Steno vs The Old Reader
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading news & media solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Steno if you need AI transcription and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose The Old Reader if you prioritize RSS reading and want a free tier to start. Steno has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.3).
Steno vs The Old Reader: At a Glance
| Criteria | Steno | The Old Reader |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Pricing | Contact for pricing | Free |
| Pricing Model | subscription | freemium |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web | Web, Ios, Android |
| Category | News & Media | News & Media |
| Founded | 2020 | 2012 |
Feature Comparison: Steno vs The Old Reader
| Feature | Steno | The Old Reader |
|---|---|---|
| AI transcription | ||
| Broadcast search | ||
| Real-time monitoring | ||
| Clip creation | ||
| Media analysis | ||
| Slack | ||
| API | ||
| Web support | ||
| RSS reading | ||
| Social sharing | ||
| Following friends | ||
| Keyboard shortcuts | ||
| OPML import/export | ||
| Third-party apps | ||
| Browser bookmarklet | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Android support |
Steno vs The Old Reader: Pricing Breakdown
Steno Pricing
Model: subscription
- Search transcripts
- Clip creation
- Email alerts
- Basic analytics
- All Starter features
- API access
- Team collaboration
- Advanced analytics
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
- SLA
- Custom retention
The Old Reader Pricing
Model: freemium
- 100 subscriptions
- Social features
- Web access
- OPML import
- 500 subscriptions
- Search history
- Priority refresh
- No ads
- Unlimited subscriptions
- All premium features
- Support development
Pros and Cons
Steno
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Rich feature set with 9+ capabilities
- Strong AI transcription functionality
- Strong Broadcast search functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- Limited platform support (Web only)
- May require time to learn advanced features
The Old Reader
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, Ios, Android)
- Rich feature set with 10+ capabilities
- Strong RSS reading functionality
- Strong Social sharing functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Steno vs The Old Reader?
Choose Steno if you:
- Need AI transcription
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web
- Value Broadcast search
Choose The Old Reader if you:
- Need RSS reading
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Social sharing
Frequently Asked Questions: Steno vs The Old Reader
Is Steno better than The Old Reader?
It depends on your needs. Steno has a 4.4/5 user rating while The Old Reader has 4.3/5. Steno excels in AI transcription and Broadcast search, while The Old Reader stands out with RSS reading and Social sharing. Consider your budget (Contact for pricing vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Steno or The Old Reader?
Steno starts at Contact for pricing. The Old Reader offers a free plan and starts at Free. The Old Reader has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use Steno and The Old Reader together?
While both are news & media tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core news & media needs.
What are the main differences between Steno and The Old Reader?
The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs freemium), platform support (Web vs Web, Ios, Android), and feature focus. Steno emphasizes AI transcription, Broadcast search, Real-time monitoring while The Old Reader focuses on RSS reading, Social sharing, Following friends. User ratings differ slightly: 4.4 vs 4.3 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Steno and The Old Reader.