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Arc Publishing vs Readwise Reader

Arc Publishing logo

Arc Publishing

News

The enterprise publishing platform for news organizations

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Readwise Reader logo

Readwise Reader

News

The read-it-later app for power readers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Readwise Reader has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Arc Publishing now sold as Arc XP, and arcpublishing.com redirects there; Readwise Reader there is no free tier, only a 30 day trial
  • They diverge on capability: Arc Publishing covers Modular CMS, Readwise Reader covers Read-it-later.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arc Publishing and Readwise Reader actually diverge.

Attributes where Arc Publishing and Readwise Reader differ
AttributeArc PublishingReadwise Reader
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, MobileIos, Android, Web
Founded20162017

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 Arc Publishing

  • Modular CMS
  • Content creation
  • Publishing workflow
  • Paywall management
  • Subscription billing
  • Analytics dashboard
  • API framework
  • Commerce integration

Only in Readwise Reader

  • Read-it-later
  • RSS aggregation
  • Newsletter inbox
  • PDF support
  • Highlighting
  • Notion
  • Obsidian
  • Roam Research

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Arc Publishing

  • Content management for news and digital publishersnot Readwise Reader
  • Subscription and paywall managementnot Readwise Reader
  • Video publishing alongside articlesnot Readwise Reader
  • Multi-site delivery for broadcast and B2B publishersnot Readwise Reader

Readwise Reader

  • Reading and note-takingnot Arc Publishing
  • Highlight managementnot Arc Publishing
  • Learning and studynot Arc Publishing
  • Content curationnot Arc Publishing

Where each one falls short

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

Arc Publishing

  • Now sold as Arc XP, and arcpublishing.com redirects there
  • Pricing is not published
  • Built for media companies, so the editorial workflow assumptions do not suit a general business site

Readwise Reader

  • There is no free tier, only a 30 day trial
  • Reader is bundled into the full plan rather than sold separately, so it cannot be had at the cheaper Lite price
  • The Lite plan at $5.59 a month billed annually is daily email review only, without the web app or tagging
  • Paying monthly rather than annually raises the full plan from $9.99 to $12.99

Pricing, plan by plan

Arc Publishing

On request
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Custom CMS
    • Paywall integration
    • Advanced analytics

Readwise Reader

Free
  • Free TrialFree
    • 30 days free
    • No credit card required
  • Readwise Annual$9.99/month
    • Full Readwise and Reader access
    • Billed annually
    • Includes unified reading platform
  • Readwise Monthly$12.99/month
    • Full Readwise and Reader access
    • Billed monthly
    • Includes unified reading platform

Which should you pick?

Choose Arc Publishing if

  • You need modular cms.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want content creation.
Arc Publishing review

Choose Readwise Reader if

  • You need read-it-later.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want rss aggregation.
Readwise Reader review

Questions people ask

Is Arc Publishing or Readwise Reader better?
Neither clearly leads. Arc Publishing starts at On request and Readwise Reader at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arc Publishing or Readwise Reader?
Readwise Reader has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Arc Publishing and Free for Readwise Reader.
Does Arc Publishing or Readwise Reader run on more platforms?
Arc Publishing runs on Web, Mobile. Readwise Reader runs on Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use Readwise Reader for free?
Yes. Readwise Reader has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Arc Publishing starts at On request.
What is Arc Publishing best used for?
Arc Publishing is most often used for content management for news and digital publishers, subscription and paywall management, video publishing alongside articles, multi-site delivery for broadcast and b2b publishers. Of those, content management for news and digital publishers and subscription and paywall management are not what Readwise Reader is typically brought in for.
What can Arc Publishing do that Readwise Reader cannot?
Arc Publishing covers Modular CMS, Content creation, Publishing workflow, Paywall management. Readwise Reader covers Read-it-later, RSS aggregation, Newsletter inbox, PDF support. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Arc Publishing: Does Arc XP publish pricing online?

No. Arc XP does not publish pricing on their website. Interested customers are directed to schedule a chat with a local account manager or request a demo to discuss pricing.

Source
Readwise Reader: How much does Readwise Reader cost?

Readwise (including Reader) costs $9.99 per month when billed annually or $12.99 per month when billed monthly USD. Readers can access articles, PDFs, newsletters, RSS feeds, and YouTube videos across web and mobile.

Source
Arc Publishing: How do I get a pricing quote from Arc XP?

You must contact Arc XP's sales team directly. The company offers options to schedule a chat with your local account manager or submit a demo request form.

Source
Readwise Reader: Is there a free trial for Readwise Reader?

Yes, Readwise offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. Some users who let their trials expire may qualify for an additional extended trial.

Source
Readwise Reader: How much can students save on Readwise?

Readwise offers 50% discounts to verified students, educators, non-profits, military, first responders, and individuals in countries where US pricing is unaffordable. Interested users should contact [email protected] to request eligibility.

Source
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