Compare Instapaper and Toggl Track: 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
Toggl Track is a time management tool with strong features, competitive pricing, and user-friendly design. Its seamless integration with platforms like Notion offers many benefits.
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
  • Time Tracking: Easily track time spent on tasks with a simple start/stop button.
  • Reporting: Generate detailed reports to analyze productivity.
  • Integrations: Connect with over 100 apps for enhanced functionality.
  • Team Management: Collaborate with team members and manage projects efficiently.
Our Rating
8.2
8.3
Total users
214,048
318,492
Total ratings
657
1,696
Average rating
4.1 ⭐
3.1 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
3.8
2.67
542 ratings
200.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.4
2.20
1.5K+ ratings
300.0K+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
1.0
1.0
1 ratings
7.0K+Users
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.4
4.39
115 ratings
14.0K+Users
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.0
4.37
153 ratings
11.5K+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
9.5

In our tests, Toggle Track was found to have a diverse set of features suitable for both individuals and teams. The time tracking function is straightforward and allows users to start and stop it via a button.

start tracking

We were particularly impressed with how detailed the reporting function is. It gives you detailed insights into your productivity and time management to help you improve your efficiency.
Integrating with other applications, such as Notion or Todoist, is also very useful. This is a particular advantage, as processes from other programs can also be integrated, which is not possible with Toogl Tracker itself.

integration

Finally, it should be emphasized how Toggl specializes in larger teams and companies. With the team management functions, seamless collaboration is possible, where you can always see how much time and effort has already gone into a project.

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

In our tests, Toggl Track worked reliably and without any major technical problems on various platforms. However, some users reported occasional synchronization problems when switching between devices in the reviews.
The automatic start of time tracking also worked well, only an automatic stop, e.g. when closing the browser, would be desirable. In our test, the timer continued to run for hours because the task was forgotten to end when the browser was closed.

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.

8.3

The design of Toggl Track with its basic functions is clear and intuitive. The dashboard is well organized and provides quick access to the most important functions. When users get to the advanced features, the design could be a little more self-explanatory. It is currently a little confusing and users have to find their way around first.

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.

8.0

Toggl Track offers a free plan with basic features. If you only want to track your time and only do this on your own, you get a good time-performance ratio here.
However, if you want to use additional functions such as detailed analyses, the premium plans are necessary. For many who only want to use it as a time management tool, the price will probably put them off. If you need and use all the functions, the price-performance ratio with the comprehensive functions and integrations is perfect. For teams and companies, the investment can also be justified by the productivity gains and insights offered.

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.

7.0

The Installation and use of the basic functions are very intuitive. No user should have any problems tracking their times here. However, if users want to use the advanced functions, they will need to think a lot about it and take some time to understand everything. There is still room for improvement here so that every user can use them straight away.

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.

8.7

Toggl Track protects user data with standard encryption to protect information and offers options for two-factor authentication. The data protection guidelines are transparent so that everyone can read how their data is handled. The only point deduction is that it would be desirable to be able to control which data authorizations you want to assign yourself. This is also evident from user reviews.

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.

Toggl Track is a reliable tool for both individuals and teams who want to improve their time management. Its comprehensive functions make it an indispensable tool, especially for advanced users. However, the standard user might be a little overwhelmed at first. While it stands out for its numerous integrations, some users might find the price a little too high. Overall, Toggl Track offers good value for money for anyone who can handle its numerous functions.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Instapaper and Toggl Track, Toggl Track came out on top, scoring 8.3.

Toggl Track is the most widely used, with over 318k users and 2k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for Instapaper reflect our findings, while we rate Toggl Track higher than users do.

Notably, Instapaper has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.11, 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? Toggl Track stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Instapaper lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.8.
  • Performance-wise, both deliver: Instapaper and Toggl Track. 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: Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8.5. On the other hand, Toggl Track lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.3.
  • Best deal? You can't go wrong with either: Instapaper and Toggl Track. In the Value for Money category, Instapaper has scored a fair 8. It provides decent value for money, though there may be better options in its price range.
  • Ease of use? It's a tie: Instapaper and Toggl Track. In the Ease of Use category, Instapaper has scored an average 7. It is generally usable, but some aspects may be confusing or cumbersome.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Instapaper stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Toggl Track lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.7.

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