Still Looking for Pocket Alternative

Posted by Daly de Gagne
Sep 2, 2025 at 07:50 PM

Help please!

My initial attempt to get a Pocket replacement has left me dissatisfied with Reader (I previously wrote about Reader here some weeks ago). Subsequentally, I am frustrated with Reader for the following reasons: lack of clarity (and simple explanation) as to the function of various icons, times when Reader delays or is unable to download an article properly (or as it says, unable to “parse” it) or in a timely manner, and lack of notification when Reader has had a problem doing what it is supposed to do, ie actually download what has been saved.

For me, unfortunately, Reader is a disappointment, and my confidence in it is depreciating. As a result, I find it hard to have complete confidence in Reader, a problem I never had with years of relying on Pocket.

Compared to Pocket, Reader does not cut it.

I tried Instapaper, but could not get it to work at all, I forget all the details now, but Instapaper kindly refunded my money. Instapaper looked good on its site, and with what some reviewers said, but that’s all for naught if I can’t get it to work. I might give it another shot if some one can walk me through the steps needed to get it to work.

So now I am looking at CollectRead which has been called “Best Overall & Most Affordable for Lifetime Access” by https://www.gotchseo.com/best-pocket-alternatives/.

Unfortunately, I had never heard of Collect Read until about half an hour ago. However, I am tempted to give it a go. Does anyone here have experience with it?

FWIW, I have more than 10,000 items in Pocket which, for the most part, reflect my many interests, including areas i have deliberately chosen to learn about, and for which the saved articles have reference value.

Last time I wrote about Pocket replacements, I was asked about what kind of hardware I use. I am in the Windows and Android worlds. My laptop is a Dell. My phone is a Samsung. And I am about to replace my tablet with one of the new Samsung iterations. I never had a problem using Pocket on any Windows or Samsung tablet or phone I have used.

I would perhaps take a second look at Instapaper if I could get it work, and Collect Read would be of interest. Other suggestions are welcome.

I am hesitant to admit it, but as I get older, I have less patience and apttude dealing with some of these issues,

However, I welcome, and will be grateful for any suggestions which may be offered.

Many thanks.

Daly

Posted by Paul Korm
Sep 3, 2025 at 12:35 AM

The only reason I use Reader is to collect highlights and comments, and then pass those on to other places where I want to see those comments. Other than that, it’s a trash heap.

if I want the entire source of articles then I save the article. In my case to either DEVONthink or TheBrain, depending on why I want to keep the article. These almost always print-to-pdf.

My point is not to recommend either DEVONthink or TheBrain—the former wouldn’t work with your kit anyway, and the latter is an acquired taste.

Instead I’m suggesting maybe not use a read-later app. In my own experience they always end as a disappointment, but perhaps make use of what you already have—your own file system and/or OneDrive. Perhaps in conjunction with a good PDF annotation too.

You seem to want a place to collect, categorize, and curate, which is a very good set of reasons for using a file system you already have.

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