Compare Instapaper and Momentum: 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
Momentum transforms your new tab into a personalized dashboard with to-dos, weather, and inspiration. We tested it extensively and here's our honest review.
Key Features
  • Offline Reading: Save web pages to read later without internet connection
  • Text View: Clean, distraction-free reading experience
  • Highlighting: Mark important passages in your saved articles
  • Kindle Integration: Send articles directly to your Kindle device
  • Browser Extension: Quick save functionality across major browsers
  • Mobile Apps: Access your reading list on iOS and Android devices
  • Folder Organization: Create custom folders to organize your saved content
  • Personalized Dashboard: Customizable new tab page with to-dos, weather, and daily quotes.
  • Focus Mode: Helps you concentrate by displaying your main focus for the day.
  • To-Do List: Integrated task manager to keep track of your tasks.
  • Weather Updates: Real-time weather information.
  • Daily Inspiration: Beautiful images and quotes to keep you motivated.
  • Customization: Options to customize the background, widgets, and more.
Our Rating
8.2
8.7
Total users
213,362
2,667,916
Total ratings
654
14,708
Average rating
4.1 ⭐
4.3 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
3.8
2.70
540 ratings
200.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.5
4.25
13.7K+ ratings
2.0M+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.1
3.97
173 ratings
634.2K+Users
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.4
4.39
114 ratings
13.4K+Users
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.4
4.48
806 ratings
33.7K+Users
Safari
-
-
Features
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.

screenshot
8.5

Momentum offers a comprehensive set of features that are both useful and easy to use. The focus mode and to-do list are particularly standout features, but some advanced functionalities are locked behind the premium plan.

Performance
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.

9.0

Momentum runs smoothly without any noticeable lag or performance issues. It integrates well with various browsers and does not slow down your browsing experience.

Design
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.

9.0

The design is sleek and user-friendly. The customizable backgrounds in the premium plan and widgets make it visually appealing and easy to navigate.

Value for Money
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.

8.7

The free version offers basic functions for creating to do lists and occasionally using the focus mode. The premium plan offers considerable added value with additional customizations and integrations.

Ease of Use
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.

9.2

Momentum is straightforward to set up and use. The First Start Tour describes the basic functions to everyone in just a few steps so that you can work in a focused manner after just 2 minutes. The minimal learning curve makes it accessible for users of all skill levels.

Security & Privacy
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.

8.0

Momentum takes data protection seriously and offers the option of saving data locally. Nevertheless, some data is collected for functional purposes.

Conclusion

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.

Momentum is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to enhance their productivity with a visually appealing and functional new tab page. If you're okay with the basic features and don't mind the occasional upsell for premium features, Momentum can be a valuable addition to your productivity toolkit. With the premium plan, you can unlock even more customization options and integrations that can make your workflow smoother. Overall, Momentum is an excellent addition to any productivity toolkit.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Instapaper and Momentum, Momentum came out on top, scoring 8.7.

Momentum is the most widely used, with over 3 million users and 15k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews reflect our findings.

Notably, Momentum has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.33, which supports its strong performance in our review.

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? Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8.8. On the other hand, Momentum lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • Need top performance? Momentum stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Instapaper lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • Design lovers, take note: Momentum stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Instapaper lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Momentum stands out with a rating of 8.7. On the other hand, Instapaper lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Momentum stands out with a rating of 9.2. On the other hand, Instapaper lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Instapaper stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Momentum lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.

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