Compare Notebook Web Clipper and A Fine Start: Which Extension is the Best?

Notebook Web Clipper is a versatile tool for capturing web content. Zoho describes itself as the alternative to Evernote and is a great choice for creatives and productivity enthusiasts.
A Fine Start is a minimalistic new tab page extension for Chrome, offering a clean list of links, customizable themes, and optional syncing for a streamlined browsing experience.
Key Features
  • Web Clipping: Save text, images, and links as note cards.
  • Clean View: Clip articles without ads for a distraction-free reading experience.
  • Screenshot Tool: Capture and annotate screenshots directly.
  • Smart Cards: Convert links into smart cards for easy reference.
  • Meeting Notes: Take notes during online meetings with integrated tools.
  • Minimal Text Links: Presents links in a clean, simple list.
  • Groups: Organize links into customizable groups.
  • Drag-and-Drop Sorting: Easily rearrange links and groups.
  • Group Folding: Collapse groups to save space.
  • Dark Mode: Switch to a darker theme for low-light environments.
  • Multiple Themes: Choose from various themes to suit your style.
  • Restore Points: Save and restore your setup.
  • Optional Syncing Account: Sync bookmarks across devices with a premium account.
Our Rating
8.8
8.7
Total users
102,995
1,602
Total ratings
1,097
52
Average rating
3.9 ⭐
4.3 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.2
3.80
1.0K+ ratings
70.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.9
4.94
19 ratings
1.0K+Users
Edge
Microsoft Edge Store logo
3.4
3.09
13 ratings
32.0K+Users
Microsoft Edge Store logo
3.4
3.4
5 ratings
368Users
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.0
4.08
80 ratings
957Users
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.6
4.65
28 ratings
234Users
Safari
-
-
Features
9.3

Notebook Web Clipper offers a wide range of functions.
In addition to the general saving of websites, we found the highlighting and direct saving of sections of text and the cropping options for images very helpful. Annotation tools improve the screenshot functionality here.

screenshots

Another unusual feature is the clean view function, where an article is clipped and ads or similar are deleted directly from the clip so that only the desired important data is saved.

reader view

Other features such as the smart card functions and the integration of meeting notes are a plus for professionals, but should not be relevant for everyone.

There are still some advanced functions missing that can be found in the competition. However, these will probably only be missed by a few users.

8.0

A Fine Start offers features for users looking for a minimalist approach to managing their new tab. Organizing links into groups and sorting them via drag-and-drop allows for a tidy and efficient workspace to stay focused. Some functions must first be activated in the settings. For example, groups can be collapsed to hide sections that are not needed at the moment. In addition, all pages from an entire group can be opened simultaneously with one click.

New Tab


The optional sync account, available with the premium subscription, is a valuable addition for users working with multiple devices and ensures that their bookmarks are always up to date. Overall, the feature set is designed for minimalism. However, we still see potential here for a few more minimalist functions, such as a simple note-taking option.

Performance
8.0

In general, the extensions work reliably, but can occasionally have delays. In our test, even large clips were processed well and quickly. Regular updates further improve the stability here.

9.7

In terms of performance, we did not notice any problems during the test. No slow loading times or anything similar were detected, even when opening groups with a high number of bookmarks, these were always opened immediately. Overall, A Fine Start offered impressive performance here.

Design
7.5

The extension offers a clean and clear interface. In our opinion, however, there could be a little more customization options. Some users find the design a little outdated.

8.2

The design of A Fine Start is characterized by a clean and minimalist aesthetic that emphasizes focused work. The design is very intuitive and you can choose from basic themes, including dark mode. From our point of view, even though the design is meant to be minimalistic, it could be a little more customizable for the user. For example, it would be handy if you could move the groups around the website flexibly, as they can currently only be moved to certain predefined positions. A very rarely seen and positive aspect is a function in the settings. The extension offers the option of hiding the button for premium advertising and the footer on the New Tab page.

premium hide
Value for Money
9.5

The free version already offers extensive functions. The premium version adds even more functions. The price-performance ratio of just 19.99 dollars per year is almost unbeatable, especially when compared with price plans from other providers such as Evernote.

8.7

A Fine Start offers all functions in the free version, only the cross-device synchronization is an added value of the premium subscription. For most users, the price-performance ratio of the free version is therefore perfect. However, users for whom synchronization is important may wonder whether just this one function is worth the cost of the premium model. There is still potential here to include other minimalist functions such as those offered by competitors to offer even more added value.

Ease of Use
9.0

In our tests, the basic functions were intuitive to use. In addition, a clear tutorial is shown directly after installation. For more advanced functions such as shortcuts, you have to click your way through the extension, but this is not difficult. Existing Zoho Notebook users in particular should have no problems.

8.3

A Fine Start offers a straightforward setup process. The drag-and-drop functionality for organizing links is intuitive, allowing users to quickly rearrange their bookmarks to suit their needs. Setting up the required bookmarks initially takes a little time, and a function for transferring bookmarks already in the browser could simplify the whole process. The additional functions that are initially somewhat hidden in the settings may also not be found directly by all users.

settings features

Overall, the existing functions and the setup are easy to use, but there is still room for improvement.

Security & Privacy
9.3

Your data is encrypted by Zoho during transmission and at rest. There is also a clear data protection policy without selling data.

9.5

A Fine Start attaches great importance to security and data protection. The extension collects only minimal personal data and focuses only on what is necessary for the core functions. The privacy policy is transparent and makes it clear that data is not sold to third parties. The optional premium subscription requires an account, otherwise, not even an account is needed.

Conclusion

Notebook Web Clipper is a good tool for anyone who wants to increase their productivity by efficiently organizing web content. The integration with Zoho Notebook makes it a must-have for existing users of the platform. Due to its features and superior price-performance ratio, users of other current programs such as Evernote should also consider it as an alternative. Only minor design and performance issues could be improved. Overall, it offers good value for money, especially for those upgrading to the Pro version.

A Fine Start is a well-designed tool for anyone who just wants to have their bookmarks sorted on their new tab page. Its focus on privacy and user-friendly features makes it a perfect choice in this area. While the free version offers a wealth of features, the premium subscription adds little value. Overall, A Fine Start is a good choice for users who want to stay focused and have a New Tab page without a lot of distractions.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Notebook Web Clipper and A Fine Start, Notebook Web Clipper came out on top, scoring 8.8.

Notebook Web Clipper is the most widely used, with over 103k users and 1k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for A Fine Start reflect our findings, while we rate Notebook Web Clipper higher than users do.

Notably, A Fine Start has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.32, 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? Notebook Web Clipper stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, A Fine Start lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • Need top performance? A Fine Start stands out with a rating of 9.7. On the other hand, Notebook Web Clipper lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • Design lovers, take note: A Fine Start stands out with a rating of 8.2. On the other hand, Notebook Web Clipper lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Notebook Web Clipper stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, A Fine Start lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.7.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Notebook Web Clipper stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, A Fine Start lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.3.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, A Fine Start stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Notebook Web Clipper lags behind in this area with a rating of 9.3.

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