Reddit is called the “front page of the Internet” for good reason. But, finding the best experience on your smartphone isn’t always easy. The key is using the best Reddit clients for iOS and Android.
Is It Safe to Trust Third-Party Reddit Apps?
Absolutely. As your first consideration, most likely you are logging in to Reddit through your existing login. Because of that, you are not handing anything private over to these apps. Both major app stores let you know exactly what permissions are being used, so you’re not blindly handing over data to a random app.
1. Reddit
Price: Free
While third-party options are great, sometimes you just want to use Reddit the way it was meant to be used. In those cases, the official Reddit apps on iOS and Android are the best option. The interface is minimal and clean, albeit full of ads. The apps offer infinite scrolling, allowing you to never run out of things to read.
In all fairness, the official app is fine for the majority of Reddit users. It will always get a first chance at the newest features or tools coming to Reddit. The app is updated frequently, as bugs are crushed quickly, and the developers introduce new features (some small, some big) often. If you want the most true-to-life Reddit experience on mobile, the official app is as good as it gets. You just have to tolerate all the ads. So. Many. Ads.
Of course, you can help make the ads more tolerable by adding entertaining GIFs to Reddit. And, the official app is the most straightforward way to download videos.
2. RDX
Price: Free
RDX isn’t one of the full Reddit clients. You’re free to lurk, but you can’t post, upvote, comment, etc. On the other hand, you don’t need to login to anything. Easily subscribe to subreddits by using the search bar and side menus. Save individual posts to check out later.
It’s a bare bones design with zero ads. And, it’s one of the few options available on iOS, Android, and even the web. If you don’t want to have to subscribe to numerous subreddits again, there’s an option to import your subs from the official Reddit app. Or, just use it to quickly lurk and stay anonymous. You may run into limitation messages if you’re a heavy user, though.
3. RedReader
Available on: Android
Price: Free
RedReader is just for browsing, but unlike RDX, you’re able to sign in. Or, if you prefer to lurk anonymously, the app supports that too. It’s one of the better Reddit clients for simple browsing with a minimal design. The one reason it’s not a premium app is it focuses on accessibility, which allows it to remain free as long as it’s not-for-profit.
There are a variety of customization options to change the appearance, font, behavior, and more. You can even backup and restore if you need to switch phones. While this isn’t an issue if you’re logging in, it’s great if you’re just a lurker and want to move your settings over.
4. Narwhal
Available on: iOS
Price: Starts at $4/month
Narwhal has long been a staple of the iPhone and Reddit community. Anyone looking for Reddit clients for iOS that focus heavily on gestures to move throughout the app should look closely at Narwhal. It feels closest to the original Reddit and even has a modern feel.
It was completely redesigned from the ground up after Reddit started charging for API use. It’s still gesture-based, but there are even more customization options. Easily adjust how you swipe, colors, fonts, action bar actions, layouts, and themes. The downside is there is no longer a free version.
5. lurkur
Available on: iOS
Price: Free
A few Reddit clients bypassed the API fees by getting an exception based on accessibility. For now, lurkur has managed to hang on and stay free for users. It’s the iOS version of RedReader, and is just for browsing and not interacting with posts. But, the main difference is you can’t login. It all stays anonymous.
The clean, ad-free design offers minimal customization. You’re mainly limited to how links and media are shown. If you love the app, the developer offers several tipping options. Overall, it works well enough, but does have a few glitches sometimes, such as slow loading times and issues filtering.
6. Relay for Reddit
Available on: Android
Price: Starts at $1/month
Don’t want to just be a lurker? Try Relay for Reddit. It’s a premium Android app that eliminates ads and lets you interact as much as you want. One of the best parts is it loads automatically with just the content you subscribe to versus tons of suggestions and trending content.
It’s close to the original Reddit client. Some users do report being limited to a set number of posts per day on the cheapest plan. You can check out how the app works for free with a three-day trial. After that, you have to subscribe to continue.
7. Infinity for Reddit+
Available on: Android
Price: Starts at $3/month
Infinity for Reddit+ offers one of the best designs outside the official Reddit client. Of course, it gets rid of ads, making it even better than the original. The bad part is it’s a premium app. You can browse for free, but when you try to login or interact, you get a subscription prompt.
One fun feature is Lazy Mode. Hate using your finger to scroll? Enable this mode and it does the scrolling for you. Just tap to stop. You can also create multi-reddits filled with your favorite subreddits, along with customizing the theme, gestures, filters, and more.
8. Create a Reddit Shortcut With Your Browser
With so many incredible Reddit clients ruined by Reddit’s greedy API policies, some of the best apps shut down or they’re now premium-only. If you aren’t happy with any of the other options, just use your browser to add a Reddit link to your home screen. This lets you access Reddit with a single tap and you remain logged in until you clear your cookies.
Use our guide to add Reddit (and other sites) using Chrome and Chromium-based browsers. For iOS and Safari, it works similarly. Open Reddit in Safari, tap the menu bar, and tap Add to Home Screen.
No matter what Reddit app you decide to use, always make sure you’re following proper Reddiquette. And, if a post or comment gets deleted, see how to still view it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a Reddit client?
That depends on what you consider to be central to your Reddit experience: ad blocking, theming options, advanced, security and privacy features, an open source platform, etc.
Having said that, most clients offer certain common basic features – infinite scrolling, for example – designed to enhance your Reddit experience.
Will using a Reddit client affect the app experience for others?
Not at all. A client is simply an application that runs on the users’ side of the server architecture. While a Reddit client may allow you to, say, theme the app or hide comments, the changes are limited to your device and will not affect the way other people use Reddit.
