People move from social networks to a reading app for privacy too, and the first question about a new service is simple: what does it know about me? The usual answer is a long policy that does not let you tell which data the service needs to run from what it collects for ads.
Readine stores only what is needed to run the service: an email address, your subscription state, your list of sources and your reading history. There are no ad networks in the app, no cookies are set, and data is never sold — on the free plan or the paid one.
The app works by subscription, so an account is needed: an email address to sign in with, or sign-in through Google, Apple or Microsoft. Without it you cannot sync sources between your devices.
Technical data — IP address, device model and version — is used for traffic statistics, error tracking and security, and to stop one person from creating dozens of free accounts.
Payment data is processed by the payment provider and the app stores. Readine only receives the fact of payment and the subscription period.
See also the privacy policy.
| What | Why |
|---|---|
| Email address | sign-in and sync |
| Subscription state | access to modules |
| Sources and reading history | keeping the feed running and syncing between devices |
| Notes and tags | so you can organise your own work |
| Technical data | security and stability |
| Payment data | processed by the payment provider and the app stores |
Ads are not just banners. They usually come with ad networks, tracking pixels and behavioural data passed to third parties. Readine has none of this, which is why cookies are not needed either.
There is no recommendation feed either, since an algorithm that picks articles needs a profile of interests, and that profile is built on the same tracking. No tracking — no recommendations either.
Data is not sold to third parties.
| What | How in Readine |
|---|---|
| Ads | none on any plan |
| Ad networks and pixels | not used |
| Cookies | not set |
| Recommendations | none — articles are in chronological order |
| Data sales | not done |
| Analytics | own statistics only |
The subscription list is exported to OPML, which is a standard format other apps understand. You can export at any time, without contacting support.
You delete your account from the app settings. After that you lose access to the feed and your notes. The steps are on the account deletion page.
Articles exported as files to cloud storage or Obsidian stay with you — they sit on your disk. Set up the export in advance, since an export rule only covers articles that arrive after you set it up.
| What | How |
|---|---|
| Subscriptions | OPML, at any time |
| Read and starred items | OPML, at any time |
| Articles | in advance as files to cloud storage, or at any time in Obsidian |
| Notes and tags | in Obsidian |
Q: Why do I need to register and have an account when so many apps do not?
A: The server does the work: it fetches sources, downloads and compresses whole articles with their images, keeps copies and runs your rules. Compression reduces your mobile data usage. Less work on the device saves battery. The account is needed for sync between your devices. The service works by subscription, not through ads.
Q: Is there analytics in the app?
A: We collect our own site statistics without cookies. Data is not transferred to third parties.
Q: What happens to the data after the account is deleted?
A: You lose access to the feed, notes and tags. Files exported to your disk stay with you.
Q: Can I use it for free?
A: Yes, 3 feeds free, with no time limit and no ads. The trial gives you 10 feeds for 3 weeks.
3 feeds free, no time limit. No ads, no cookies and no recommendations.
Download Readine →