Compare Reader Mode + Notes and Matter: Which Extension is the Best?
Distraction-free reading mode with notes and annotations - free, easy to use, no sign-up required. Turns any webpage into a clean, focused reading experience — and saves a complete offline copy. | 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 A summary of the most important features offered by each extension. |
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| Our Rating Tooltivity's expert review score for each extension, based on hands-on testing and research. | 9.4 Winner in this category | 9.0 |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 52 | 20,000 Winner in this category |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 1 | 29 Winner in this category |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | 5.0 ⭐ Winner in this category | 4.1 ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the extension. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
| Chrome User rating and stats for the extension on Chrome browser. |  5.0 5.0 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 52Users Winner in this category | 4.1 3.75 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 20.0K+Users |
| Edge User rating and stats for the extension on Edge browser. | - | - |
| Firefox User rating and stats for the extension on Firefox browser. | - | - |
| Safari User rating and stats for the extension on Safari browser. | - | - |
| Features Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each extension. | 9.5 This tool isn’t just a basic reader mode — it goes way beyond that. Yes, it gives you the distraction-free reading experience you'd expect (cleans up almost any webpage beautifully), but it also lets you highlight in multiple colors, add notes, organize with tags, and save a full offline version of the article — which is super helpful if a page ever gets taken down. One of my favorite parts is how smooth the export options are: Markdown, Notion, Obsidian, Capacities, PDF... it just works. It even has a spaced repetition feature that helps you remember what you read long-term. It’s basically a powerhouse for anyone doing research or deep reading. Winner in this category | 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.  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 Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each extension. | 9.4 I tested it on several websites — from news articles to blog posts to PDFs — and it handled everything smoothly. Pages load quickly, the reader view pops up without delay, and saved articles open instantly, even without internet. Even the offline functionality was seamless. I disconnected from Wi-Fi just to test it — and could still open and read saved articles without a hitch. Winner in this category | 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 Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each extension. | 9.6 The design is clean, modern, and just pleasant to use. You can switch between different color modes like dark, sepia, or high contrast, and you can customize font size, spacing, and width — which makes reading long texts super comfortable. It doesn’t feel overwhelming or cluttered. It’s intuitive and looks polished both on desktop and mobile. I especially liked how the sidebar slides in to show your notes and highlights without breaking your focus. Winner in this category | 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 Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each extension. | 9.1 The free version already gives you most of what you need — clean reading mode, offline access, highlighting, note-taking. No sign-up, no hidden limits. That alone is worth a lot. The paid version just builds on that. You get syncing, full-text search, and access to a web app to view your archive from anywhere. For the price (just a few bucks per month), it’s an excellent investment if you read and research online often. | 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. Winner in this category |
| Ease of Use Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each extension. | 9.0 This extension just works — no setup, no confusion. I installed it, clicked on the icon while reading an article, and boom — instant reader mode. From there, highlighting was as easy as selecting text. Notes? Just a click away. Bookmarks and tags? Super straightforward. Even advanced features like syncing or exporting are done in a really user-friendly way. There are many things to discover, but if you want to dive deeper, there are helpful guides and blog posts too. Winner in this category | 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. Winner in this category |
| Security & Privacy Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each extension. | 10 What I really respect is that you don’t need an account to use it. Everything you save stays on your device, so your highlights and notes are private by default. If you do choose to create an account (which unlocks syncing and cloud access), your data is still treated with care — no ads, no tracking, no selling your info. It's a great balance between usability and privacy. Especially rare for a free tool. Winner in this category | 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 A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each extension. | Reader Mode + Notes & Annotations is more than just a reader mode extension. It’s a full-fledged research companion. Whether you're saving articles for later, organizing a reading archive, or just want to eliminate distractions, this tool delivers. If you're serious about focused reading and long-term content access, this might just become your favorite browser extension. | 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 Reader Mode + Notes and Matter, Reader Mode + Notes came out on top, scoring 9.4. Matter is the most widely used, with over 20k users and 29+ reviews, but Reader Mode + Notes outperformed it in our review. User reviews reflect our findings. Notably, Reader Mode + Notes has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 5.00, 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.
If you want a quick recommendation, Reader Mode + Notes is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you. | |
