Compare New Tab Draft and Matter: Which Extension is the Best?

New Tab Draft transforms your new tab into a distraction-free writing space, perfect for quick notes and to-dos. It's simple, effective, and completely free, but lacks advanced features.
Matter uses AI to help you read and listen smarter—transcribe podcasts, speed up audio, and organize content for faster, more effective learning.
Key Features
  • Simple Note-Taking: Create, pin, and lock multiple notes directly on your new tab page.
  • Local Storage: Ensures privacy by saving notes locally, not on the cloud.
  • Customization: Options to customize font and background.
  • Additional Tools: Includes calculations, auto-backup, and more.
  • Privacy Protection: No data is uploaded to any server.
  • AI Transcription: Convert podcasts and YouTube videos into readable text
  • Speed Listening: Listen to articles at 2x speed with natural-sounding voices
  • Service Integration: Connect with Kindle, Gmail, and popular note-taking apps
  • Content Organization: Save and categorize your reading materials efficiently
  • Cross-Platform Access: Access your content across different devices
Our Rating
8.2
9.0
Total users
13,006
20,000
Total ratings
1,176
29
Average rating
4.7 ⭐
4.1 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
4.44
1.2K+ ratings
9.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.1
3.75
29 ratings
20.0K+Users
Edge
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.6
4.53
16 ratings
4.0K+Users
-
Firefox
-
-
Safari
-
-
Features
6.0

New Tab Draft offers basic note-taking functionality, local storage for privacy, and some customization options. However, it lacks advanced features like rich text formatting and cloud sync.

9.2

Matter's feature set is imposing, offering a comprehensive suite of tools that enhance the reading and listening experience. The AI transcription capabilities are particularly noteworthy, as they accurately convert spoken content into readable text.

text to speech

The speed listening feature with natural-sounding voices is a game-changer for consuming content efficiently. The integration options with popular services like Kindle and Gmail make it a versatile tool for content management. The regular updates and improvements show a commitment to enhancing the user experience.

Performance
8.5

The extension is fast and efficient, with minimal lag or performance issues.

9.2

Matter delivers reliable performance across all its features. Content processing is fast and efficient, handling various file types and formats smoothly. The sync capabilities work reliably across devices, ensuring content is always up to date. The tool uses system resources efficiently, maintaining good performance even with multiple features in use. Response times are quick, providing a snappy user experience. The stability across different platforms is impressive, though occasional minor issues may occur during heavy usage.

Design
7.5

The design is simple and clean, with options for customization. However, it's not particularly aesthetic or modern.

8.8

The interface design is clean and modern, making it easy to navigate through different features. The layout is intuitive, with a clear hierarchy that helps users find what they need quickly. The mobile-responsive design ensures a smooth experience across devices. While the design is generally excellent, there's room for improvement in some areas of the mobile interface.

Value for Money
8.5

As a completely free tool, it offers good value for those who need basic note-taking features.

However, even though it's free, we don't see too much value in this tool. As there are similar free New Tab extensions out there, we can not give the highest rating.

9.3

The free tier offers substantial value, providing access to most essential features without cost. The premium pricing is competitive compared to similar tools in the market. Regular feature updates ensure that users get ongoing value from their subscription. The cross-platform access adds significant value for users who work across multiple devices.

Ease of Use
9.0

The tool is very straightforward with a minimal learning curve. Its simplicity is both a strength and a limitation.

9.0

Matter is very user-friendly, with a straightforward setup process that gets users started quickly. The controls are intuitive and well-placed, making it easy to access key features. The content organization system is logical and easy to understand. The onboarding process is helpful, guiding new users through the main features. The learning curve is minimal, allowing users to get the most out of the tool without extensive training.

Security & Privacy
9.5

All notes are stored locally, ensuring high privacy. There are no concerns about data being uploaded to the cloud.

8.7

The tool takes security seriously, implementing robust data encryption to protect user information. The privacy-focused design ensures that user data is handled responsibly. The company maintains transparency about data handling practices through a clear privacy policy. Regular security updates help maintain a secure environment. While the security measures are solid, some users might want more control over their data sharing preferences.

Conclusion

New Tab Draft is great for those who prefer a simple, no-frills note-taking tool. While it may not offer much beyond basic note-taking, its privacy features and ease of use make it a solid choice, especially since it's free.

User reviews are very good with an average of 4.8 stars in the Chrome Web Store. Many users love its simplicity and effectiveness. However, it might not provide enough value for those looking for more advanced features.

In our tests, we weren't fully convinced and found ourselves leaning toward more aesthetically pleasing New Tab Extensions that offer a few basic features.


Matter is a well-designed tool for increasing productivity. Its ability to change the way we consume content from text to speech is particularly ideal for those who need to process information quickly.

The free version offers enough functionality for casual users, while the premium features offer significant added value for power users.

Although there are some areas for improvement, Matter's core functionality and ease of use make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their reading and listening experience.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between New Tab Draft and Matter, Matter came out on top, scoring 9.

Matter is the most widely used, with over 20k users and 29+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for Matter reflect our findings, while we rate New Tab Draft lower than users do.

Notably, New Tab Draft has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.68, which is even higher than our rating of 8.2.

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? Matter stands out with a rating of 9.2. On the other hand, New Tab Draft lags behind in this area with a rating of 6.
  • Need top performance? Matter stands out with a rating of 9.2. On the other hand, New Tab Draft lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • Design lovers, take note: Matter stands out with a rating of 8.8. On the other hand, New Tab Draft lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Matter stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, New Tab Draft lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • Ease of use? It's a tie: New Tab Draft and Matter. In the Ease of Use category, New Tab Draft has scored a fantastic 9. It is very easy to use, with an intuitive interface that facilitates a smooth user experience.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, New Tab Draft stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Matter lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.7.

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