5 free monitoring tools to inform yourself effectively

Last updated on February 23, 2025

In the world of education, it is crucial to keep abreast of the latest pedagogical developments, emerging trends and best practices. This is where I try to participate modestly with this website and with the free weekly newsletter La Lettre des Outils Tice. Not yet subscribed?

The monitoring, or active monitoring of information, is therefore essential. Fortunately, there are many monitoring tools free of charge to collect and organise information without paying a penny.

Here are 5 free and easy-to-use tools to ensure effective monitoring. These resources are well suited to teachers, education specialists and your students.

 

1. RSS feed readers: the information comes to you

RSS readers are valuable allies for the day before. They allow you to be notified of new posts from your favourite websites and blogs without having to visit them one by one. Information comes directly to you, saving you valuable time. Here are two free options to consider:

Feedly: a must of the day before RSS

 

Feedly is an online RSS reader, known for its simplicity and intuitive interface. The version for free monitoring makes it possible to collect, categorise and organise information in thematic files. Feedly also offers new sources of relevant information based on your interests.

If you need to follow several hundred sources or share your watch on social networks like LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter), a paid version is available. A free mobile application (Android and iOS) is also available.

Inoreader: a great feature-rich alternative

 

The Inoreader tool is another interesting option for the day before. The free version allows tracking up to 150 RSS feeds, saving important links and customising the interface.

You can also include it in Google News to follow specific keywords. Paid versions offer additional features, such as filters to reduce noise and duplicates. Inoreader also allows you to create standby newsletters to share with your colleagues.

The tool requires a larger learning phase, but you will be paid for your efforts. The inoreader I use on a daily basis is incredibly powerful.

2. Google Alerts: Don't miss any important information

 

Google Alerts is a good service to set up a simple free watch. It sends you emails as soon as a new web page corresponding to your keywords appears in the Google search results.

You can customize the frequency of alerts (immediately, daily, weekly) and choose the type of sources to monitor (news, blogs, books, videos, etc.). This small service, which is often ignored, can be dauntingly effective if Google’s own search syntax is mastered.

Search results can also be sent dynamically to an RSS feed reader, such as Inoreader.

3. Protopage: personalise an information dashboard

 

Protopage helps you create custom web pages. You can add RSS feeds, widgets, links and notes. This flexible tool brings all your information sources together in one place. The free version offers enough features for effective monitoring.

The simple and customizable interface is ideal for those looking for an easy-to-use tool and enjoying a visual approach to information.

4. Raindrop: capitalize and share your watch

 

Monitoring is not just about collecting information; it is also about organising and capitalising on it. Raindrop.io is an online favorites manager which allows you to save, classify and share web links.

After creating a free account and installing the browser extension, a simple click is enough to save any web page.

The use of precise and consistent keywords to describe each page is recommended for optimal organisation. Raindrop also allows collaboration with other users to enrich a common database.

5. Pocket: keep and view the information later

Pocket app is a web link backup service, complementary to monitoring tools. It is very useful for keeping articles, videos or any other content online and being able to view them later, even when you are not logged in.

Integration with many browsers and applications simplifies backup. Pocket also allows you to classify links with tags and share them.

An integrated search engine makes it possible to search for information from sources freely shared by other users.

Some Questions You May Be Asking Yourself

• What is the difference between Feedly and Inoreader? Both are excellent RSS readers. Feedly is easier to use. Inoreader, on the other hand, offers more features in its free version. For example, it integrates with Google Alerts.
• How to choose the right keywords for Google Alerts? Think about key terms in your industry, your competitors, innovations, etc. Test different keywords and adjust your alerts gradually.
• Is Raindrop.io suitable for team use? Yes, Raindrop.io allows you to create shared folders and collaborate to build a common database.
• Is Protopage easy to use? Yes, its interface is intuitive and customizable, allowing a quick start.

The 5 monitoring tools in summary

Tool	Main functions	Benefits	Weaknesses
Feedly	Reading RSS feeds, categorization, organizing into folders, source suggestions.	Easy to use, intuitive interface, mobile application, free functional version.	Limited features in free version (number of sources, sharing).
Inoreader	Read RSS feeds, save links, integrate with Google News, create newsletters.	Many features in free version, filters (paid versions), customization.	Interface potentially less intuitive than Feedly.
Google Alerts	Email notifications for new web content matching keywords.	Simplicity, adaptation to your specific needs in terms of frequency and sources, and above all, free of charge.	Depends on Google search results, can generate noise.
Protopage	Create custom web pages with RSS feeds, widgets, links and notes.	Flexibility, centralisation of information, free functional version.	Less modern interface than some competitors.
Raindrop.io	Backup, ranking and sharing of web links, team collaboration.	Pleasant interface, organization by keywords, browser extension, shared folders.	Requires the creation of an account.
pocket	Backup of web links for further consultation (even offline).	Easy to use, available offline, integration with browsers and applications.	Not dedicated specifically to the day before, limited ranking features.

These five free tools are a good starting point for a watch accessible to all. Start by exploring Feedly, Inoreader, Google Alerts, Protopage and Raindrop to set up simple but effective informational intelligence at no cost.

Adapt their use to your needs and integrate them into your daily routine to take full advantage of them. Remember Pocket to save important information and consult it later. Good watch.