What is Xtracticle?
Xtracticle is a free, open-source web tool that extracts content from X (formerly Twitter) and converts it into portable, offline-friendly formats. It is the best free alternative for saving X articles, unrolling Twitter threads, and archiving tweets before they get deleted.
Unlike Thread Reader App (which requires a premium subscription for PDF exports) or browser extensions that need installation, Xtracticle works directly in your browser with zero setup. It supports X's long-form article format, regular tweets, and multi-tweet threads (floods) with up to 25 posts per thread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Xtracticle free?
Yes, Xtracticle is completely free and open source. There are no usage limits, no login requirements, and no API keys needed. You can use it as many times as you want without any restrictions.
What formats can I download?
You can download content as Markdown (.md), plain text (.txt), or PDF. Markdown files are compatible with Obsidian, Notion, Logseq, and any text editor. You can also copy the Markdown content to your clipboard with one click.
How do I unroll a Twitter thread?
Paste the URL of any tweet in the thread into Xtracticle and click Extract. If the post is part of a thread, Xtracticle will detect it automatically and show a "Load Full Thread" button. Click it to fetch and merge all posts (up to 25) into a single, chronologically ordered document.
Can I download Twitter threads?
Yes. Xtracticle automatically detects when a post is part of a thread and offers a "Load Full Thread" option to merge all posts into a single document. It supports up to 25 posts per thread.
Does it work with X's long-form articles?
Yes, Xtracticle fully supports X's article format including headings, bold/italic text, links, images, blockquotes, and lists. This is a key advantage over tools like Thread Reader App that only support regular threads.
Can I save X articles to Obsidian?
Yes. Download the article as a Markdown (.md) file and move it into your Obsidian vault. The formatting (headings, links, images, lists) is fully preserved and compatible with Obsidian's Markdown renderer.
How do I save a tweet before it gets deleted?
Paste the tweet URL into Xtracticle and click Extract. Download it as Markdown, Text, or PDF to create a permanent offline copy. Your saved file will remain accessible even if the original tweet is deleted or the account goes private.
What is the difference between Xtracticle and Thread Reader App?
Xtracticle is free and open source with no login required. It exports to Markdown (.md), plain text (.txt), and PDF at no cost. Thread Reader App requires a premium subscription for PDF exports and does not support Markdown. Xtracticle also supports X's long-form article format, which Thread Reader App does not.