It’s the final countdown…Netvibes vs Google Reader.
When I originally signed up for an RSS reader, I signed up for Netvibes simply because it was the first RSS reader listed in Kate Klingensmith’s chart. Then, I realized that Jason and the others in class are using Google Reader. Realizing this, I signed up for Google Reader this morning. Since then, I’ve been glued to my computer (thanks to being snowed in) and have been playing around with both. With Netvibes, you can choose the look of your page–you can view it in “widget” style or “reader” style. I’ve posted below the two different views. Clearly, the reader view is more like Google Reader.
After playing around with both RSS readers, I stuck by my opinion that Netvibes is better. Aesthetically, Netvibes wins, allowing users to change the colors and themes of their page, unlike Google. In addition to that, users can also decide if they want to view their page “widget style” or “reader style.” As far as adding widgets and feeds, I also feel that Netvibes is more user-friendly. You can preview your feed before adding it. Organization: it’s a tie. Both Google Reader and Netvibes allow you to organize your feeds into folders (I grouped everyone’s blog pages into the folder “LLED 420”). One thing I did really like about Google Reader is that you can click on the title of the blog post and it will open a new window with the actual blog site. Other than that, I found Netvibes to be superior. Just something to think about as far as choices go!
17 comments
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February 8, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Jason Whitney
Dagnabbit, you might be right. Netvibes is certainly prettier. Google Reader seems a little over-rated after your post. I don’t have a set choice of reader, but I might give Netvibes a try before this openminded period begins to ossify and I start developing brand loyalties. Especially helpful were the screen shots, which really seemed like eye candy. Thanks for that post!
February 9, 2010 at 6:00 pm
jessiebindrim
I still stand by Google Reader because if you make an account, you immediately have access to every other Google application available. You can have most if not all of your PLN in Google applications if you so desire. Along with that… I already have Google loyalties. Hell, when Netvibes becomes its own verb, I’ll switch!
February 11, 2010 at 12:21 am
Matthew
Your screenshots really don’t do Netvibes justice. However, feature-wise (purely objective), Netvibes is superior in every way. Aesthetically, Netvibes wins.
What you also didn’t cover is their “Reader” view, which puts all your RSS feeds in to a single timeline, organized by your tabs.
I’m a huge Google fan and use the big G for everything (mail, voice, wave, phone); but Reader will never, ever compare to Netvibes.
Hi from Twitter 🙂 http://twitter.com/netvibes/status/8908482669
February 11, 2010 at 6:24 am
Artashes Kradjian
I moved to Netvibes from Google Reader. I agree with the author, BUT…
Netvibes has a lot of issues. There are a lot of cases that feeds are not updated. Some png image types are not supported. Also some feeds are visible in GR and not viewed in Netvibes.
February 11, 2010 at 9:29 am
Peter van den Berg
Did you also use feedly (http://feedly.com/) in combination with Google reader?
February 11, 2010 at 12:27 pm
kimcuppett
no i didn’t. what is feedly? i really liked how i could choose either widget style or reader style with netvibes.
February 11, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Peter van den Berg
Well have a look, i gave you the link. 😉
“Feedly organizes your favorite sites into a fun, magazine-like start page.” the first qoute from theis site … and more 🙂 i disliked the look and feel of google reader but now i’m very pleased with the filtering and presentation of both my feeds and tweets 🙂
February 12, 2010 at 7:18 am
Aaron Tay
You forgot one thing. Mobile! Besides the native mobile friendly site there are many powerful apps that sync with googlereader.
I could be wrong but netvibes has nothing here. You might not think this is important but in 2 years time most people will be surfing using phones.
February 12, 2010 at 8:47 am
kimcuppett
Ah yes, very true. I have the Motorola Droid, which uses Google technology and apps. While I do use Google for email, my calendar, GPS, and so on. I don’t feel that I would want to have Google Reader on my cell. I guess this would come in handy for those who use an RSS reader very frequently. Is there some kind of app for Google Reader on mobile devices yet? Even so, I feel that, like you said, in 2 years people will be using cells for everything. If that is the case, which I’m sure it will be, I’m certain that Netvibes will come out with some type of app for mobile devices as well.
February 12, 2010 at 8:50 am
kimcuppett
I should have done this before I posted, but oh well. I just searched the market place on my Droid and found a few RSS Reader apps. Some of them said they were to be used with Google Reader. I also found an app for Netvibes. None of these applications seem to be well developed though. I’m going to play around with them and see what I think. If anyone else has had experience with using RSS readers on their cell phones, let me know! I’d love some input.
February 13, 2010 at 4:34 am
Aaron Tay
Okay I assumed you weren’t on a smartphone hence your lack of mention of this, but since you are on NOW, this becomes a important point, where Netvibes is much weaker now.
Besides using calender, email and twitter on mobile, i use the smart phone the most to read rss feeds. Whenever I have a free moment, and no emails to read, and twitter doesn’t have anything interesting it’s a perfect time to catch up on the numerous RSS feeds I have subscribed.
I’m surprised you don’t use your mobile that way, after all RSS seems important enough for you to try to figure out which RSS feed reader to use on desktop!
Also You don’t want just any RSS feed reader on mobile, you need something that syncs with your desktop reader. I can’t help you with specific apps since I’m on Iphone though where there are 2-3 well developed ones.
Basically you want one that can download and cache material in advance, so when you need to read, even if it is in a place with no wifi or 3G , you can still read. Syncing should be 2 way, so if you read it in mobile, it will be reflected in your desktop reader.
Mobilerss does this well on Iphone, among other apps
February 13, 2010 at 7:37 am
kimcuppett
To tell you the truth, I signed up for this blog account and an RSS reader as an assignment for a college course. As much as I’ve been enjoying blogging, I haven’t really gained a strong interest in the RSS readers yet. I’ve only been using them to keep up to date with the blogs of my fellow classmates. Keeping a critical eye, though, I wanted to weigh the pros and cons of Google Reader and Netvibes to see which one I like better.
I haven’t had a chance to look through the RSS reader apps on my phone yet, but I’m sure since I’m using an Android device, that they have a few Google Reader apps that will, of course, sync to my phone. This is one advantage of the Google powerhouse. In time though, I’m sure Netvibes will come out with something to compete in the mobile world. Until then, I give you credit…Google tops Netvibes when it comes to using it on a smartphone.
Now, don’t even get me started on the Droid vs iPhone! 😉 haha
February 15, 2010 at 5:51 am
samyz
Great discussion. For your information, work on the Netvibes mobile app for iPhone and Android is well underway. The mobile version will be definitely released this year. Thanks for supporting Netvibes.
February 16, 2010 at 5:42 am
Geri
don’t have the “widgets view” and “reader view” like your graphik #3, on top of the page –
how to get this?
February 16, 2010 at 6:35 am
kimcuppett
hmm it should just automatically appear at the top of your page. as shown in my screenshot, it should be to the right of the “add content” button. i played around with different themed backgrounds, but the tool bar always stayed at the top.
February 16, 2010 at 7:14 am
Geri
hmm, not here…
that’s funny.
contacted already the support via twitter.
thanx for your help!
February 18, 2010 at 8:47 am
Pablothehat
I don’t see it as an ‘either-or’ type issue, I have managed to tame Google quit nicely under Netvibes. LOL.
See here for Examples..(well as soon as I have uploaded them to my blog !:-)
http://www.netvibes.com/pablothehat#The_Tao_of_Blog