What you get
Everything you need. Nothing you don't.
Basic Reader strips RSS reading down to what matters: fast, clean access to the content you follow — without any of the bloat, dark patterns, or monthly bills that have crept into the category.
Semantic Search
Search across all your articles instantly. Results are re-ranked using an on-device AI model for semantic relevance — so you find what you mean, not just what you typed. Nothing leaves your device.
iCloud Sync
Feeds, folders, filter rules, read status, and preferences sync automatically across all your devices via iCloud — no account required beyond your Apple ID.
Powerful Filter Rules
Hide the noise with wildcard or regex filters, applied globally, per folder, or per feed — against titles, summaries, or both. A filtered indicator shows when rules are active.
Folders & Organization
Group feeds into collapsible folders with drag-and-drop reordering. Unread counts show at a glance on every feed and folder.
OPML Import & Export
Bring your existing subscriptions in from any reader. Take them out just as easily. Your data is never held hostage.
Background Auto-Refresh
Your feeds update automatically on a configurable schedule, subject to iOS limitations. No manual refreshing required.
iPhone, iPad & Mac
One purchase, three platforms. A full three-column layout on iPad and Mac; a clean adaptive UI on iPhone.
Starred Articles
Star any article to save it for later. Starred articles sync across all your devices via iCloud.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Full keyboard navigation on Mac and iPad. J/K to move between articles, M to mark read, S to star, O to open in browser, Cmd+R to refresh.
Accessibility First
Full VoiceOver support, Dynamic Type scaling, and Reduce Motion respect — built in from the start, not bolted on after.
Included vs. the competition
Subscription elsewhere. Included here.
Popular RSS apps routinely charge $8–10/month for features that should come standard. Here's what Basic Reader includes — no subscription required.
Content Filter Rules
Wildcard and regex filters that hide articles by title or summary, scoped to any feed or folder. Inoreader locks filter rules to their Pro plan ($7.99/month). Basic Reader: included.
Automatic Background Refresh
Feeds refresh automatically on a configurable schedule, based on iOS limitations, while the app is in the background. Inoreader's free tier uses a throttled refresh rate; guaranteed fast refresh is Pro-only ($7.99/month).
OPML Import & Export
Full portability, in and out. Import your current feed list from any other reader; export at any time. Inoreader restricts automatic OPML backups to Pro subscribers. Basic Reader exports freely, always.
iCloud Sync
Feeds, folders, filter rules, read status, and starred articles sync across all your devices via iCloud. Inoreader requires a paid account for cross-device sync. Basic Reader uses your existing Apple ID — no new account needed.
Semantic Search
Search finds what you mean, not just what you typed — powered by an on-device AI model. Readwise Reader offers semantic search at $7.99/month. Basic Reader runs it entirely on your device, for free.
Platform support
At home on every Apple screen.
Basic Reader is built natively in SwiftUI and runs on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS — with a UI that's designed for each form factor, not just stretched to fit.
Privacy
Your reading habits are nobody's business.
Basic Reader has no account system, no analytics SDK, and no backend of its own. Your data lives on your device and, if you choose, in your own iCloud account — never on ours.
No Analytics
Zero tracking SDKs. We have no idea what you read, and we intend to keep it that way.
No Account Required
Download and go. No email address, no sign-up, no password to forget.
Your Data, Your Cloud
Your feeds and articles live on your device and sync via your own iCloud account — not ours. We have no servers and no access to your data.
Image Loading Control
Disable automatic image loading to block tracking pixels and cut data usage.