GoodLinks alternatives: 5 open-source picks
GoodLinks costs $0.42/mo — $5.04 a year. These 5 alternatives replace it for $0, led by Karakeep, wallabag and FreshRSS. All 5 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
A polished read-later archive with highlights and mobile apps, provided you host it.
Readable saved pages, tags and highlights across devices; local Apple elegance becomes Docker.
Fast self-hosted RSS aggregator with themes, extensions, and mobile client API.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Audiobook and podcast server with progress sync, sleep timers, and polished mobile apps.
licenseGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Fast self-hosted digital library for books, comics and manga with reading progress sync.
licenseGPL-3.0
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: Karakeep · wallabag · FreshRSS · Audiobookshelf · Kavita
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
how to choose a GoodLinks alternative
Easiest to get running
FreshRSS — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
Most proven
Karakeep, with 28,100 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 5, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Works on your phone
Karakeep has a mobile app on iOS and Android.
what you give up by leaving GoodLinks
- native Apple polish, iCloud sync, Shortcuts, and mobile capture
- publisher bypasses
- cross-device mobile capture
- high-quality recommendation graph
- licensed full-text feeds
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
GoodLinks alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karakeep | open source | docker to self-host | web, ios, android, self-hosted, cli, browser-extension | 28,100 | 2026-08 |
| wallabag | open source | docker to self-host | web, ios, android, self-hosted, browser-extension | 12,900 | 2026-08 |
| FreshRSS | AGPL-3.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 12,000 | 2026-08 |
| Audiobookshelf | GPL-3.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 9,000 | 2026-08 |
| Kavita | GPL-3.0 | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 8,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for GoodLinks
People still pay for GoodLinks because people pay when capture works everywhere, reading state syncs instantly, and the archive remains clean without constant parser repairs. The recurring cost buys feed quirks, parsing, paywalls, canonical URLs, deduplication, images, search, sync, browser extensions, and publisher changes, not just the visible interface. If none of that applies to you, any pick above saves $5.04 a year.
questions about switching from GoodLinks
Is there an open-source alternative to GoodLinks?
Yes: Karakeep, wallabag, FreshRSS and 2 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace GoodLinks?
Our verdict is YES. Karakeep (28k stars), wallabag (13k stars), FreshRSS (12k stars) are mature open-source replacements for GoodLinks — self-host with docker and stop paying $0.42/mo. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/goodlinks.
What is the easiest open-source GoodLinks alternative to set up?
FreshRSS — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
What is the most popular open-source GoodLinks alternative?
By GitHub stars, Karakeep (28,100). wallabag is next with 12,900.
