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Head-to-head · RSS Reader Software

NewsBlur vs FreshRSS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score NewsBlur #3 in RSS Reader Software 9.0/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 5 features Visit NewsBlur
FreshRSS #8 in RSS Reader Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit FreshRSS

NewsBlur leads on 0 checks, FreshRSS on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNewsBlur · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly NewsBlur

NewsBlur scores higher on our rubric for rss reader software: 9.0 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

NewsBlur is the better fit for readers wanting intelligence features and self-hosting. FreshRSS is the better fit for self-hosters needing scraping and multi-user access.

  • NewsBlur fits best

    Readers wanting intelligence features and self-hosting

  • FreshRSS fits best

    Self-hosters needing scraping and multi-user access

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature NewsBlur 9.0/10 Visit ↗ FreshRSS 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.4
Ranking #3 in RSS Reader Software #8 in RSS Reader Software
Best for Readers wanting intelligence features and self-hosting Self-hosters needing scraping and multi-user access
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $36/yr Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile Self-hosted
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Email, Community Docs, Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features NewsBlur 0/5 · FreshRSS 0/5
Full-text extraction Not checked yet Not checked yet
Filter rules Not checked yet Not checked yet
Offline reading Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile apps Not checked yet Not checked yet
Team sharing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Feed limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes real-time updates, training, sharing, saving, and mobile apps
  • Paid tiers add search, archives, AI briefings, text view, and higher feed limits
  • Self-hosted open-source edition offers Docker installation and data ownership
  • Scrapes sites that do not provide RSS or Atom feeds
  • Supports multi-user access, custom tags, and extensions
  • Includes Google Reader-compatible and Fever APIs
Cons
  • The free plan supports up to 64 sites
  • Full archives, story clustering, and Ask AI require Premium Archive
  • Premium Pro is billed monthly at $29 and targets advanced needs
  • Requires infrastructure managed by the user
  • Mobile and desktop access depends on compatible clients
  • WebSub support applies only to compatible sources
Our verdict

NewsBlur is a personal reader and aggregator for RSS and web feeds, available on the web, iOS, and Android. It suits readers who want more than a chronological stream: its feature set includes story training by author, tag, title, and full…

Read the review →

FreshRSS is a free, open-source RSS and Atom feed aggregator for individuals, families, and organizations that want to host their own reading service. It collects articles from websites and presents them through a web application, with…

Read the review →
  1. NewsBlurRSS Reader Software 9.0Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. FreshRSSRSS Reader Software 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • NewsBlur — where it wins

    • Free plan includes real-time updates, training, sharing, saving, and mobile apps
    • Paid tiers add search, archives, AI briefings, text view, and higher feed limits
    • Self-hosted open-source edition offers Docker installation and data ownership

    Where it doesn't

    • The free plan supports up to 64 sites
    • Full archives, story clustering, and Ask AI require Premium Archive
    • Premium Pro is billed monthly at $29 and targets advanced needs
  • FreshRSS — where it wins

    • Scrapes sites that do not provide RSS or Atom feeds
    • Supports multi-user access, custom tags, and extensions
    • Includes Google Reader-compatible and Fever APIs

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires infrastructure managed by the user
    • Mobile and desktop access depends on compatible clients
    • WebSub support applies only to compatible sources
  • NewsBlur9.0/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A flexible RSS reader for intelligence features, mobile reading, and self-hosted control.

    Visit NewsBlurFull verdict →
  • FreshRSS8.4/10 · Free plan

    A capable open-source reader for self-hosters who want control, scraping, and shared access.

    Visit FreshRSSFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update