FAQ
Can I Import from Pocket or Instapaper to ReadMonkey Pro?
Quick Answer
Not yet — ReadMonkey Pro has no built-in importer for Pocket, Instapaper, or other read-later services as of this writing. A JSON import is on the roadmap and will accept structured exports from those tools once shipped. In the meantime, the practical options are (1) start fresh and save articles intentionally going forward, or (2) walk through your Pocket/Instapaper library, re-visit the articles you actually want to keep, and save them with ReadMonkey Pro one click at a time.
- ReadMonkey Pro does not yet support direct import from Pocket, Instapaper, or other read-later services. A JSON import feature is on the roadmap.
- Pocket itself is being wound down by Mozilla; existing Pocket users have a particularly clear reason to migrate now and an even narrower window to rely on Pocket exports.
- Manual workaround today: visit each article you want to keep in Pocket/Instapaper and click the ReadMonkey toolbar icon to save it to your local library.
- Pricing comparison: ReadMonkey Pro is $49.99 lifetime; Pocket Premium was historically billed at ~$44.99/year — one Pocket year ≈ the entire ReadMonkey lifetime license.
By PlugMonkey Team, Editorial
“Pocket has helped millions save articles and discover stories worth reading. But the way people use the web has evolved, so we're channeling our resources into projects that better match their browsing habits and online needs.”
Switching from Another Read Later App
If you are currently using Pocket, Instapaper, or another read-later service and want to switch to ReadMonkey Pro, the transition is straightforward even without a direct import tool. Many users who switch find that their existing library in Pocket or Instapaper has accumulated years of saved articles they never went back to read. Starting fresh with ReadMonkey Pro is an opportunity to build a focused, curated reading library rather than carrying over digital clutter from another platform.
Current Import Support
As of the current version, ReadMonkey Pro does not have a built-in import feature for Pocket or Instapaper export files. However, a JSON import capability is planned for an upcoming release. This will allow you to import structured data from other apps that export in JSON format. Pocket offers an HTML export through its settings page, and Instapaper offers a CSV export. Once JSON import is available, we plan to add converters that accept these formats as well. If import support is critical for your workflow, keep an eye on the ReadMonkey Pro changelog for updates.
Manual Migration Workaround
If you have a specific set of articles from Pocket or Instapaper that you want to bring into ReadMonkey Pro today, you can do so manually.
- Open your Pocket or Instapaper library — Browse to your saved articles in their web interface
- Re-visit each article — Click through to the original article URL
- Save with ReadMonkey Pro — Click the ReadMonkey toolbar icon to save the article to your local library
- Add tags — Recreate your organization system with ReadMonkey Pro's tagging feature
- Prioritize selectively — Rather than migrating everything, focus on articles you actually plan to read or reference
Why ReadMonkey Pro Over Pocket and Instapaper
The main reasons users switch from Pocket or Instapaper to ReadMonkey Pro center on privacy, simplicity, and ownership.
- Privacy-first with Chrome Sync — Your data syncs across Chrome browsers via Chrome Sync. No PlugMonkey servers, no accounts with us, no reading history tracked by a third party
- No account required — Install and start saving immediately. No sign-up, no email, no password
- No tracking or telemetry — Zero data collection of any kind, unlike Pocket which uses reading data for content recommendations
- One-time pricing — The lifetime license ($49.99) costs less than a single year of Pocket Premium ($44.99/year) and you own it forever
- Multi-format export — Export to Markdown, HTML, CSV, or JSON. Pocket's export is limited to a basic HTML list
Feature Comparison
Here is how ReadMonkey Pro compares to Pocket and Instapaper on key features that matter when choosing a read-later tool.
- Data storage — ReadMonkey: Chrome Sync | Pocket: Vendor cloud | Instapaper: Vendor cloud
- Account required — ReadMonkey: No | Pocket: Yes | Instapaper: Yes
- Highlighting — ReadMonkey: 5 colors + notes | Pocket: Basic | Instapaper: Basic
- Export formats — ReadMonkey: JSON, MD, HTML, CSV | Pocket: HTML | Instapaper: CSV
- Full-text search — ReadMonkey: Pro tier | Pocket: Premium | Instapaper: Premium
- Offline reading — ReadMonkey: Yes (all saved) | Pocket: App only | Instapaper: App only
Getting Started Fresh
Most users who switch to ReadMonkey Pro find that starting fresh is actually liberating. Instead of importing hundreds of unread articles, you begin with an empty library and build it intentionally. Save only what you genuinely plan to read. Tag articles consistently from the start. Use highlight colors with purpose. Within a few weeks, you will have a focused, well-organized reading library that reflects your current interests rather than years of accumulated bookmarks. Install ReadMonkey Pro, save your first article, and see how a clean start feels.
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Sources & Further Reading
- The future of Pocket — Mozilla's official announcement on Pocket's shutdown and export options — Mozilla Support (accessed May 22, 2026)
- Instapaper Export — official CSV/HTML export endpoint used as a source for migration tools — Instapaper (accessed May 22, 2026)
Try ReadMonkey Pro Free
Ready to switch? ReadMonkey Pro is private, fast, and free to start. No account needed, no tracking, syncs across Chrome browsers. Install and save your first article today.
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