Vienna RSS review (2026): is it any good?
Free open-source RSS and Atom feed reader for macOS
Vienna RSS report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for a free RSS reader for the Mac
Vienna is a free, open-source RSS and Atom reader for macOS with a mail-style layout, plug-ins and sync through the Open Reader API. It runs on macOS only, from Catalina up, and has no sync of its own. If you want it on a phone or Windows, it isn't there.
Who Vienna RSS is for
- Fits if you read feeds on a Mac and like a mail-style layout
- Works for people who sync through FreshRSS, Inoreader or BazQux
Who Vienna RSS is not for
- Skip it if you use Windows, Linux or a phone, because it's macOS only
- Not for you if you run an older Mac, as 3.11.x needs macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or newer
- Watch out: it has no sync of its own, so syncing needs another service that supports the Open Reader API
Why Vienna RSS gets a 3.0
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree under Apache 2.0, with no paid plans listed, against a $2.50 start for the cheaper quarter of reading apps.
- AFree plan and trialThe whole app is free and nothing is held back.
- BFeaturesDirect feed reading, a mail-style layout, plug-ins, custom display styles and Open Reader API sync. Nothing in the listing is missing for feed reading.
- BEase of useNo rating on record. Download it, add feeds and read, with nothing else to set up.
- DPlatforms and integrationsmacOS only, and 3.11.x needs macOS 10.15 or newer. No iOS, Windows, Android or web version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Vienna's own pages on 12 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/vienna-rss#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/vienna-rss.svg" alt="Vienna RSS: 3.0 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Vienna RSS stands among read-later and bookmark apps
Vienna RSS's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 35 of the 52 other read-later and bookmark apps we grade, and level with 12.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 38 of 52) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Vienna RSS 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 53 read-later and bookmark apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Vienna RSS’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 34 of 52, level with 18
- AFree plan and trialAbove 38 of 52, level with 14
- BFeaturesAbove 20 of 52, level with 28
- BEase of useAbove 25 of 52, level with 25
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 52
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 47 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 Vienna RSS, or make your own?
Keep it
Vienna RSS is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 35 of the 52 other read-later and bookmark apps we grade.
What you could make
- RSS reader: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Vienna RSS’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 Vienna RSS?
Vienna is a feed reader for the Mac that reads RSS, Atom and JSON feeds directly from the sites you follow. Its layout is modeled on Apple Mail, with a list of article summaries and a simplified browser view for reading. It can also sync with online feed services that support the Open Reader API.
Worth knowing
- It runs on macOS only; no iOS, Windows, Android or web version is listed.
- Releases 3.11.x need macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or newer, per the README.
- Syncing needs a separate service that supports the Open Reader API; Vienna has no sync of its own.
Key features
- Direct feed reading
- Connects straight to the sites you track and reads RSS, Atom and JSON feeds without needing an account.
- Mail-style layout
- Scan article summaries in a list, then open a single article in a simplified browser view for deeper reading.
- Open Reader API sync
- Syncs with cloud services using the Open Reader API. The README lists BazQux, FreshRSS, FeedHQ, Inoreader and The Old Reader as tested.
- Plug-ins
- XML-based plug-ins add menu and toolbar actions, and the vendor says one can be built by editing a property list file.
- Custom display styles
- Articles can be shown in different styles, each an HTML template plus a stylesheet, and new ones can be written.
Vienna RSS pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, Vienna RSS is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- None
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The whole app is free and released under the Apache 2.0 license; no paid plans are listed. |
Read from vienna-rss.com on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Vienna RSS before you buy.
Works with
Vienna RSS alternatives
- Vienna RSS vs Reeder
Free plan · from $14.99/yr
- Vienna RSS vs Newsify
Free plan · from $2.99/mo
- Vienna RSS vs News Explorer
Free trial · from $4.99 one-time
Common questions
Does Vienna RSS have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Vienna RSS is listed for macOS.
Does Vienna RSS have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Vienna RSS is listed for macOS.
Is Vienna RSS open source?
Yes. Vienna RSS is open source, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026.