Pocket has shut down: what now for read-it-later fans?
For years, Pocket was the go-to service for saving articles to read later: clean interface, multi-device sync and offline reading. When Mozilla announced it was shutting Pocket down in 2025, many readers started looking for an alternative.
If you are wondering where to go next, you are not alone. Here is a look at the best options in 2026, and why wallabag.it might be the right choice for you.
Some alternatives
Several services have been part of the read-it-later ecosystem for many years:
- Instapaper offers a polished reading experience with highlights, notes and text-to-speech. Its best features, however, are locked behind an expensive subscription.
- Raindrop.io is more of a visual bookmarking tool than a true reading app. It does have a reader view, but its core focus is organising links and websites.
- Pinboard is a minimalist bookmarking service with a loyal following. It is stable and reliable, but offers no reading interface and no offline access.
These tools all have their strengths, but if you are looking for a service that picks up where Pocket left off and goes even further, one name stands out.
Meet wallabag.it
wallabag.it is the hosted version of wallabag, an open-source read-it-later app. It was built around one simple idea: your reading list should belong to you.
Here is why it makes an excellent alternative:
Full article storage
Unlike tools that only save a link or partial content, wallabag fetches the full text of the page, 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 clutter your reading with 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 genuine reassurance for anyone wary of US data-handling practices.
Offline reading
Sync your saved articles across all your devices (phones, tablets and even e-readers like Kobo) and read them without a connection.
Tags, annotations and search
Organise your articles with tags, take notes, and quickly find past reads with full-text search.
Easy migration from Pocket
Leaving Pocket is straightforward: wallabag.it provides an import tool that preserves your articles and their metadata.
Prefer to host it yourself?
wallabag is also available as a self-hosted option — the same open-source software that powers wallabag.it is free to download and install on your own server. wallabag.it is the hosted version: no setup, no maintenance required, professional support included.
Pricing comparison
Here is how wallabag.it compares with other popular services:
| Service | Yearly cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| wallabag.it | €11/year | All features included, privacy-focused, open source |
| Instapaper | €55/year | Includes full-text search, unlimited notes, text-to-speech |
| Raindrop.io | €26/year | Adds full-text search, annotations, reminders and backups |
| Pinboard | €22/year | Minimalist bookmarking, no reader mode, no offline access |
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
Pocket’s closure is an opportunity to rethink where your data lives and which tools you want to support. If you are looking for a modern, respectful, open and sustainable read-it-later service, wallabag.it is more than a replacement: it is an upgrade.