Feedly is a news aggregator that most of all benefited from the closure of Google Reader. Born as a mobile service, Feedly has expanded its market later with a web version based on the cloud platform. Now the company has announced Feedly Pro, a premium version that offers additional features by paying a monthly or annual subscription.

Users can choose between two options, however the first 5,000 members had at their disposal an offer does not expire at $99. Now sold out. Feedly said in the official site that the first 5000 limited edition are all gone. Totaling $495,000, the funds will finance the hardware needed to make Feedly pro generally available and help support the next batch of features.

Feedly Pro integrates four main novelties. Those who subscribe to a subscription at $5/month or $45/year will be able to carry out research in the articles displayed in the RSS feed, save the feed with a click on Evernote, and enjoy a privileged treatment by the support team, which is the priority in case of technical problems. The last feature reserved for subscribers is on security. Feedly Pro allows you to use the service through a HTTPS connection. This unique feature, however, is rather questionable, as the company will not offer extra protection while browsing.

The premium features will initially be available on the web version of the service, but later will be extended to all platforms including mobile version. In addition, third party developers have access to the Feedly Cloud API to allow them to hook external clients into Feedly’s features. The company will release future updates based on feedback received from users and will continue to support the free version of the service.

Prior to the closure of Google Reader, Feedly had 4 million users. According to data released in May, this number has exceeded 12 million. Currently, the service processes more than 25 million of feed per day.

Feedly is developed by DevHD, which launched in 2008. The company promises to continue to develop new features, including the free version, and explained that the money raised will help purchase additional equipment and work in the upcoming features.

Staying afloat in an ocean of sinking RSS readers

Feedly made a strong commitment when it was positioned as one of the alternative to choose after the death of Google Reader. The news reader greatest strengths are the simplicity with which it is migrating all content to their platform and the availability of a native explanation for many platforms.

By positioning itself with a pay offer, Feedly is thinking long term and wants to secure its business with a new line of income, when other RSS feeds are sinking.

One of the most missed features of Google Reader was the possibility of a search among all your feeds, a handy feature if you were looking for something you’ve read. By offering same feature in Feedly Pro, the company sends a clear message that you are the customer and not the product.

Feedly co-founders Edwin Khodabakchian said the company’s vision is to create a platform that can enable you to consume this data more effectively, not just in Feedly but in tons of different applications. Today, the service has 30 API partners live on its Feedly Cloud platform, which is what allows other news reading products and apps to utilize Feedly’s backend for their own purposes.

The company is also open to suggestions. The co-founder acknowledged users’ interest in HTTPS, promising that it will be the first feature to be made free when the next iteration of Feedly becomes available.

Hopefully the strategy will help Feedly to get enough revenue to be profitable, which could ensure continuity of service.