity tools.
Choose The Old Reader if…
Users who prefer a minimal, chronological feed with social sharing and are okay with limited native mobile apps.
Common questions
Which tool has a native mobile app?
Feedly offers access on any device, implying a native app; The Old Reader relies on third‑party apps for mobile.
Can I automate actions with my feeds?
Yes, Feedly provides an API and IFTTT integration; The Old Reader does not offer an API.
Is there a free tier that allows unlimited reading?
Both have free tiers, but The Old Reader’s free tier has usage limits that may restrict active users, while Feedly’s limits are feature‑based.