Compare Instapaper and Urban VPN Proxy: Which Extension is the Best?

	Instapaper	Urban VPN Proxy
	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	Urban VPN Proxy offers a free VPN service with additional integrated functions such as adblocking. There are only concerns about the comprehensive data collection. VPN 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	IP Address Masking: Allows users to change their IP location to any of the 77 available countries. Ad-Blocking: Protects against annoying ads and mining websites. Encryption: Complies with the latest OpenVPN standards for secure browsing. No Additional Software Required: Easy installation as a browser extension. Free Service: Offers a vast network of 530+ VPN servers without a subscription fee.
Our Rating	8.2	7.4
Total users	213,362	6,449,749
Total ratings	654	55,436
Average rating	4.1 ⭐	4.4 ⭐
Entry Level Price	Free	Free
Chrome	3.8 540 ratings 200.0K+Users	4.7 52.0K+ ratings 5.0M+Users
Edge	-	4.4 930 ratings 1.3M+Users
Firefox	4.4 114 ratings 13.4K+Users	4.2 2.5K+ ratings 154.7K+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.	8.0 Several features are included in the free Urban VPN Proxy. The most obvious is IP address masking, which allows VPN access to servers in over 80 countries. An adblocking function is also integrated as an add-on, which reduces unwanted advertising while surfing and also protects against mining websites. However, advanced security features such as a kill switch or multi-hop connections, which are available in some premium VPNs, are missing here, probably due to the free version.
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.	5.5 The performance of Urban VPN Proxy was good at the beginning of the tests, the connection speed and server availability were also okay, but could be even better in our tests. Especially at peak times, when the server load is high, you notice a sharp drop in speed. After longer testing, the connection drops and throttled speeds became more and more frequent at peak times. The performance may still be sufficient for occasional users, but those who need a stable connection will not find what they are looking for with the free extension.
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.	8.0 The design of Urban VPN Proxy is clear and simple. Every user is immediately shown the basic functions and these can be switched on and off directly as required. The design could be a little more customizable and generally look a little more modern.
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 Urban VPN Proxy is free and has a good price-performance ratio. With access to over 530 servers without a subscription fee, it's perfect for any basic user. You also get additional functions such as adblocking for free. However, it should be noted and clear to everyone that you “pay” for the use by saving your tracked data through the extension.
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.	9.0 Urban VPN Proxy is a very easy-to-use tool overall. The installation process is quick and uncomplicated, and you can start establishing a VPN connection immediately after installation. Every user should have no problems with it, only the performance problems can cause some users to despair.
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.	6.0 Urban VPN Proxy offers basic encryption according to OpenVPN standards. Due to the VPN function, you initially browse the websites anonymously. At the same time, however, the service collects precisely this web browsing data for itself. The data is collected in an anonymized format. The browser extension also lacks a clear no-logs policy and other advanced security functions, which also affects the rating in this category.
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.	Urban VPN Proxy is a perfect choice for those looking for a free VPN service with basic features. It stands out for its ease of use and offers a wide range of server locations. The only drawback is the extensive data collection. After all, this is explicitly pointed out several times before use and active consent is required. Overall, the service offers good value for money. However, if you want to use a VPN because of the anonymity on the Internet, you will have to use a different option due to the extensive data collection.
	Install Instapaper	Install Urban VPN Proxy
Our Recommendation	In our comparison between Instapaper and Urban VPN Proxy, Instapaper came out on top, scoring 8.2. Urban VPN Proxy is the most widely used, with over 6 million users and 55k+ reviews, but Instapaper outperformed it in our review. User reviews for Instapaper reflect our findings, while we rate Urban VPN Proxy lower than users do. Notably, Urban VPN Proxy has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.44, which is even higher than our rating of 7.4. 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? Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8.8. On the other hand, Urban VPN Proxy lags behind in this area with a rating of 8. Need top performance? Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, Urban VPN Proxy lags behind in this area with a rating of 5.5. Design lovers, take note: Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8.5. On the other hand, Urban VPN Proxy lags behind in this area with a rating of 8. Best deal? You can't go wrong with either: Instapaper and Urban VPN Proxy. 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. If you hate complicated tools, Urban VPN Proxy stands out with a rating of 9. 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, Urban VPN Proxy lags behind in this area with a rating of 6. If you want a quick recommendation, Instapaper is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.