# Smart RSS Reader

> RSS Reader made to be simple and effective

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/smart-rss-reader](https://chrome-stats.com/d/smart-rss-reader)

## Overview

- **ID:** `smart-rss-reader`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** zakius
- **Category:** feeds-news-blogging
- **Daily users:** 2,575
- **Weekly downloads:** 25
- **Rating:** 4.14 / 5 (37 ratings)
- **Version:** 2.26.0
- **Last updated:** 2025-02-25
- **First published:** 2019-02-21
- **Size:** 358 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-06
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/smart-rss-reader/)
- **Website:** [https://github.com/SmartRSS/Smart-RSS](https://github.com/SmartRSS/Smart-RSS)

## Description

Smart RSS Reader is a lightweight Chrome extension designed to offer a simple and efficient way to read RSS feeds. Originally developed by Martin Kadlec as a replacement for Opera 12's built-in RSS reader, this extension has been updated and optimized for modern browsers like Firefox and Chromium-based browsers.

Though active development has slowed, the extension continues to work reliably as long as support for WebExtensions v2 remains. Users can easily manage and view their RSS subscriptions with this tool. For further information or reporting issues, the extension maintains an open presence on [GitHub](https://github.com/SmartRSS/Smart-RSS). This makes it a practical choice for users seeking a straightforward RSS feed reader without unnecessary complexity.

## Rankings

- #1,883 — Overall
- #100 — Feeds, News & Blogging
- #4 — smart
- #5 — smart tool
- #11 — smartbook
- #12 — reader

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `unlimitedStorage`
- `alarms`
- `tabs`
- `contextMenus`
- `<all_urls>`
- `*://*/*`
- `https://code.fb.com/*`
- `https://dev.opera.com/*`
- `webRequest`
- `webRequestBlocking`
- `notifications`

### Content script matches

- `<all_urls>`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** Very high risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Low risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
- This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

Smart RSS Reader is praised for its clean, three-pane UI and fast, lightweight performance with strong customization options. However, users report bugs and instability across updates and devices, as well as requests for missing features such as Firefox Sync, showing all creator fields, and a one-click mark-all-read option.

### Pros

- Three-pane layout enabling quick browsing and reading across middle and right panels.
- Clean, easy-to-use UI.
- Fast, lightweight performance.
- Extensive customization options via preferences to control appearance and behavior.

### Cons

- Bugs and instability: not working in some cases, update-related issues across devices, and UI glitches (e.g., tab icon disappearing, refreshing closes the tab).
- Missing features frequently requested by users: Firefox Sync data synchronization, showing all dc:creator fields, and a one-click "Mark All Read" option.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Fire RSS Reader](https://chrome-stats.com/d/fire-rss-reader) — 30 users, 4.00 / 5
- [RSS Sidebar](https://chrome-stats.com/d/rss-sidebar) — 103 users, 3.33 / 5
- [RSS Viewer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/rss-viewer) — 45 users, 3.67 / 5
- [RSS Detect & Viewer by Fatih](https://chrome-stats.com/d/rss-detect-viewer-by-fatih) — 6 users
- [Drop Feeds RSS](https://chrome-stats.com/d/drop-feeds) — 299 users, 4.70 / 5
- [RSS Finder](https://chrome-stats.com/d/rss-finder-bn) — 12 users
- [Awesome RSS](https://chrome-stats.com/d/awesome-rss) — 4,734 users, 4.44 / 5
- [The Old Reader Notifier](https://chrome-stats.com/d/the-old-reader-notifier-webext) — 123 users, 4.83 / 5
- [Instant Feed](https://chrome-stats.com/d/instant-feed) — 1 users, 3.00 / 5
- [Feeder](https://chrome-stats.com/d/feeder) — 2,750 users, 4.09 / 5
- [RSS Launchpad: find feeds easy](https://chrome-stats.com/d/rss-launchpad-find-feeds-easy) — 242 users, 4.33 / 5
- [Feed Shaper](https://chrome-stats.com/d/feed-shaper) — 92 users, 4.25 / 5

---

Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/smart-rss-reader)