The Vienna RSS Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Vienna RSS 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.
Vienna RSS
The Insider’s Guide
Free open-source RSS and Atom feed reader for macOS
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among read-later and bookmark apps, read from Vienna RSS’s own pages.
Made by ViennaRSS Project · checked Nov 12, 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 Vienna RSS’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Vienna RSS’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 35 of the 52 other read-later and bookmark apps we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Vienna RSS, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It runs on macOS only, from Catalina up, and has no sync of its own.
- 1
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.
- 2
It is free
Vienna RSS has no paid plan at all.
- 3
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 4
Direct feed reading
Connects straight to the sites you track and reads RSS, Atom and JSON feeds without needing an account.
- 5
Mail-style layout
Scan article summaries in a list, then open a single article in a simplified browser view for deeper reading.
- 6
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.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 35 of 52
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
Vienna RSS is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Vienna RSS at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- It is free
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- ViennaRSS Project
- Category
- Read Later & Bookmarks
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free under Apache 2.0, with no paid plans listed, against a $2.50 start for the cheaper quarter of reading apps. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole app is free and nothing is held back. |
| Features | B | Direct 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. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating on record. Download it, add feeds and read, with nothing else to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | macOS only, and 3.11.x needs macOS 10.15 or newer. No iOS, Windows, Android or web version. |
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 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 it 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
Good to know
Good for
- Mac users who want a free, local feed reader
- People who like the Apple Mail layout
- Readers who sync through a feed service they already use
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.
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
Vienna RSS is free to use.
The whole app is free and nothing is held back.
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.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: macOS
Free open-source RSS and Atom feed reader for macOS. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, keyboard-first, rSS reader.
Direct feed reading, a mail-style layout, plug-ins, custom display styles and Open Reader API sync.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
- BazQux Reader
- FreshRSS
- Inoreader
- The Old Reader
Vienna RSS is made by ViennaRSS Project.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
35/52
Other read-later and bookmark apps it is graded above
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
- AFree plan and trialAbove 38 of 52
- BFeaturesAbove 20 of 52
- BEase of useAbove 25 of 52
- 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; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Vienna RSS 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
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
NetNewsWire, Reeder, Newsify, News Explorer and FreshRSS
The 5 tools Vienna RSS is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
NetNewsWire
Free
Free, open-source RSS reader for Mac, iPhone and iPad.
- Only NetNewsWire lists an iOS app.
- Only NetNewsWire lists a browser extension.
- 2.4GPA
Reeder
Free plan · from $14.99/yr
Feed reader for Apple devices with a synced timeline.
- Only Reeder lists an iOS app.
- Vienna RSS is open source, according to its own site.
- Reeder also covers read later and bookmarks.
- 2.8GPA
Newsify
Free plan · from $2.99/mo
RSS reader with a newspaper-style layout for Apple devices and web.
- Only Newsify lists a web app.
- Only Newsify lists an iOS app.
- Vienna RSS is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
News Explorer
Free trial · from $4.99 one-time
RSS reader with iCloud sync across Apple devices, bought once.
- Vienna RSS has a free plan. News Explorer does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only News Explorer lists an iOS app.
- Vienna RSS is open source, according to its own site.
- 3.0GPA
FreshRSS
Free
Free, self-hosted RSS and Atom feed aggregator.
- Only Vienna RSS lists a macOS app.
- Only FreshRSS lists a web app.
- FreshRSS is self-hostable, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
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 Vienna RSS free?
Yes. Vienna RSS is free to use.
How much does Vienna RSS cost?
Vienna RSS lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Vienna RSS work on?
Vienna RSS is available on macOS.
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.
What does Vienna RSS integrate with?
Vienna RSS's listing names BazQux Reader, FreshRSS, Inoreader and The Old Reader.
Who makes Vienna RSS?
Vienna RSS is made by ViennaRSS Project.
What are the alternatives to Vienna RSS?
The closest alternatives to Vienna RSS in our directory are NetNewsWire, Reeder, Newsify, News Explorer and FreshRSS.
How does Vienna RSS compare with other 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.
Is Vienna RSS good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Vienna RSS A for value for money. Vienna RSS has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Vienna RSS?
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.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Vienna RSS’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. 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.
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 ViennaRSS Project. Prices change, so check vienna-rss.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 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.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Vienna RSS, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/vienna-rss
- 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, "Vienna RSS: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/vienna-rss
Know someone choosing between read-later and bookmark apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/vienna-rss/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded read-later and bookmark apps after Vienna RSS, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Read Later & Bookmarks Insider's GuideEvery one of the 53 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 Vienna RSS’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. Vienna RSS is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by ViennaRSS Project. Prices and plans change: check vienna-rss.com before you buy.