Compare Instapaper and PresentBoard: Which Extension is the Best?

	Instapaper	PresentBoard
	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 Web Clipper Reader Mode	PresentBoard is a customizable dashboard with widgets like calendars, to-dos, and weather. It's very user-friendly and regularly updated but still has a few initial bugs. New Tab Productivity
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	Customizable Widgets: Choose from various widgets like calendars, weather updates, and to-do lists. Dynamic Backgrounds: Personalize your dashboard with calming and dynamic backgrounds. Search Google & ChatGPT: Search for information using Google and ChatGPT right from your dashboard Enhanced Bookmarks: Improved bookmarks widget for easy access to your favorite sites. Calendar Integration: Seamless integration with iCalendar and Google Caneder for better event management.
Our Rating	8.2	8.9
Total users	214,048	1,000
Total ratings	657	18
Average rating	4.1 ⭐	4.5 ⭐
Entry Level Price	Free	Free
Chrome	3.8 542 ratings 200.0K+Users	4.5 18 ratings 1.0K+Users
Edge	-	-
Firefox	4.4 115 ratings 14.0K+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.	9.3 PresentBoard is characterized by its extensive range of functions and offers a variety of widgets to different requirements. The customizable widgets allow users to create their own dashboards. Starting with the home weather, personal backgrounds, the stock market prices of your shares, or simply your bookmarks. Everything can be individually arranged and visually customized. The iCalendar and Google Calendar integration worked perfectly in the test so that you can always keep track of your appointments immediately when you open a new tab. It is also worth taking a look at future updates, where PresentBoard has created a list of additional functions that users can vote on themselves to prioritize for future development. In our opinion, a decisive function that competitors have already partially integrated is the integration of ChatGPT directly as a widget in the dashboard.
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.	8.0 PresentBoard works reliably once it has been set up. Only when customizing the dashboard can minor problems occur. For example, occasionally clicking on the + symbol did not work, which is annoying when setting up. Occasional bugs reported by users in the reviews were actively fixed by the developers in regular updates. Overall, the extension delivers a good performance.
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 When selecting the design of PresentBoard, importance was placed on both the visual and the functional. Users have almost no limits when it comes to customizing the dashboard. Whether different backgrounds of the dashboard, colors and backgrounds of the texts of widgets or ready-made templates. With a little time, everyone can find the right design. In our opinion, the design only could only be a little clearer and more intuitive when it comes to adjusting widgets.
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.	9.5 PresentBoard offers extensive features for being free. Many features are offered for a fee by competitors, the ones here are free, making it a valuable tool for users who want to increase their productivity at no cost. Only the lack of some functions such as a directly integrated AI model is still decisive here compared to competitors. This is usually offered for a fee, but if it were also offered free of charge here, users would have an unbeatable price-performance ratio.
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.	8.3 There were no problems with the installation process of PresentBoard during the test. After installation, a new tab appears on which users are immediately shown the tutorial video and various sample templates. Great importance was attached to user-friendliness here. This also shows that you do not have to register to use the functions. You only need to log in if you want to save the self-created dashboard in the cloud to avoid losing it. When creating your own New Tab with the various widgets, can be overwhelming at first. Without the tutorial, not all of the diverse number of configurations are immediately self-explanatory. There are also small bugs, such as occasionally being unable to click on the + because the cursor does not accept it or when enlarging/reducing widgets that sometimes require several attempts. In summary, the extension is easy and intuitive to use with the help of the tutorial. However, anyone who wants to set up their dashboard without using the ready-made templates should be aware of the high initial time expenditure.
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.	9.0 PresentBoard takes user privacy seriously and ensures that data is not sold to third parties. The data protection regulations are described transparently so that users who value data security are in the right place. The only negative aspect is a security warning from Google when setting up Google Analytics. The application should still be checked here, if you continue to click that you trust PresentBoard, this has no influence on the later use, but this does not inspire good confidence for the user.
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.	PresentBoard is a new tab extension that offers a variety of widgets and individual customization options. This is exactly the strength of the extension that sets it apart from its competitors and should help everyone in everyday life. Small bugs are still present, but functional errors are quickly responded to and updates quickly fix the errors described by users. The announced updates, including the integration of AI, also give hope for further useful functions that competitors already have. Overall, PresentBoard is a good choice for anyone looking for a personalized and efficient browsing experience.
	Install Instapaper	Install PresentBoard
Our Recommendation	In our comparison between Instapaper and PresentBoard, PresentBoard came out on top, scoring 8.9. Instapaper is the most widely used, with over 214k users and 657+ reviews, but PresentBoard outperformed it in our review. User reviews reflect our findings. Notably, PresentBoard has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.50, 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. Looking for the richest feature set? PresentBoard stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, Instapaper lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.8. Performance-wise, both deliver: Instapaper and PresentBoard. In the Performance category, Instapaper has scored a good 8. It performs reliably, though it may not excel in all scenarios. Design lovers, take note: PresentBoard 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? PresentBoard stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Instapaper lags behind in this area with a rating of 8. If you hate complicated tools, PresentBoard stands out with a rating of 8.3. On the other hand, Instapaper lags behind in this area with a rating of 7. For privacy, it's a tie: Instapaper and PresentBoard. In the Security & Privacy category, Instapaper has scored an excellent 9. It offers robust security and privacy features that effectively protect user data. If you want a quick recommendation, PresentBoard is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.