The Old Reader vs Mailbrew
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 The Old Reader if you need RSS reading and prefer a free starting option. Choose Mailbrew if you prioritize Custom digests and want plans starting at Contact for pricing. Mailbrew has a higher user rating (4.5 vs 4.3).
The Old Reader vs Mailbrew: At a Glance
| Criteria | The Old Reader | Mailbrew |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3 | 4.5 |
| Pricing | Free | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | freemium | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web |
| Category | News & Media | News & Media |
| Founded | 2012 | 2019 |
Feature Comparison: The Old Reader vs Mailbrew
| Feature | The Old Reader | Mailbrew |
|---|---|---|
| RSS reading | ||
| Social sharing | ||
| Following friends | ||
| Keyboard shortcuts | ||
| OPML import/export | ||
| Third-party apps | ||
| Browser bookmarklet | ||
| Web support | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Android support | ||
| Custom digests | ||
| Multiple sources | ||
| Email delivery | ||
| Scheduling | ||
| Content filtering | ||
| RSS | ||
| YouTube | ||
| HackerNews |
The Old Reader vs Mailbrew: Pricing Breakdown
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
Mailbrew Pricing
Model: subscription
- 3 brews (digests)
- All sources
- Daily delivery
- Email support
- Unlimited brews
- API access
- Custom delivery times
- Priority support
Pros and Cons
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
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
Who Should Use The Old Reader vs Mailbrew?
Choose The Old Reader if you:
- Need RSS reading
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Social sharing
Choose Mailbrew if you:
- Need Custom digests
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web
- Value Multiple sources
Frequently Asked Questions: The Old Reader vs Mailbrew
Is The Old Reader better than Mailbrew?
It depends on your needs. The Old Reader has a 4.3/5 user rating while Mailbrew has 4.5/5. The Old Reader excels in RSS reading and Social sharing, while Mailbrew stands out with Custom digests and Multiple sources. Consider your budget (Free vs Contact for pricing), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, The Old Reader or Mailbrew?
The Old Reader offers a free plan and starts at Free. Mailbrew starts at Contact for pricing. The Old Reader has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use The Old Reader and Mailbrew 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 The Old Reader and Mailbrew?
The key differences include: pricing model (freemium vs subscription), platform support (Web, Ios, Android vs Web), and feature focus. The Old Reader emphasizes RSS reading, Social sharing, Following friends while Mailbrew focuses on Custom digests, Multiple sources, Email delivery. User ratings differ slightly: 4.3 vs 4.5 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both The Old Reader and Mailbrew.