Read-it-later app Pocket shut down — here are the best alternatives

Mozilla announced in May 2025 that it would shut down the read-it-later app Pocket, which it had acquired in 2017 for an undisclosed sum. The decision came amid shifting user habits and evolving web browsing patterns, according to the company. This move triggered a surge in interest for alternative apps designed to help users save and revisit online content. Among the apps gaining traction were Matter, Instapaper, Raindrop.io, Plinky, and Paperspan. These services offer similar functionalities to Pocket, allowing users to store articles, videos, and other digital content for later consumption. Pocket users were given until October 8, 2025, to export their data, including saved articles, lists, archives, favorites, notes, and highlights. Many of the competing apps supported data migration, enabling former Pocket users to transfer their collections seamlessly. Some platforms also offered incentives such as free trials or premium features to encourage adoption. For example, Instapaper provided a three-month free trial to users who imported their Pocket accounts, while Matter introduced an AI-powered co-reader to enhance the reading experience. Matter, backed by Google Ventures, launched an iOS app alongside browser extensions for Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. Its core feature allows users to listen to articles and transcribe podcasts. While the basic version is free, a yearly subscription of $79.99 unlocks enhanced transcription quality, adjustable reading speeds, and deeper integration with productivity tools like notes apps, Gmail, and Kindle. In March 2025, the company further expanded its capabilities by introducing an AI assistant that answers questions related to the content being read. Instapaper, founded by Marco Arment in 2008, has long been a staple in the read-it-later space. Available on both iOS and Android, it enables users to save unlimited articles and videos without cost. Though acquired by Pinterest in 2016, Instapaper continues to operate independently. A paid subscription of $59.99 per year grants access to advanced features such as note-taking, a permanent archive, text-to-speech playback, full-text search, and Kindle integration. Former Pocket users were encouraged to migrate their accounts, with some receiving promotional offers for premium features. Raindrop.io functions primarily as a bookmark manager but extends its utility through mobile apps for iOS and Android, allowing users to read stored articles and PDFs. The free version supports unlimited bookmarking and integrates with automation tools like Zapier and IFTTT. A paid plan priced at $33 annually adds AI-driven organization suggestions, full-text search, reminder alerts, and a monthly file upload limit of 10GB. This combination of flexibility and affordability appeals to users seeking both simplicity and customization. Plinky, developed by former Twitter engineer Joe Fabisevich, focuses on organizing links of all types, articles, videos, recipes, and memes. The app is accessible across Apple platforms and includes browser extensions for easy link saving. Free users can store up to 50 links, organize them into three folders, and apply five tags. Upgrading to a paid plan costs $3.99 per month, $39.99 annually, or $159.99 as a one-time payment. Subscribers gain unlimited storage, folder creation, tag usage, and reminder scheduling, making it ideal for users who need robust yet flexible link management. Paperspan offers a streamlined approach to reading lists, enabling cross-device synchronization and note-taking. Its text-to-speech feature enhances accessibility. While the app is free to use, a monthly subscription of $8.99 unlocks advanced search options, playlist creation, reading statistics, and Kindle sharing. This model caters to users looking for a minimalist yet functional tool without the complexity of more feature-rich alternatives. As Pocket's closure reshapes the market, these emerging apps continue to evolve, adapting to user needs and technological advancements. With ongoing innovation and competitive pricing, they are poised to fill the void left by the shuttered service.