When Pocket shut down, two names came up more than any others: Readwise Reader and Instapaper. They're both excellent, and they're aimed at almost opposite kinds of reader. Here's the honest head-to-head — plus a third option, since not everyone's problem is "which reader," but "why don't I ever finish?"
At a glance
| Readwise Reader | Instapaper | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Power readers, note-takers | Clean, casual reading |
| Free tier | 30-day trial only | Yes — genuinely useful |
| Price | ~$10/mo (annual) | Free, or ~$60/yr |
| Reader | Powerful, dense | Cleanest plain text |
| AI | Yes (Ghostreader) | No |
| Highlights & notes | Best-in-class, exportable | Basic (more when paid) |
| Content types | Articles, PDF, ebook, RSS, YouTube | Articles (+ Send to Kindle) |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, web | iOS, Android |
Choose Readwise Reader if…
Reading is research. You highlight constantly, you keep a knowledge base in Obsidian or Notion, and you want articles, PDFs, ebooks, RSS, and even YouTube transcripts in one inbox with an AI assistant on top. Reader is the most capable read-later app that exists — and priced like it. If you'll use the power, it's worth every dollar. If you won't, it'll feel like a lot.
Choose Instapaper if…
You just want to read. Save an article, get the cleanest plain-text version anywhere, read it offline, maybe send it to your Kindle. The free tier covers most people completely, there's nothing to learn, and it's been quietly reliable since 2008. It's the closest thing to "Pocket, but still alive." It won't summarize or organize for you — that's not the point.
The third question nobody asks
What if the reader was never the problem?
A different take — from us, so weigh it accordingly
Both apps assume you'll read what you save. But most people don't — the list grows to hundreds and the reader you picked barely matters. If that's you, the fix isn't a better reader; it's reading less, on purpose. Gisto summarizes every link the moment you save it, so you get the gist in three lines and only open the full piece when it earns it — and finished items archive themselves. Fewer things, actually read.
- Summarized on save — decide in seconds, not "someday"
- Auto-archive keeps the list from becoming a graveyard
- Subscription after a 7-day trial; no free tier
- Not built for heavy highlighting like Reader
The short version
- Want power and notes? Readwise Reader.
- Want a clean, free reader? Instapaper.
- Never actually finish your list? Gisto.