Comparison · RSS readers
FreshRSS vs Vienna: which is better in 2026?
Vienna ranks higher in our list of RSS readers (#5 against #6, score 84.5 against 83.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.
- 83.0Editorial score84.5
- 2Platforms1
- YesFree to useYes
- YesOpen sourceYes
Which should you choose?
Choose FreshRSS if you want
Self-hosted feed reading with scraping and search.
A free, self-hosted AGPL-3.0 reader with feed scraping, saved searches and support for third-party mobile apps. It needs a server and setup, so it suits people comfortable running their own software.
Choose Vienna if you want
Mac users who want a free open-source reader.
A free, Apache-2.0 newsreader for macOS that reads RSS, Atom and JSON feeds and includes a Plugins folder. It runs on the Mac only, so it sits beside NetNewsWire and Reeder as an Apple-only choice.
The main differences
- Only Vienna runs on macOS.
- Only FreshRSS runs on Web.
Side by side
 FreshRSS |  Vienna | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 83.0 | 84.5 |
| Rank in list | #6 of 11 | #5 of 11 |
| Price | Free and open sourceFree to self-host under AGPL-3.0; a public demo is available | Free and open sourceFree Apache-2.0 newsreader for macOS |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | WebSelf-hostedWeb, Self-hosted | macOSmacOS |
| Made by | Not stated | Not stated |
| Hosting | Self-hosted | Local app on your Mac |
| Best for | Self-hosted feed reading with scraping and search | Mac users who want a free open-source reader |
| Strengths |
|
|
| Limits |
|
|
| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about FreshRSS vs Vienna
- Is Vienna better than FreshRSS?
- Vienna ranks higher in our list of RSS readers (#5 against #6, score 84.5 against 83.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. FreshRSS is best for: self-hosted feed reading with scraping and search. Vienna is best for: Mac users who want a free open-source reader.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
