The Old Reader vs Meltwater
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 Meltwater if you prioritize Media monitoring and want plans starting at Contact for pricing. The Old Reader has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.2).
The Old Reader vs Meltwater: At a Glance
| Criteria | The Old Reader | Meltwater |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3 | 4.2 |
| Pricing | Free | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | freemium | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Api, Mobile |
| Category | News & Media | News & Media |
| Founded | 2012 | 2001 |
Feature Comparison: The Old Reader vs Meltwater
| Feature | The Old Reader | Meltwater |
|---|---|---|
| RSS reading | ||
| Social sharing | ||
| Following friends | ||
| Keyboard shortcuts | ||
| OPML import/export | ||
| Third-party apps | ||
| Browser bookmarklet | ||
| Web support | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Android support | ||
| Media monitoring | ||
| Social listening | ||
| Influencer discovery | ||
| Sentiment analysis | ||
| Competitive intelligence | ||
| PR analytics | ||
| Report automation | ||
| Crisis monitoring | ||
| Salesforce | ||
| HubSpot | ||
| Slack | ||
| Microsoft Teams | ||
| Tableau | ||
| SOC2 | ||
| GDPR |
The Old Reader vs Meltwater: 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
Meltwater Pricing
Model: subscription
- Media monitoring
- Social listening
- Influencer database
- Analytics dashboard
- Advanced analytics
- API access
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated 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
Meltwater
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.2/5)
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Api, Mobile)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Media monitoring functionality
- Strong Social listening functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use The Old Reader vs Meltwater?
Choose The Old Reader if you:
- Need RSS reading
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Social sharing
Choose Meltwater if you:
- Need Media monitoring
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web and Api
- Value Social listening
Frequently Asked Questions: The Old Reader vs Meltwater
Is The Old Reader better than Meltwater?
It depends on your needs. The Old Reader has a 4.3/5 user rating while Meltwater has 4.2/5. The Old Reader excels in RSS reading and Social sharing, while Meltwater stands out with Media monitoring and Social listening. Consider your budget (Free vs Contact for pricing), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, The Old Reader or Meltwater?
The Old Reader offers a free plan and starts at Free. Meltwater starts at Contact for pricing. The Old Reader has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use The Old Reader and Meltwater 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 Meltwater?
The key differences include: pricing model (freemium vs subscription), platform support (Web, Ios, Android vs Web, Api, Mobile), and feature focus. The Old Reader emphasizes RSS reading, Social sharing, Following friends while Meltwater focuses on Media monitoring, Social listening, Influencer discovery. User ratings differ slightly: 4.3 vs 4.2 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both The Old Reader and Meltwater.