Really Simple Syndication (RSS) aggregators are tools that enable you to collect updates from multiple websites into one or more feeds. However, every aggregator offers a different user experience and features. If you’re on the fence between using WP RSS Aggregator vs Inoreader, you need to understand how each tool works and what they offer.
Aggregator (short for WP RSS Aggregator) and Inoreader work in very different ways. One is a WordPress plugin and the other is a standalone aggregator. However, you can use both tools to curate content from unlimited sources, either for you or an audience.
In this article, we’ll compare Aggregator vs Inoreader across multiple use cases to help you figure out which option is best for you. Let’s get to it!
What is an Aggregator?
At their core, aggregators are tools that let you collect and “subscribe” to updates from websites using RSS feeds. Take WP RSS Aggregator, for example, with this WordPress plugin you get access to features like:
- Aggregate unlimited RSS feeds. Any aggregator tool you use should enable you to create as many feeds as you need.
- Feed to Post. Using WP RSS Aggregator, you can turn feed items into WordPress posts or pages. If your business uses WordPress, you’ll want to opt for an aggregator tool that integrates with the CMS in ways like this.
- Full-Text RSS feeds. It supports importing the full text of RSS items instead of just excerpts. This can help you increase the time that users spend on your site instead of sending them to other sources.
- Keyword filtering. It enables you to filter content from RSS feeds using keywords. The plugin includes a rule-based system that enables you to configure one or more automatic filters for each feed you set up.
- Categories and tags. Since you’re going to be importing a lot of content, it’s important to be able to categorize it. Aggregator can do this automatically, using taxonomy data from your sources or manually, with your input.
- Customizable feed display. If you’re going to set up custom RSS feeds for your website, whichever tool you use needs to offer customization options. Aggregator enables you to fully customize how each feed looks, from its layout to its style.
- Scheduled content imports. Ideally, aggregators should work automatically. That means importing, curating, and publishing items without you needing to manually approve each one (unless you want to).
- Integrations with third-party tools. Aggregator integrates with AI services to help you rewrite and spin content for your site.
Those are all general features you should keep an eye out for when choosing an aggregator tool. If you’re looking for a WordPress solution, you’ll also want to use a plugin that follows best Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices, is fully responsive, and works with other tools, like page builders.
WP RSS Aggregator fits the bill for all of these features.
Now that you know what to look for, let’s compare Aggregator vs Inoreader using real-life use cases.
What is Inoreader?
Inoreader is a web-based RSS reader and aggregator. It’s geared for different types of users, from casual readers who want to aggregate news sites to professionals building custom feeds for their audience.
Inoreader and Aggregator share a lot of common features. You can use Inoreader to aggregate content from multiple RSS feeds automatically. The service enables you to use feeds as sources to create custom “newsfeeds”.
Aside from that, here are other features that Inoreader shares with Aggregator:
- Support for unlimited feeds and sources. You can use Inoreader to set up as many custom feeds as you need, pulling entries from diverse sources.
- Custom filters and automation. Inoreader enables you to configure filters to decide what content it imports and what it should ignore. You can also review entries manually.
- Customizable feed displays. Inoreader gives you some degree of control over how your feeds look, mostly in terms of layout.
- Sharing feeds on your website. Inoreader enables you to embed feeds on your site using HTML.
- Third-party integrations. Inoreader integrates with third-party services, like Zapier, Evernote, and Pocket.
There are a lot of similarities between Aggregator and Inoreader. However, the biggest difference between the tools is that Aggregator is a WordPress solution. Inoreader is a web-based service that requires you to sign up and log into their platform to create and manage feeds:
Inoreader doesn’t offer a plugin integration with WordPress. It’s more geared toward power users, researchers, and professionals who want to keep up with news in specific niches. To make this possible, Inoreader supports a lot more source types beyond RSS feeds and it also provides you with source recommendations:
Inoreader can be a useful tool in a lot of different use cases than Aggregator. It supports offline mode, so you can use it to read aggregated content on the go and, since it’s a web-based service, it works pretty much on any device. Plus, it offers apps for iOS and Android.
Use-Case Based Comparison: Aggregator vs Inoreader
Now that you understand how Aggregator and Inoreader work, it’s time to go over some real-life use cases for RSS aggregators. For each use case, we’ll discuss how both solutions can help you tackle it.
1. Basic Content Consumption
If you want to use an aggregator to compile news from different sources and read them at your leisure, both Aggregator and Inoreader are great options. If your main goal is content consumption, your choice can come down to which user experience you prefer.
Both tools support unlimited feeds and sources, so the big difference lies in whether you prefer to read news in WordPress or through Inoreader’s website and apps. Here’s what setting up a custom feed looks like using Aggregator:
Feeds don’t need to be public either. You can access news items from the WP RSS Aggregator dashboard without publishing them on your site if they’re just for your benefit. Alternatively, you can use WP RSS Aggregator to set up custom feeds explicitly for your audience to consume.
2. Power Users With Diverse Content Sources
Both Inoreader and Aggregator offer support for unlimited sources, even in their free versions. Aggregator focuses on RSS feeds, although it also enables you to create feeds based on social media content, podcasts, and other sources.
Inoreader offers support for a more diverse set of sources. You can use the service to import content from RSS feeds, newsletters, trending content among Inoreader users, social media, and more.
If you’re focused on RSS feeds and you use WordPress, Aggregator is the logical choice. If you’re not interested in creating feeds for WordPress, Inoreader offers support for a lot more types of sources.
3. Professionals/Researchers
If you’re the kind of person who sets up notifications for specific keywords in search engines, you probably should be using an aggregator. WP RSS Aggregator and Inoreader both enable you to track content across different verticals, monitor industry news, and save content for later.
Inoreader has a slight advantage here since it supports more types of sources. If you want to combine different types of sources, like newsletters and social media along with RSS feeds, Inoreader is the way to go.
Aggregator can be an amazing tool for research too, but it’s focused on RSS feeds. If your sources for professional research are primarily RSS feeds, Aggregator can be a great option to keep up with news in your field.
4. Content Curation for Websites
Aggregator has a clear advantage when it comes to curating content for websites. You can use Aggregator to create as many custom feeds as you need, combine sources how you want, and publish them on your WordPress website.
Aggregator enables you to review content manually before publishing it or to set up automatic filters for specific keywords and tags. Filters are based on simple if/and rules and they’re very intuitive to set up in Aggregator:
Inoreader includes a similar filter system. It enables you to allow or disallow content based on rules you set up.
Inoreader offers a couple of ways to share that curated content on your site. You can create a feed and use the HTML code that Inoreader generates to embed it in WordPress:
The downside of this approach is you still need to manage the feed directly from the Inoreader platform and you don’t get as many customization options for how entries look on your site as with Aggregator.
5. Cross-Device Use and Offline Access
Inoreader has the advantage when it comes to online access.
Aggregator is a WordPress plugin, so you need an internet connection to access your site and manage feeds. If you have the Inoreader app, you can read feeds offline, which is great for personal content consumption.
In terms of cross-device use, you can connect to your WordPress site and manage it from any device with internet access. The same applies to Inoreader, as you can visit the site from any device and they offer apps for iOS and Android.
6. Pricing and Value Comparison
Both Aggregator and Inoreader offer fantastic value for aggregator tools. Aggregator offers a free plugin that supports unlimited sources and Inoreader offers a similar plan for its web-based service.
Aggregator offers more pricing options depending on what features you want access to, with plans starting at $79 per year. Inoreader offers a single premium plan, which starts at $90 per year (or $9.99 per month).
You can save money using Aggregator. However, the use cases for Aggregator vs Inoreader are very varied, so we wouldn’t recommend making a decision based on price alone.
Conclusion
WP RSS Aggregator and Inoreader share a lot of similar features. However, they offer very different experiences for users looking for aggregator tools.
Aggregator is a WordPress plugin. Everything happens in the dashboard and it’s a fantastic solution if you’re looking to curate and share content with your audience. Inoreader is a web service you can use to aggregate content (not just RSS feeds), but it’s more geared for personal consumption, even if you can embed feeds on your website.
If you’re a WordPress user, try out WP RSS Aggregator for free. See how it works first-hand and upgrade to a premium license when you’re ready!
