Mailbrew vs The Old Reader
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading news & media solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Mailbrew if you need Custom digests and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose The Old Reader if you prioritize RSS reading and want a free tier to start. Mailbrew has a higher user rating (4.5 vs 4.3).
Mailbrew vs The Old Reader: At a Glance
| Criteria | Mailbrew | The Old Reader |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Pricing | Contact for pricing | Free |
| Pricing Model | subscription | freemium |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web | Web, Ios, Android |
| Category | News & Media | News & Media |
| Founded | 2019 | 2012 |
Feature Comparison: Mailbrew vs The Old Reader
| Feature | Mailbrew | The Old Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Custom digests | ||
| Multiple sources | ||
| Email delivery | ||
| Scheduling | ||
| Content filtering | ||
| RSS | ||
| YouTube | ||
| HackerNews | ||
| Web support | ||
| RSS reading | ||
| Social sharing | ||
| Following friends | ||
| Keyboard shortcuts | ||
| OPML import/export | ||
| Third-party apps | ||
| Browser bookmarklet | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Android support |
Mailbrew vs The Old Reader: Pricing Breakdown
Mailbrew Pricing
Model: subscription
- 3 brews (digests)
- All sources
- Daily delivery
- Email support
- Unlimited brews
- API access
- Custom delivery times
- Priority support
The Old Reader Pricing
Model: freemium
- 100 subscriptions
- Social features
- Web access
- OPML import
- 500 subscriptions
- Search history
- Priority refresh
- No ads
- Unlimited subscriptions
- All premium features
- Support development
Pros and Cons
Mailbrew
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.5/5)
- Rich feature set with 11+ capabilities
- Strong Custom digests functionality
- Strong Multiple sources functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- Limited platform support (Web only)
- May require time to learn advanced features
The Old Reader
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Ios, Android)
- Rich feature set with 10+ capabilities
- Strong RSS reading functionality
- Strong Social sharing functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Mailbrew vs The Old Reader?
Choose Mailbrew if you:
- Need Custom digests
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web
- Value Multiple sources
Choose The Old Reader if you:
- Need RSS reading
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Social sharing
Frequently Asked Questions: Mailbrew vs The Old Reader
Is Mailbrew better than The Old Reader?
It depends on your needs. Mailbrew has a 4.5/5 user rating while The Old Reader has 4.3/5. Mailbrew excels in Custom digests and Multiple sources, while The Old Reader stands out with RSS reading and Social sharing. Consider your budget (Contact for pricing vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Mailbrew or The Old Reader?
Mailbrew starts at Contact for pricing. The Old Reader offers a free plan and starts at Free. The Old Reader has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use Mailbrew and The Old Reader together?
While both are news & media tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core news & media needs.
What are the main differences between Mailbrew and The Old Reader?
The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs freemium), platform support (Web vs Web, Ios, Android), and feature focus. Mailbrew emphasizes Custom digests, Multiple sources, Email delivery while The Old Reader focuses on RSS reading, Social sharing, Following friends. User ratings differ slightly: 4.5 vs 4.3 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Mailbrew and The Old Reader.