Compare Screencastify and Notebook Web Clipper: Which Extension is the Best?

Screencastify is a popular Chrome extension for screen recording. It offers a range of features but has shifted many basic functionalities behind a paywall, affecting its overall value.
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.
Key Features
  • Record Desktop, Browser Tab, and Webcam: Capture any part of your screen.
  • Edit Video: Trim, merge, and add text directly from your browser.
  • Share Easily: Export as MP4, GIF, or MP3, and share via Google Drive or Classroom.
  • Interactive Questions: Add questions to videos to engage viewers.
  • Annotations: Draw on your screen in real-time to highlight key points.
  • Captions: Add captions in multiple languages to make videos accessible.
  • 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.
Our Rating
7.8
8.8
Total users
6,000,000
102,995
Total ratings
11,733
1,097
Average rating
4.0 ⭐
3.9 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.0
3.63
11.7K+ ratings
6.0M+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.2
3.80
1.0K+ ratings
70.0K+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
3.4
3.09
13 ratings
32.0K+Users
Firefox
-
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.0
4.08
80 ratings
957Users
Safari
-
-
Features
8.8

Screencastify offers a robust set of features, including screen and webcam recording, video editing and interactive questions.

Leaving aside the fact that many features are only available for a fee, it's fair to say that it offers a lot of features.

While recording, you can easily add spotlights and draw on the screen. The drawing tools offer a nice range of options, so you should have everything you need:

Drawing Tools

The subsequent editor also offers many functions where you can cut the video to your needs.

Here is what the basic editor looks like:

Simple editor of Screencastify

It recently also added an AI feature that automatically adds captions, transcripts, titles, and descriptions.

Furthermore, Screencastify offers another video editor when clicking "Edit Video" in the top right corner.

This will open up another editor where you can do some more video editing. Here is how it looks like:

Second editor of Screencastiy

In our opinion, this editor isn’t necessary if you already have your own video editing software, but it could be useful for some people.

We’re not entirely sure if this is just an older version of the original editor. However, we did discover that you can export videos to MP4 for free, thanks to an "Export" button that lets you do so without any limitations.

We’re not certain if this is intentional, but at least it works for us.

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.

Performance
7.5

The speed has deteriorated considerably with the latest updates. This is probably because more and more functions, such as the AI function, are being added.

The tool has become slower, and creating links or accessing older videos takes longer than before. Many users have also complained about the performance in the reviews.

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.

Design
9.0

The design is intuitive and user-friendly. We think that navigation is very intuitive despite the many functions.

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.

Value for Money
5.0

As already mentioned, we are somewhat shocked by the limitations of the free version.

Especially if you have used the app in the past and can export videos for free. In addition, even with the starter package for $7, you are limited to 10 exports.

We find that many other providers offer much more for the 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.

Ease of Use
8.5

Screencastify is easy to use, with a minimal learning curve. Even beginners can quickly get the hang of it. However, we find that recent updates have introduced some complexities that are not absolutely necessary for a screen recorder.

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.

Security & Privacy
8.0

Unfortunately, an account is required, which in our opinion is not necessary for Screen recorder.

However, Screencastify's privacy policy is very comprehensive and complies with standard data protection practices, including compliance with the GDPR and PCI-DSS certification for payment data. Screencastify takes reasonable security measures but, like all online services, cannot guarantee absolute protection.

9.3

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

Conclusion

Screencastify was a fantastic tool in the past, and we used to use it daily. Unfortunately, recent updates have made it less user-friendly by hiding key features behind a paywall.

For people who need a wide range of features, the tool is still an option. For others who just want to make a recording every now and then to export a video, Screencastify is unfortunately no longer an option.

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.

Our Recommendation

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

Screencastify is the most widely used, with over 6 million users and 12k+ reviews, but Notebook Web Clipper outperformed it in our review. User reviews for Screencastify reflect our findings, while we rate Notebook Web Clipper higher than users do.

Notably, Screencastify has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 3.95, which supports its strong performance in our review.

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? Notebook Web Clipper stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.8.
  • Need top performance? Notebook Web Clipper stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Design lovers, take note: Screencastify stands out with a rating of 9. 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, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 5.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Notebook Web Clipper stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Notebook Web Clipper stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.

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.