Compare Raindrop.io and Tab Notes: Which Extension is the Best?

Raindrop.io lets you save, organize, and access bookmarks on any device. Features include highlights, annotations, and full-text search for easy web content management.
Tab Notes lets you jot down notes right in your browser tabs. It's got an easy-to-use interface and works smoothly, making it a great tool for anyone looking to boost their productivity.
Key Features
  • Full-Text Search: Search through the entire content of saved web pages and PDFs
  • Cross-Platform Sync: Access your bookmarks from any browser or device
  • Highlighting & Annotations: Mark important parts of web pages and add notes
  • Collections & Tags: Organize content with customizable collections and smart tags
  • Permanent Library: Keep copies of web pages even if they're taken down
  • Team Collaboration: Share collections with team members or make them public
  • In-Browser Note-Taking: Tab Notes excels in allowing users to take notes directly within their browser, eliminating the need to switch between applications.
  • Synchronization: The ability to sync notes across multiple devices ensures that users have access to their notes wherever they go, though this feature is limited to the premium version.
  • Customizable Interface: While the interface is clean and user-friendly, it offers limited customization options, which could be expanded to enhance user experience.
  • Open Source: The code can be read in full on GitHub
Our Rating
8.9
7.9
Total users
737,567
1,454
Total ratings
1,801
39
Average rating
4.3 ⭐
4.8 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.1
4.30
734 ratings
300.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
5.0
5.0
7 ratings
1.0K+Users
Edge
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.5
4.49
44 ratings
106.4K+Users
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Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.3
4.34
289 ratings
31.2K+Users
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.6
4.63
32 ratings
454Users
Safari
-
-
Features
9.0

Raindrop.io offers an exceptional set of features that go far beyond basic bookmarking. The full-text search capability is particularly impressive, allowing users to find content within saved pages. The highlighting and annotation tools are well-implemented, making it easy to mark important sections of web pages. The team collaboration features are robust, and the permanent library feature ensures you never lose access to important content. Cross-platform sync works seamlessly, and the availability of browser extensions for all major browsers and mobile apps makes it accessible everywhere. The API access for developers and custom domains for public collections add significant value for power users.

7.0

In our tests, the functions of Tab Notes proved to be ideal for quickly creating notes directly in the browser. If you need to develop ideas or jot down information quickly while browsing, you don't have to jump back and forth between apps.

notes

Notes can be synchronized across different devices with GitHub gists to keep everything in one place.

There is a dark and light mode function, but we would like to see more customization options here.

The option to access your notes offline can also be an advantage. This also includes the export function, where the notes are exported as a text file.

txt

Functions such as “Customize: Edit font, font size and more” and “Styled text: Make your text bold, italicized or underlined.” are listed as features on Github. These were not found in our tests in the extension on Chrome and Firefox. We feel that this function is important to be able to structure the notes a little, which would further improve the extension.

Performance
9.0

The performance of Raindrop.io is generally excellent. Bookmark saving is fast and reliable, search results are quick, and sync works efficiently across devices. The mobile app performs well, though there's room for improvement in some areas. Resource usage is efficient, and the browser extension is stable. Page loading is quick, though users might occasionally experience sync delays. Overall, the performance is solid and reliable for daily use.

7.5

In terms of performance, Tab Notes is fast and responsive. It doesn't take up any resources, so your browser runs smoothly. Only the settings selection page didn't work for us. Selected options could not be saved here.

Design
8.0

The interface design of Raindrop.io is clean, modern, and professional. The browser extension is intuitive and easy to use, while the web interface offers a responsive design that works well on all devices. The collections view is well-organized, and the visual hierarchy helps users navigate their bookmarks efficiently. The design is consistent across different platforms, though some users might wish for more customization options. The overall aesthetic is polished and user-friendly, though there's room for improvement in terms of personalization.

8.0

The user interface is very clear and easy to use. We had no problems finding my way around and using the tool. In our test, we noticed that we would like to see a few more themes and color options. The layout is intentionally simple to minimize distractions, but it would be important to have different layout options for the font.

Value for Money
9.3

Raindrop.io offers good value for money, particularly for users who need its advanced features. The free tier, while limited, is sufficient for basic bookmarking needs. The Pro plan is competitively priced, especially with the annual discount option. The comprehensive feature set justifies the cost for power users, and regular updates show ongoing development. The support is responsive and helpful.

8.0

The price-performance ratio of Tab Notes is fine. The extension is completely free. Compared to other free tools, however, the functions and customization options are somewhat limited. However, if you are looking for a simple extension for short notes without any frills, you will find it here.

Ease of Use
8.7

Raindrop.io excels in user-friendliness. The installation process is straightforward, and the browser extension is intuitive to use. The interface is easy to understand, even for new users, and saving bookmarks is quick and efficient. The organization system is logical and straightforward, and the keyboard shortcuts are well-implemented. The onboarding experience is smooth, and features are easily discoverable. The tool manages to pack powerful features while maintaining an accessible interface.

8.2

We found Tab Notes to be super easy to use. Installation and subsequent navigation is a breeze, and you can get started straight away without needing a manual. Due to the small number of functions, it is suitable for anyone, no matter how tech-savvy they are, to take simple notes. Only the non-functioning of the settings page can confuse new users.

Security & Privacy
9.5

Security and privacy are priorities for Raindrop.io. The implementation of 256-bit encryption ensures data is well-protected during sync. The company's commitment to not selling user data is reassuring, and the private-by-default approach respects user privacy. The privacy policy is clear and transparent, and the service is GDPR compliant. Regular security updates and a secure sync process demonstrate an ongoing commitment to user security. The handling of user data is transparent and trustworthy.

8.5

Tab Notes uses standard encryption to protect your data. Advanced security options are not available. The privacy policy is also kept very simple and does not provide detailed information about data management. In general, the basic security and data protection guidelines are adhered to, but in our opinion they could be presented in more detail.

Conclusion

Raindrop.io is a versatile and powerful bookmark manager. The successful combination of feature-rich configuration and intuitive user interface makes the tool the first choice for both occasional users and power users.

Thanks to its cross-platform availability, users have access to their bookmarks anytime and anywhere. The free version with its partially limited range of functions will be enough for many users, while the Pro plan offers excellent value for money for all others.

Particularly noteworthy is the ability to save not just links, but complete websites, supplemented by practical functions such as markers and annotations. This makes Raindrop.io ideal for both students and professionals who regularly need to organize, comment on, and archive web content.

Tab Notes is a good tool for anyone who wants to write down ideas as a note as quickly as possible without having to sort them out too much.

Its intuitive and simple design increases productivity by reducing distractions when you just want to make a quick note. It could still be improved in areas such as customization and the number of features.

Overall, it's worth considering for anyone who wants to quickly collect notes and possibly sort them into another application later.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Raindrop.io and Tab Notes, Raindrop.io came out on top, scoring 8.9.

Raindrop.io is the most widely used, with over 738k users and 2k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for Raindrop.io reflect our findings, while we rate Tab Notes lower than users do.

Notably, Tab Notes has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.80, which is even higher than our rating of 7.9.

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? Raindrop.io stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.
  • Need top performance? Raindrop.io stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Both look and feel great: Raindrop.io and Tab Notes. In the Design category, Raindrop.io has scored a solid 8. The design is functional and generally pleasing, but not without some minor flaws.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Raindrop.io stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Raindrop.io stands out with a rating of 8.7. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.2.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Raindrop.io stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.

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