Compare
Aside and Instapaper,
side by side.
Instapaper is a later-read app that is still live. Aside is a local library on iPhone. Two tools, each for a different job.
Start on iPhone · No sign-in needed for the Local Library
The other tool
Instapaper
Instapaper is a later-read app. You save articles to read later. Folders, an archive, and a reading view are its work.
Aside
Aside
Aside is a local library on iPhone. No sign-in is needed for the Local Library. Save links, text, photos, files, contacts, notes, and calendar events through the iOS Share Sheet. Start a record from Home with Quick Capture. Add notes, put related items in collections, and set a reminder to look again. Aside can read an export file from Instapaper.
What overlaps, and what does not
| Aside | Instapaper | |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Local library on iPhone. No sign-in needed. | A later-read list of articles. |
| How things get in | iOS Share Sheet from other apps; Quick Capture from Home. | You save articles to Instapaper. |
| File import | Aside can read an export file. | Instapaper can export a CSV. |
| Notes | Optional notes on saved items. | The Instapaper CSV has no notes. |
| Organize | Collections you name yourself. | Folders in Instapaper. |
| Archive | Not the same job. | An Archive folder for things you already read. |
| Reading view | Aside does not import a highlighted selection body. | Instapaper is built around reading the article. |
A few things to know
Before you begin.
Can I use both?
Yes. A later-read list is Instapaper's work. Saving from other iPhone apps into a local library is Aside's work. Two tools, each for a different job.
Can Aside read an Instapaper export?
Yes. Aside can read an export file. This page is not asking you to leave Instapaper.
Does Aside connect to Instapaper?
No. If you have an export file, pick that file in Aside. Aside does not sign in to Instapaper.
Does Aside publish a website or sync across devices?
No. Those are not current. Share in means saving into Aside from the iOS Share Sheet, not publishing to other people.