Side by side
FocusReader vs Liferea
Both stand on rss reader software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Extension
FocusReader offers a focused article view with basic reading customization and offline reading. Its parsing can be limited on some pages, and its free reading list is capped at 10 articles.
Visit FocusReader Free plan Linux
Choose Liferea if you want a free Linux desktop reader with offline headlines, full-text extraction, search, and podcast support. Consider the server administration required for Tiny Tiny RSS synchronization and the desktop environment setup needed for SOCKS connections.
Visit LifereaThe facts
| FocusReader | Liferea | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Extension | Linux |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | focusreader.app | lzone.de |
| On rss reader software | #13 of 33 | #17 of 33 |
FocusReader: what it does well
- Extracts articles from Medium, Substack, blogs, and news sites.
- Includes three font styles and light or dark themes.
- Reader Mode has a toolbar, popup, and keyboard shortcut.
- Settings and reading-list data stay on the device.
- Offline reading is supported.
What to know first
- The free reading list holds up to 10 articles.
- Heavy JavaScript pages may not parse correctly.
- Paywalled content may be blocked.
- Some sites block reader mode extensions.
Liferea: what it does well
- Saves headlines for offline reading.
- Extracts full article text and supports some sites without feeds.
- Searches subscription titles and content, with saved search folders.
- Plays podcasts and can download feed enclosures automatically.
- Offers internal or external browser choice and JavaScript control.
What to know first
- The listed app platform is Linux; mobile apps are not available.
- Direct SOCKS support is unavailable.
- Tiny Tiny RSS requires a user-administered server.
Alternatives to FocusReader Alternatives to Liferea The whole list