Read by QxMD

Previously, I enjoyed reading articles on this app. Now, they appear to have added an undesired social media feature with comments. I especially dislike how this app now greets me by name in every article - it’s jarring and off-putting, coming from an app. After the update bringing these undesired features, I have yet to successfully load the full-text version of an article. It gets stuck on “Authenticating …” and just sends me repeated Duo popups that do nothing. Obtaining full-text used to be slow, but now it doesn’t work at all. The app now also annoyingly keeps trying to get me to follow new collections or key word instead of just letting me read. The distracting new features detract from what used to be a streamlined academic app where one could experience deep thought.

I use this app all the time if I need to find an abstract or article; it’s a lot easier than pulling up Pubmed on my phone or iPad. The only area for improvement I can see is support of Dark Mode, both for the app overall and for the screen that comes up when you save a PDF. Also for the last couple of weeks I’ve noticed that my badge count stays at 1 even if I’ve looked over all of the ‘new’ abstracts in my feed and subscriptions.

I’ve used Read for about 5 or 6 years and continue to be impressed. Once linked with library holdings there is no easier way to get and organize scientific literature in full text pdf form. On top of everything it’s still free. The only thing missing is a polished non-mobile platform (ie for my laptop). It’s there but there is definitely a stylistic and functional gap btw that and the iOS version. Still 5 star and highly recommended. Source: CT Anesthesiology Fellow at large academic institution/hospital setting.