Open Source Options Proprietary Options

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⚠️ Pocket Shutdown Timeline

May 22, 2025

Pocket removed from app stores
New account signups disabled

July 8, 2025

Pocket shuts down completely
Export-only mode begins

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Days
--
Hours
--
Minutes
--
Seconds

October 8, 2025

Final date to export data
All accounts permanently deleted

Act now: You have limited time to find an alternative and migrate your saved articles. Don't lose years of saved content!

📖 Instapaper

Most Established

The original read-it-later service, founded in 2008. Instapaper pioneered the concept and remains one of the most reliable options with a focus on clean, distraction-free reading.

✨ Key Features

  • 📱 Mobile apps (iOS, Android)
  • 🏷️ Folder organization
  • 📝 Highlighting and notes
  • 🔍 Full-text search
  • 📊 Reading progress tracking
  • 🌙 Dark mode
  • 📤 Export options
  • 🎨 Typography customization

💰 Pricing

Free: 5 articles per month

Premium: $2.99/month or $29.99/year

✅ Pros
  • Long track record (15+ years)
  • Excellent reading experience
  • Reliable sync across devices
  • Good export options
❌ Cons
  • Very limited free tier
  • No team/sharing features
  • Basic organization options
  • No newsletter integration
Visit Instapaper

🧠 Readwise Reader

Beta Feature-Rich

A comprehensive reading platform that combines read-it-later functionality with powerful highlighting, note-taking, and knowledge management features. Part of the Readwise ecosystem.

✨ Key Features

  • 📱 Mobile apps (iOS, Android)
  • 📧 Newsletter subscriptions
  • 📄 PDF support and annotation
  • 🏷️ Advanced tagging system
  • 🔍 Powerful search and filters
  • 📝 Rich highlighting and notes
  • 🤖 AI-powered features
  • 📊 Reading analytics
  • 🔗 Integration with Readwise

💰 Pricing

Full Access: $8.99/month or $89.99/year

Includes Readwise highlighting review service

✅ Pros
  • Excellent PDF support
  • Newsletter integration
  • Advanced highlighting features
  • AI-powered insights
  • Great for researchers
❌ Cons
  • Subscriptions start at $7.50, higher than competitors
  • No free tier
  • Relatively new service (currently in beta)
Visit Readwise Reader

🎯 Matter

Social Features

A modern read-it-later app with social features, allowing you to share articles and highlights with friends. Focuses on building reading communities and discussions around content.

✨ Key Features

  • 📱 Mobile apps (iOS only)
  • 👥 Social sharing and discussions
  • 📝 Highlighting and comments
  • 🏷️ Tag-based organization
  • 🔍 Search functionality
  • 📊 Reading statistics
  • 🎧 Text-to-speech
  • 🌙 Dark mode

💰 Pricing

Free: Basic features

Premium: $7.99/month or $79.99/year

✅ Pros
  • Unique social features
  • Modern, clean interface
  • Good free tier
  • Text-to-speech feature
❌ Cons
  • Relatively new (2021)
  • Limited export options
  • Social features may not appeal to all
  • Smaller user base
Visit Matter

💧 Raindrop.io

Visual Bookmarks

A visual bookmark manager that doubles as a read-it-later service. Raindrop.io focuses on beautiful organization with visual previews and powerful search capabilities.

✨ Key Features

  • 📱 Mobile apps (iOS, Android)
  • 🖼️ Visual bookmark previews
  • 📁 Nested collections
  • 🏷️ Advanced tagging
  • 🔍 Full-text search
  • 📝 Notes and highlights
  • 🌐 Web clipper extension
  • 📤 Multiple export formats
  • 👥 Collaboration features

💰 Pricing

Free: Up to 1,000 bookmarks

Pro: $3/month or $28/year

✅ Pros
  • Beautiful visual interface
  • Generous free tier
  • Excellent organization
  • Good export options
  • Collaboration features
❌ Cons
  • More bookmark manager than reader
  • No offline reading
  • Limited reading features
  • Requires internet connection
Visit Raindrop.io

🍎 GoodLinks

Apple Ecosystem

A premium read-it-later app designed specifically for Apple devices. GoodLinks offers deep integration with iOS, iPadOS, and macOS with a focus on privacy and offline reading.

✨ Key Features

  • 📱 Native iOS, iPadOS, macOS apps (not available on Android, web, etc)
  • 🔒 Privacy-focused (no tracking)
  • 📱 Offline reading
  • 🏷️ Smart folders and tags
  • 🔍 Full-text search
  • 📝 Highlighting and notes
  • ☁️ iCloud sync
  • 🎨 Customizable reading experience

💰 Pricing

One-time purchase: $4.99 (iOS/iPadOS)

macOS version: $9.99

No subscription required

✅ Pros
  • One-time purchase
  • Excellent Apple integration
  • Privacy-focused
  • Offline reading
  • No subscription fees
❌ Cons
  • Apple devices only
  • No web interface
  • No Android support
  • Limited sharing features
Visit GoodLinks

Quick Comparison

Service Free Tier Paid Price Best For Platforms
Instapaper 5 articles/month $30/year Simple, reliable reading iOS, Android, Web
Readwise Reader None $90/year Research & knowledge work iOS, Android, Web
Matter Basic features $80/year Social reading iOS, Android, Web
Raindrop.io 1,000 bookmarks $28/year Visual organization iOS, Android, Web
GoodLinks None $5-10 one-time Apple ecosystem iOS, iPadOS, macOS

🔄 Migration Considerations

📤 Export Capabilities

Before choosing a service, check their export options. Some services make it difficult to leave with your data.

💰 Total Cost

Consider long-term costs. A $30/year service costs $300 over 10 years. Only you can determine the value of such a service.

🔒 Data Ownership

With proprietary services, the company can change terms, increase prices, or shut down. If this concerns you, consider open source alternatives.

💡 Consider your priorities:

Open Source Options Proprietary Options

Both approaches have their merits. Choose based on your priorities: control and transparency vs. commercial features and support.

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