Reeder 2 vs. Feedly

Two RSS apps for iOS devices

When we last left off, Google Reader shutdown and I replaced it with Feedly. For the most part, I use the Feedly web site in my browser to read my blogs.

But, I used to use Reeder to read my Google Reader feeds. And I patiently waited for the update on the iPad, which was released about a month ago. There was a free update to the Reeder 1.x version, but that is only for the iPhone, which I do use, but not as often as the iPad, due to the smaller screen. I prefer the larger screen of the iPad to read and respond to blog posts.

In the meantime, I reluctantly installed the Feedly iOS app, which I wanted to like, but ended up abandoning it pretty quickly. It made the wait for the Reeder update that much harder.

Interface

Feedly obviously in the wake of Google Reader’s demise, got the app updated and together, but the general basic of the interface are something that I just couldn’t get used to. I really don’t know how to explain it in detail other than it appears they didn’t spend a lot of time refining how things work. Things do work, but it’s no where near as fluid as Reeder is.

One area that was obviously flawed was the sort function, which was not sorted properly. The web Feedly page is alphabetically-sorted with the Uncategorized view (which is mostly what I use). Certain feeds were not even included [there were others above Honea Express]. Feedly on the web shows only those posts that are marked as unread. The Feedly app often included posts that I had read some days previous, even after refreshing the page [closing the app and reopening it]. I really became quickly frustrated with the app, especially each time I went back to the web view under Chrome on my MacBook Pro.

Reeder Return

Clean and easy to navigate

Reeder’s update works wonderful on the iPad. I really like the interface and how it’s sorted. The interface is played out nice, with each of the panes consistent. With just a tap or two on the screen, I had access to just about any feed and it’s related entries.

Using Reeder to comment on blogs is easy. Even with multiple blog platforms like WordPress, TypePad and Moveable Type. Every once in a while, it takes an extra screen refresh to get the fields I need. But I sometimes get the on Chrome or Safari on the desktop. So it appears to be a normal function, based on the blog site I am reading. Perhaps related to an update or some code on the site that just is a bit wonky.

The Feedly app isn’t as consistent. The multiple fonts and graphic images are just not to my liking. They were very inconsistent and I didn’t like how they cluttered the screen. Another plus for the Reeder update.

Paid Update

About the biggest negative that I had heard from those that saw this new update was $4.99 was the fact that they didn’t feel anything new was added that warranted an upgrade cost. For me, I didn’t mind giving the developer another $5 for updating the app with the Feedly support [which in the defense of the negative crowd, he added that to the free iPhone version of Reeder a few weeks prior]. The work that went into this app was appreciated by me to free me from the not-so-nice Feedly app.

The newly updated app is also a universal app, which means you only need one that works on both the iPhone and the iPad. I like when developers can do this as it makes it easier to manage just the one app.

Reeder Recommended

I recommend Reeder to anyone that migrated to Feedly from Google Reader and wants an app that works well, has a great interface and is great when reading and responding to multiple RSS feeds.