Help
Find the answer, then get back to reading
Choose the task first. Common product questions follow below, and a person is the last stop if neither section covers it.
Installing FlowReader
Which platforms exist today and what each one needs.
Saving content
Capturing pages and selections, and what the extension does to a page.
Importing files
PDF, Word, EPUB, Kindle, FictionBook, text, HTML, RTF and comic archives, plus pasted text and reading-list imports.
Reading modes
Normal, Pacing, Book and RSVP, and when each one helps.
Synchronization
What Firebase, Dropbox and local-folder sync each do differently.
Pro subscription
What Pro includes, what it costs, and how cancellation works.
AI provider configuration
Supplying your own key, and which providers are supported.
Local models
Running inference locally through Ollama or LM Studio.
Privacy and data
What stays on the device, what leaves it, and how to export everything.
Troubleshooting
Common problems and what to send us.
Read the FAQ
What is FlowReader?
FlowReader is a local-first reading workspace for long-form content. It captures web pages, papers, books, PDFs, newsletters, feeds and serialized fiction into one library, gives you a reader built for pace and retention, and helps you find what mattered again later.
Which platforms are supported?
FlowReader runs as a browser extension for Chromium browsers and Firefox, and as a desktop application for macOS, Windows and Linux. Both share the same data model and features.
Do I need an account?
No. Every reading surface and content app works with no account at all. An account is only required for optional Pro services backed by servers, such as sync, newsletters and server-side Flow runs.
What works offline?
Everything already saved to your device. Your library, reading positions, notes, highlights and the search index all live locally, so saved items stay readable without a connection. Content that was never fetched cannot be read offline, and local search only covers what your device holds.
What is included for free?
All reading and content apps on the device: the reader with Normal, Pacing, Book and RSVP modes, the archive with collections, tags, filters and archive-wide search, annotations and progress, Hacker News, Lobsters, Royal Road, arXiv, RSS and news indexes, OPDS, imports, themes and local statistics.
What does Pro include?
Pro adds cloud sync, newsletters, Flows, Smart Rules, collection sharing, the knowledge graph and the AI assistant: the automation and intelligence layer, and everything that depends on a server.
How does synchronization work?
Sync is optional. FlowReader supports Firebase sync, Dropbox sync and a local folder, covering settings, positions, library metadata, notes and cached content. The options do not have identical server behaviour or encryption: Firebase sync is protected by Firebase Auth, HTTPS and per-user rules. You can also run entirely local with no sync at all.
Does FlowReader provide an AI key?
No. AI runs on credentials you supply, or on a local model. There is no app-owned AI key reading your archive. Keys are stored locally, in the keychain on desktop, and are never synced.
Are local AI models supported?
Yes. FlowReader can route to Ollama and LM Studio for fully local inference, alongside Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and Hugging Face for hosted providers.
Which content formats can I import?
PDF, Word, EPUB, FictionBook and MOBI/AZW/AZW3 ebooks, plain text and Markdown, HTML, RTF, and CBZ/CBT comics. Also pasted text, web pages and selections, RSS and Atom feeds with OPML import and export, arXiv papers, Royal Road serials, OPDS catalogues, and Instapaper reading-list exports.
How does cancellation work?
Desktop, Chrome and Firefox subscriptions are managed through the FlowReader billing portal, powered by the Stripe Customer Portal. Cancel before renewal to avoid the next charge; Pro remains active until the end of the paid period.
What happens to my local content after cancelling?
It stays exactly where it is. FlowReader keeps your data and does not lock any saved content. Only the live services stop until Pro is active again: sync, newsletters, server-side Flows, Smart Rules, AI and sharing.
Can I export my data?
Yes. You can export your complete library, annotations and reading data at any time. Export formats include JSON, OPML and FlowCollection bundles.
What does Pro cost?
FlowReader Pro is €7.99 per month, a monthly auto-renewing subscription, with a 14-day trial where available. There is no annual plan.