Compare New Tab Calendar and Instapaper: Which Extension is the Best?

New Tab Extension transforms your new tab with integrated AI, calendar, and productivity tools. Easily manage your daily tasks right from your browser's new tab.
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
  • Integrated Calendar: Manage your tasks and events directly from the new tab.
  • ChatGPT Assistance: Get AI-powered assistance for scheduling, reminders, and more.
  • Customizable Interface: Personalize the look and feel of your calendar.
  • Sync Across Devices: Access your calendar from any device.
  • Task Management: Create, edit, and delete tasks with ease.
  • Event Reminders: Never miss an important event with timely reminders.
  • 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
Our Rating
8.7
8.2
Total users
26,826
213,507
Total ratings
2,779
655
Average rating
4.9 ⭐
4.1 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
4.53
2.8K+ ratings
20.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
3.8
2.68
541 ratings
200.0K+Users
Edge
Microsoft Edge Store logo
5.0
5.0
26 ratings
6.8K+Users
-
Firefox
-
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.4
4.39
114 ratings
13.5K+Users
Safari
-
-
Features
8.7

The New Tab Calendar with ChatGPT offers a robust set of features that go beyond the basics. Its integration with popular services like Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and various task management apps places it ahead of many competitors.

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
Performance
No rating
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.

Design
No rating
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.

Value for Money
No rating
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.

Ease of Use
No rating
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.

Security & Privacy
No rating
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.

Conclusion

The New Tab Calendar with ChatGPT is a powerhouse for those looking to enhance their productivity directly from their browser. While it might take some time to fully understand all its features, the benefits it offers make it a worthwhile addition for any power user. However, potential users should consider privacy aspects and the need for an account before fully committing.

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.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between New Tab Calendar and Instapaper, New Tab Calendar came out on top, scoring 8.7.

Instapaper is the most widely used, with over 214k users and 655+ reviews, but New Tab Calendar outperformed it in our review. User reviews for Instapaper reflect our findings, while we rate New Tab Calendar lower than users do.

Notably, New Tab Calendar has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.90, which is even higher than our rating of 8.7.

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, New Tab Calendar lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.7.
  • Need top performance? Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, New Tab Calendar lags behind in this area with a rating of 0.
  • Design lovers, take note: Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8.5. On the other hand, New Tab Calendar lags behind in this area with a rating of 0.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, New Tab Calendar lags behind in this area with a rating of 0.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Instapaper stands out with a rating of 7. On the other hand, New Tab Calendar lags behind in this area with a rating of 0.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Instapaper stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, New Tab Calendar lags behind in this area with a rating of 0.

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