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Parse.ly vs Reeder

Parse.ly logo

Parse.ly

News

Analytics platform for publishers

From
$500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Reeder logo

Reeder

News

Subscription RSS and social feed reader for Apple platforms, with a separate one-time Classic version

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Reeder has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Parse.ly no published pricing rates or specific plan costs; Reeder the free tier caps at ten feeds, which is restrictive for anyone following more than a handful of sources.
  • They diverge on capability: Parse.ly covers Content analytics, Reeder covers Multi-source feeds.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Parse.ly and Reeder actually diverge.

Attributes where Parse.ly and Reeder differ
AttributeParse.lyReeder
Starting price$500/monthFree
Pricing modelquotePer user per month
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebMac, iOS
Founded2011Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (News).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Parse.ly

  • Content analytics
  • Audience tracking
  • Real-time metrics
  • Recommendations
  • Google Analytics
  • GDPR
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support

Only in Reeder

  • Multi-source feeds
  • Gesture-based triage
  • Shared feeds
  • Cross-device sync
  • Reeder Classic option
  • Custom themes

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Parse.ly

  • Real time analytics on article and page performance for publishersnot Reeder
  • Attributing conversions and subscriptions to contentnot Reeder
  • Comparing audience engagement across authors, sections and channelsnot Reeder

Reeder

  • A reader who wants YouTube, Reddit and Mastodon alongside RSS feeds in one triage-focused appnot Parse.ly
  • Someone with more than ten feeds who is comfortable with a low cost subscription rather than a hard capnot Parse.ly
  • A long time Reeder user who prefers the older interface and wants to avoid a subscription by using Reeder Classic insteadnot Parse.ly
  • A user who wants shared curated feed lists with friends or colleagues, a Plus-only featurenot Parse.ly

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Parse.ly

  • No published pricing rates or specific plan costs
  • All pricing tiers direct users to contact sales for details
  • Custom/enterprise pricing model requires demo or direct contact

Reeder

  • The free tier caps at ten feeds, which is restrictive for anyone following more than a handful of sources.
  • Having two separately named and priced apps, Reeder and Reeder Classic, has confused users trying to work out which one to buy.
  • It depends on continued access to YouTube, Reddit and Mastodon APIs for its social feed features, any of which could change terms and reduce functionality.
  • It is Apple platforms only, with no Windows, Android or web version.
  • The subscription, while cheap, is still an ongoing cost compared with NetNewsWire, which does the core RSS job for free indefinitely.

Pricing, plan by plan

Parse.ly

$500/month
  • Standard$500/month
    • Content analytics
    • Audience insights

Reeder

Free
  • Reeder (free)Free
    • Up to 10 feeds
    • Core reading and triage features
  • Reeder Plus$1/month
    • Unlimited feeds
    • Shared feeds
    • Social timelines from Reddit and Mastodon
  • Reeder ClassicFree
    • Separate app, one-time purchase pricing
    • No subscription required
    • Traditional RSS-focused feature set

Which should you pick?

Choose Parse.ly if

  • You need content analytics.
  • You also want audience tracking.
Parse.ly review

Choose Reeder if

  • You need multi-source feeds.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac, iOS.
  • You also want gesture-based triage.
Reeder review

Questions people ask

Is Parse.ly or Reeder better?
Neither clearly leads. Parse.ly starts at $500/month and Reeder at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Parse.ly or Reeder?
Reeder has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $500/month for Parse.ly and Free for Reeder.
Does Parse.ly or Reeder run on more platforms?
Parse.ly runs on Web. Reeder runs on Mac, iOS.
Can I use Reeder for free?
Yes. Reeder has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Parse.ly starts at $500/month.
What is Parse.ly best used for?
Parse.ly is most often used for real time analytics on article and page performance for publishers, attributing conversions and subscriptions to content, comparing audience engagement across authors, sections and channels. Of those, real time analytics on article and page performance for publishers and attributing conversions and subscriptions to content are not what Reeder is typically brought in for.
What can Parse.ly do that Reeder cannot?
Parse.ly covers Content analytics, Audience tracking, Real-time metrics, Recommendations. Reeder covers Multi-source feeds, Gesture-based triage, Shared feeds, Cross-device sync.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Parse.ly: How much does Parse.ly cost?

Parse.ly does not publish specific pricing amounts. The company offers three tiers (Content Performance, Content Value, and Content Advocacy) but requires customers to request quotes or schedule a demo with a content analytics expert.

Source
Reeder: Is Reeder free?

A free tier exists capped at ten feeds; unlimited feeds and social timelines require the Reeder Plus subscription.

Parse.ly: What are the differences between Parse.ly pricing tiers?

The Content Performance tier offers basic analytics and 1 site tracking. Content Value adds conversions and attribution analytics for 2 sites. Content Advocacy adds geographic segmentation, video tracking, and SSO for 3 sites.

Source
Reeder: What is Reeder Classic?

A separate, older Reeder app kept available as a one-time purchase for users who do not want the new subscription model.

Parse.ly: How can I get a custom pricing quote from Parse.ly?

Customers can book a demo with a Parse.ly content analytics expert through their pricing page, or request more details using the provided contact options.

Source
Reeder: Does Reeder support YouTube and Reddit, not just RSS?

Yes, the current version combines RSS with YouTube channels, Reddit communities and Mastodon timelines in one app.

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