Stringer

Self-Hosted

Self-hosted RSS feed reader for privacy-focused users

Overview

Stringer is a self-hosted RSS feed reader built with Ruby on Rails, designed for users who prioritize data privacy and control. It features a minimal, intuitive interface to organize feeds into folders, mark items as read/unread, and search through subscription content. Deployment is flexible—supports Docker for quick setup or manual installation with Ruby and PostgreSQL. It allows OPML import/export for easy migration from tools like Feedly or NewsBlur. All data stays on your server, eliminating third-party tracking. Lightweight enough to run on low-resource hardware like Raspberry Pi.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  stringer:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: stringer
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Organize feeds into custom folders
OPML import/export for feed migration
Privacy-focused self-hosted data storage

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Stringer hard to install?

Stringer is relatively easy to install. You can use Docker for a streamlined setup (via a single docker-compose command) or follow the manual Ruby on Rails guide. It runs on most Linux servers and low-power devices like Raspberry Pi, so no high-end hardware is needed.

? Is it a good alternative to Feedly?

Yes—Stringer is an excellent alternative if you value privacy over Feedly’s cloud-based features. It offers core RSS functionality (feed organization, search, OPML import) without ads or data sharing, though it lacks Feedly’s AI recommendations or team tools.

? Is it completely free?

Absolutely—Stringer is open source under the MIT License. You can self-host, modify, and use it without any cost or subscription fees; all features are available for free.

Top Alternatives

Feedly Search Google

Inoreader Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Feed Readers

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ No external tracking or ads
⊕ Lightweight (works on Raspberry Pi)
⊕ Simple Docker deployment option

Cons

⊖ No native mobile app (web-only interface)
⊖ Lacks advanced features like AI recommendations
⊖ Requires basic server maintenance knowledge