BookmarkForge vs Omnivore
A maintained, encrypted bookmark manager vs a discontinued read-it-later service
Status Check
Omnivore's hosted service ended in November 2024. The codebase remains open source for self-hosting.
When to Choose BookmarkForge
BookmarkForge is the better choice if you want a maintained, encrypted app without running a server
Actively maintained
A living product with updates — not an archived codebase.
Zero server admin
Install the PWA and start. No Docker, no database, no backups to babysit.
Encrypted by default
AES-256-GCM vault on your device — your data is unreadable even if your device is stolen.
Pay once
Pro v1 is a one-time $59 early-bird price. No subscription.
AI included
Summaries, semantic search and local AI — with your own keys or on-device models.
Import-friendly
Bring your Omnivore HTML/Markdown export straight in.
When to Self-Host Omnivore
Self-hosting Omnivore is the better choice if you already run infrastructure and want the original codebase
You want the original stack
The full Omnivore codebase — server, extensions, apps — is public on GitHub.
You already run servers
If operating a backend is routine for you, self-hosting is viable.
You need full data control
Your database, your rules — nothing leaves your infrastructure.
Labels and labels-like features
Omnivore's labeling and subscription workflows were its differentiators.
Contributing to OSS
The archived repo can still be forked and improved by the community.
Read-later focus
If you specifically want a reader app rather than a bookmark vault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Omnivore still available?
Omnivore's hosted service ended in November 2024 after the team joined ElevenLabs. The codebase remains open source and can be self-hosted, but there is no hosted service to sign up for.
Can I move my Omnivore library to BookmarkForge?
If you still have an Omnivore export, it comes as HTML or Markdown files with your highlights and notes. BookmarkForge imports HTML and Markdown, so you can bring that content across.
Is BookmarkForge free?
Yes, BookmarkForge has a free tier with 500 bookmarks, smart search and export — forever, no trial. Pro is a one-time payment for lifetime access to v1.
Do I need to self-host BookmarkForge?
No — it's a progressive web app. Install it from your browser and your encrypted vault lives on your device.
What happened to my Omnivore data?
If you exported before the shutdown or still run a self-hosted instance, your data is safe. Omnivore provided an export window before the hosted service ended.
Ready to try BookmarkForge?
Start organizing your bookmarks today. Free forever, no account needed.