RSS Guard
A desktop feed reader that supports nearly everything and looks like it knows that.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-10
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Hosting Model
- Local (on your machine)
- Platforms
- desktopone-click install
- Installation
- Install a Windows, macOS, or Linux package/portable build
- Operational Setup
- The binary installs without a server, but some platform packages trigger security warnings and the unusually dense settings, account plugins, and filter controls are much less approachable than Reeder.
- Where Your Data Lives
- Feeds, cached articles, labels, filters, and account state live in a local SQLite database and configuration profile; OPML handles subscription import/export, while optional online-account plugins synchronize copies with their respective services.
- The Catch / Trade-off
- RSS Guard supports almost everything, but its dense cross-platform interface, lack of a matching mobile app, and weaker Apple integration are the opposite of Reeder's calm native experience.
Replaces 1 paid app
up to $1/mo ($12/yr) in subscriptions
RSS Guard FAQ
Common questions
Is RSS Guard free and open source?+
RSS Guard is an open-source tool licensed under GPL-3.0 that runs on local. A desktop feed reader that supports nearly everything and looks like it knows that.
What paid software does RSS Guard replace?+
RSS Guard serves as a free replacement for 1 paid SaaS application: Reeder, saving up to $1/month ($12/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up RSS Guard?+
Installation: Install a Windows, macOS, or Linux package/portable build. Setup notes: The binary installs without a server, but some platform packages trigger security warnings and the unusually dense settings, account plugins, and filter controls are much less approachable than Reeder.
What is the catch or trade-off with RSS Guard?+
RSS Guard supports almost everything, but its dense cross-platform interface, lack of a matching mobile app, and weaker Apple integration are the opposite of Reeder's calm native experience.