Compare Instapaper and LanguageTool: Which Extension is the Best?
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 | 8.8 Winner in this category |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 214,048 | 3,173,195 Winner in this category |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 657 | 16,550 Winner in this category |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | 4.1 ⭐ | 4.8 ⭐ 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 | 4.8 4.75 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 2.0M+Users Winner in this category |
| Edge User rating and stats for the extension on Edge browser. | - |  4.8 4.62 Average Microsoft Edge Store rating from the last 100 reviews 801.3K+Users Winner in this category |
| 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 | 4.7 4.58 Average Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store rating from the last 100 reviews 371.9K+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.  | 9.0 LanguageTool offers a comprehensive set of features that go beyond basic grammar and spelling checks. It supports over 20 languages, making it a versatile tool for multilingual users. The advanced grammar checks are particularly impressive, catching complex issues that many other tools miss. Compared to competitors like Grammarly, LanguageTool holds its own with unique features like custom dictionaries and plagiarism detection. Winner in this category |
| 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. Winner in this category | 8.0 LanguageTool does a good job of spotting grammar and style issues. However, it can take a while to process longer texts, and sometimes, clicking on suggestions causes the page to jump to the top, which can be a bit frustrating. 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. Winner in this category | 8.0 The design is clean and intuitive, making it easy for users to navigate and utilize the tool effectively. The browser integration is seamless, and the user interface is straightforward. |
| 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. | 9.5 The free version gives you the basics, but the premium version really shines with its advanced features. While Grammarly can be expensive, LanguageTool offers great value at a more affordable price. So, if you’re seeking a budget-friendly alternative to Grammarly, LanguageTool is a solid choice. 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 LanguageTool is very user-friendly, with a minimal learning curve. Most users will find it easy to get started and make the most of its features right out of the box. 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. | 9.5 LanguageTool takes privacy seriously. No account is required for basic features, and the tool ensures that user data is not sold or made public. This focus on privacy is a significant plus. LanguageTool states that it is GDPR compliant which makes it especially interesting for users in Europe. 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. | LanguageTool is a reliable and efficient writing assistant that supports multiple languages. Its advanced grammar and style checks make it a valuable tool for writers and professionals. While the premium version offers excellent features, the free version is somewhat limited. Overall, LanguageTool is a solid choice for anyone looking to improve their writing. Compared to Grammarly, LanguageTool holds its own, especially if you need to write in multiple languages. When it comes to writing in different languages, LanguageTool is the way to go. But if you’re only writing in English, Grammarly still delivers better results. |
| Our Recommendation | In our comparison between Instapaper and LanguageTool, LanguageTool came out on top, scoring 8.8. LanguageTool is the most widely used, with over 3 million users and 17k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews reflect our findings. Notably, LanguageTool has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.76, 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, LanguageTool is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you. | |
