What you can expect from Stiva: features, limits, and the premium deal
I've already shared why I'm building Stiva as an antidote to information overload, and why I chose a one-time purchase model instead of yet another subscription. But beyond the core philosophy, I want to be transparent about what you actually get when you install the app. Here is exactly how Stiva works, what stays free, and what the Premium version unlocks.
What is free
My goal with Stiva is to build a calm, offline-first reading space. That means the core acts of saving, reading, and organizing your articles will always be free. You don't need to create an account to start. You paste a link, and Stiva scrapes the text and stores it directly on your device. Every article in your library is physically yours, stored in a local database, and ready to be read offline.
The free version includes:
- Unlimited library: save as many articles and bookmarks as your device can hold.
- Save from browser & Cloud Sync: send links from your desktop or mobile browser. To avoid subscriptions, Stiva doesn't run a backend; it uses your Google Drive or Dropbox as a secure bridge to sync articles.
- Cloud & Local Backup: export backups of your library to your device or your personal cloud storage.
- Individual Text-to-Speech: listen to any single article with background playback and lock-screen controls.
- Unlimited tagging: group and organize your readings with custom tags.
- Basic search: quickly find articles in your library by searching titles and domains.
- Custom Import: easily import your existing library and links from browser bookmarks or other read-later apps.
Web scraping is messy
Websites change, layouts shift, and HTML is often chaotic. I won't pretend Stiva will parse every single web page perfectly on day one—no read-later app does. But because I use Stiva as my primary reading home every single day, I am committed to refining the parser and chasing down layout issues as the web changes.
The parser is also smart enough to recognize paywalls. Stiva doesn't attempt to bypass or crack paid gates; it respects publishers' models. If a link is behind a paywall, you can open it in a secure in-app browser overlay, log into your account, and save the unlocked text. It simply lets you access what you already pay for, without the clutter.
If a page ever looks broken, your feedback goes straight to the person behind the app. Just me trying to make the tool better. And I will really appreciate your feedback.
What Stiva Premium unlocks
If the free tier is a complete reading library, Premium is for readers who want to retain what they read, collect key insights, or build a personalized audio feed. Because I don't charge a subscription, I had to decide which advanced features belong behind a one-time paywall. I didn't want the free tier to feel like a crippled demo, but I wanted to make the Premium unlock worth it.
Here is what Stiva Premium (Version 1) unlocks:
- Full-text search & filters: search through the actual body text of all saved articles and use advanced sorting.
- Articles playlist: queue multiple articles to play sequentially, turning your list into a custom, ad-free podcast.
- Immersive reading: use a customizable Focus Mode overlay that dims everything except the paragraph you are reading.
- Unlimited Study Tools: highlight text, save key quotes, write notes, and share citations. Free users can test these on up to 10 articles; Premium removes the limit and lets you search your notes.
- Unlimited Document Export: export individual articles as PDF or Markdown files (free users get 3 exports total).
A long-term tool
Whether you need a clean, local, offline-first inbox for your web articles, or simply a place to save important links, the free version of Stiva is all you will ever need. It has no ads, it doesn't sell your data, and it won't lock you out of your saved content.
But if you use Stiva to collect your thoughts, read deeply, or listen to playlists on long drives, the Premium unlock is a way to get advanced utility. It is a one-time purchase, and the features you unlock stay yours forever.
Stiva is built to be a long-term companion. The app is ready and functional today, but I have a quiet, steady roadmap ahead. I am constantly thinking about new improvements and refinements to make the reading experience better over time.
The app is currently in closed beta as I polish the final details. If you want to help me test it or want to know when it launches publicly, join the waitlist at stiva.app.
