In May 2025, Mozilla announced the impending shutdown of its popular read-it-later application, Pocket, which it had acquired in 2017. The company cited evolving web browsing habits as the primary reason for this decision, opting to reallocate resources to other projects. Pocket users have until October 8, 2025, to export their saved articles, lists, archives, favorites, notes, and highlights. This development necessitates the search for alternative platforms to manage and curate reading materials.
Matter
Matter is an iOS application complemented by browser extensions for Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. The app allows users to listen to articles and transcribe favorite podcasts. While the basic version is free, a premium subscription at $79.99 per year unlocks features such as enhanced podcast and YouTube video transcriptions, adjustable reading speeds, and integrations with applications like Gmail and Kindle. In March 2025, Matter introduced an AI-powered co-reader designed to answer user queries during article reading. Pocket users can contact Matter’s co-founder, Ben Springwater, at [email protected] for a personal discount link. The company plans to offer this discount within the app and will soon launch a migration process for Pocket users.
Instapaper
Established in 2008 by developer Marco Arment, Instapaper is one of the oldest read-it-later applications. Available on both iOS and Android platforms, it allows users to save unlimited articles and videos without any fees. A premium subscription at $59.99 per year offers additional features, including the ability to add notes to saved articles, maintain a permanent archive, create text-to-speech playlists, enable full-text search, and send articles to Kindle devices. Pocket users can import their accounts into Instapaper at instapaper.com/user and will receive a three-month free trial of Instapaper Premium upon doing so.
Raindrop.io
Raindrop.io functions primarily as a bookmark manager for web browsers, with accompanying mobile applications for iOS and Android that allow users to read saved articles or PDFs. The free version offers unlimited bookmark saving and integrations with services like Zapier and IFTTT. A premium subscription at $28 per year provides additional features such as nested collections, full-text search, and cloud backup. Raindrop.io also supports importing data from Pocket, facilitating a smooth transition for users.
Wallabag
Wallabag is an open-source, self-hosted read-it-later service that emphasizes privacy and control over saved content. Users can host Wallabag on their own servers, ensuring complete data ownership. The platform offers features like offline reading, tagging, and full-text search. Wallabag provides migration tools for Pocket users, making the transition straightforward. For those who prefer not to self-host, Wallabag offers a hosted version at €9 per year.
Diigo
Diigo is a versatile bookmarking tool that extends beyond simple content saving by offering annotation and highlighting capabilities, making it suitable for research and collaboration. Users can bookmark, archive, and share web pages, with collaborative tools that enhance group projects or research teams. Diigo supports various platforms and offers browser extensions for easy integration. While the additional features may result in a steeper learning curve, they provide a comprehensive solution for users seeking more than a basic read-it-later service.
Flipboard blends the roles of a news aggregator and content-saving tool, presenting a curated content experience with a magazine-style layout that organizes saved articles and adds a visual dimension to content discovery. Users can enjoy a personalized magazine tailored to their interests, making the act of saving content an aesthetically pleasing journey. Flipboard is available across various platforms, including iOS and Android, and offers browser extensions for easy content saving.
EmailThis
EmailThis is a unique read-it-later service that delivers saved articles directly to your email inbox, eliminating the need for a third-party app. Operated through a bookmarklet or browser extension, it sends articles to your email in a clean, ad-free format. While it lacks advanced organization features, it is simple to use and works across all browsers. The free plan allows saving up to 20 articles per month, with a premium plan at $19 per year offering unlimited articles and additional features like saving articles in different email attachment formats and adding notes.
Peech
Peech enhances digital reading by converting web content into audio, catering to multitaskers who prefer listening to articles during commuting, workouts, or household chores. It offers a user-friendly interface, multilingual support, and offline listening. Peech’s high-quality text-to-speech engine provides clear and natural audio, enriching the multitasking experience.
PaperSpan
PaperSpan is a read-it-later app designed to streamline online reading by archiving articles and videos for offline access. It offers annotation tools, highlighting features, and a minimalist design. PaperSpan’s straightforward user interface makes saving, reading, and annotating content effortless, providing an accessible solution for organizing digital reading.
Omnivore
Omnivore caters to serious readers and researchers by offering extensive tools for annotating and organizing web content. It serves as a robust platform for collecting, highlighting, and sharing insights from various online sources, bridging the gap between web content and comprehensive research. Omnivore’s detailed annotation and note-taking capabilities provide a powerful framework for robust research and content analysis.
Conclusion
The impending shutdown of Pocket has prompted users to seek alternative platforms for managing their reading lists. The options outlined above offer a range of features catering to different preferences, from simple bookmarking to advanced annotation and collaboration tools. By exploring these alternatives, users can find a solution that best fits their needs and ensures a seamless transition from Pocket.
