Software Alternatives & Startups

Notepad++ VS The Old Reader

Compare Notepad++ VS The Old Reader and see what are their differences

Notepad++

A free source code editor which supports several programming languages running under the MS Windows environment.

Rating
5.0 · 2 reviews
Pricing
Open source
The Old Reader

Read all your favorite online content in one place. Import your subscriptions in one click, find your friends, and start sharing.

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Notepad++ should be more popular than The Old Reader. It has been mentioned 176 times since March 2021.

social mentions
176 vs 38
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 182

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Notepad++
The Old Reader
Website notepad-plus-plus.org theoldreader.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Notepad++ 6 features
The Old Reader 5 features
  • Free and Open Source
    Notepad++ is completely free to download and use, and its source code is open for anyone to review, modify, and contribute to.
  • Lightweight and Fast
    Notepad++ is lightweight, meaning it uses fewer system resources compared to more complex IDEs, allowing for quick loading times and responsiveness.
  • Syntax Highlighting
    Supports syntax highlighting for over 80 programming languages, making it easier to read and write code.
  • Plugin Support
    Offers a wide range of plugins to extend its functionality, including customization options, code analyzers, and more.
  • Tabbed Interface
    Allows multiple documents to be opened in the same window through a tabbed interface, which greatly improves productivity.
  • Regular Updates
    Frequently receives updates and patches, improving its features and fixing bugs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Lacks some of the advanced features and integrations of full-fledged IDEs, which might be necessary for professional software development.
  • Windows Only
    Natively available only on Windows, although it can be run on other systems using compatibility layers like Wine, which might affect performance.
  • Manual Plugin Management
    Managing plugins can be cumbersome, as users often need to download and install them manually.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Although generally stable, users sometimes encounter crashes or bugs, particularly when using many plugins.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The Old Reader offers an intuitive and clean interface that makes it easy for users to navigate through their feeds and articles.
  • Social Features
    The service includes social features allowing users to follow friends, share articles, and see what others are reading.
  • Compatibility
    The Old Reader is compatible with various platforms and provides seamless synchronization between desktop and mobile devices.
  • Import/Export OPML
    Users can easily import or export their feeds using OPML files, making switching to and from other feed readers convenient.
  • Free Plan
    The Old Reader offers a free plan that is suitable for casual readers, although it comes with some limitations compared to the premium plan.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Free Plan
    The free version has restrictions, such as a limit on the number of feeds you can subscribe to and the frequency of updates.
  • Ads in Free Plan
    Users on the free plan are subject to advertisements, which might be distracting for some.
  • No Mobile App
    The Old Reader does not have an official mobile application, although the web interface is mobile-friendly.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users report occasional performance issues, such as slow loading times, especially with a large number of feeds.
  • Premium Cost
    The premium plan, although feature-rich, comes with a cost that may be considered high by some users compared to other similar services.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Notepad++
The Old Reader

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Notepad++ is considered a good editor for both programmers and general users who need a reliable and feature-rich text editing tool.

Why this product is good

  • Notepad++ is a popular text and code editor due to its lightweight design, wide array of features, and support for numerous programming languages. It offers syntax highlighting, macro recording, customizable interfaces, and plugin support, making it highly versatile for various coding and text editing tasks. Its open-source nature allows for community-driven improvements, and it runs efficiently on Windows systems without consuming significant resources.

Recommended for

    Notepad++ is recommended for programmers, developers, and writers who need a robust text editor with advanced features. It's ideal for anyone using Windows who wants a free, efficient, and customizable editing solution capable of handling a wide range of file types and coding languages.

Overall verdict

  • Yes, The Old Reader is considered a good RSS reader by many users.

Why this product is good

  • The Old Reader is praised for its classic, clean user interface that closely resembles Google Reader, making it familiar and easy to use for past Google Reader users. It offers features like social sharing, tagging, and a discovery section to find new content. Users appreciate its ability to effortlessly organize and follow numerous feeds and enjoy its blend of simplicity and functionality. The service is also known for its reliability and active community support.

Recommended for

  • Users who were fond of Google Reader and are looking for a similar experience
  • Individuals who prefer minimalistic and straightforward interfaces
  • Those who want to follow multiple RSS feeds efficiently
  • People interested in sharing content with others and discovering new blogs or sites
  • Anyone looking for a reliable and stable RSS reader with community support

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Notepad++ 3 videos + Add
The Old Reader 1 video + Add

Notepad++ Review

More videos

  • - Notepad++ Review
  • - Notepad++ Text Editor: Intro for Beginners

How to use The Old Reader

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Notepad++
The Old Reader
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
IDE
0% 0%
0% 0%
RSS
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Notepad++ and The Old Reader. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Notepad++ 5.0 · 2 reviews
The Old Reader no reviews yet
  • Simple and Fast
    SaaSHub review
    · Aug 2026

    Fast, lightweight, and incredibly useful. A great free editor that gets the job done without unnecessary complexity.

  • the best assistant at work
    SaaSHub review
    · Sep 2024

    I've been using it for a long time, I can say that it has become my main tool in my work. First, you need to get used to using it and look at all the functionality. Overall, it's useful for me!

  • Boost Your Productivity with These Top Text Editors and IDEs
    convesio.com · Nov 2023

    Notepad++ provides a tabbed interface, allowing you to work on multiple files simultaneously. Its intuitive user interface makes it easy to navigate and edit your code efficiently. With features like syntax...

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Notepad++ 176 mentions
The Old Reader 38 mentions

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Alternatives to Notepad++ and The Old Reader

When comparing Notepad++ and The Old Reader, you can also consider the following products.