Compare Instapaper and Pocket: Which App is the Best?

Instapaper is a simple, no-fuss app for saving and reading articles offline. It's easy to use, looks clean, and helps you keep your reading organized.
Pocket was a popular read-it-later app with 20 M+ registered users. Now, it's shut down in July 2025.
Key Features
  • Offline Reading: Save articles and read them anywhere, even without an internet connection
  • Distraction-Free Mode: Clean, text-focused reading experience with adjustable fonts and dark mode
  • Organization: Use folders and tags to keep your reading list tidy
  • Sync Across Devices: Access your saved articles on Android, iOS, and the web
  • Premium Features: Unlock full-text search, unlimited notes, speed reading, and more with a subscription
  • No Ads: Enjoy an ad-free experience, even in the free version
  • Save web pages for later reading
  • Organize saved pages into collections
  • Read articles offline
  • Sync across devices
  • Customizable reading experience
  • AI-powered article summaries
  • Social sharing
Our Rating
7.6
7.0
Total users
0
0
Total ratings
0
0
Average rating
— ⭐
— ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Android
Google Play Store
Downloads
Google Play Store
Downloads
iOS
Apple App Store
Apple App Store
Features
7.5

Instapaper does what you need: save articles, read them offline, and organize with folders and tags. You can pay for extras like searching your saved stuff or adding more notes, but most people won't need that. Some things are missing or work better on iPhone than Android, and sometimes syncing is slow. But overall, it covers the basics really well.

7.0
Not available anymore.
Performance
7.5

Instapaper is fast and works well most of the time. We didn't have crashes, and reading is smooth. Sometimes syncing is slow or articles take a while to show up, especially on Android. But for everyday use, it's reliable.

7.0
Not available anymore.
Design
8.0

We like how Instapaper looks. It's clean and simple, so you can just read without distractions. You can change the font or switch to dark mode if you want. The Android app could look a bit more modern, but it's still nice to use.

7.0
Not available anymore.
Value for Money
7.0

The free version is great—you get all the basics and no ads. The paid plan costs more now and doesn't add a lot unless you really need the extra features. If you just want to save and read, stick with the free version. If you want more, think about if it's worth it for you.

7.0
Not available anymore.
Ease of Use
8.0

It's really easy to get started with Instapaper. Saving and reading is simple, and you don't have to mess with a lot of settings. Sometimes it's hard to find certain features on Android, and syncing can be a bit slow, but most of the time it just works.

7.0
Not available anymore.
Security & Privacy
7.5

Instapaper doesn't show ads or track you much, which we like. You do need an account to sync your articles, but we didn't see any big privacy problems. It's not the most private app ever, but it feels safe enough for everyday use.

7.0
Not available anymore.
Conclusion

If you want an app that just lets you save and read articles without any hassle, Instapaper is a great pick. It's not perfect—sometimes things are a bit slow or missing on Android, and the premium plan costs more now. But for most people, the free version is more than enough. We use it all the time and think you might like it too.

Pocket changed how we save and read content, but its story is coming to a close. The service was shut down in July 2025. If you're searching for a new way to save articles, don't miss our picks for the best Pocket alternatives.

Our Recommendation