Folo vs NetNewsWire
Folo and NetNewsWire are both RSS reader software. Folo is open source under AGPL-3.0, with 39k GitHub stars. NetNewsWire is open source under MIT, with 10k GitHub stars.
Which to pick
- Pick Folo when
- You want a modern feed reader that also pulls in sites without native RSS and offers AI summaries.
- Pick NetNewsWire when
- You use Apple devices and want a fast, free, privacy-respecting feed reader.
Side by side
An RSS reader for web, desktop and mobile that follows feeds, RSSHub routes and social sources, with AI summaries and translation.
A native RSS reader for Mac and iPhone that syncs through iCloud, Feedbin, FreshRSS and other services.
Tied to the Folo cloud service for sync and AI features, and AGPL licensed.
Apple platforms only, and features are deliberately kept simple.
Usable
Production-ready
Cloud service, desktop app and mobile app
Desktop app and mobile app
TypeScript, React, Swift and Vite
Swift
Open source, AGPL-3.0 (network copyleft)
Open source, MIT (permissive)
Use inside your business is unrestricted. If you change it and let customers use it over the internet, you must publish your changes.
You can build it into a product you sell, as long as you keep its copyright notice.
39k GitHub stars
10k GitHub stars
Established: started 2 years ago, latest release desktop/v1.17.0.
Established: started 9 years ago, latest release mac-7.2.1.
Other comparisons
More RSS readers
Both sides were judged on 2026-11-03 from each project's README and GitHub data. License, age and popularity lines are worked out directly.