ReadMonkey Pro vs Omnivore
Omnivore was an open-source read-it-later app until ElevenLabs acquihired the team in November 2024. Users had 2 weeks to export before permanent deletion. ReadMonkey Pro stores your data in Chrome's built-in storage — no vendor cloud to shut down. Here's how they compare.
Last updated: March 7, 2026
TL;DR
Omnivore was an excellent open-source read-it-later app with newsletter ingestion, PDF support, and cross-platform sync. Then ElevenLabs acquihired the team in November 2024 and shut it down with roughly 2 weeks' notice. Users who missed the export window lost everything. ReadMonkey Pro takes a different approach: all data stored in Chrome's built-in storage with sync via Chrome Sync. No external servers, no vendor cloud, no PlugMonkey account required. ReadMonkey Pro offers 5-color highlighting with notes, multi-format export (Markdown, HTML, CSV, JSON), and a $49.99 lifetime license. The open-source Omnivore code remains available for self-hosting, but without the team maintaining it, self-hosted instances require significant technical investment.
Head-to-Head Comparison
5 categories compared honestly
🔒Availability & Data Safety
ReadMonkey Pro WinsActive and private: data in Chrome storage, synced via Chrome Sync.
- Currently available and actively maintained
- All articles stored in Chrome's built-in storage
- Syncs across Chrome browsers via Chrome Sync
- No external servers — your data stays in your browser
Shut down November 2024. Cloud data deleted with minimal notice.
- ElevenLabs acquihired the team in November 2024
- Users had roughly 2 weeks to export data
- All cloud-hosted data permanently deleted by November 30, 2024
- Open-source code remains but unmaintained
Verdict: ReadMonkey Pro is the only actively maintained option. Omnivore's cloud-dependent architecture made the acquihire devastating for users who didn't export in time.
📖Reading & Annotation
= TieDistraction-free reader with 5-color highlighting and inline notes.
- 3 reading themes: light, dark, sepia
- Adjustable font family, size, and line height
- 5-color highlighting with inline notes
- Highlights aggregation panel for review
Clean reader with highlighting, labels, and newsletter support.
- Distraction-free reading view
- Highlighting with color support
- Labels/tags for organization
- Newsletter ingestion via dedicated email address
- PDF and EPUB support
Verdict: Both had strong reading experiences. Omnivore had newsletter ingestion and PDF support that ReadMonkey Pro doesn't. ReadMonkey Pro has more granular highlighting (5 colors with notes) and richer typography controls.
📤Export & Interoperability
ReadMonkey Pro Wins4 export formats: JSON, Markdown, HTML, CSV. Export anytime.
- Export to JSON, Markdown, HTML, and CSV
- Export highlights separately or with articles
- Always available — export your data anytime
- No export deadline or window
Had API and integrations. Export was time-limited after shutdown.
- GraphQL API for developer integrations
- Obsidian, Logseq, and Readwise integrations
- Export window closed after shutdown
- Self-hosted instances can still export (if running)
Verdict: Omnivore had richer integrations while it existed (API, Obsidian, Readwise). ReadMonkey Pro's export is always available with 4 formats. Omnivore's export window is long closed.
🛠️Self-Hosting & Open Source
Omnivore WinsClosed source, but data is always in your browser — no server needed.
- Not open source
- No self-hosting option
- But: data lives in Chrome storage, not on PlugMonkey servers
- No server dependency means no server to maintain
Open-source code remains available, but unmaintained.
- Full source code on GitHub
- Self-hosting is technically possible
- Requires significant DevOps knowledge (Docker, PostgreSQL, Elasticsearch)
- No team maintaining the codebase — bugs and security issues go unpatched
Verdict: Omnivore's open-source code is a genuine advantage for technically skilled users willing to self-host. However, an unmaintained codebase is a liability. ReadMonkey Pro trades self-hosting for zero-maintenance Chrome storage.
💰Pricing & Value
= Tie$6.99/month or $49.99 lifetime. Free tier included.
- $6.99/month, $29.99/year, or $49.99 lifetime
- Free tier: 25 saves/month, 5 tags, 2 highlight colors
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Sustainable pricing funds ongoing development
Was completely free. Now unavailable (unless self-hosted).
- Completely free while it existed
- No premium tiers — all features free
- Funded by VC investment (which ended with acquihire)
- Self-hosting has infrastructure costs
Verdict: Omnivore was free — an excellent deal while it lasted. But free products funded by VC money are inherently at risk of exactly what happened: an acquihire and shutdown. ReadMonkey Pro's pricing funds sustainable development.
At a Glance
Quick feature comparison
| Feature | ReadMonkey Pro | Omnivore | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Active | Shut down (Nov 2024) | |
| Data storage | Chrome storage + sync | Cloud (deleted) | |
| Open source | No | Yes (unmaintained) | |
| Self-hosting | No (not needed) | Yes (complex setup) | |
| Newsletter ingestion | No | Yes | |
| PDF support | No | Yes | |
| Highlighting | 5 colors + inline notes | Colors | |
| Export formats | JSON, Markdown, HTML, CSV | API-based (closed) | |
| Price | $6.99/mo or $49.99 lifetime | Was free | |
| Obsidian/Readwise integration | No (Markdown export instead) | Yes (was) |
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Pricing: ReadMonkey Pro vs Omnivore
Omnivore
Omnivore was completely free while it existed, funded by venture capital. The acquihire ended this — free products without a revenue model are inherently at risk.
- Subscription-only pricing
- Lose access when you cancel
ReadMonkey Pro
ReadMonkey Pro's $49.99 lifetime is a one-time cost that funds sustainable development. Unlike Omnivore, the business model doesn't depend on VC funding that could evaporate overnight.
30-day money-back guarantee
Which Is Right for You?
Choose ReadMonkey Pro
- You need a read-later tool that is actively maintained and available right now
- You want your data in Chrome's own storage, not on vendor servers that can be shut down
- You want 5-color highlighting with inline notes
- You need reliable export to Markdown, HTML, CSV, or JSON at any time
- You prefer a zero-maintenance solution over self-hosting infrastructure
Choose Omnivore
- Omnivore's hosted service is no longer available
- If you're technical enough to self-host, the open-source code is on GitHub — but it's unmaintained
- For newsletter ingestion, consider Kill the Newsletter! as a standalone tool alongside ReadMonkey Pro
- For PDF reading, use your browser's built-in PDF viewer alongside ReadMonkey Pro
Omnivore is gone. Your reading library shouldn't be.
ReadMonkey Pro: save articles in Chrome, sync across browsers, 5-color highlighting, Markdown export. No vendor cloud to shut down.