Matter: a well-designed app with a specific focus
Matter has built a loyal audience for its clean, minimal reading experience and its handling of newsletters alongside articles. It is particularly appreciated among iOS users who want a focused, distraction-free reading environment.
That said, Matter has some real limitations if your needs go beyond that specific use case: it is iOS-first, US-hosted and proprietary. If you use Android, own a Kobo e-reader, or care about where your data is stored, you will quickly run into its edges.
Some alternatives
- Readwise Reader is the most feature-complete option in the space — RSS, highlights, AI, notes — but at €96/year and US-hosted, it is a big commitment.
- Instapaper is a long-standing read-it-later app at €55/year, with highlights and notes, though its ownership history is uncertain.
- wallabag.it is the open-source, EU-hosted alternative that covers the core reading use case on every platform, at €11/year.
Meet wallabag.it
wallabag.it is the hosted version of wallabag, an open-source read-it-later app running since 2013. It was built around one idea: your reading list should belong to you.
Full article storage
wallabag fetches the full text of every page you save, cleaned up and ad-free. Even if the original website disappears, your copy stays intact.
Privacy by design
wallabag does not track you, sell your data or show you ads. It is open-source software, run by people who believe in user freedom rather than exploitation.
Hosted in Europe
All data on wallabag.it is stored on servers located in Europe, protected by strict EU privacy laws and fully GDPR-compliant — a meaningful difference compared to US-based services.
Android, iOS and e-readers
wallabag has fully-featured native apps for both Android and iOS, with offline reading. It also connects directly to Kobo e-readers. Your reading list follows you everywhere, regardless of which devices you use.
Tags, annotations and search
Organise your articles with tags, take notes, and find past reads quickly with full-text search. Every feature is included in the base subscription.
Pricing comparison
| Service | Yearly cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| wallabag.it | €11/year | All features included, privacy-focused, open source |
| Readwise Reader | €96/year | Highlights sync, AI features, US-hosted, proprietary |
| Instapaper | €55/year | Highlights, notes, text-to-speech |
wallabag.it offers the best value: a complete, distraction-free reading experience for just €11/year, with no ads or upsells. You can also support development more generously with the supporter plan at €30/year, or try the service for €4 over 3 months.
Final thoughts
Matter is a good choice if you are primarily an iOS user focused on newsletters. If you need something cross-platform, open-source and hosted in Europe — or simply more affordable — wallabag.it is a natural fit.