Can I open-source NewsBlur?
YES · mature open-source replacementYes. FreshRSS (16k stars), Miniflux (10k stars), Audiobookshelf (9k stars) are mature open-source replacements for NewsBlur — self-host with docker and stop paying $3/mo.
People still pay for NewsBlur 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.
xhosted convenience, native apps, story intelligence, and community features
xpublisher bypasses
xcross-device mobile capture
xhigh-quality recommendation graph
xlicensed full-text feeds
These projects already replace it, free.
FFreshRSSA proper feed reader with no product manager deciding which feature becomes premium.open source↗MMinifluxA fast feed reader for people who think settings pages are a moral failure.open source↗NNewsBlurNewsBlur without the subscription, plus Postgres, MongoDB, Redis and a new hobby.open source↗What each one is, in full: FreshRSS · Miniflux
all 5 open-source alternatives to NewsBlur →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
NewsBlur pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| free | $0/user | $0/user | Up to 64 sites; real-time RSS, training filters and saved stories. |
| premium | — | $3/user | Up to 1,024 sites. |
| premium archive | — | $8.25/user | Up to 4,096 sites; searchable archive retained indefinitely; AI and briefing features. |
| premium pro | $29/user | — | Up to 10,000 sites; 5–15 minute feed fetching; regular-expression tools. |
free tier64 sites
billingPremium and Premium Archive are annual-only; Premium Pro is monthly-only; 30-day Premium trial with no card
hidden costsupgrades are prorated; on downgrade, feeds above the lower plan limit are muted; self-hosting uses open-source software but requires separately paid infrastructure
verified 2026-08-13 · source ↗
Can I open-source NewsBlur?
Yes. FreshRSS replaces NewsBlur today — self-host it on your own server or machine with no subscription. The full list of open-source alternatives is on this page.
How much does NewsBlur cost?
NewsBlur costs about $3/month (Premium, checked 2026-07-31), which is $36 per year. That's what you save by replacing it with open source.
What do I lose by replacing NewsBlur?
Honestly: hosted convenience, native apps, story intelligence, and community features; publisher bypasses; cross-device mobile capture; high-quality recommendation graph; licensed full-text feeds. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to NewsBlur?
Yes: FreshRSS (A proper feed reader with no product manager deciding which feature becomes premium.) Miniflux (A fast feed reader for people who think settings pages are a moral failure.) NewsBlur (NewsBlur without the subscription, plus Postgres, MongoDB, Redis and a new hobby.) All 5 curated open-source alternatives are at caniopensourceit.online/newsblur-premium/alternatives.