Compare one sec and A Fine Start: Which Extension is the Best?

One Sec is a browser extension designed to help you manage your time online by introducing a brief pause before accessing distracting websites.
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
  • Pause Before Access: Introduces a short delay before opening distracting sites.
  • Customizable Settings: Adjust the delay time and select which sites to monitor.
  • Analytics Dashboard: Provides insights into your browsing habits.
  • Cross-Browser Support: Available on multiple browsers for seamless integration.
  • 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
8.9
8.7
Total users
25,121
1,602
Total ratings
1,024
52
Average rating
4.8 ⭐
4.3 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.9
4.86
859 ratings
20.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.9
4.94
19 ratings
1.0K+Users
Edge
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.9
4.86
47 ratings
3.6K+Users
Microsoft Edge Store logo
3.4
3.4
5 ratings
368Users
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.8
4.74
118 ratings
1.5K+Users
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.6
4.65
28 ratings
234Users
Safari
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Features
7.5

The core function that One Sec uses to make users more productive is a pause before opening the website. When I open websites I have defined, such as Twitter, a gray page with a countdown appears. During this period, I was reminded that I didn't want to spend so much time on Twitter and asked myself whether this was intentional or just a reflex out of boredom.
This worked very well for us in the test and there were no problems.


It is also possible to adjust the delay individually. If you only need the reminder but don't want to be disturbed too much, you can set the timer to just one second, or several seconds if you prefer.


Finally, a useful function is the analysis dashboard. This provides analyses of your surfing behavior, showing you at a glance how often you try to open these websites during the day. However, we would like to see more analysis options here.


All in all, the functions are kept very simple; further options for time tracking would be an advantage here so that you don't need additional extensions. These functions are already available in the mobile app. One Sec is a good addition to existing time management extensions.

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
9.5

In our test, we did not notice any delays or slowdowns due to the extension.
Regular updates are also released to improve performance and fix bugs.

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
8.0

The user interface is clean and minimalist, and this also applies to the setup and settings. The extension offers an effective use of visual elements for taking a break by displaying a preset screen with a countdown. There would be potential for improvement here if the screen could be customized.

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
9.2

The browser extension is completely free of charge. However, you only get a small number of functions. For anyone who only needs the basic function, this is unbeatable value for money.

OneSec also offers an app with additional functions. At $4.99/month or $49.99/year, it also has a good price-performance ratio.

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
9.5

The installation process was quick and straightforward. This also includes the setup, which is very intuitive with clear step-by-step instructions. Everything is also well explained in the settings menu afterward, so everyone should be able to find their way around.

set up
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
9.5

Data usage is described transparently in the privacy policy, which places great value on user privacy.
This is also reflected in the fact that the features already work with minimal authorizations so that not much private data needs to be tracked.

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

One Sec is a tool that encourages mindful browsing by introducing a pause every time you want to access a distracting website.
Although it stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness, its limited functionality means that it should only be seen as a supplement in the area of time management. Overall, however, it is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their online productivity.

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 one sec and A Fine Start, one sec came out on top, scoring 8.9.

one sec is the most widely used, with over 25k users and 1k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews reflect our findings.

Notably, one sec has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.85, 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? A Fine Start stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, one sec lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Need top performance? A Fine Start stands out with a rating of 9.7. On the other hand, one sec lags behind in this area with a rating of 9.5.
  • Design lovers, take note: A Fine Start stands out with a rating of 8.2. On the other hand, one sec lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • Want to get the most for your money? one sec stands out with a rating of 9.2. On the other hand, A Fine Start lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.7.
  • If you hate complicated tools, one sec stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, A Fine Start lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.3.
  • For privacy, it's a tie: one sec and A Fine Start. In the Security & Privacy category, one sec has scored an outstanding 9.5. It provides top-tier security and privacy features, ensuring user data is exceptionally well protected.

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