Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
Long thought of as one of the best RSS and Atom feed readers around, FeedDemon 3.1 is a good effort to move beyond some of the controversial changes that were implemented during the upgrade to version 3. This latest update includes multiple new features, although we found that performance hadn't changed much.
FeedDemon has dumped its proprietary online synchronization site, newsgator.com, in favor of syncing with Google Reader. New users won't notice, but older users are likely to lose many unread feeds since Google can't import feeds with more than 10 unread items. Once synced, unread items can number more than 10 items again. There's also a new, persistent ad placed in the lower left corner of the interface that goes away when you buy a $10 license. FeedDemon's performance could be a lot better--its RAM usage was hefty and even 3GB of RAM didn't prevent occasional program hang-ups. FeedDemon's database can be massaged into being a bit quicker by regular compacting, but that extra step is cumbersome.
The new features list is mostly about bringing FeedDemon into parity with Google Reader, although that's not necessarily a bad thing. The program has relied on Google for online syncing since version 3, and now includes on-the-fly item translation, a "Shared by people I follow" for syncing shared Google Reader items, and a "like" icon that must be enabled in the new option for customizing item icons. More short URL previews are supported than before, you can automatically mark incoming items read on a per-feed basis, and the Send To option now includes Twitter. Still, FeedDemon remains a favored option for desktop feed management.
Publisher's Description
From NewsGator Technologies:
FeedDemon is a Windows RSS reader. The easy-to-use interface makes it a snap to stay informed with the latest news and information. You can completely customize the way feeds are organized and displayed and set up custom news watches based on keywords. You can even download podcasts and audio files and have them show up on your portable audio device. In addition, FeedDemon now synchronizes with News Gator Online and the rest of the News Gator RSS Suite. The software is pre-configured with dozens of feeds, so you can unleash the power of RSS right away.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 87 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"locks up system staring"
Version: FeedDemon 4.0.0.22
Pros
it catches rss
Cons
freezes often, takes several min. to load
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"I have not used it enough yet to form a full opinion."
Version: FeedDemon 4.0.0.22
Pros
Easy to add feeds and present them to you in a tabbed fashion.
Cons
I may have not fully explored it enough to know for sure, but I would like it to be able to use an external player to play the video of downloaded video podcast. Right now I go to the download folder to play back video downloads.
Summary
So for so good. It seems to be a very capable program.
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"Does the job"
Version: FeedDemon 4.0.0.22
Pros
Intuitive and has a pretty good browser.
Easy to useCons
none that I could find
Summary
I was using another product. I switched to a new computer and already formatted the old hard drive before I remembered that I needed the other reader. I could not remember what it was called. I tried this and it does the job. I couldn't be happier.
I use it mainly for rss feeds of craigslist searches. -
"Love this program"
Version: FeedDemon 4.0.0.22
Pros
Flexible, easy to read and organize.
Cons
None I can think of at moment.
Summary
Try it, you will like it.
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"Underrated"
Version: FeedDemon 4.0.0.22
Pros
Convenient access to all your feeds
Cons
None really
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"Avoid This Version!"
Version: FeedDemon 4.0.0.20
Pros
It's quicker on Windows XP PCs
Cons
Charges for (almost) everything important
Summary
I was a fan of this software for a while. So whenever there was an update, I expected things to get better. Not with this version. There are features I used that was taken away such as my FeedStation and placed into a "Pro" version. Also, I was forced to upgrade to Internet Explorer 8 to view feeds correctly. Overall, they ruined what was once as close to a perfect product as possible and because of this, I've uninstalled and found another program. Thanks FeedDemon for a few good years.
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"Long Time Users in for unpleasant shock with 4.0"
Version: FeedDemon 4.0.0.20
Pros
Same old reliable FeedDemon
Cons
4.0 is a "Lite" version, which removes several features
Summary
Upgrading from 3 to 4 gives you a choice of either going to FeedDemon Pro or FeedDemon Lite. Lite removes several beloved features and you have to pay for the pro option to get them back. Things like the customizable CCS stylesheets, authenticated feeds, prefetching and content filters.
This. Sucks. With so many RSS reader choices out there, that NewsDemon decided to gimp the product to extort money seems like a horrible move. I will be looking elsewhere for a desktop RSS reader. -
"Good product"
Version: FeedDemon 3.1.0.30
Pros
Like the access to the categories
Cons
I wish someone could develop the RSS that travels along
the bottom of the screen. That would be coooool.Summary
overall good product
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"Can only use Internet Explorer"
Version: FeedDemon 3.1.0.30
Pros
None, there are other feed readers available for free, there are no reasons to use this one.
Cons
Can only use Internet Explorer.
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"Clean simple RSS Reader"
Version: FeedDemon 3.1.0.30
Pros
FeedDemon keeps it simple,akin to my old RSS reader,Outlook. I just want a menu,navigation pane and reading pane. I can go directly to a full webpage of the RSS item instead of opening my browser,and can keep that page as a tab,even when I close FD.
Cons
I have not found anything so far.
Summary
If you want something simple that keeps you focused on the content rather than the controls,FeedDemon may just be right for you.
