The NetNewsWire Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about NetNewsWire in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
NetNewsWire
The Insider’s Guide
Free, open-source RSS reader for Mac, iPhone and iPad
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among read-later and bookmark apps, read from NetNewsWire’s own pages.
Made by Brent Simmons · checked Oct 5, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from NetNewsWire’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on NetNewsWire’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 5, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 22 of the 36 other read-later and bookmark apps we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about NetNewsWire, taken from its own pages and our grades.
- 1
Best for a free, no-account RSS reader on Apple devices
NetNewsWire is a free, open-source RSS reader for Mac, iPhone and iPad with no paid tier, no in-app purchases and no account, fetching feeds itself or syncing through iCloud, Feedbin, Feedly, Inoreader and others.
- 2
It is free
NetNewsWire has no paid plan at all. 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.
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
macOS and iOS, with a browser extension too.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 22 of 36
That is against the other read-later and bookmark apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
NetNewsWire is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
NetNewsWire at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, iOS, Browser extension
- Made by
- Brent Simmons, since 2002
- Category
- Read Later & Bookmarks
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
- Store rating
- 4.7 on the App Store, 884 ratings
The report card
Best for a free, no-account RSS reader on Apple devices
NetNewsWire is a free, open-source RSS reader for Mac, iPhone and iPad with no paid tier, no in-app purchases and no account, fetching feeds itself or syncing through iCloud, Feedbin, Feedly, Inoreader and others. It's Apple only, the current version needs macOS 15 or iOS 26, reader view can't be on for everything at once, and there are no filters or rules on record.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | It costs nothing, and there's nothing to upgrade to, in a category where paid readers start at $2.42 a month in the cheapest quarter. Open source under the MIT license with no in-app purchases, and the project even asks supporters not to send money. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The complete app is free on Mac, iPhone and iPad, iCloud sync and syncing with third-party feed services included. No cap anyone will reach, because there's no paid version to hold anything back for. |
| Features | C | It covers the basics of feed reading: direct feeds or sync through seven services, reader view, smart feeds, folders, stars, search, single-key shortcuts and OPML. The listing names the gap: reader view can't be turned on for everything at once, only per article or per feed, so summary-only feeds stay fiddly. |
| Ease of use | B | 4.75 from 884 App Store ratings, short of the 1,000 ratings we want behind an A. There's no account to make, since it can download feeds directly: add a feed, or use the Safari extension on the page you're reading, and you're off. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | One family of devices: Mac, iPhone and iPad, with a Safari extension and nothing for web, Windows or Android. The current release also needs macOS 15 or iOS 26 and newer. It does sync with seven feed services, if you read elsewhere too. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who NetNewsWire is for
- Fits if you're on Mac, iPhone or iPad and want a free reader with no account
- Works for people who already sync feeds through Feedbin, Feedly or Inoreader
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you use Windows, Android or the web, because it's Apple devices only
- Tight if your Mac or iPhone is an older one, since the current version needs macOS 15 or iOS 26 and newer
- Too light for you if you want filters, rules or reader view on everywhere at once
- Watch out: volunteers make it, and bugs and requests go through GitHub issues and a forum
Good to know
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
NetNewsWire is free to use.
Open source under the MIT license with no in-app purchases, and the project even asks supporters not to send money.
Free
$0
The complete app on Mac, iPhone and iPad, including iCloud sync and syncing with third-party feed services.
The 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.
Read from netnewswire.com on Oct 5, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, iOS and Browser extension
Free, open-source RSS reader for Mac, iPhone and iPad. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, rSS reader.
One family of devices: Mac, iPhone and iPad, with a Safari extension and nothing for web, Windows or Android.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- iOS
- Browser extension
What it works with
- iCloud
- Feedbin
- Feedly
- BazQux Reader
- Inoreader
- NewsBlur
- The Old Reader
- FreshRSS
NetNewsWire is made by Brent Simmons, and has been around since 2002.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
22/36
Other read-later and bookmark apps it is graded above
NetNewsWire's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 22 of the 36 other read-later and bookmark apps we grade, and level with 9.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 26 of 36) and worst on features (C, above 0).
NetNewsWire has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 37 read-later and bookmark apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. NetNewsWire’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 23 of 36
- AFree plan and trialAbove 26 of 36
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 36
- BEase of useAbove 15 of 36
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 36
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 33 read-later and bookmark apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. NetNewsWire is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
NetNewsWire is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
What you could make
- RSS reader: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS and iOS that stay in step with each other.
- It plugs into other products, iCloud, Feedbin and Feedly among them.
What this rests on. NetNewsWire’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Reeder, Unread, Fiery Feeds, News Explorer and FeedFlow
The 5 tools NetNewsWire is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
Reeder
Free plan · from $14.99/yr
Feed reader for Apple devices with a synced timeline.
- Only NetNewsWire lists a browser extension.
- NetNewsWire is open source, according to its own site.
- Reeder also covers read later and bookmarks.
- 2.6GPA
Unread
Free plan · from $29.99/yr
RSS reader for Mac, iPhone and iPad with full-text retrieval.
- Only NetNewsWire lists a browser extension.
- NetNewsWire is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.2GPA
Fiery Feeds
Free plan · from $1.99
Customizable feed reader and read-later client for Apple devices.
- NetNewsWire is open source, according to its own site.
- Fiery Feeds also covers read later.
- 2.8GPA
News Explorer
Free trial · from $4.99 one-time
RSS reader with iCloud sync across Apple devices, bought once.
- NetNewsWire has a free plan. News Explorer does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only NetNewsWire lists a browser extension.
- NetNewsWire is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.2GPA
FeedFlow
Free
Free, open-source RSS reader for mobile and desktop.
- Only NetNewsWire lists a browser extension.
- Only FeedFlow lists Android, Windows and Linux apps.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is NetNewsWire free?
Yes. NetNewsWire is free to use.
How much does NetNewsWire cost?
NetNewsWire lists one plan. Free: $0.
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.
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.
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.
How does NetNewsWire compare with other read-later and bookmark apps?
NetNewsWire's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 22 of the 36 other read-later and bookmark apps we grade, and level with 9.
Is NetNewsWire good value for money?
ToolGPA grades NetNewsWire A for value for money. NetNewsWire has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of NetNewsWire?
NetNewsWire is free, so making your own would save you nothing. What you could not make: Apps for macOS and iOS that stay in step with each other.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from NetNewsWire’s own pages on Oct 5, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from NetNewsWire's own pages on 5 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-09-04.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Brent Simmons. Prices change, so check netnewswire.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- NetNewsWire, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/netnewswire
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "NetNewsWire: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 5, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/netnewswire
Know someone choosing between read-later and bookmark apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/netnewswire/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded read-later and bookmark apps after NetNewsWire, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Read Later & Bookmarks Insider's GuideEvery one of the 37 read-later and bookmark apps we grade, compared
- FeedFlow Insider's GuideFree, open-source RSS reader for mobile and desktop3.2 GPA
- Flipboard Insider's GuideFree news aggregator built around topics and shared Magazines3.2 GPA
- Miniflux Insider's GuideMinimalist open-source feed reader, self-hosted or hosted3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what NetNewsWire’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. NetNewsWire is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Brent Simmons. Prices and plans change: check netnewswire.com before you buy.