Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Reader Mode VS RemovePaywall

Compare Reader Mode VS RemovePaywall and see what are their differences

Reader Mode logo Reader Mode

Remove clutter and ads from any article. Instantly ⚡

RemovePaywall logo RemovePaywall

RemovePaywall is a website that allows users to remove soft paywalls and ads from any news article or blog.
  • Reader Mode Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-29
  • RemovePaywall Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-12

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.

RemovePaywall features and specs

  • Accessibility
    RemovePaywall allows users to access content that is usually behind a paywall, making information more accessible to users who cannot afford or do not want to subscribe.
  • Cost Savings
    By bypassing subscription fees, users can save money, especially if they only occasionally need to view articles from certain publications.
  • Convenience
    RemovePaywall provides users a simple way to access articles without having to deal with multiple subscription logins or free article limits.
  • Content Variety
    Users can explore articles from a wider range of sources without being limited by subscription barriers, increasing the diversity of accessible content.

Possible disadvantages of RemovePaywall

  • Ethical Concerns
    Using RemovePaywall may raise ethical issues, as it bypasses payment methods that support content creators and publishers financially.
  • Quality of Journalism
    Revenue from subscriptions often supports quality journalism; circumventing these methods might negatively impact the ability of publishers to produce quality content.
  • Legal Issues
    There might be legal concerns regarding the use of tools like RemovePaywall, as they may violate copyright laws or terms of service agreements.
  • Potential Security Risks
    Using third-party tools or services to bypass paywalls might expose users to security risks, including data privacy concerns.

Analysis of Reader Mode

Overall verdict

  • Reader Mode is generally considered a worthwhile tool for those who frequently engage in reading online content and value a distraction-free, personalized reading experience. Its additional features geared toward accessibility make it a strong option for a variety of users.

Why this product is good

  • Reader Mode (readermode.io) is designed to enhance the online reading experience by stripping away distractions like ads, sidebars, and other non-essential elements, providing users with a clean and focused environment. It also offers features like text-to-speech, dyslexia-friendly settings, and customizable themes, which can significantly benefit those with specific reading preferences or needs.

Recommended for

    Reader Mode is recommended for avid readers, individuals with attention difficulties, accessibility needs (such as visual impairments or dyslexia), and anyone who prefers a clean, minimalist reading interface for online content.

Reader Mode videos

Over in a Minute Reviews Reader Mode

More videos:

  • Review - Hidden Reader Mode for Google Chrome

RemovePaywall videos

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Reader Mode and RemovePaywall)
Bookmark Manager
72 72%
28% 28
Bookmarks
80 80%
20% 20
Productivity
59 59%
41% 41
Note Taking
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Reader Mode might be a bit more popular than RemovePaywall. We know about 7 links to it since March 2021 and only 5 links to RemovePaywall. 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.

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: about 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: about 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

RemovePaywall mentions (5)

What are some alternatives?

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

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

12 Foot Ladder - Prepend 12ft.io/ to the URL of any paywalled page, and we'll try our best to remove the paywall and get you access to the article.

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

Archive.md - archive.is allows you to create a copy of a webpage that will always be up even if the original link is down

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

Incoggo - - ⛔️ Incoggo is a free adblocker for paywalls.