Thoughts on Omnivore's Shutdown#
The open-source free read-it-later app I've been using - Omnivore - suddenly announced yesterday that it has been acquired by ElevenLabs and that the current free server will be shut down. Users need to export their data, or it will be permanently deleted. To be honest, when I initially chose the software, I considered related issues. I thought open-source apps would be relatively reliable; at least if the developer ran away, I could continue to deploy and use the open-source version myself. The developers initially seemed very motivated, giving a reliable impression, but in the end, I was mistaken. They chose to operate similarly to Typora, Notability, and Goodnotes, severely disappointing users, and even worse, because this time it wasn't just a transition from free to paid but a complete shutdown. The open-source version also lacks the comprehensive features of the current server version.
Omnivore and the Shutdown Incident#
- Omnivore is an open-source free read-it-later app that allows users to save web articles, PDFs, etc., from browsers, phones, and tablets, and view them within the app. The app also offers very practical features like highlighting, notes, and exporting, receiving consistent praise.
- Omnivore initially stated that they had no profit model and might introduce some paid features later. They have been actively updating, and just recently launched features for saving YouTube videos, testing Notion synchronization, and UI updates, which didn't seem like a sign of them running away. To be honest, it was quite sudden.
- The reasons I chose Omnivore: good user reputation, support for open-source, free, and good integration with note-taking apps.
Issues with Open Source and Free Software#
- I have always been a fan of free apps, from previous pirated software to various free apps later on. Sometimes it's not that I can't afford to buy them, but using them for free is really enjoyable, and it allows me to try out more fun apps. After all, the cost of buying each one can be quite high.
- I have indeed worried about developers running away or suddenly raising subscription prices, so I initially thought free and open-source was a good option. However, now I feel that free might actually be the most expensive. If conditions allow or if the app can provide sufficient value, it's better to subscribe directly.
What Constitutes a Reliable Workflow#
- The best scenario is for developers to be able to persist, but this is very difficult in the current environment. Many apps start with passion, get a round of funding, and then ambitiously try to attract users. When the user base grows and they can't cover costs, they ultimately have to run away. To avoid such situations, either the developers need a stable income to cover their costs; or charge businesses while keeping individual users free; or have backing from large companies, relying on ads or other services to make money.
- There has always been a saying that "free is the most expensive." If you heavily rely on free services and the app shuts down, the time and energy costs users invest may far exceed the fees charged by the app. This is why expensive software like Readwise is still highly praised among YouTubers. I see many users in Discord complaining about Omnivore's shutdown being unfair, but I think, if it weren't for the allure of free, does Omnivore really offer anything better than Readwise? Personally, I just feel that Omnivore's shutdown was a bit sudden; I do believe it would be difficult for them to continue being free.
- However, I still plan to continue using the free version of Obsidian because I believe its operating costs are low enough, and the synchronization and publishing services can help them break even. Additionally, the data is stored in Markdown locally, so if they do shut down in the future, I can continue using the current version and easily export to other apps. However, I am also considering that more and more software is being developed as competitors, claiming that Notion's cloud data is unsafe. Notion's current operating model is stable; is Notion's cloud service really less reliable than these new apps?
Data Migration and Similar Software#
- I currently plan to use the Infoflow app to import articles that I hadn't had time to read in Omnivore.
- For a new read-it-later app, I might choose the new branch app, which is still in beta testing. During the beta period, all features are free, and I hope they can provide affordable subscription services later. The current app's subscription newsletter also has some issues; the iPad app cannot be used in landscape mode. However, the positives outweigh the negatives, as it allows direct saving of public account articles, which was a major pain point for Omnivore.
- Readwise is great, but also very expensive. I like read-it-later apps, but I don't think they can provide me with over $100 worth of value each year.
Conclusion#
- It's important to view this shutdown incident rationally. I believe this won't be the last occurrence of such events. We can't expect developers to keep working out of passion; it's unrealistic. If an app can truly improve efficiency or generate income, then it's worth paying for a subscription. Only with a stable profit model can users use it with confidence.
- If you really want to use free apps, you must be prepared for the possibility that they might shut down the next day without your workflow suffering a fatal blow. Either the current version is good enough, and the data is local, with features not relying on servers; or you fully understand its tech stack, and you can continue to maintain it yourself if the developers run away. If you can't do that, I really wouldn't recommend heavily relying on free apps, or even some paid apps.