Skip to content

Google Reader vs Hourglass

Professional comparison and analysis to help you choose the right software solution for your needs.

Google Reader icon
Google Reader
Hourglass icon
Hourglass

Google Reader vs Hourglass: The Verdict

⚡ Summary:

Google Reader: Google Reader was a popular RSS/Atom feed aggregator developed by Google. It allowed users to subscribe to feeds and view updates from blogs, news sites, and other web content in one interface. Google Reader shut down in 2013.

Hourglass: Hourglass is a lightweight time tracking application for Windows, Mac and Linux. It allows you to track time spent on tasks and projects with features like customizable categories, reports, and productivity analytics.

Both tools serve their respective audiences. Compare the features, pricing, and user ratings above to determine which best fits your needs.

Last updated: May 2026 · Comparison by Sugggest Editorial Team

Feature Google Reader Hourglass
Sugggest Score 31 —
User Rating ⭐ 4.1/5 (26) —
Category News & Books Office & Productivity
Pricing Free Freemium
Ease of Use 5.0/5 —
Features Rating 4.3/5 —
Value for Money 4.9/5 —
Customer Support 1.8/5 —

Product Overview

Google Reader
Google Reader

Description: Google Reader was a popular RSS/Atom feed aggregator developed by Google. It allowed users to subscribe to feeds and view updates from blogs, news sites, and other web content in one interface. Google Reader shut down in 2013.

Type: software

Pricing: Free

Hourglass
Hourglass

Description: Hourglass is a lightweight time tracking application for Windows, Mac and Linux. It allows you to track time spent on tasks and projects with features like customizable categories, reports, and productivity analytics.

Type: software

Pricing: Freemium

Key Features Comparison

Google Reader
Google Reader Features
  • Ability to subscribe to RSS and Atom feeds
  • Aggregated feeds into a single interface
  • Offline reading mode
  • Sharing of feeds and articles
  • Tagging and starring articles
  • Mobile apps
Hourglass
Hourglass Features
  • Time tracking with start/stop timer
  • Customizable categories and projects
  • Productivity analytics and reports
  • Available on Windows, Mac and Linux

Pros & Cons Analysis

Google Reader
Google Reader

Pros

  • Convenient way to view updates from many sites
  • Helped users discover new content
  • Supported open standards like RSS and Atom
  • Fast and responsive interface
  • Cross-platform - worked on desktop and mobile

Cons

  • Discontinued in 2013
  • Lack of major updates in later years
  • No full-text search within feeds
  • No automatic tagging based on content
Hourglass
Hourglass

Pros

  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Great for tracking billable hours
  • Open source and free

Cons

  • Lacks advanced features like invoicing
  • Mobile app only available on Android
  • Can be difficult to organize large projects

Pricing Comparison

Google Reader
Google Reader
  • Free
Hourglass
Hourglass
  • Freemium

⭐ User Ratings

Google Reader
4.1/5

26 reviews

Hourglass

No reviews yet

Related Comparisons

Learn More About Each Product

Google Reader
Google Reader
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →
Hourglass
Hourglass
Reviews, pricing & alternatives →

Ready to Make Your Decision?

Explore more software comparisons and find the perfect solution for your needs

Google Reader Alternatives
Hourglass Alternatives
Browse More Software