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📌 Written by Dan
📅 Last updated: 28th November, 2025
💬 danxyz7 on Discord
📜 Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Use a Third‑Party Client?
- Client Comparison
- iOS Clients
- Android Clients
- Desktop Clients
- Web‑Based Clients
- Additional Tools & Extensions
- Which Client Should I Choose?
PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTINUING - 28th November 2025
As of 11th November 2025, Reddit has restricted all API access behind manual approval. If you patched before this date, you don't have to do anything to your current client and it will still work. If you're patching to a new client, I am monitoring a workaround and will update this when I am aware of a stable method.
Important Considerations: Finding Your Fit
Choosing a Reddit client is a deeply personal decision. Factors like preferred layout (classic vs. modern cards vs. compact), feature density, navigation style (buttons vs. gestures), and overall aesthetic vary wildly. There's no single "best" app – only the best app for you. This guide presents popular Android and iOS options, detailing their strengths and weaknesses to aid your choice. Clicking the client name links to its download page or source repository. A separate link for a representative screenshot is provided below each client name.
📆 Timeline: The Reddit APIcalypse
- April 2023: Reddit announces API pricing changes
- June 2023: Apollo, Sync, RiF announce shutdowns
- July 2023: Reddit blackout protests
- August 2023+: ReVanced patches emerge, sideloading guides proliferate
For Android: The ReVanced Approach The dedicated ReVanced community developed patches allowing users to revive many beloved Android apps.
How it Works (Android/ReVanced): Patching typically involves using the ReVanced Manager tool to modify the app (APK file). Crucially, to bypass Reddit's new API limits, you must create and embed your own personal Reddit API key during the patching process. This associates the app's API usage directly with your Reddit account's free tier allowance, instead of relying on a developer's key which would be quickly exhausted.
What This Means for You (Android/ReVanced):
- Patching requires some technical comfort and isn't a simple Play Store install. Follow guides carefully (links provided).
- You are responsible for creating and securing your API key.
- Functionality might differ slightly from the original app pre-API changes (e.g., certain mod tools or push notifications might not work).
- This guide indicates which Android apps require or benefit from patching.
The iOS Situation: Similar to Android, many popular iOS Reddit clients were discontinued or moved to subscription models. While tools like ReVanced are Android-specific, some community efforts have emerged to revive apps like Apollo. This typically involves:
- Sideloading: Manually installing the app (IPA file) onto your iOS device using tools like AltStore or Sideloadly. This is generally more complex than Android patching and may require re-signing the app periodically (e.g., every 7 days with a free Apple Developer account).
- Personal API Key: Like patched Android apps, these revived iOS apps often require you to embed your own Reddit API key.
- Newer, actively developed iOS clients are also available, usually as paid apps or with subscriptions, operating legitimately under the new API rules or via their own agreements.
🤖 Android Clients
🥓 BaconReader
| Best For | A clean, straightforward, traditional Reddit experience without overwhelming features. |
| Access | 🩹 Patchable (Requires Own API Key) |
| Status | Abandoned (Functional when patched) |
✅ Pros
- Clean & Organized: Familiar, easy-to-navigate traditional layout.
- Inline Media: Views images and GIFs directly in the feed.
- Readable Comments: Color-coding aids thread tracking.
- Multi-Account Support.
❌ Cons
- Limited Customization: Fewer visual tweaks than competitors.
- Dated Feel: UI might feel old compared to modern designs.
- No Active Development: No new features or bug fixes.
🚀 Boost for Reddit
| Best For | Power users who crave deep UI customization and a vast array of features. |
| Access | 🩹 Patchable (Requires Own API Key) |
| Status | Abandoned (Functional when patched) |
✅ Pros
- Ultimate Customization: Extensive themes, fonts, layouts, and view modes.
- Feature-Rich: Robust filtering, advanced media handling, and gestures.
- Active Theme Community: (/r/BoostThemes)
- Multi-Account & Offline Support.
❌ Cons
- Potentially Overwhelming: Interface can feel cluttered.
- No Active Development: No future updates or fixes.
♾ Infinity for Reddit+ or Continuum
Screenshot (Infinity for Reddit+)
#####⭐ Community Favourite
| Best For | Users valuing open-source, privacy, customization, and active development. |
| Access | Subscription ($3-$15/mo) OR 🩹 Free with Patch (Requires Own API Key) |
| Status | Actively Developed |
✅ Pros
- Open Source & Acclaimed: Privacy-first, ad-free, and highly praised.
- Highly Customizable: Themes, fonts, and layouts similar to Boost.
- Modern UI: Clean interface with smooth animations and a "Lazy Mode" for auto-scrolling.
- Vibrant Community: Strong support via /r/Infinity_For_Reddit.
❌ Cons
- Occasional Bugs: New updates can sometimes introduce temporary issues.
- Requires a subscription or patching for full use.
🐨 Joey for Reddit
| Best For | A minimalist design, unique bottom navigation, and top-tier media downloading. |
| Access | 🩹 Patchable (Requires Own API Key) |
| Status | Abandoned (Functional when patched) |
✅ Pros
- Excellent Media Downloader: Best-in-class Reddit video downloading (with sound).
- Minimalist & Fast: Efficient browsing with an autohide feature for read posts.
- Unique Bottom Navigation: Controls are easily reachable.
- Active Theme Community: (/r/JoeyForRedditThemes)
❌ Cons
- Divisive UI: The bottom navigation is not a standard Android pattern.
- Lacks Advanced Features: Missing some deep moderation or filtering tools.
- No Active Development: No future updates or fixes.
📰 Official Reddit Client
| Best For | Access to all official features (Chat, Polls) or for those who won't patch apps. |
| Access | Free (with Ads) / Premium ($6/mo) / 🩹 Ad-Free with Patch |
| Status | Actively Developed |
✅ Pros
- Full Native Functionality: Guaranteed access to Chat, Polls, Predictions, etc.
- First Access: Gets new official Reddit features immediately.
- Official Support: Backed directly by Reddit.
❌ Cons
- Ads & Tracking: Intrusive unless using Premium or a patch.
- Cluttered & Inconsistent UI: Often feels bloated with jarring redesigns.
- Performance Issues: Can feel sluggish and resource-heavy.
- Limited Customization.
📕 RedReader
| Best For | Prioritizing speed, efficiency, low resource usage, accessibility, and FOSS principles. |
| Access | Free & Open Source (FOSS) — Exempt from API changes due to accessibility focus. |
| Status | Actively Developed |
✅ Pros
- Truly FOSS: No ads, no tracking, community-developed.
- Extremely Lightweight & Fast: Excellent performance and battery-friendly.
- Accessibility Focused: Strong support for screen readers.
- Functional Interface: Clean, text-centric, and highly efficient.
❌ Cons
- Utilitarian UI: Basic appearance may not appeal to all.
- Less Integrated Media: Previews are functional but less seamless.
- Fewer 'Power User' Features.
🔄 Relay for Reddit
| Best For | A smooth, modern, gesture-heavy interface with excellent comment navigation. |
| Access | Subscription ($1-$10/mo) OR 🩹 Free with Patch (Requires Own API Key) |
| Status | Actively Developed |
✅ Pros
- Fluid & Modern UI: Polished interface with intuitive gesture controls.
- Efficient Comment Navigation: Signature feature allows easy swiping between top-level comments.
- Excellent Media Previews: Handles media seamlessly inline.
- Comprehensive Mod Tools.
❌ Cons
- Performance: Some users report occasional stutters.
- Customization: Fewer UI tweaking options compared to Boost or Infinity.
- Requires a subscription or patching.
🌈 Reddit is Fun (RiF)
| Best For | Long-time Redditors valuing speed, stability, and a classic, no-nonsense interface. |
| Access | 🩹 Patchable (Requires Own API Key) |
| Status | Abandoned (Legendary, but functional when patched) |
✅ Pros
- Legendary Stability & Speed: Rock-solid, highly optimized performance.
- Simple & Efficient: Uncluttered, text-focused interface.
- Excellent Navigation: Clear thread structure, easy comment browsing.
- Customizable: Multiple themes (incl. AMOLED) and filters.
❌ Cons
- Dated Aesthetic: UI looks old (can be a pro for some).
- Limited Features: Lacks some newer functionalities.
- No Active Development: Forever frozen in time.
👻 Stealth
An actively developed, FOSS fork of Sync for Reddit.
| Best For | Fans of Sync's features who want an active, FOSS alternative with Material You. |
| Access | Free (F-Droid) (May require own API key) |
| Status | Occasional Updates and Bug Fixes |
✅ Pros
- Based on Sync: Inherits the excellent features and UI of the original.
- Modern Design: Implements Material You theming.
- Actively Developed Fork: Receives updates and bug fixes.
- FOSS & Privacy-Focused.
❌ Cons
- Fork Instability: May have unique bugs not present in the original.
- Development Reliance: Future depends on its current developer(s).
🔁 Sync for Reddit
See Stealth for an active fork.
| Best For | Users comfortable patching who want the original Sync experience. |
| Access | 🩹 Patchable (Requires Own API Key) |
| Status | Abandoned (Functional when patched) |
✅ Pros
- Polished Material Design UI: A benchmark for clean, attractive client design.
- Feature-Rich & Customizable: Excellent feature set and theme options.
- Historical Theme Community: (/r/redditsyncthemes)
❌ Cons
- Requires Patching: Non-functional without user intervention.
- No Active Development: Frozen feature set.
- Superseded by Stealth: The active Stealth fork offers a similar, updated experience.
🛝 Slide for Reddit
| Best For | FOSS enthusiasts desiring deep customization, gestures, and a great tablet experience. |
| Access | 🩹 Patchable (Requires Own API Key) |
| Status | Abandoned (Functional when patched) |
✅ Pros
- Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).
- Highly Customizable: Extensive control over themes, fonts, and layout.
- Excellent Tablet UI: Multi-column layouts are ideal for larger screens.
- Advanced Gestures.
❌ Cons
- Historically Buggy: Some users reported instability in the past.
- Can Be Resource Intensive: Might feel slow on older devices.
- No Active Development: No future updates.
📱 iOS Clients
🐿️ Acorn for Reddit
| Best For | A premium, customizable, privacy-focused experience with a modern UI. |
| Access | Access through TestFlight |
| Status | Actively Developed |
✅ Pros
- Modern & Clean UI: Polished, native iOS design with smooth animations.
- Highly Customizable: Themes, layouts, gestures, and post appearance options.
- Privacy-Focused: No ads, no trackers by design.
- Media Rich Experience.
❌ Cons
- TestFlight Access: Not yet on the main App Store.
☄️ Apollo for Reddit (Sideloaded Revival)
| Best For | Dedicated fans comfortable with sideloading to relive the original Apollo experience. |
| Access | 🩹 Requires Sideloading & Own API Key |
| Status | Discontinued (Revived via community sideloading) |
✅ Pros
- Legendary UI/UX: Restores Apollo's beautiful, intuitive, and gesture-driven design.
- Rich Feature Set: Brings back powerful filtering and media viewing.
- True iOS Native Feel.
❌ Cons
- Requires Sideloading: Technically involved process; may need re-signing every 7 days.
- No Official Support/Updates: Relies on community efforts.
- Potential Instability: As an unofficial revival, bugs may occur.
☕ Winston
| Best For | A free, open-source, and privacy-respecting client with a clean design. |
| Access | Free & Open Source (Source Code) via TestFlight |
| Status | Occasional Updates and Bug Fixes |
✅ Pros
- Truly FOSS: No cost, no ads, no trackers, public source code.
- Privacy-Focused: Built with user privacy as a core principle.
- Clean & Native UI: Simple, modern interface adhering to iOS design standards.
❌ Cons
- TestFlight Access: Not on the main App Store.
- Early Stage: May have fewer features than mature alternatives.
To-Do
- Periodically verify development status and access requirements for active apps.
- Keep patching/sideloading guide links updated if documentation moves.
- Refine "Best For" summaries based on ongoing user feedback.
- Source or create consistent
pixvid.orgscreenshots for new entries.
⭐Special Thanks
Thank you to honkertonken, quatroph, wispy, Milan, Tomato, jb, Hugo and ForestBlade for their feedback, and their suggestions 👍
Thank you to Icy for providing the Stealth and RedReader screenshots
Thank you for ForestBlade for the Acorn screenshot
Thank you to ktankbye for the Apollo screenshot
Thank you to jb for the Winston screenshot
If you feel that there are errors (or you just want to give general feedback), please feel free to reach out.
💬Discord: danxyz7
