NetNewsWire vs The StoryGraph
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
NetNewsWire is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.5. NetNewsWire wins on 4 of the 5 scores, The StoryGraph on 1.
Apple users who want to follow blogs and news sites without an algorithm
Readers who want stats, mood-based picks and an easy exit from Goodreads
Score by score
The details
| Feature | NetNewsWire | The StoryGraph |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Reading & News | Reading & News |
| Category rank | #2 of 7 | #5 of 7 |
| Developer | Brent Simmons | The StoryGraph Ltd |
| Pricing | Free | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | — | ✓ |
| Mac | ✓ | — |
| Web | — | ✓ |
Common questions
Is NetNewsWire better than The StoryGraph?
NetNewsWire is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.5. NetNewsWire wins on 4 of the 5 scores, The StoryGraph on 1.
Which is cheaper, NetNewsWire or The StoryGraph?
NetNewsWire: Completely free, with no in-app purchases. The StoryGraph: Free with ads; StoryGraph Plus is $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year on the App Store. On value for money, NetNewsWire scores higher.
Do NetNewsWire and The StoryGraph work on the same devices?
Only NetNewsWire runs on Mac. Only The StoryGraph runs on Android, Web.
Which is more private, NetNewsWire or The StoryGraph?
NetNewsWire scores higher on privacy (9.8/10). App Store label: no tracking and no data linked to you, only a user ID not tied to your identity. Crash logs are opt-in, and the website uses no cookies or trackers.
Strengths and weaknesses
NetNewsWire
- Free, open source and ad-free
- Collects almost no data about you
- Fast native apps for Mac, iPhone and iPad
- No Android, Windows or web version
- Reader view isn't guaranteed to work on every site
- Long backlog of requested features
NetNewsWire is an RSS reader that does one job very well: it shows you new posts from the sites you choose, in order, with nothing pushed by an algorithm. It's native on Mac, iPhone and iPad, and syncs through iCloud, Feedbin, Feedly, Inoreader and others. It's free and open source, with no ads and no tracking. The catch: it's Apple-only, and its feature set stays deliberately simple.
Full NetNewsWire review
The StoryGraph
- Recommendations that go beyond star ratings
- Quarter-star ratings and DNF tracking
- Easy import from Goodreads
- Free tier shows ads
- Advanced stats and charts need Plus
- Lighter social features than Goodreads
The StoryGraph tracks what you read and recommends what's next based on mood, pace and the books you've loved. Rate in quarter stars, log the books you didn't finish, check content warnings and see charts of your reading habits. Bringing your Goodreads history is easy, and buddy reads hide spoilers in reactions. Free users see ads, and the deeper stats and custom charts sit behind Plus.
Full The StoryGraph review
