News sites and blogs are information that is updated every hour. If you are not using RSS feeds to consume this content then you are definitely in for a treat to save your time and data to consume all kinds of content from one app. Sure, media outlets’ specific apps are nice, but what if you’re only interested in Markets, Business, Sports, or a combination of a few topics?
So instead of opening a few tabs or keeping a handful of news apps, RSS feeds from multiple sources let you enjoy content in a single app.
RSS (Really Simple Distribution) feeds mostly bring up the title, photo and some text (sometimes the full article) and allow you to read without distractions. So you can keep track of the latest updates of your favorite blogs and websites in one place without having to visit multiple sites on your Mac.
Here is a compilation of the top 5 RSS news reader apps that we found extremely helpful.
Note: We used these apps in macOS 11 Big Sur public beta and they worked flawlessly. Screenshots were taken in dark mode with macOS.
1. NetNewsWire
NetNewsWire is a free, open source RSS feed reader app, and I bet you’ve heard of it while searching for a dedicated RSS feed app. The latest version of the application provides a fast and reliable RSS news reading experience. RSS feeds enthusiasts can link their Feedbin account, which comes with a paid subscription.
Feedly users can also have their read items synced across devices. It comes with a handful of resources and you can always import the OPML file from elsewhere.
Its two-column, single-pane interface will remind you of applications like MS Outlook. So are most apps on this list. Lots of keyboard shortcuts are fun to use with flashy experience. So does dealing with loads of customization and powerful search. The only place this app falls short is in its ability to share a few things. So, if you’re looking for an open source app that you’ll later customize to suit your convenience, NetNewsWire checks most of the right boxes.
2. Reeder 5
Note: The screenshot is of Reeder 4 and was taken before Reeder 5 was released.
Previously, major updates took some time and you should be thankful they did. Developers proactively roll out app updates right after the new iOS version drops.
Read Later and Mark as Read on Swipe will be extremely convenient for productive readers who prefer RSS feeds to consume news. And it only gets better with a bouquet of support for third-party services like Feedbin, Feedly, FeedHQ, NewsBlur, Instapaper, Pocket, and more. Of course, you can always import the OPML file from other services. If you like the shiny interface and animations, you should buy the Reeder 5 for $9.99 from the Mac Store.
3. Reading Kit
ReadKit serves as an excellent no-nonsense news reader app supporting various Read later services such as Instapaper, Readability and Pocket. Any of these services can really help you organize long-form or other content that you want to read in peace later. Alternatively, you can also star them.
The Smart Folder option allows you to manage and organize your broadcast subscriptions into meaningful topics and categories. For example, mine mine for Android, Apple, Game, etc. Wondering how to add your publication collection? ReadKit supports a number of RSS feed subscription services such as Feedly, Feedbin, NewsBlur, Feed Wrangler and even Fever.
Ok, I saved the best for last – Focus mode and Search (self-explanatory). Focus mode hides all columns with folders and turns the window into full screen to read the article. ReadKit is available on the Mac App Store for $9.99.
4. News Explorer
One of the News Explorer app’s strong points is that it supports syncing content from RSS, Atom, JSON and even Twitter feeds. On top of that, it also supports Podcast RSS feeds so you don’t miss your favorite podcast episodes.
That’s why News Explorer is my RSS reader for catching Podcasts while reading and reviewing several feeds from different sources. While it offers most features for customizing views and managing resources, there’s one more reason to choose News Explorer.
The app costs $9.99 if you want to buy it from the Mac App Store. However, if you buy SetApp’s monthly subscription for the same amount, you get News Explorer and a few other paid apps for free – all included in the subscription amount. I think this is a pretty good deal if you want to try a few paid apps for a month and then continue with the subscription if you wish. So this app is best suited for those who are looking for the value-for-money segment with paid Mac apps.
5. Feeder
The Feedly app appears to be a browser-wrapped version of its online app, but for Macs. So why is it on this list? If the four apps above haven’t convinced you, Feedly is the best option to start with.
It offers several popular RSS feeds categorized by topics – Technology, Startup, Business, Sports, Health, and more. So you choose the category that interests you and then select the sources that offer RSS feeds.
While the free version should work for most users, for $6 per month Feedly Pro provides more feed sources, allowing you to share via social networks, copy content to note-taking apps, and more. The Pro+ plan costs $8.25 per month, Leo, an AI-powered digital assistant, tweaks and prunes your collection to remove duplicates, categorizes updates by topic, adds muted filters, summaries, and more.
To Read or Not to Read
After Google Reader closed I moved the OPML file of the RSS feeds to Feedly, which really helped me to subscribe to many similar resources and get rid of sparse or conflicting ones. As a recovering RSS reading fan, I now prefer those baked into read later services.
Most of the other apps on this list support the Feedly account. Therefore, it will be quite easy to import your carefully selected lists and sections from Feedly to another app. By the way, I’d like to thank Netscape for giving the world the gift of RSS to manage the information overload. So which RSS feed readers do you use on your Mac, iPhone, Android or Windows PC?
Next: Want to try some of the best RSS readers on your Windows PC? Click on the next link to check out our handpicked 5 Best RSS Feed reader apps for Windows 10.
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