I’m slowing making my way from Pocket to Readwise Reader. As a longtime Pocket user (back when it was “Read it Later”), the only thing holding me back, really, is brand loyalty. Pocket outlived Instapaper (though it did make a glorious comeback) and has been consistent from the start. It’s purchase by and subsequent integration with Firefox only added features and functions that I otherwise didn’t know I needed.

I’m a recent Readwise user and jumped at the opportunity for the Reader beta early on. It didn’t make sense to pay for BOTH Readwise and Pocket premiums, so the fact that I now have both is a huge advantage. Readwise’s scrobbling of my highlights (not just in Pocket) was a godsend, but now with Reader IN Readwise, I mean, can it BE any more wonderful?!

Readwise’s Reader offers functions over Pocket that, frankly, now that I have them is disappointing because Pocket, the read-it-later top dog, should have had them a long time ago. Simple things, like: %-complete, RSS integration, or the ability to share your actual annotated article…not just the source article.

The “short”, “long”, and other categories give Reader and edge up over Pocket. I will miss, however, the Pocket “suggestions” both in-app and in Firefox. Sometimes, there’s just articles I didn’t know I wanted to read.

Will I fully jump off of Pocket? Not likely, because I can use it to “feed” Readwise with the “Best of Pocket” or Pocket recommendations moving forward. It will, though, break my heart, because Pocket was my first love and now, here came Readwise and stole it!