Really Simple Syndication (RSS)

In this section

• Platform-independent
• Windows®
• Mac OS
• Linux/Unix

External resources

• Open Directory Project: RSS Readers

RSS Software

RSS Channel Readers, sometimes called "News Readers" ^[1] or "News Aggregators", are available for a variety of computing platforms and devices. We have listed just a few below; others are available. Some are free applications, some are commercial.

The applications listed here are examples only and their inclusion here in no way constitutes a recommendation. You download and use these applications at your own risk and The Institute of Physics accepts no liability for any damage incurred.

If you would like to recommend an RSS Reader that is not listed, please use our feedback form.

Platform-independent

Amphetadesk

AmphetaDesk is a free, cross platform, open-sourced, syndicated news aggregator - it obediently sits on your desktop, downloads the latest news that interests you, and displays them in a quick and easy to use (and customizable!) webpage.

• License: Freeware/Open Source
• Web: http://www.disobey.com/amphetadesk/

BottomFeeder

BottomFeeder is an RSS and OCS News reader/aggregator.

• License: Open Source
• Web: http://www.cincomsmalltalk.com/BottomFeeder/

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Microsoft® Windows®

FeedReeder

Feedreader is a freeware Windows application that reads and displays Internet newsfeeds aka RSS feeds based on XML.

• License: Freeware/Open Source
• Web: http://www.feedreader.com/

RDF-Ticker

RDF-Ticker is a newsticker application which fetches news from RDF/RSS-feeds and displays them on a ticker-bar. These feeds are based on a special XML-format, which lets client applications show them in any convenient way for the end-user.

• License: Shareware (fully functional trial with nag-screen / €10 for full version)
• Web: http://www.anse.de/rdfticker/

Newzcrawler

Stay in touch with all breaking news around the world, save your time and money using our NewzCrawler - the leader in desktop information tools!

• License: Shareware
• Web: http://www.newzcrawler.com/

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Mac OS

NetNewsWire/NetNewsWire Lite

NetNewsWire is an easy-to-use RSS Web news reader for Mac OS X. Its familiar three-paned interface—similar to Apple Mail and Outlook Express—can fetch and display news from thousands of different websites and weblogs, making it quick and easy to keep up with the latest news.

• License
  • NetNewsWire Lite: Freeware
  • NetNewsWire: Free 30-day demo / $39.95 full version
• Web: http://ranchero.com/netnewswire/

Shrook

Shrook is a desktop aggregator for MacOS X, while shrook.com is an online aggregator available anywhere. Together they let you keep up to date with your favorite RSS-enabled websites. They both let you know when your favourite sites update, and keep track of which items you've seen before.

• License: Free 30-day demo / $19.95 full version
• Web: http://www.fondantfancies.com/shrook/

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Linux/Unix

Liferea

Liferea is a simple FeedReader clone for GNU/Linux. It is a news aggregator for RSS/RDF feeds which also supports CDF channels, Atom/Echo/PIE feeds and OCS directories.

• License: Free Software (GPL).
• Web: http://liferea.sourceforge.net/

Straw

Straw is a desktop news aggregator for the GNOME environment. Its aim is to be a faster, easier and more accessible way to read news and blogs than the traditional browser.

• License: Free Software (GPL).
• Web: http://www.nongnu.org/straw/

Syndigator

This project is based on Gtk and is targeted primarily at those people using Linux.

• License: Free Software (GPL)
• Web: http://syndigator.sourceforge.net/

RSSOwl

RSSOwl is a free RSS (0.91, 0.92, 1.0, 2.0) newsreader written in Java programming language using SWT as fast graphic library. Features of RSSOwl include reading RSS or RDF newsfeeds in a comfortable tab folder, save newsfeeds in categories, export them to PDF / HTML or OPML, and view news in an internal browser.

• License: Free Software (GPL).
• Web: http://rssowl.sourceforge.net/

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Notes

1. Not to be confused with Usenet (nntp) News Readers