Atom is a feed format similar to RSS. For the reader, they are the same. Readine reads both formats.
RSS appeared earlier and became popular. It had drawbacks, though: readers interpreted the same fields differently. For example, a date could be written in several ways, and the same publication was plain text to some readers and HTML to others. For readers, the result was ugly and inconvenient.
Atom came later, to clear this up. It is stricter about required fields, dates follow a single format, and the content is marked explicitly as text or as HTML.
Sites choose the format themselves, and sometimes serve both at once. To subscribe you only need the feed address — the format makes no difference.
| What | RSS | Atom |
|---|---|---|
| When it appeared | earlier | later |
| How common | most sites | some sites |
| Required fields | the requirements are looser | id, title and date are required |
| Dates | differ between versions | a single format |
Feeds of both formats look the same in the app. You add the address; Readine checks it automatically and picks up new publications.
A publication contains the whole text, with images. The offline copy stays on the device even if the author deletes the publication. You can search across text, notes and tags.
Atom and RSS are feed formats. You can’t add a site without a feed — you’ll have to check it yourself.
Telegram channels, YouTube, author pages on Substack, Boosty, Fanbox, Patreon and Sponsr have no feed, but Readine reads them too. You add them in the setup wizard.
Q: Which format is better?
A: For the reader there is no difference. The site decides what to serve, and the app understands both formats.
Q: How can I tell which format a site has?
A: Open the feed and check the root tag: for Atom it is feed.
Q: Can I add both addresses?
A: Technically yes, but you’ll get duplicates. One feed address is enough.
Q: Does Readine read Atom?
A: Yes, the app reads Atom the same way as RSS.