Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Read Mode VS Reader Mode

Compare Read Mode VS Reader Mode and see what are their differences

Read Mode logo Read Mode

Puts Google Chrome into read mode for a pleasant reading experience.

Reader Mode logo Reader Mode

Remove clutter and ads from any article. Instantly ⚡
  • Read Mode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-05-25
  • Reader Mode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-29

Read Mode features and specs

  • Improved Focus
    Read Mode removes unnecessary elements like ads and sidebars, allowing users to focus solely on the main content.
  • Customizable Interface
    Users can adjust the text size, font, and background color, making it easier to read according to personal preferences.
  • Reduced Eye Strain
    By offering cleaner and more minimalistic viewing, Read Mode can reduce eye strain during prolonged reading sessions.
  • Enhanced Readability
    The extension reformats web pages into a more readable format, improving the overall reading experience.

Possible disadvantages of Read Mode

  • Limited Functionality
    Some interactive elements and multimedia content might not be displayed, potentially missing context or additional information.
  • Inconsistent Performance
    The effectiveness of Read Mode may vary depending on the website's structure and coding, leading to occasional formatting issues.
  • Compatibility Issues
    The extension may not function optimally with all websites, as some site designs and scripts can interfere with its operation.
  • Reduced Content
    By focusing on text, Read Mode may exclude beneficial images and videos that contribute to the understanding of the content.

Reader Mode features and specs

  • Simplified Reading Experience
    Reader Mode strips away ads, pop-ups, and other distractions, providing a clean and focused environment for reading content.
  • Customization Options
    Reader Mode offers various customization features, like font size, style, background color, and text spacing, to make reading comfortable for different users.
  • Read-Aloud Feature
    It includes a text-to-speech feature that enables users to listen to the content, which is beneficial for visually impaired users or those who prefer auditory learning.
  • Offline Reading
    Users can save articles for offline reading, allowing them to access their favorite content without an internet connection.
  • Annotation Tools
    Reader Mode offers tools for highlighting text, adding notes, and bookmarking, which can be useful for research or study purposes.
  • Clutter-free Printing
    It provides an option to print web pages without unnecessary elements, making the printed document clean and more readable.

Possible disadvantages of Reader Mode

  • Compatibility Issues
    Reader Mode may not work perfectly on all websites, particularly those with complex layouts or heavy use of multimedia.
  • Limited Features in Free Version
    While the basic functions are free, more advanced features and customization options require a subscription.
  • Possible Formatting Problems
    In some cases, the stripped-down version of the content may lose valuable information or alter the original formatting, affecting the reading experience.
  • Dependency on Extensions
    Reader Mode typically requires browser extensions or add-ons, which might not be available or compatible with all browsers.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Users might be wary of granting permissions to a third-party extension, which could potentially access their browsing data.
  • Resource Intensive
    Using extensions like Reader Mode can consume additional system resources, potentially affecting browser performance and speed.

Read Mode videos

How to Use MS Word's Read Mode for Comfortable Reading

Reader Mode videos

Over in a Minute Reviews Reader Mode

More videos:

  • Review - Hidden Reader Mode for Google Chrome

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Read Mode and Reader Mode)
Bookmark Manager
16 16%
84% 84
Bookmarks
17 17%
83% 83
Note Taking
23 23%
77% 77
Productivity
12 12%
88% 88

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Reader Mode seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 7 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Read Mode mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Read Mode yet. Tracking of Read Mode recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Reader Mode mentions (7)

  • The "Cheap" Web
    I usually tend to use Reader mode in Safari or ReaderMode[1] in Google Chrome. In-fact, I have set Reader Mode as default for a few common website such as that of PG's. 1. https://readermode.io/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Confusion and hurt ripples through Maple Leafs in wake of Kyle Dubas’ dismissal
    You can use reader mode on a computer too Https://readermode.io/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Is there a "reader mode" website?
    You probably used a site called outline.com but unfortunately the website was recently discontinued. There are many chrome extensions for it, which many of them can be used on chrome for android, as well as the fact that the safari browser for iPhone has it built in. readermode.io works well for me on Chrome. Source: over 2 years ago
  • McDonald’s, 1987 Ad.
    There's a paywall on this article, which I had to use Reader Mode to bypass. It did a pretty decent job, and it's also good for people with dyslexia according to the website. But here's the article's content so you don't have to download an extension for it. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Combining Toucan with reading mode?
    On the Right is the same page with the https://readermode.io/ extension activated. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Read Mode and Reader Mode, you can also consider the following products

Reader - Reader is the ultimate Reader tool for your Firefox that brings the Safari 5 Reader features to...

Easy Reader - EasyReader can customize and improve the readability of long web articles

WebCull - WebCull is an ad-free, privacy-focused bookmark manager that works from any browser or device.

Instapaper - Instapaper is a simple tool to save web pages for reading later.

Save For Later - Allows you to bookmark any website to read later.

AMIS - AMIS is a software program that you can use to read DAISY books.