Ditch Feedly: Discover 2 Superior RSS Reader Apps for Android!

Mornings at my place usually follow a familiar routine: I have eggs for breakfast, followed by a carefully brewed pour-over coffee that I enjoy in my reliable Fellow Carter mug. As I savor my coffee, I dive into my reading.

My previous approach to gathering news was a chaotic mix of different platforms—news websites, Threads, YouTube, Mastodon, Google News, and more. However, I soon found myself overwhelmed by distractions, endless scrolling, and intrusive ads, diminishing the joy of my coffee. This pushed me to return to RSS feeds, a method I’ve relied on for over a decade.

Each morning, I rely on my trusty Pixel 9a (free from any SIM card) for reading. In my quest for the perfect RSS setup, I discovered two minimalist readers that do the job well—neither of which is Feedly.

I’ve been utilizing RSS for nearly half my life. After the discontinuation of Google Reader, I explored numerous platforms while keeping my OPML file (which holds all my subscription links) handy. My experiences with different services make that file more valuable than any syncing tool.

What compels me is the control I retain over my newsfeed. I read articles from independent blogs, major publications, and dedicated tech sites like this one regularly—only my selected sources appear.

RSS sources are widely available if you look carefully; I even follow accounts from Bluesky and Mastodon through RSS, along with YouTube channels. Although I previously tried integrating subreddits via RSS, it became overwhelming, resulting in my decision to discontinue. Ultimately, RSS offers customization, whether through a syncing service or maintaining an OPML file myself.

Since Google Reader’s closure, Feedly has served as its unofficial successor. I’ve relied on it throughout the last ten years, and my Feedly sources still remain current. For first-time RSS users, it can be an ideal starting point.

However, Feedly has transformed into more of a content platform than a pure RSS reader. It presents a curated list of daily headlines instead of my chronological feed (which is difficult to find). The app often prompts users to upgrade while incorporating AI. During my tests, I noted that the free version does not show full articles for truncated feeds. Moreover, the app feels somewhat outdated and lacks the customization I prefer.

On most days, I prefer using Read You—a free, open-source RSS reader with a sleek design inspired by the Material You aesthetic. It features a clean interface with large headings, and its dynamic color support adjusts with any wallpaper changes.

The reading experience is exceptional—almost akin to using a paperback book rather than a digital device. There’s minimal distraction, as toolbars disappear while scrolling, leaving just the text and a few images visible.

The interface is customizable as well, allowing me to default to unread articles upon launch. Users transitioning from iOS can opt for the Reeder theme, but I find the Material You theme superior. Font choices, sizes, spacing, and padding can be adjusted, and the OLED dark theme is particularly pleasant for early morning reading. Articles that are truncated can be automatically parsed to show full text with a handy long-press action.

Importantly, all features work seamlessly. I can be notified of new articles, disable badges, sort feeds into folders, and even listen to articles when I want.

While Read You is still in its pre-1.0 phase with some features in development, it remains my daily choice. There are no widgets yet, and Feedly sync is pending, but I can sync using Fever, Google Reader API, or FreshRSS. Alternatively, I continue to import my OPML file.

Among the two apps, FeedFlow is one I use less frequently but recommend more to the general user. It’s stable and available across multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and Mac. Users can import their OPML file or connect to platforms like FreshRSS, Miniflux, Feedbin, and BazQux. Cross-device sync is also manageable through iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive.

In contrast to Read You’s light aesthetics, FeedFlow offers a more practical appearance. Its text-only layout options combined with an excellent OLED black theme make early-morning reading sessions gentle on the eyes. By default, FeedFlow opens articles in a cached reader view, which displays the entire content. Users can alter this setting to view articles directly in the browser, ensuring an optimal reading experience right out of the box.

Along with the dark theme, the widget is among my frequently used features. I dedicate an entire page on my Pixel’s home screen to this scrolling widget, which refreshes every 30 minutes as long as background sync is enabled. This convenience is something I dearly wish Read You would offer.

FeedFlow also boasts a unique feature that highlights the developer’s passion for RSS reading. With the Blocked Words functionality, users can automatically filter out articles containing specific keywords. It’s akin to a mute feature for websites, making it great for skipping unwanted updates.

My Preference for Read You and Using Both

I utilize both RSS readers as part of my routine, yet I lean towards Read You as my favorite. The reading experience is just what I crave. For quick news checks, I prefer the widget and faster text-only interface of FeedFlow. A more refined widget from Read You could sway my choice in the future, but for now, I enjoy a tailored and minimalist reading experience with complete control.