Comparison

SmartRSS vs ReadsFreely RSS Reader

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SmartRSS

This app offers an intelligent RSS reading experience with AI-powered article summaries and text-to-speech functionality. It synchronizes across multiple platforms and services, providing a clean, customizable interface for modern content consumption.

Highlights
  • AI-powered article summaries
  • Natural text-to-speech audio
  • Cross-platform synchronization
  • Adaptive Material You Design
  • Intelligent feed organization
  • Offline reading support
  • OPML import/export
Features
Read full description

SmartRSS takes RSS reading beyond the ordinary. Bring all your favorite content into one place, from RSS feeds and blogs to podcasts, YouTube, Reddit, Substack, Mastodon, Bluesky, and more. Discover 80,000+ built-in sources and use AI to summarize, translate, and understand articles faster, while text-to-speech turns your reading list into high-quality audio. With powerful customization, offline reading, and seamless sync across popular RSS services, SmartRSS adapts to the way you read. Outstanding Features: • AI Customization: Generate smart summaries and translations with tailored prompts • Vast Content Library - 80,000+ built-in RSS subscription sources covering blogs, podcasts, Medium, Mastodon, Bluesky, Substack, YouTube, Reddit and more • Text to Speech - Convert articles into high-quality audio, with support for playback queue and background playback • Universal Sync - Works seamlessly with Miniflux, FreshRSS, Feedly, Folo, Feedbin, NewsBlur, Bazqux, Inoreader, Gobbler and Google Reader compatible services • Adaptive Design - Material You Design interface that supports multiple font and theme color settings • Intelligent Organization - Group feeds logically, star important articles, track reading progress • Offline Ready - Continue reading even without internet connection • Easy Migration - OPML import/export for seamless setup from other apps • Bionic Reading: Integrate for faster, more efficient text navigation. Comprehensive Sync Support: • Local Privacy Mode - Complete data control with device-only storage • Cloud Sync Support - Support Miniflux, FreshRSS, Feedly, Folo, Feedbin, NewsBlur, Bazqux, Inoreader and Google Reader API synchronization Smart Reading Experience: • AI Article Analysis - Understand content quickly with intelligent summaries • Full-Text Extraction - Get complete articles from truncated feeds • Gesture Navigation - Intuitive swipe actions and interactions • Reading Customization - Personalize fonts, sizes, and spacing Privacy & Security: • Local data storage with optional cloud sync • You control where your data lives Why Choose SmartRSS: • BYOK AI Integration: Enjoy premium AI features at a fraction of the cost—averaging less than $0.10 per week. • Minimalist Reading: A clean, native, and distraction-free environment designed for deep focus. • High Performance: Lightning-fast responsiveness with fluid, smooth animations. • Continuous Innovation: Frequent updates bringing you the latest features and optimizations. The ultimate tool for news enthusiasts, tech bloggers, and researchers to stay ahead of the curve and curate their favorite content in one place. Subscription Information: • This app offers optional premium subscriptions to unlock advanced features. • Monthly Subscription – $1.29 per month (auto-renewable) • Yearly Subscription – $11.99 per year (auto-renewable) • Lifetime Purchase – $19.99 (one-time payment) Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store account settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://vinsonguo.github.io/smartrss_privacy_policy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

ReadsFreely RSS Reader

Features
Read full description

It scrolls the news for you. ReadsFreely is a hands-free RSS reader. Headlines auto-scroll at the speed you set. Stand the phone on a desk or in the kitchen. Touch to pause. Tap Open to read the story. No ads. No algorithmic feed. No account. WHAT IT IS A self-playing headline stream from the RSS feeds you choose. Defaults: ST World, BBC News, CNBC World. Add any RSS URL. Filter by source. That’s the product. WHAT IT IS NOT Not a power-user client. No unread counts, no folders, no sync, no OPML (yet), no AI ranking. If you want NetNewsWire or Reeder, use those. If you want the phone to keep walking the headlines while your hands are busy, use this. HANDS-FREE AUTO-SCROLL You set the pace — slow browse or fast scan. The feed itself moves. This is not mark-as-read-on-scroll, and it is not a teleprompter for long articles. CLEAN No ads. No “For You.” No newsletter. Age 4+. PLANS • Free — up to 4 RSS sources • Standard — up to 20 sources — HK$8/month • Pro — up to 50 sources — HK$32/month Standard and Pro are monthly subscriptions, billed through Apple. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://tkosgary.github.io/readsfreely-privacy/

Screenshots

SmartRSS4 screens
ReadsFreely RSS Reader4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: SmartRSS at 4 against ReadsFreely RSS Reader's 2. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SmartRSS sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.29 per month and ReadsFreely RSS Reader sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmartRSS ships an update every 6 days, ReadsFreely RSS Reader every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
SmartRSS versus ReadsFreely RSS Reader: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartRSSReadsFreely RSS Reader
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (17 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings17 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB47 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer铫 刘Chi Him Tsang

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SmartRSS

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$1.291 Month
  • Premium Yearly$11.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$19.99
2 purchases

ReadsFreely RSS Reader

Subscriptions2
  • Standard - Up to 20 rss sources$0.991 Month
  • Pro - Up to 50 rss sources$3.991 Month

Questions

Is SmartRSS free?
SmartRSS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ReadsFreely RSS Reader free?
ReadsFreely RSS Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SmartRSS or ReadsFreely RSS Reader have ads?
Neither SmartRSS nor ReadsFreely RSS Reader shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartRSS or ReadsFreely RSS Reader?
SmartRSS ships an update every 6 days, and ReadsFreely RSS Reader every 5 days. Most recently, SmartRSS was updated on November 8, 2026 and ReadsFreely RSS Reader on November 5, 2026.

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