Instapaper lets you save, organize, and highlight articles, videos, and web pages for offline reading. Features include folders, Kindle sync, text-to-speech, and mobile apps | ||
Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each extension. |
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Our Rating Tooltivity's expert review score for each extension, based on hands-on testing and research. | 8.2 | 9.0 Winner in this category |
Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 214,048 Winner in this category | 50,000 |
Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 657 Winner in this category | 142 |
Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | 4.1 ⭐ | 5.0 ⭐ Winner in this category |
Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the extension. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
Chrome User rating and stats for the extension on Chrome browser. | ![]() 3.8 2.67 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 200.0K+Users | ![]() 5.0 4.98 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 50.0K+Users Winner in this category |
Edge User rating and stats for the extension on Edge browser. | - | - |
Firefox User rating and stats for the extension on Firefox browser. | ![]() 4.4 4.39 Average Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store rating from the last 100 reviews 14.0K+Users Winner in this category | - |
Safari User rating and stats for the extension on Safari browser. | - | - |
Features Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each extension. | 8.8 Instapaper's feature set is impressive in its core functionality. The service excels at its primary purpose of saving and reading web content offline. The text view feature provides an excellent reading experience, stripping away distractions and presenting content in a clean, readable format. The highlighting and note-taking capabilities are useful tools for active readers, though they could benefit from some refinement. The Kindle integration works seamlessly, making it easy to transfer articles to your e-reader. Mobile apps offer reliable synchronization across devices, ensuring your reading list is always up to date. However, the service lacks some modern features like social sharing that competitors offer. The search functionality in the free tier is somewhat basic, and customization options are more limited compared to other services in this space. ![]() Winner in this category | 8.8 The AI writing aid worked very well in the test with emails, customer responses, and short formats. We particularly liked the dynamic templates, which adapt according to user input. The extension can therefore be adapted for both commercial use, such as quickly replying to emails, and for everyday private use. From summaries to social media texts, this helped enormously in the test. In particular, learners such as students should have a special added value here, for example, through summaries that can be created quickly. ![]()
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Performance Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each extension. | 8.0 Instapaper’s performance is strong overall, but the initial setup leaves much to be desired. After installing the Chrome extension, there was no response or prompt—no indication that any further action was needed. It wasn’t until we read a user review that we realized we had to manually visit the Instapaper website and log in. Without that information, we likely would have assumed the extension was broken and uninstalled it. Once past that rocky start, however, the service works reliably. Web pages save quickly, and saved content loads without issue. Offline access is stable, and synchronization across devices keeps your reading list up to date. The mobile apps offer smooth performance and quick navigation, while the text view provides a responsive and comfortable reading experience. The search function is usable, though slightly slow at times. Despite the poor onboarding, Instapaper delivers solid functionality once everything is properly set up. | 8.9 In our test, AI Blaze worked reliably on most websites and in various applications. The only thing that was immediately noticeable at the beginning was that the functions do not work in the Chrome Store, so websites may prevent access for the extension, but this did not otherwise occur in the test. ![]() The text expansion works immediately, and the AI-controlled functions generally respond quickly, depending on the model selected. When using the most advanced AI models for complex tasks, there were occasional short delays, but these were minimal. Winner in this category |
Design Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each extension. | 8.5 The design of Instapaper focuses on simplicity and readability. The interface is clean and minimalist, putting the content front and center. The text view is particularly well-designed, offering a comfortable reading experience with good typography and spacing. The mobile apps follow their respective platform design guidelines, providing a native feel on both iOS and Android. The browser extension maintains this simplicity with a straightforward interface. However, some UI elements feel dated and could use a refresh. While the reading experience is consistent across platforms, the navigation could be more intuitive in some areas. The limited customization options might disappoint users who prefer more control over their reading environment. | 8.8 The clear, intuitive user interface should also make AI Blaze possible for private users who are not so tech-savvy. The integration into the sidebar is very well done and offers a seamless integration into the design of the browser. Winner in this category |
Value for Money Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each extension. | 8.0 The pricing structure of Instapaper offers a basic free tier that's functional but limited. The premium features are reasonably priced, offering good value for heavy readers. The pricing is competitive compared to alternatives in the market. However, some features that are currently premium could potentially be included in the free tier to provide more value to basic users. The annual subscription offers good savings for committed users. While the premium features are well-implemented, the free tier could offer more value to attract new users and provide a better experience for casual users. | 9.0 In this area, a clear distinction must be made between private and commercial users. For the private user, AI Blaze already offers enough functionality for most people in the free plan. Here we also appreciate the Academic Edition, which offers students and teachers extended, free access. The Pro plan could be too high for private users at $20/month with annual billing. For businesses, however, AI Blaze's Pro plan offers exceptional value compared to similar productivity tools. The time savings alone can justify the investment for most users. For those who want to work in teams, AI Blaze offers the Business plan for $24/user/month. This includes additional comprehensive functions for collaboration and improved communication processes. Compared to alternatives, AI Blaze offers a competitive feature set at a reasonable price for businesses. The ROI is clear after just a few days of regular use, especially for those who frequently write similar messages. Winner in this category |
Ease of Use Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each extension. | 7.0 Instapaper’s setup process is not beginner-friendly. After installing the browser extension, there was no response or guidance—no prompt, login window, or confirmation. We had to manually visit the website and log in, something we only discovered thanks to a tip in another user’s review. Without that, we likely would have uninstalled the extension, assuming it didn’t work. However, once logged in, the service functions smoothly. Saving content is quick, the interface is clean and intuitive, and managing your reading list is simple and efficient. | 9.0 For basic functions such as using templates and simple shortcuts, AI Blaze is extremely straightforward. New users can start using the ready-made templates within minutes, and they are well-explained. If you don't want to use the predefined shortcuts, you can create your own commands immediately, which makes it easier to remember the shortcuts in everyday life. We found the shortcuts intuitive and time-saving once you have memorized them. The search function makes it easy to find the right snippet quickly, even as the library grows. The advanced functions do require a certain amount of learning, but the basic functions are easily accessible straight away. Winner in this category |
Security & Privacy Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each extension. | 9.0 Instapaper takes user privacy and security seriously. The service maintains a clear and transparent privacy policy, explicitly stating that user data is not sold to third parties. The company has demonstrated a strong commitment to user privacy through its GDPR compliance and Privacy Shield certification. Data storage is secure, and the service regularly updates its security measures. The data collection practices are transparent, with clear explanations of what information is collected and how it's used. This high level of attention to privacy and security makes Instapaper a trustworthy choice for users concerned about their data. | 9.7 AI Blaze takes security very seriously and holds a SOC 2 certification, which confirms that a company has implemented appropriate controls and procedures for IT systems, data protection, and data security. The company's privacy policies are transparent from the user's perspective in terms of how data is handled, and no user data is sold to third parties. The Business and Enterprise plans offer additional security features such as SAML SSO integration and audit logs. Choosing between different AI models gives users more control over their data. The company is transparent about its use of cookies and analytics and provides clear options for managing settings. There is also the option to allow the extension only to use marked areas for answers, normally, the AI uses the entire website content to have a better data basis. ![]() Winner in this category |
Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each extension. | Instapaper is a reliable “read-it-later” service that is characterized by its core features. The service has maintained its position in the market by focusing on what matters most to readers: a clean, distraction-free reading experience and reliable offline access to stored content. While it doesn't offer the breadth of features of some newer competitors, its simplicity and reliability make it a solid choice for those who primarily want to save articles and read offline. Recent issues with the Chrome extension and some user complaints about the save feature need to be addressed, but the core service remains stable and useful. For users who appreciate a simple, straightforward approach to saving and reading web content, Instapaper remains a good choice. However, those looking for advanced features or a more modern interface should look for alternatives. | AI Blaze shows that it is an impressive productivity tool that delivers on its promise of saving time and optimizing communication. The user interface is intuitive and well-designed, making it accessible even for those without experience with AI tools. You can tell that companies in particular are also a target group. The ability to customize templates and train the AI to match your brand's voice is particularly valuable here. While the free version is somewhat limited, the affordable pricing of the paid plans makes it accessible to businesses of all sizes. The time savings alone justify the investment for teams that frequently send similar messages or create repetitive content. Individuals, however, may find it too expensive. |
Our Recommendation | In our comparison between Instapaper and AI Blaze, AI Blaze came out on top, scoring 9. Instapaper is the most widely used, with over 214k users and 657+ reviews, but AI Blaze outperformed it in our review. User reviews reflect our findings. Notably, AI Blaze has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.99, which supports its strong performance in our review. There are some noticeable differences between these extensions, so it's worth considering your priorities and the details below.
If you want a quick recommendation, AI Blaze is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you. |