Best RSS Readers for iPhone 2026
Find the perfect RSS app for your reading style.
Looking for the best RSS reader for your iPhone or iPad? We’ve compared the top options to help you choose. Whether you want mindful reading, power user features, or cloud sync, there’s an app for you.
Quick Recommendations
Choose based on what matters most to you:
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| To stop doom scrolling | Electric Pants |
| Free + open source | NetNewsWire |
| Maximum features | Reeder |
| Cloud sync everywhere | Feedly |
| Beautiful typography | Unread |
The Top RSS Readers Compared
1. Electric Pants — Best for Mindful Reading
| Price: Free | Platforms: iPhone, iPad |
Electric Pants is built on a simple philosophy: when you’re caught up, you’re done. Unlike other readers, it shows you an “All Caught Up” screen when you’ve read everything — a deliberate design choice to help you break the doom scroll habit.
Standout features:
- “All Caught Up” screen signals when you’re done
- Beautiful card layouts for images and videos
- Built-in Reddit support (add subreddits as feeds)
- No account required, completely private
- Custom folders with colors and icons
- Completely free — no subscription, no premium tier
Best for: People who want to escape infinite scroll and reclaim their time.
Limitations: iOS/iPadOS only (no Mac or Android app).
2. NetNewsWire — Best Free Open Source Option
| Price: Free | Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac |
NetNewsWire is a beloved open source RSS reader with decades of history. It’s fast, free, and actively developed by a passionate community.
Standout features:
- Completely free and open source
- Sync via iCloud, Feedbin, Feedly, and more
- Mac app for desktop reading
- Fast and reliable performance
- Active community development
Best for: Users who value open source software and want sync capabilities.
Limitations: Traditional list interface (less visual than card-based readers). No “caught up” indicator.
3. Reeder — Best for Power Users
| Price: $4.99 (iOS) | Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac |
Reeder is the power user’s choice. It offers deep customization, gesture controls, and integration with virtually every sync service and read-later app.
Standout features:
- Highly customizable gestures and layouts
- Supports many sync services (Feedbin, Feedly, Inoreader, iCloud, more)
- Read-later integration (Instapaper, Pocket)
- Beautiful, polished design
- Bionic Reading support
Best for: Power users who want maximum control and features.
Limitations: One-time purchase cost. Can feel overwhelming for casual users.
4. Feedly — Best for Cloud Sync
| Price: Free tier / Pro $6/mo / Pro+ $12/mo | Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Web, Android |
Feedly is a cloud-based RSS platform. Your feeds live on their servers, accessible from any device with a web browser.
Standout features:
- Seamless sync across all devices
- Web interface for reading anywhere
- Team features for organizations
- Leo AI for filtering (paid feature)
- Large user community
Best for: Users who need access from multiple devices and platforms.
Limitations: Requires account. Advanced features behind subscription paywall. Less privacy (cloud-based).
5. Unread — Best for Reading Experience
| Price: $4.99 (iOS) | Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac |
Unread prioritizes the reading experience above all else. It’s known for stunning typography and a zen, minimal interface.
Standout features:
- Perhaps the most beautiful text rendering on iOS
- Minimal, focused interface
- Sync via iCloud, Feedbin, Feedly, and more
- Dark mode and customizable themes
Best for: Readers who prioritize typography and aesthetics.
Limitations: One-time purchase cost. Text-focused (less emphasis on images/media).
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Electric Pants | NetNewsWire | Reeder | Feedly | Unread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free | $4.99 | Free/$6-12/mo | $4.99 |
| “All Caught Up” screen | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Account required | No | Optional | Optional | Yes | Optional |
| iCloud sync | Yes | Yes | Yes | Feedly cloud | Yes |
| Reddit support | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Card layouts | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Mac app | No | Yes | Yes | Web | Yes |
| Privacy | No tracking | Open source | Local-first | Cloud | Local-first |
Our Verdict
For most people, we recommend Electric Pants.
Here’s why: most RSS readers are built for power users who want maximum features. That’s great if you need cloud sync and integrations. But if your goal is to escape infinite scroll and build a healthier relationship with content, Electric Pants is purpose-built for that.
The “All Caught Up” screen isn’t just a feature — it’s a philosophy. Reading should have an ending.
However…
- If you need a Mac app, try NetNewsWire or Reeder (Electric Pants syncs via iCloud but is iOS/iPadOS only)
- If you need web access from any device, Feedly is your best bet
- If you want the most beautiful reading experience, Unread is gorgeous
How to Choose
Ask yourself:
- Do I need sync between devices? Electric Pants, NetNewsWire, Reeder, and Unread all sync via iCloud.
- Do I want to pay? If no, Electric Pants and NetNewsWire are free.
- Am I fighting doom scroll addiction? Electric Pants is designed specifically for this.
- Do I want maximum customization? Reeder is the power user choice.
- Do I primarily read text-heavy content? Unread has the best typography.
Ready to Start?
Download Electric Pants — free, private, and designed to help you finish reading.
See our detailed comparison with other readers →