Need A Google Reader Alternative? Meet Newsblur

With the shutdown of Google Reader having just been announced, the Web is full of discussion about where those of us who utilize RSS should turn next. I’m happy to report there’s a solution I already use and love: Newsblur.

I have been a user of the completely Web-based Newsblur since 2011 and have been nothing but impressed. It’s easy to use, dependable, fast, and gets the job done. Plus, it has a ton of features for those who want them. I use several.

Newsblur is the work of a sole developer based in Brooklyn named Sam Clay and has been online since 2010 with a growing but still small user base. That’s very likely going to change. Newsblur received funding from Y Combinator during 2012.

When I first started using Newsblur, I had a few questions, and Sam answered them in a matter of hours — something that Google is not able to do. My bet is that Sam might need to expand from a one-person operation and hire some staff. If this happens, I hope his commitment to answering user questions and listening to suggestions continues.

Developers might be interested to learn that Newsblur’s code is open source and posted on Git Hub.

Ten Reasons To Choose Newsblur

Here are a few of the reasons you might want to consider Newsblur as you look for a Google Reader alternative.

1. Migrating from Google Reader is easy. Point, click, and in a matter of minutes, your feeds are being checked by Newsblur.

2. Feeds can be viewed in the reader in one of three formats.

3. Save stories to a number of services (Evernote, Instapaper, etc.)

4. Share, annotate, and post stories on your Newsblur blog.

5. iPad, iPhone, and Android apps. iPhone is the primary way I interact with Newsblur.

6. Pricing? As of now, up to 64 feeds are free. An unlimited number of feeds and a few additional features including more frequent checks for new headlines is $1-$3/month.

7. Feeds are polled often (10x more often for paid users).

8. Newsblur can learn (this is an optional feature) what’s most interesting to you and then highlight articles meeting your criteria. Here’s how they describe their ‘training’ feature:

By using NewsBlur’s training filters, you can hide stories you don’t want to see and highlight the stories that interest you. Teaching NewsBlur your preferences (or lack thereof) for certain blogs, authors, and topics cuts down on the noise and connects you with the news that interests you most.

9. Newsblur’s code is open source and posted on GitHub.

10. It’s good to support the work of small companies. (-:

More Reasons To Try

Here are other comments and reviews about Newsblur:

• A new Ars Technica poll about Google Reader alternatives includes a a positive comment about Newsblur by a former editor of the publication.
• Lifehacker’s just published roundup of Google Reader alternative has good things to say about Newsblur.
• Intelligently Browse RSS Feeds With Newsblur (Web.appstorm, 2010)
• NewsBlur is a slick, new RSS reader that intelligently makes sense out of your feeds. (The Next Web, 2010)

As you look for alternatives, make sure to stop by and give Newsblur a whirl. But, if you want further choices, see this article at our sister site Marketing Land: 12 Google Reader Alternatives.

About The Author

Gary Price

Gary Price is a librarian, author, and an online information analyst based in suburban Washington, DC. He is the co-founder and co-editor of INFOdocket and FullTextReports.com and prior to that was founder/editor of ResourceShelf and DocuTicker for 10 years. He has worked for Blekko, Ask.com, and at Search Engine Watch where he was news editor. In 2001, Price was the co-author (with Chris Sherman) of the best-selling book The Invisible Web.