{"slug": "redlib", "name": "Redlib", "category": "selfhosted", "category_name": "Self-hosted and home server", "description": "Open-source, privacy-focused alternative front-end for browsing Reddit.", "recommenders": 8, "commenters": 10, "warners": 0, "score": 7.986, "rising": 2.69, "first": "2025-12-06", "latest": "2026-10-09", "why": "HN commenters use it to read Reddit through public or self-hosted instances instead of the official site and app, often with redirect tools like LibRedirect or bookmarklets.", "why_is_quote": false, "has_verdict": true, "sentiment": {"recommend": 8, "neutral": 2, "compare": 0, "warn": 0}, "spark": [0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 2, 2, 1, 1], "listed": true, "loved": ["Public instances", "Official app alternative"], "caveat": "Read-only", "short_quote": "if I do want to mindlessly scroll, I just use redlib(hosted in docker or one of their public instances)", "icon": true, "domain": null, "github_repo": "github.com/redlib-org/redlib-instances", "official_url": "https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib", "pricing": "open source", "aliases": ["Redlib", "redlib"], "verdict": [{"text": "HN commenters use it to read Reddit through public or self-hosted instances instead of the official site and app", "cites": [{"id": 800280224, "item_id": 50017514, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50017514", "by": "DaSHacka", "date": "2026-10-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I recommend using redlib to view links now that they gate old.reddit.com behind an account", "excerpt": "I recommend using redlib to view links now that they gate old.reddit.com behind an account: https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib-instances/blob/main/instances.md", "context": "", "use_case": "viewing Reddit links", "switched_from": "", "story": "I think I found a planet nobody knew existed. I used Claude Code to find it"}, {"id": 789956080, "item_id": 49372255, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49372255", "by": "gib444", "date": "2026-08-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Alternative frontends", "excerpt": "Alternative frontends https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib-instances/blob/main/instances.md", "context": "", "use_case": "Reddit frontend", "switched_from": "", "story": "Old.reddit.com is now login only"}, {"id": 763975008, "item_id": 47748438, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47748438", "by": "abhikul0", "date": "2026-04-12", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "if I do want to mindlessly scroll, I just use redlib(hosted in docker or one of their public instances)", "excerpt": "When the app only shows posts that are more than 10 hours old even when sorting by \"hot\" and shoving down the algorithmic feed on the app's home page, how are people still using the app? Lately I've only been visiting a few subs that I'm interested in and keeping them open in safari with ublock; it's been a far better experience. This has drastically cut my reddit time now and if I do want to mindlessly scroll, I jus", "context": "", "use_case": "browsing Reddit", "switched_from": "Reddit app", "story": "Tell HN: Reddit now demands to know why you won't use their app"}, {"id": 785698625, "item_id": 49106164, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49106164", "by": "nunez", "date": "2026-07-29", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use Reddit through Eddrit and Reddlib front ends.", "excerpt": "I use Reddit through Eddrit and Reddlib front ends. I never use the official Reddit front ends unless I land into them by mistake.", "context": "", "use_case": "Reddit front end", "switched_from": "", "story": "The coolest use for the Vision Pro"}, {"id": 738768513, "item_id": 46173032, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46173032", "by": "wrxd", "date": "2025-12-06", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I also switched to use Redlib instances to browser Reddit", "excerpt": "I sometimes use a Tailscale exit node on a VPS I already had before. I also switched to use Redlib instances to browser Reddit", "context": "", "use_case": "browsing Reddit", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: How many people got VPNs in response to laws like UK Online Safety Act?"}]}, {"text": ", often with redirect tools like LibRedirect or bookmarklets.", "cites": [{"id": 792355680, "item_id": 49522230, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49522230", "by": "kelvinjps10", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use redlib https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib and librediret instead.", "excerpt": "I use redlib https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib and librediret instead.", "context": "", "use_case": "browsing Reddit", "switched_from": "", "story": "AnkiDroid: Google Play no longer allowing Open Collective donation link"}, {"id": 791090577, "item_id": 49443161, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49443161", "by": "mrtesthah", "date": "2026-08-26", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use proxy software like redlib and teddit.", "excerpt": "I use proxy software like redlib and teddit. The browser extension LibRedirect[1] makes these easy to use without conscious thought. They're read-only, but if you were going to post something, you'd have to sign in anyway. 1. https://libredirect.manerakai.com", "context": "", "use_case": "reading Reddit without an account", "switched_from": "", "story": "The service XCancel is stopped until further notice"}, {"id": 744409088, "item_id": 46525568, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46525568", "by": "reify", "date": "2026-01-07", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it automatically redirects to reddit.nerdvpn.de or redlib.privacyredirect.com. there are many others", "excerpt": "I dont use x, but I use this for redirects to reddit; I create a two bookmarks in a folder called redirects in the bookmarks toolbar for easy access. when I click on a link to reddit, I click on the bookmark and it automatically redirects to reddit.nerdvpn.de or redlib.privacyredirect.com. there are many others javascript:(function(){if (location.host.endsWith('.reddit.com') && (location.host !='new.reddit.com') ) lo", "context": "", "use_case": "privacy-friendly Reddit frontend", "switched_from": "", "story": "Firefox extension to redirect x.com to xcancel.com"}]}, {"text": " The only caveat mentioned is that it is read-only, so posting still requires signing in to Reddit.", "cites": [{"id": 791090577, "item_id": 49443161, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49443161", "by": "mrtesthah", "date": "2026-08-26", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use proxy software like redlib and teddit.", "excerpt": "I use proxy software like redlib and teddit. The browser extension LibRedirect[1] makes these easy to use without conscious thought. They're read-only, but if you were going to post something, you'd have to sign in anyway. 1. https://libredirect.manerakai.com", "context": "", "use_case": "reading Reddit without an account", "switched_from": "", "story": "The service XCancel is stopped until further notice"}]}], "praise": [{"label": "Public instances", "summary": "Many public instances are available, so you can use it without hosting anything.", "quotes": [{"id": 800280224, "item_id": 50017514, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50017514", "by": "DaSHacka", "date": "2026-10-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I recommend using redlib to view links now that they gate old.reddit.com behind an account", "excerpt": "I recommend using redlib to view links now that they gate old.reddit.com behind an account: https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib-instances/blob/main/instances.md", "context": "", "use_case": "viewing Reddit links", "switched_from": "", "story": "I think I found a planet nobody knew existed. I used Claude Code to find it"}, {"id": 744409088, "item_id": 46525568, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46525568", "by": "reify", "date": "2026-01-07", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it automatically redirects to reddit.nerdvpn.de or redlib.privacyredirect.com. there are many others", "excerpt": "I dont use x, but I use this for redirects to reddit; I create a two bookmarks in a folder called redirects in the bookmarks toolbar for easy access. when I click on a link to reddit, I click on the bookmark and it automatically redirects to reddit.nerdvpn.de or redlib.privacyredirect.com. there are many others javascript:(function(){if (location.host.endsWith('.reddit.com') && (location.host !='new.reddit.com') ) lo", "context": "", "use_case": "privacy-friendly Reddit frontend", "switched_from": "", "story": "Firefox extension to redirect x.com to xcancel.com"}, {"id": 789956080, "item_id": 49372255, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49372255", "by": "gib444", "date": "2026-08-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Alternative frontends", "excerpt": "Alternative frontends https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib-instances/blob/main/instances.md", "context": "", "use_case": "Reddit frontend", "switched_from": "", "story": "Old.reddit.com is now login only"}]}, {"label": "Official app alternative", "summary": "Commenters use it instead of Reddit's official front ends and algorithmic app feed.", "quotes": [{"id": 763975008, "item_id": 47748438, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47748438", "by": "abhikul0", "date": "2026-04-12", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "if I do want to mindlessly scroll, I just use redlib(hosted in docker or one of their public instances)", "excerpt": "When the app only shows posts that are more than 10 hours old even when sorting by \"hot\" and shoving down the algorithmic feed on the app's home page, how are people still using the app? Lately I've only been visiting a few subs that I'm interested in and keeping them open in safari with ublock; it's been a far better experience. This has drastically cut my reddit time now and if I do want to mindlessly scroll, I jus", "context": "", "use_case": "browsing Reddit", "switched_from": "Reddit app", "story": "Tell HN: Reddit now demands to know why you won't use their app"}, {"id": 785698625, "item_id": 49106164, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49106164", "by": "nunez", "date": "2026-07-29", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use Reddit through Eddrit and Reddlib front ends.", "excerpt": "I use Reddit through Eddrit and Reddlib front ends. I never use the official Reddit front ends unless I land into them by mistake.", "context": "", "use_case": "Reddit front end", "switched_from": "", "story": "The coolest use for the Vision Pro"}, {"id": 784454512, "item_id": 49028407, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49028407", "by": "Cider9986", "date": "2026-07-23", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use redlib so it wasn't an issue for me.", "excerpt": "I use redlib so it wasn't an issue for me. I was showing how my result trying to use the website is similar to the meme.", "context": "", "use_case": "browsing Reddit", "switched_from": "", "story": "So Reddit has decided that plain HTML is unsafe"}]}, {"label": "Redirect tooling", "summary": "Works with LibRedirect or bookmarklets that send Reddit links to Redlib automatically.", "quotes": [{"id": 791090577, "item_id": 49443161, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49443161", "by": "mrtesthah", "date": "2026-08-26", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use proxy software like redlib and teddit.", "excerpt": "I use proxy software like redlib and teddit. The browser extension LibRedirect[1] makes these easy to use without conscious thought. They're read-only, but if you were going to post something, you'd have to sign in anyway. 1. https://libredirect.manerakai.com", "context": "", "use_case": "reading Reddit without an account", "switched_from": "", "story": "The service XCancel is stopped until further notice"}, {"id": 792355680, "item_id": 49522230, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49522230", "by": "kelvinjps10", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use redlib https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib and librediret instead.", "excerpt": "I use redlib https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib and librediret instead.", "context": "", "use_case": "browsing Reddit", "switched_from": "", "story": "AnkiDroid: Google Play no longer allowing Open Collective donation link"}, {"id": 744409088, "item_id": 46525568, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46525568", "by": "reify", "date": "2026-01-07", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it automatically redirects to reddit.nerdvpn.de or redlib.privacyredirect.com. there are many others", "excerpt": "I dont use x, but I use this for redirects to reddit; I create a two bookmarks in a folder called redirects in the bookmarks toolbar for easy access. when I click on a link to reddit, I click on the bookmark and it automatically redirects to reddit.nerdvpn.de or redlib.privacyredirect.com. there are many others javascript:(function(){if (location.host.endsWith('.reddit.com') && (location.host !='new.reddit.com') ) lo", "context": "", "use_case": "privacy-friendly Reddit frontend", "switched_from": "", "story": "Firefox extension to redirect x.com to xcancel.com"}]}, {"label": "Self-hostable", "summary": "Commenters run their own instances, including in Docker.", "quotes": [{"id": 763975008, "item_id": 47748438, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47748438", "by": "abhikul0", "date": "2026-04-12", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "if I do want to mindlessly scroll, I just use redlib(hosted in docker or one of their public instances)", "excerpt": "When the app only shows posts that are more than 10 hours old even when sorting by \"hot\" and shoving down the algorithmic feed on the app's home page, how are people still using the app? Lately I've only been visiting a few subs that I'm interested in and keeping them open in safari with ublock; it's been a far better experience. This has drastically cut my reddit time now and if I do want to mindlessly scroll, I jus", "context": "", "use_case": "browsing Reddit", "switched_from": "Reddit app", "story": "Tell HN: Reddit now demands to know why you won't use their app"}, {"id": 792742866, "item_id": 49546429, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49546429", "by": "gotlou", "date": "2026-09-03", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "self-hosting my own instances of Nitter and Redlib", "excerpt": "Location: New Delhi, India Remote: Yes Willing to relocate: within India Technologies: Rust, C++, C, Python, Go, Postgres, MySQL, SQL, Linux, Nix, Java, C# R\u00e9sum\u00e9/CV: https://gotlou.com/resume.pdf Email: hi@gotlou.com Blog: https://gotlou.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saksham--mittal I'm a 2025 grad, and am looking for a good full time software engineering role. I've worked at Morgan Stanley as a fullstac", "context": "2025 grad seeking software engineering role", "use_case": "self-hosted frontend", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (September 2026)"}]}, {"label": "No account needed", "summary": "Recommended for viewing Reddit links now that old.reddit.com requires an account.", "quotes": [{"id": 800280224, "item_id": 50017514, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50017514", "by": "DaSHacka", "date": "2026-10-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I recommend using redlib to view links now that they gate old.reddit.com behind an account", "excerpt": "I recommend using redlib to view links now that they gate old.reddit.com behind an account: https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib-instances/blob/main/instances.md", "context": "", "use_case": "viewing Reddit links", "switched_from": "", "story": "I think I found a planet nobody knew existed. I used Claude Code to find it"}]}], "caveats": [{"label": "Read-only", "summary": "You cannot post through it and must sign in to Reddit to post.", "quotes": [{"id": 791090577, "item_id": 49443161, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49443161", "by": "mrtesthah", "date": "2026-08-26", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use proxy software like redlib and teddit.", "excerpt": "I use proxy software like redlib and teddit. The browser extension LibRedirect[1] makes these easy to use without conscious thought. They're read-only, but if you were going to post something, you'd have to sign in anyway. 1. https://libredirect.manerakai.com", "context": "", "use_case": "reading Reddit without an account", "switched_from": "", "story": "The service XCancel is stopped until further notice"}]}], "who": [{"by": "gotlou", "context": "2025 grad seeking software engineering role", "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49546429", "date": "2026-09-03"}], "tags": ["self-hostable", "for Reddit readers", "runs in Docker"], "use_cases": ["browsing reddit", "viewing reddit links", "self-hosted frontend", "reading reddit without an account", "reddit frontend", "reddit front end"], "compared": [{"slug": "libredirect", "name": "LibRedirect", "co": 2, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}, {"slug": "tailscale", "name": "Tailscale", "co": 2, "switched_from": 0, "switched_to": 0}], "makers": [], "threads": [{"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50002665", "title": "I think I found a planet nobody knew existed. I used Claude Code to find it", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49522896", "title": "Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (September 2026)", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49520022", "title": "AnkiDroid: Google Play no longer allowing Open Collective donation link", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49440770", "title": "The service XCancel is stopped until further notice", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49370911", "title": "Old.reddit.com is now login only", "mentions": 1}, {"url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49102774", "title": "The coolest use for the Vision Pro", "mentions": 1}], "sentiment_by_month": {"2025-11": {}, "2025-12": {"neutral": 1}, "2026-01": {"recommend": 1}, "2026-02": {}, "2026-03": {}, "2026-04": {"recommend": 1}, "2026-05": {}, "2026-06": {}, "2026-07": {"recommend": 2}, "2026-08": {"recommend": 2}, "2026-09": {"recommend": 1, "neutral": 1}, "2026-10": {"recommend": 1}}, "quotes": [{"id": 800280224, "item_id": 50017514, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50017514", "by": "DaSHacka", "date": "2026-10-09", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I recommend using redlib to view links now that they gate old.reddit.com behind an account", "excerpt": "I recommend using redlib to view links now that they gate old.reddit.com behind an account: https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib-instances/blob/main/instances.md", "context": "", "use_case": "viewing Reddit links", "switched_from": "", "story": "I think I found a planet nobody knew existed. I used Claude Code to find it"}, {"id": 792742866, "item_id": 49546429, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49546429", "by": "gotlou", "date": "2026-09-03", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "self-hosting my own instances of Nitter and Redlib", "excerpt": "Location: New Delhi, India Remote: Yes Willing to relocate: within India Technologies: Rust, C++, C, Python, Go, Postgres, MySQL, SQL, Linux, Nix, Java, C# R\u00e9sum\u00e9/CV: https://gotlou.com/resume.pdf Email: hi@gotlou.com Blog: https://gotlou.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saksham--mittal I'm a 2025 grad, and am looking for a good full time software engineering role. I've worked at Morgan Stanley as a fullstac", "context": "2025 grad seeking software engineering role", "use_case": "self-hosted frontend", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (September 2026)"}, {"id": 792355680, "item_id": 49522230, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49522230", "by": "kelvinjps10", "date": "2026-09-01", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use redlib https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib and librediret instead.", "excerpt": "I use redlib https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib and librediret instead.", "context": "", "use_case": "browsing Reddit", "switched_from": "", "story": "AnkiDroid: Google Play no longer allowing Open Collective donation link"}, {"id": 791090577, "item_id": 49443161, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49443161", "by": "mrtesthah", "date": "2026-08-26", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use proxy software like redlib and teddit.", "excerpt": "I use proxy software like redlib and teddit. The browser extension LibRedirect[1] makes these easy to use without conscious thought. They're read-only, but if you were going to post something, you'd have to sign in anyway. 1. https://libredirect.manerakai.com", "context": "", "use_case": "reading Reddit without an account", "switched_from": "", "story": "The service XCancel is stopped until further notice"}, {"id": 789956080, "item_id": 49372255, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49372255", "by": "gib444", "date": "2026-08-20", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "Alternative frontends", "excerpt": "Alternative frontends https://github.com/redlib-org/redlib-instances/blob/main/instances.md", "context": "", "use_case": "Reddit frontend", "switched_from": "", "story": "Old.reddit.com is now login only"}, {"id": 785698625, "item_id": 49106164, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49106164", "by": "nunez", "date": "2026-07-29", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use Reddit through Eddrit and Reddlib front ends.", "excerpt": "I use Reddit through Eddrit and Reddlib front ends. I never use the official Reddit front ends unless I land into them by mistake.", "context": "", "use_case": "Reddit front end", "switched_from": "", "story": "The coolest use for the Vision Pro"}, {"id": 784454512, "item_id": 49028407, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49028407", "by": "Cider9986", "date": "2026-07-23", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "I use redlib so it wasn't an issue for me.", "excerpt": "I use redlib so it wasn't an issue for me. I was showing how my result trying to use the website is similar to the meme.", "context": "", "use_case": "browsing Reddit", "switched_from": "", "story": "So Reddit has decided that plain HTML is unsafe"}, {"id": 763975008, "item_id": 47748438, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47748438", "by": "abhikul0", "date": "2026-04-12", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "if I do want to mindlessly scroll, I just use redlib(hosted in docker or one of their public instances)", "excerpt": "When the app only shows posts that are more than 10 hours old even when sorting by \"hot\" and shoving down the algorithmic feed on the app's home page, how are people still using the app? Lately I've only been visiting a few subs that I'm interested in and keeping them open in safari with ublock; it's been a far better experience. This has drastically cut my reddit time now and if I do want to mindlessly scroll, I jus", "context": "", "use_case": "browsing Reddit", "switched_from": "Reddit app", "story": "Tell HN: Reddit now demands to know why you won't use their app"}, {"id": 744409088, "item_id": 46525568, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46525568", "by": "reify", "date": "2026-01-07", "stance": "recommend", "quote": "it automatically redirects to reddit.nerdvpn.de or redlib.privacyredirect.com. there are many others", "excerpt": "I dont use x, but I use this for redirects to reddit; I create a two bookmarks in a folder called redirects in the bookmarks toolbar for easy access. when I click on a link to reddit, I click on the bookmark and it automatically redirects to reddit.nerdvpn.de or redlib.privacyredirect.com. there are many others javascript:(function(){if (location.host.endsWith('.reddit.com') && (location.host !='new.reddit.com') ) lo", "context": "", "use_case": "privacy-friendly Reddit frontend", "switched_from": "", "story": "Firefox extension to redirect x.com to xcancel.com"}, {"id": 738768513, "item_id": 46173032, "url": "https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46173032", "by": "wrxd", "date": "2025-12-06", "stance": "neutral", "quote": "I also switched to use Redlib instances to browser Reddit", "excerpt": "I sometimes use a Tailscale exit node on a VPS I already had before. I also switched to use Redlib instances to browser Reddit", "context": "", "use_case": "browsing Reddit", "switched_from": "", "story": "Ask HN: How many people got VPNs in response to laws like UK Online Safety Act?"}]}