What happened to Omnivore?
Omnivore was acquired by ElevenLabs in October 2024 and immediately shut down. The open-source read-it-later app with newsletter support, annotations, and full-text search was discontinued overnight, leaving users scrambling for alternatives.
How do I export my Omnivore data?
If you exported before shutdown, your data should be in JSON or CSV format. Most alternatives (LinkList, Wallabag, Readwise Reader, Hoarder) accept standard import formats. Community tools were created to convert Omnivore exports to compatible formats.
Is there a true open-source Omnivore replacement?
Wallabag is the most mature open-source read-it-later alternative. Hoarder is a newer open-source option with AI features. Neither perfectly replicates Omnivore, but both offer self-hosted, open-source bookmark/reading management.
Why did Omnivore shut down so suddenly?
ElevenLabs acquired Omnivore primarily for its engineering team (acqui-hire), not the product. This is a common risk with VC-funded open-source tools—the product can be shut down when the company pivots. Self-hosted tools (Wallabag, Hoarder) avoid this risk entirely.
Should I switch to AI-powered tools or stick with traditional read-it-later?
If you actually read saved articles cover-to-cover, traditional read-it-later (Wallabag, Matter) works fine. If you save links as a knowledge base to search later, AI tools (LinkList) are significantly better. Most Omnivore users saved more than they read—AI retrieval solves that problem.
Is Hoarder ready for daily use?
Hoarder is functional but early-stage. It works well for basic bookmarking with AI tags, but lacks the polish of established tools. If you're comfortable with Docker and early-stage software, it's a promising open-source option. For reliability, choose Wallabag or LinkList.
Can I import my Omnivore data into LinkList?
Yes. Export your Omnivore data (if you have it) as CSV or HTML and import into LinkList. AI automatically tags and organizes everything. If your data is in Omnivore's JSON format, convert it to CSV first using community migration tools.
What's the lesson from Omnivore's shutdown?
Never rely on a single tool without data export capability. Choose tools that offer easy export (LinkList exports to CSV/Markdown anytime), or self-host (Wallabag, Hoarder) for complete control. The best bookmark tools treat your data as yours—not theirs.