Mozilla's decision to discontinue Pocket, one of the most popular read it later services, has left millions of users scrambling for alternatives. The bookmarking service, which seamlessly synced saved articles across devices and offered features like text-to-speech and personalized recommendations, will officially shut down on July 8, 2025. Users have until October 8, 2024, to export their saved content, making the search for a suitable replacement increasingly urgent.
Browser-Based Reading Lists Offer Simple Solutions
The most straightforward replacement might already be installed on your device. Both Chrome and Safari include built-in reading list features that provide basic save-for-later functionality without requiring additional apps or subscriptions. Safari's implementation stands out by automatically saving articles for offline reading, while Chrome simply bookmarks the page for later access. These browser-native solutions work well for casual users who don't need advanced organization features like tagging or custom folders.
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| Safari's Reading List feature highlighted as a simple solution for saving articles |
Instapaper Emerges as the Closest Pocket Alternative
Among dedicated read-later services, Instapaper presents the most similar experience to Pocket. Launched in the late 2000s alongside Pocket, this veteran service offers unlimited article saving and syncing across devices through its generous free tier. The service automatically strips away advertisements and clutter from web pages, creating a clean reading experience. Premium subscribers paying USD 6 monthly gain access to full-text search, offline reading, speed reading features, and the ability to send articles directly to Kindle devices.
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| Instapaper’s interface providing a similar saving and reading experience to Pocket |
Readwise Reader Targets Power Users with Advanced Features
For users seeking comprehensive content management, Readwise Reader provides an all-in-one solution that handles web articles, newsletters, RSS feeds, social media threads, and even EPUB files. The service includes AI-powered features through its Ghostreader copilot and seamlessly integrates with note-taking applications like Obsidian and Notion. However, this feature-rich approach comes at a premium price of USD 10 monthly, with a lighter version available for USD 5.59 monthly. The 30-day free trial allows users to evaluate whether the advanced functionality justifies the cost.
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| Readwise Reader showcasing its organization and management tools for reading content |
Specialized Solutions for Specific Needs
Several alternatives cater to particular use cases and preferences. Raindrop.io functions as an all-in-one bookmark manager with desktop clients for Linux, macOS, and Windows, making it ideal for users who prefer comprehensive cross-platform support. The service offers a free tier with paid accounts starting at USD 28 annually. Matter focuses heavily on newsletter management and provides users with dedicated email addresses for subscription handling, with pricing ranging from free to USD 5 monthly for premium features.
Audio-First Approach with Peech
Peech takes a unique approach by converting saved content into high-quality audiobooks, making it particularly valuable for users with dyslexia, ADHD, or vision disabilities. The service supports multiple languages and voice characters, though it currently remains limited to iOS devices. Pricing options include weekly (USD 5), monthly (USD 15), or annual (USD 99) subscriptions, with additional in-app purchases available.
Making the Transition
The shutdown of Pocket represents a significant shift in the read-later service landscape, but numerous alternatives offer comparable or even enhanced functionality. Users should consider their specific needs, device preferences, and budget constraints when selecting a replacement. Whether choosing a simple browser-based solution or investing in a feature-rich premium service, the key is to begin the transition process before Pocket's final shutdown date to ensure seamless access to saved content.