RSS Guard
RSS Guard is a free, open-source desktop news aggregator and podcast player for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What RSS Guard is
RSS Guard is a free, open-source desktop news aggregator and podcast player for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It reads RSS, Atom, JSON Feed, iCalendar, and Sitemap sources, and supports services such as Feedly, Inoreader, Tiny Tiny RSS, Nextcloud News, Gmail, and FreshRSS. Its podcast player is based on mpv or FFmpeg. JavaScript filters can process articles by removing duplicates, filtering, or assigning labels. RSS Guard also offers full-text extraction, offline reading, and native Gemini protocol support. For storage, users can choose embedded SQLite or a MariaDB server. The interface supports dark and light themes, skins, and customizable toolbars. The Standard edition includes a QtWebEngine browser; Lite omits the browser and uses a text-based viewer. The project says it has no telemetry, does not collect user data or show targeted ads, and requires no registration. It can work offline except when cloud services are in use. Support is through community chats, discussions, and issue channels rather than a traditional support desk.
Good
- Reads RSS, Atom, JSON Feed, iCalendar, and Sitemap.
- Includes podcast playback and article filtering.
- Supports SQLite or MariaDB storage.
- Offers full-text extraction and offline reading.
- No registration or telemetry, according to the project.
Watch out
- Available as desktop software, not listed for mobile.
- Lite edition lacks the built-in browser.
- Project has no traditional support desk.
- Offline operation excludes use of cloud services.
Who it suits
RSS Guard suits desktop users who want to follow multiple feed formats and services in one reader, with podcast playback and article filtering. It also fits people who value offline reading and configurable storage.
Verdict
RSS Guard offers broad feed support with filtering, podcast playback, and offline reading at no cost. Choose between Standard and Lite based on whether you want its built-in browser, and note that support is community-based.
Plans and prices
From RSS Guard's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free and open-source | Free | GNU GPL v3.0 · Desktop feed reader and podcast player |
The facts
Each one read from RSS Guard's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Customization
- The app supports dark and light themes, skins, and customizable toolbars.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Editions
- The Standard edition includes a built-in QtWebEngine browser, while Lite has no browser and uses a text-based viewer.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Feed formats
- It supports RSS, Atom, JSON Feed, iCalendar, and Sitemap.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Filtering
- JavaScript filters can process articles, including removing duplicates, filtering, and assigning labels.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Gemini
- RSS Guard has native support for the Gemini protocol.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The site lists Feedly, Inoreader, Tiny Tiny RSS, Nextcloud News, Gmail, FreshRSS, Bazqux, and The Old Reader among supported services.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Podcasts
- Its built-in podcast player is based on mpv or FFmpeg.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The site says RSS Guard has no telemetry and can work offline except when using cloud services.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Product
- RSS Guard is a free, open-source desktop news aggregator and podcast player.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Project history
- The about page says development began in 2011 and the first GitHub release was in 2014.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Registration and ads
- The product page says RSS Guard does not collect user data, show targeted ads, or require registration.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Storage
- It supports SQLite embedded storage or MariaDB server storage.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to Discord and XMPP chats, GitHub Discussions, and GitHub Issues, and says it has no traditional support desk.checked 2 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2011checked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platform support
- The about page lists Windows 10/11, GNU/Linux, macOS 10.14 or later, BSD, and OS/2.checked 2 Oct 2026
Alternatives to RSS Guard
- 1
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Inoreader
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Feedly
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