NetNewsWire
Free, open-source RSS reader for Mac, iPhone and iPad
What is NetNewsWire?
NetNewsWire is a free, open-source RSS reader for Mac, iPhone and iPad. It downloads feeds directly or syncs through iCloud and services such as Feedbin, Feedly, Inoreader and NewsBlur, and it keeps track of what has been read. There is no paid tier and no in-app purchase; the app is developed by volunteers and published under the MIT license.
NetNewsWire is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- Mac, iPhone and iPad users who want a free reader with no account
- People who already sync feeds through Feedbin, Feedly or Inoreader
- Readers who prefer open-source software
Worth knowing
- Apple platforms only: Mac, iPhone and iPad, with no web, Windows or Android version.
- The current version needs macOS 15 or iOS 26 and newer.
- Reader view cannot be switched on for everything at once; it is used per article or per feed.
- The app is made by volunteers, with bug reports and requests handled through GitHub issues and a forum.
Key features
- Direct feed downloading
- Feeds can be fetched straight from the sites that publish them, so the app works without signing up for a feed service.
- Sync through iCloud or feed services
- Feed lists and read and starred status sync through iCloud, or through Feedbin, Feedly, BazQux, Inoreader, NewsBlur, The Old Reader and FreshRSS.
- Reader view and article themes
- Reader view pulls the full article text when a feed carries only a summary and can be set to always apply to a given feed. Article themes are customizable.
- Smart feeds, folders and stars
- All Unread and Today smart feeds, folders, starred articles and search organize reading, and read articles and feeds can be hidden.
- Keyboard navigation and Mac extras
- Single-key shortcuts cover everyday navigation. The Mac app adds a customizable toolbar, multiple windows and AppleScript support.
- Safari extension and OPML
- A Safari extension adds the feed for the page you are viewing, and feed lists can be imported and exported as OPML.
NetNewsWire pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Entirely free and open source under the MIT license, with no in-app purchases. The project asks people who want to support it not to send money.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The complete app on Mac, iPhone and iPad, including iCloud sync and syncing with third-party feed services. |
Read from netnewswire.com on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with NetNewsWire before you buy.
How people rate the NetNewsWire app
4.7
out of 5 for the iPhone and iPad app
- 5 stars88%
- 4 stars6%
- 3 stars2%
- 2 stars1%
- 1 star3%
884 ratings on the App Store in the United States, read Oct 5, 2026. It rates the app, not everything the product does. See the listing
Works with
- iCloud
- Feedbin
- Feedly
- BazQux Reader
- Inoreader
- NewsBlur
- The Old Reader
- FreshRSS
NetNewsWire alternatives
- NetNewsWire vs Reeder
Free plan · from $14.99/yr
- NetNewsWire vs Unread
Free plan · from $29.99/yr
- NetNewsWire vs Fiery Feeds
Free plan · from $1.99
- NetNewsWire vs News Explorer
Free trial · from $4.99 one-time
Common questions
Is NetNewsWire free?
Yes. NetNewsWire is free to use. Entirely free and open source under the MIT license, with no in-app purchases. The project asks people who want to support it not to send money.
How much does NetNewsWire cost?
NetNewsWire lists one plan. Free: $0. Prices were read from netnewswire.com on Oct 5, 2026.
What platforms does NetNewsWire work on?
NetNewsWire is available on macOS and iOS. It also has a browser extension.
How is NetNewsWire rated?
NetNewsWire's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.7 out of 5 from 884 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 5, 2026. That is the store's rating of the app, not a score from us.
Does NetNewsWire have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. NetNewsWire is listed for macOS and iOS.
Does NetNewsWire have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. NetNewsWire is listed for macOS and iOS.
Is NetNewsWire open source?
Yes. NetNewsWire is open source, according to its own site.
What does NetNewsWire integrate with?
NetNewsWire's listing names iCloud, Feedbin, Feedly, BazQux Reader, Inoreader, NewsBlur, The Old Reader and FreshRSS. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes NetNewsWire?
NetNewsWire is made by Brent Simmons. It dates from 2002.
What are the alternatives to NetNewsWire?
The closest alternatives to NetNewsWire in our directory are Reeder, Unread, Fiery Feeds, News Explorer and FeedFlow. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with NetNewsWire.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026. What people say is linked where it appears.