Pocket alternatives: 7 apps ranked by verified data
Common reasons people leave Pocket: no longer available: all apps and extensions are shut down, and saved libraries had to be exported before the closure. We ranked 7 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Pocket, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Instapaper currently ranks first.
Pocket has been discontinued. Mozilla shut Pocket down in 2025, retiring the web, mobile and macOS apps and the browser extensions.
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Show all 7 alternativesThe best Pocket alternative for…
The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.
Best Pocket alternative for most people
InstapaperThe closest like-for-like replacement: a long-running read-later service with a free tier and Premium extras.
Best Pocket alternative for a free option
wallabagOpen source and self-hostable, with a Pocket importer and an affordable hosted option.
Best Pocket alternative for a free plan you can upgrade
MatterA polished iPhone, iPad and web reader with natural-sounding text-to-speech, much like Pocket's listen feature.
Best Pocket alternative for open source
KarakeepSelf-hosted, with AI tagging and a Pocket importer for people who want to own their archive.
Best Pocket alternative for self-hosting
wallabagOpen source and self-hostable, with a Pocket importer and an affordable hosted option.
Best Pocket alternative for Mac
Readwise ReaderA richer reading app that also handles PDFs, newsletters and RSS, with strong highlighting.
Best Pocket alternative for Windows
Raindrop.ioGood if you used Pocket mostly as a bookmark pile and want collections and tags with a generous free plan.
Best Pocket alternative for iPhone and Android
InstapaperThe closest like-for-like replacement: a long-running read-later service with a free tier and Premium extras.
Best Pocket alternative for working in the browser
InstapaperThe closest like-for-like replacement: a long-running read-later service with a free tier and Premium extras.
Pocket alternatives: common questions
What is the best alternative to Pocket?
Instapaper ranks first right now. The closest like-for-like replacement: a long-running read-later service with a free tier and Premium extras. Readwise Reader and Matter follow it in our ranking.
Is there a free alternative to Pocket?
Yes. Instapaper (free plan + paid), Matter (free plan + paid), wallabag (open source) and Raindrop.io (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.
Is there an open-source alternative to Pocket?
Yes: wallabag and Karakeep. wallabag and Karakeep can also be self-hosted.
Why do people switch from Pocket?
The complaints we hear most: no longer available: all apps and extensions are shut down; saved libraries had to be exported before the closure.
How is this list ranked?
Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Pocket, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.