The Old Reader vs Steno
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 Steno if you prioritize AI transcription and want plans starting at Contact for pricing. Steno has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.3).
The Old Reader vs Steno: At a Glance
| Criteria | The Old Reader | Steno |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Pricing | Free | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | freemium | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web |
| Category | News & Media | News & Media |
| Founded | 2012 | 2020 |
Feature Comparison: The Old Reader vs Steno
| Feature | The Old Reader | Steno |
|---|---|---|
| RSS reading | ||
| Social sharing | ||
| Following friends | ||
| Keyboard shortcuts | ||
| OPML import/export | ||
| Third-party apps | ||
| Browser bookmarklet | ||
| Web support | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Android support | ||
| AI transcription | ||
| Broadcast search | ||
| Real-time monitoring | ||
| Clip creation | ||
| Media analysis | ||
| Slack | ||
| API |
The Old Reader vs Steno: 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
Steno Pricing
Model: subscription
- Search transcripts
- Clip creation
- Email alerts
- Basic analytics
- All Starter features
- API access
- Team collaboration
- Advanced analytics
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
- SLA
- Custom retention
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
Steno
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Rich feature set with 9+ capabilities
- Strong AI transcription functionality
- Strong Broadcast search 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 Steno?
Choose The Old Reader if you:
- Need RSS reading
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Social sharing
Choose Steno if you:
- Need AI transcription
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web
- Value Broadcast search
Frequently Asked Questions: The Old Reader vs Steno
Is The Old Reader better than Steno?
It depends on your needs. The Old Reader has a 4.3/5 user rating while Steno has 4.4/5. The Old Reader excels in RSS reading and Social sharing, while Steno stands out with AI transcription and Broadcast search. Consider your budget (Free vs Contact for pricing), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, The Old Reader or Steno?
The Old Reader offers a free plan and starts at Free. Steno starts at Contact for pricing. The Old Reader has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use The Old Reader and Steno 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 Steno?
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 Steno focuses on AI transcription, Broadcast search, Real-time monitoring. User ratings differ slightly: 4.3 vs 4.4 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both The Old Reader and Steno.