Compare A Fine Start and Sider: Which Extension is the Best?

A Fine Start is a minimalistic new tab page extension for Chrome, offering a clean list of links, customizable themes, and optional syncing for a streamlined browsing experience.
Sider is an AI browser extension that boosts productivity in reading, writing, and more. Trusted by 6M+ users, it offers features to optimize online activities.
Key Features
  • Minimal Text Links: Presents links in a clean, simple list.
  • Groups: Organize links into customizable groups.
  • Drag-and-Drop Sorting: Easily rearrange links and groups.
  • Group Folding: Collapse groups to save space.
  • Dark Mode: Switch to a darker theme for low-light environments.
  • Multiple Themes: Choose from various themes to suit your style.
  • Restore Points: Save and restore your setup.
  • Optional Syncing Account: Sync bookmarks across devices with a premium account.
  • AI Writing Assistant: Generates articles and enhances writing styles quickly.
  • Webpage Reading Assistant: Summarizes content and provides accurate information.
  • AI-Powered PDF Analysis: Summarizes and translates PDF documents.
  • Image Creating & Editing Suite: Generates and edits images with AI.
  • Group AI Chat: Supports multiple AI models for diverse interactions.
  • Smart Web Access: Enhances productivity with quick access to information.
Our Rating
8.7
8.7
Total users
1,602
8,095,228
Total ratings
52
111,722
Average rating
4.3 ⭐
4.9 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.9
4.94
19 ratings
1.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.9
4.80
104.1K+ ratings
5.0M+Users
Edge
Microsoft Edge Store logo
3.4
3.4
5 ratings
368Users
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.8
4.33
7.6K+ ratings
3.1M+Users
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.6
4.65
28 ratings
234Users
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Safari
-
-
Features
8.0

A Fine Start offers features for users looking for a minimalist approach to managing their new tab. Organizing links into groups and sorting them via drag-and-drop allows for a tidy and efficient workspace to stay focused. Some functions must first be activated in the settings. For example, groups can be collapsed to hide sections that are not needed at the moment. In addition, all pages from an entire group can be opened simultaneously with one click.

New Tab


The optional sync account, available with the premium subscription, is a valuable addition for users working with multiple devices and ensures that their bookmarks are always up to date. Overall, the feature set is designed for minimalism. However, we still see potential here for a few more minimalist functions, such as a simple note-taking option.

9.5

Sider offers a comprehensive range of functions and is designed to provide a solution for every possible use of AI. From AI writing assistance to PDF analysis, for example, it covers all areas for every blogger.

Creatives also get their money's worth here, whether creating images from text or editing photos, Sider offers these functions in just one tool and integrates the functions of other providers into your one tool.

Tools

The number of integrated AI models, such as GPT-4o, Claude, or Gemini, also stands out. This ensures that users have access to the latest technology.

AI Model

In summary, Sider offers almost all of the current possibilities of AI in one tool.

Performance
9.7

In terms of performance, we did not notice any problems during the test. No slow loading times or anything similar were detected, even when opening groups with a high number of bookmarks, these were always opened immediately. Overall, A Fine Start offered impressive performance here.

9.2

Sider generally performs well in the test with fast response times and reliable functions. The integration of multiple AI models ensures that users receive accurate and relevant information. However, there can be occasional delays, especially when using advanced features or at peak times. Continuous updates and optimizations could further improve performance.

Design
8.2

The design of A Fine Start is characterized by a clean and minimalist aesthetic that emphasizes focused work. The design is very intuitive and you can choose from basic themes, including dark mode. From our point of view, even though the design is meant to be minimalistic, it could be a little more customizable for the user. For example, it would be handy if you could move the groups around the website flexibly, as they can currently only be moved to certain predefined positions. A very rarely seen and positive aspect is a function in the settings. The extension offers the option of hiding the button for premium advertising and the footer on the New Tab page.

premium hide
8.5

The design of Sider is very user-friendly, and the interface is quite clear, so it's easy to find anything. The sidebar is great because you can access features without leaving the page. However, it might feel cluttered for some people as there are so many options. A sleeker design could improve the user experience.

Value for Money
8.7

A Fine Start offers all functions in the free version, only the cross-device synchronization is an added value of the premium subscription. For most users, the price-performance ratio of the free version is therefore perfect. However, users for whom synchronization is important may wonder whether just this one function is worth the cost of the premium model. There is still potential here to include other minimalist functions such as those offered by competitors to offer even more added value.

7.8

While Sider offers a free version with limited requirements, the premium plans can be expensive for casual users. While the feature set justifies the cost for power users, those who only need basic features may find it expensive. The availability of different pricing tiers offers flexibility, but an intermediate solution with a cheaper option could appeal to a wider audience.

Ease of Use
8.3

A Fine Start offers a straightforward setup process. The drag-and-drop functionality for organizing links is intuitive, allowing users to quickly rearrange their bookmarks to suit their needs. Setting up the required bookmarks initially takes a little time, and a function for transferring bookmarks already in the browser could simplify the whole process. The additional functions that are initially somewhat hidden in the settings may also not be found directly by all users.

settings features

Overall, the existing functions and the setup are easy to use, but there is still room for improvement.

9.0

In our tests, Sider was easy to use without having to learn how to use it. The tooltips and instructions help you get started right away. It works well in our tests with popular browsers such as Chrome and Edge, which are quick to install and use. However, if you want to delve into the advanced functions, it can take a while to get to grips with everything. Basic users might be a little overwhelmed here.

Security & Privacy
9.5

A Fine Start attaches great importance to security and data protection. The extension collects only minimal personal data and focuses only on what is necessary for the core functions. The privacy policy is transparent and makes it clear that data is not sold to third parties. The optional premium subscription requires an account, otherwise, not even an account is needed.

8.0

Sider stores the data on Amazon's US servers. The data protection guidelines are transparent and users have control over their data. However, usage data is collected for analysis purposes, which not every user will find acceptable. The assurance that data is never passed on and no spam messages are sent is a positive aspect.

Conclusion

A Fine Start is a well-designed tool for anyone who just wants to have their bookmarks sorted on their new tab page. Its focus on privacy and user-friendly features makes it a perfect choice in this area. While the free version offers a wealth of features, the premium subscription adds little value. Overall, A Fine Start is a good choice for users who want to stay focused and have a New Tab page without a lot of distractions.

Sider is an AI tool that can significantly increase user productivity across multiple platforms. The high number of features, from writing assistance to image editing, makes it a versatile choice for truly anyone. Although it excels in many areas, there is still room for improvement. In particular, the sometimes high prices will put normal users off. Overall, Sider is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to combine almost all the possibilities of AI in one tool and is willing to pay for it.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between A Fine Start and Sider, all extensions performed equally well, each scoring 8.7.

Sider is the most widely used, with over 8 million users and 112k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for A Fine Start reflect our findings, while we rate Sider lower than users do.

Notably, Sider has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.86, which is even higher than our rating of 8.7.

In the end, the differences between these extensions are minimal, so your choice may come down to personal preference or specific features.


  • Looking for the richest feature set? Sider stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, A Fine Start lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • Need top performance? A Fine Start stands out with a rating of 9.7. On the other hand, Sider lags behind in this area with a rating of 9.2.
  • Design lovers, take note: Sider stands out with a rating of 8.5. On the other hand, A Fine Start lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.2.
  • Want to get the most for your money? A Fine Start stands out with a rating of 8.7. On the other hand, Sider lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.8.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Sider stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, A Fine Start lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.3.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, A Fine Start stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Sider lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.

There's no single winner, so check the categories above to find your best fit.