Even though RSS technology is more than two decades old, there are still enough people who depend on RSS readers to read content. Mostly because it gives them control of resource collection. While there are popular RSS feed reader apps for iPhone, few of them rank higher among avid users. Apart from these, NetNewsWire and Reeder are the best RSS readers on iOS and we will compare them in this post.
NetNewsWire is an open source project with an interesting history. The developers released a Mac version last year, and last month NetNewsWire v5.0 made its debut on the App Store.
By the way, each version of Reeder was appreciated by avid fans of the application and RSS feeds.
Confusion is natural when it comes to choosing the best of the two. Therefore, we highlight the key differences in this comparison.
Cross-Platform Availability
Both Reeder and NetNewsWire are only available on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
However, if you really want to enjoy the cross-platform experience, take the help of RSS aggregation services like Feedly.
user interface
User Interface plays an important role in an RSS reader application. Ultimately, if a user cannot find the relevant option, they will switch to a competing service. Reeder’s years of hard work shines here. Let us elaborate.
We can describe Reeder in one word – minimal. Almost every menu, option, and button keeps the interface simple. The animations are slick and seamless, and as you move from one post to the next, it feels like you’re scrolling through the physical pages of the book.
We also appreciate the multiple theme options. Light, Dark, Black, Light with Dark title bar etc. You can choose from.
NetNewsWire isn’t far behind either. It’s just the finish and application level in Reeder is a notch above everything else in the RSS market. The app supports both Light and Dark themes.
Services and Integration
Reeder has left no stone unturned when it comes to services. You can connect a number of services like RSS, Instapaper, Pocket, Feedbin, Feedly, FeedHQ, NewsBlur, Inroreader, and even self-hosted FreshRDD, Reader, Fever and more. Tap the + icon and add the account to Reeder.
NetNewsWire only supports two services – Feedbin and Feedly. However, you can import OPML backups to continue reading your subscribed feeds.
Reading Experience
Let’s discuss the elephant in the room – the reading experience. A well executed reading experience can take an RSS application to the next level. And oh boy! Reeder did it.
When you open the Reeder app, it syncs the data of the added accounts and previews the unread/new articles. You can touch an article and start reading in a clean environment. Tap the down arrow to switch from one post to the next.
You may have noticed some websites that use the ‘Read More’ button to expand the article. You can tap Reading mode in Reeder. This bypasses the Read More button and you can read the entire article without leaving the interface.
You can also tap the three-dot menu above and change the font type, size, spacing, header size, and more. Most of you won’t have a problem with the default settings, but it’s always good to see the options.
NetNewsWire also did a good job. However, switching from one post to another feels more natural and intuitive in Reeder. Unlike Reeder, there is no way to customize the text style and size. You will have to dive into the app settings to make changes. Still, you’ll only find a few options.
Extra Features
Reeder added widget support. The app’s Recent Articles widget comes in small, medium and large sizes. You can configure it to view articles from any source set up in the app, including the app’s built-in Read Later service and any RSS service.
Reeder’s widgets can be displayed using all four fonts: System, Rounded, Serif and Compact.
NetNewsWire is the new kid around the block. Widgets and Read Later service is missing. We hope to see such foundations develop rapidly in future builds.
Price
Reeder comes with a one-time purchase of $4.99 in the App Store. The app for macOS costs $9.99 on the Mac App Store.
NetNewsWire is completely free on iPhone and Mac.
Enhance Your Reading Experience
The result could not be simpler here. Reeder surpasses NetNewsWire in terms of user interface, reading experience, and third-party integration, but it comes with a price tag. If you’re new to the world of RSS and unsure of your long-term commitment to reading, continue with NetNewWire.
Next: The Mac ecosystem is also full of useful RSS apps. Read the post below to learn about the five best RSS reader apps for Mac.
Support our work ❤️
If you enjoyed this article, consider leaving a tip to help us keep publishing great content.
