Compare Infinity New Tab and Screencastify: Which Extension is the Best?

Infinity New Tab (Pro) transforms your browser's new tab into a customizable dashboard. Features like AI integration, to-do lists, and personalized backgrounds boost productivity and user experience.
Screencastify is a popular Chrome extension for screen recording. It offers a range of features but has shifted many basic functionalities behind a paywall, affecting its overall value.
Key Features
  • Customizable Layout: Personalize your new tab with a variety of high-quality wallpapers.
  • AI Integration: Access to AI-4.0 mini in the free version, with advanced AI features in the Pro version.
  • To-Do List: Integrated to-do list with reminders.
  • Weather Updates: Real-time weather information.
  • Bookmark Management: Easily manage your bookmarks and frequently visited sites.
  • Data Synchronization: Sync your data across multiple devices.
  • Mobile App: Available as a mobile app and web page.
  • Record Desktop, Browser Tab, and Webcam: Capture any part of your screen.
  • Edit Video: Trim, merge, and add text directly from your browser.
  • Share Easily: Export as MP4, GIF, or MP3, and share via Google Drive or Classroom.
  • Interactive Questions: Add questions to videos to engage viewers.
  • Annotations: Draw on your screen in real-time to highlight key points.
  • Captions: Add captions in multiple languages to make videos accessible.
Our Rating
8.3
7.8
Total users
933,147
6,000,000
Total ratings
26,893
11,733
Average rating
4.8 ⭐
4.0 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.9
4.41
24.9K+ ratings
300.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.0
3.63
11.7K+ ratings
6.0M+Users
Edge
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.7
4.68
2.0K+ ratings
633.1K+Users
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Firefox
-
-
Safari
-
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Features
9.0

Infinity New Tab (Pro) offers many features that significantly enhance the browsing experience. In particular, the great possibility of customizing the layout and an integrated AI is a function that we no longer want to miss.

AI

Tools like the simple to-do list, weather updates, or that you see the number of unread e-mails are handy for every day.

to do
8.8

Screencastify offers a robust set of features, including screen and webcam recording, video editing and interactive questions.

Leaving aside the fact that many features are only available for a fee, it's fair to say that it offers a lot of features.

While recording, you can easily add spotlights and draw on the screen. The drawing tools offer a nice range of options, so you should have everything you need:

Drawing Tools

The subsequent editor also offers many functions where you can cut the video to your needs.

Here is what the basic editor looks like:

Simple editor of Screencastify

It recently also added an AI feature that automatically adds captions, transcripts, titles, and descriptions.

Furthermore, Screencastify offers another video editor when clicking "Edit Video" in the top right corner.

This will open up another editor where you can do some more video editing. Here is how it looks like:

Second editor of Screencastiy

In our opinion, this editor isn’t necessary if you already have your own video editing software, but it could be useful for some people.

We’re not entirely sure if this is just an older version of the original editor. However, we did discover that you can export videos to MP4 for free, thanks to an "Export" button that lets you do so without any limitations.

We’re not certain if this is intentional, but at least it works for us.

Performance
7.0

The extension runs smoothly without any noticeable impact on browser performance. There are deductions because links on the website to instruction videos were no longer up to date and due to bugs, among other things, no subscription was possible at the time of the test.

7.5

The speed has deteriorated considerably with the latest updates. This is probably because more and more functions, such as the AI function, are being added.

The tool has become slower, and creating links or accessing older videos takes longer than before. Many users have also complained about the performance in the reviews.

Design
9.0

The design is clean and visually appealing. The high-quality backgrounds and intuitive layout make for a pleasant user experience. However, sometimes you will maybe find the customization options overwhelming initially.

custom
9.0

The design is intuitive and user-friendly. We think that navigation is very intuitive despite the many functions.

Value for Money
8.5

While the free version offers many features, in our opinion the subscription model might not be ideal for everyone. The Pro and Premium versions offer excellent value for those who need advanced features, but the cost might be a barrier for some users.

5.0

As already mentioned, we are somewhat shocked by the limitations of the free version.

Especially if you have used the app in the past and can export videos for free. In addition, even with the starter package for $7, you are limited to 10 exports.

We find that many other providers offer much more for the money.

Ease of Use
8.5

The extension is straightforward to set up and use. The only thing you can get lost in for hours is the individual settings until you have tested every logo, arrangement, etc. before making your final decision for your layout.

8.5

Screencastify is easy to use, with a minimal learning curve. Even beginners can quickly get the hang of it. However, we find that recent updates have introduced some complexities that are not absolutely necessary for a screen recorder.

Security & Privacy
7.5

Infinity New Tab (Pro) is transparent about its data collection practices and offers basic privacy protections. However, it could improve by explicitly addressing user rights and third-party data handling.

8.0

Unfortunately, an account is required, which in our opinion is not necessary for Screen recorder.

However, Screencastify's privacy policy is very comprehensive and complies with standard data protection practices, including compliance with the GDPR and PCI-DSS certification for payment data. Screencastify takes reasonable security measures but, like all online services, cannot guarantee absolute protection.

Conclusion

Infinity New Tab (Pro) is a great tool for anyone looking for a free tool to enhance their browsing experience with customizable features and productivity tools. While it does have some problems, such as occasional data loss to many users after updates, it's a valuable addition to your browser.

We particularly liked the AI integration and the extensive customization options. However, the subscription model might not be ideal for everyone. Overall, Infinity New Tab (Pro) is worth considering if you’re looking for a new tab extension that offers many features for free.

Screencastify was a fantastic tool in the past, and we used to use it daily. Unfortunately, recent updates have made it less user-friendly by hiding key features behind a paywall.

For people who need a wide range of features, the tool is still an option. For others who just want to make a recording every now and then to export a video, Screencastify is unfortunately no longer an option.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Infinity New Tab and Screencastify, Infinity New Tab came out on top, scoring 8.3.

Screencastify is the most widely used, with over 6 million users and 12k+ reviews, but Infinity New Tab outperformed it in our review. User reviews for Screencastify reflect our findings, while we rate Infinity New Tab lower than users do.

Notably, Infinity New Tab has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.82, which is even higher than our rating of 8.3.

There are some noticeable differences between these extensions, so it's worth considering your priorities and the details below.


  • Looking for the richest feature set? Infinity New Tab stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.8.
  • Need top performance? Screencastify stands out with a rating of 7.5. On the other hand, Infinity New Tab lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.
  • Both look and feel great: Infinity New Tab and Screencastify. In the Design category, Infinity New Tab has scored an excellent 9. The design is both attractive and highly functional, making it stand out.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Infinity New Tab stands out with a rating of 8.5. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 5.
  • Ease of use? It's a tie: Infinity New Tab and Screencastify. In the Ease of Use category, Infinity New Tab has scored a very good 8.5. It is user-friendly, though there may be a small learning curve for some users.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Screencastify stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, Infinity New Tab lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.

If you want a quick recommendation, Infinity New Tab is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.