Mozilla Ends Pocket and Fakespot in Push to Reinvent Firefox
Mozilla has announced that Pocket will officially shut down on July 8, 2025 , ending one of the most popular read-it-later services on the web. The company made the announcement on its official Mozilla Support website , explaining that this move is part of a broader strategy to focus resources on developing Firefox , its core product.
Alongside Pocket, Mozilla is also discontinuing Fakespot , the review-analysis tool it acquired two years ago. Both decisions reflect the organization’s effort to streamline operations and concentrate on building a faster, more privacy-focused browser.
Why is Pocket shutting down?
In the announcement, Mozilla explained that changing internet trends and user behavior have influenced its decision. It emphasized its unique position as “the only major browser not backed by a billionaire,” highlighting the importance of being selective with where it invests time and resources.
“Firefox is the only major browser not backed by a billionaire, and our independence shapes everything we build. This independence allows us to prioritize building products and tools which shape the future of the internet for the better. And it means we have to be intentional about where we invest our time and resources so we can make the biggest impact,” the company stated.
What happens next?
- As of May 22, 2025 , users can no longer download Pocket or sign up for new Premium subscriptions.
- Existing Pocket Premium subscribers will see their plans canceled, with automatic refunds issued starting July 8, 2025 for annual subscribers.
- Users have until October 8, 2025 to export their saved content. After that date, all data will be permanently deleted.
Fakespot shutdown timeline
- The Fakespot website, apps, and browser extension will stop functioning on July 1, 2025 .
- The Review Checker feature inside Firefox (based on Fakespot) will be disabled earlier, on June 10, 2025 .
Although both services were well-received, Mozilla noted that Fakespot failed to find a sustainable business model, while Pocket — acquired back in 2017 for an undisclosed sum — is now being phased out after nearly a decade under Mozilla’s ownership.
