selfoss review (2026): is it any good?
Self-hosted PHP web app for reading RSS feeds
selfoss report card
Fair · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for a self-hosted RSS reader you run yourself
selfoss is a free, open-source PHP web app for reading RSS feeds, with plug-in sources, OPML import and export and a JSON API. There is no hosted version, so you install, configure and update it yourself on a PHP server with a database, and the Android app is third party.
Who selfoss is for
- Fits if you already run a PHP server and want your feeds on it
- Works for someone who wants to own their reading data
Who selfoss is not for
- Not for you if you do not want to install and update software yourself
- Skip it if you want a hosted service: there is none
- Watch out: it needs a PHP web server and a database
- Watch out: the Android app is third party, not from the selfoss project
Why selfoss gets a 2.0
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- CValue for moneyThe software is free, but only if you host it yourself, which needs a server, so it sits at the ordinary C.
- BFree plan and trialFree and open source, with no paid plan. You pay only for your own hosting, and there is no hosted version to try.
- CFeaturesAggregates feeds, takes plug-in sources, imports and exports OPML and has a JSON API. It does the reader job with a light install, but nothing in the listing shows reading extras like search across a library.
- DEase of useNo store rating on record, and it needs a PHP web server, a database, setup and your own updates.
- CPlatforms and integrationsA web app only. The Android app is third party, not from the selfoss project, and no other integrations are listed.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from selfoss's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/selfoss#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/selfoss.svg" alt="selfoss: 2.0 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where selfoss stands among read-later and bookmark apps
selfoss's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 0 of the 66 other read-later and bookmark apps we grade, and level with 5.
It stands best on free plan and trial (B, above 26 of 66) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
selfoss has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 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 67 read-later and bookmark apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. selfoss’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 10 of 66, level with 24
- BFree plan and trialAbove 26 of 66, level with 20
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 66, level with 33
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 66, level with 6
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 2 of 66, level with 23
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 60 read-later and bookmark apps. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep selfoss, or make your own?
Keep it
selfoss is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 61 of the 66 other read-later and bookmark apps grade higher.
What you could make
- RSS reader: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- An API that other software can build on.
What this rests on. selfoss’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.
What is selfoss?
selfoss is an open-source RSS reader and feed aggregator that you upload to your own web server. It gathers feeds and other sources into one stream, with a layout that adapts to phones and tablets. It is free to use.
Worth knowing
- There is no hosted service: you install, configure and update it yourself.
- It needs a PHP web server and a database.
- The Android app is third party, not from the selfoss project.
Key features
- Universal aggregator
- Collects feeds, tweets and other posts into a single stream.
- Light install
- A PHP application of around 25 MB that you upload and run, with MySQL, PostgreSQL or SQLite as the database.
- Plug-in sources
- An open plug-in system lets you write your own data connectors, called spouts.
- OPML import and export
- Bring feeds from other readers by importing an OPML file.
- JSON API
- A RESTful JSON API for developers; the site also lists a third-party Android app.
selfoss pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, selfoss is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Everything: the software is free and open source; you pay only for your own hosting.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted | $0 | Download the release and run it on your own PHP server; there is no hosted version. |
Read from selfoss.aditu.de on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with selfoss before you buy.
selfoss alternatives
- selfoss vs Miniflux
Free plan · from $15/yr
- selfoss vs Feedbin
Free trial · from $7/mo
Common questions
Does selfoss have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. selfoss is listed for Web.
Does selfoss have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. selfoss is listed for Web.
Is selfoss open source?
Yes. selfoss is open source, according to its own site. It can also be run on a server of your own.
Does selfoss have an API?
Yes. selfoss offers a public API, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.