Compare Screencastify and Sider: Which Extension is the Best?

	Screencastify	Sider
	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. Productivity	Sider is an AI browser extension that boosts productivity in reading, writing, and more. Trusted by 6M+ users, it offers features to optimize online activities. AI ChatGPT
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.	AI Writing Assistant: Generates articles and enhances writing styles quickly. Webpage Reading Assistant: Summarizes content and provides accurate information. AI-Powered PDF Analysis: Summarizes and translates PDF documents. Image Creating & Editing Suite: Generates and edits images with AI. Group AI Chat: Supports multiple AI models for diverse interactions. Smart Web Access: Enhances productivity with quick access to information.
Our Rating	7.8	8.7
Total users	6,000,000	8,095,228
Total ratings	11,733	111,722
Average rating	4.0 ⭐	4.9 ⭐
Entry Level Price	Free	Free
Chrome	4.0 11.7K+ ratings 6.0M+Users	4.9 104.1K+ ratings 5.0M+Users
Edge	-	4.8 7.6K+ ratings 3.1M+Users
Firefox	-	-
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: The subsequent editor also offers many functions where you can cut the video to your needs. Here is what the basic editor looks like: 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: 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.	9.5 Sider offers a comprehensive range of functions and is designed to provide a solution for every possible use of AI. From AI writing assistance to PDF analysis, for example, it covers all areas for every blogger. Creatives also get their money's worth here, whether creating images from text or editing photos, Sider offers these functions in just one tool and integrates the functions of other providers into your one tool. The number of integrated AI models, such as GPT-4o, Claude, or Gemini, also stands out. This ensures that users have access to the latest technology. In summary, Sider offers almost all of the current possibilities of AI in one tool.
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.	9.2 Sider generally performs well in the test with fast response times and reliable functions. The integration of multiple AI models ensures that users receive accurate and relevant information. However, there can be occasional delays, especially when using advanced features or at peak times. Continuous updates and optimizations could further improve performance.
Design	9.0 The design is intuitive and user-friendly. We think that navigation is very intuitive despite the many functions.	8.5 The design of Sider is very user-friendly, and the interface is quite clear, so it's easy to find anything. The sidebar is great because you can access features without leaving the page. However, it might feel cluttered for some people as there are so many options. A sleeker design could improve the user experience.
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.	7.8 While Sider offers a free version with limited requirements, the premium plans can be expensive for casual users. While the feature set justifies the cost for power users, those who only need basic features may find it expensive. The availability of different pricing tiers offers flexibility, but an intermediate solution with a cheaper option could appeal to a wider audience.
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, Sider was easy to use without having to learn how to use it. The tooltips and instructions help you get started right away. It works well in our tests with popular browsers such as Chrome and Edge, which are quick to install and use. However, if you want to delve into the advanced functions, it can take a while to get to grips with everything. Basic users might be a little overwhelmed here.
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.	8.0 Sider stores the data on Amazon's US servers. The data protection guidelines are transparent and users have control over their data. However, usage data is collected for analysis purposes, which not every user will find acceptable. The assurance that data is never passed on and no spam messages are sent is a positive aspect.
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.	Sider is an AI tool that can significantly increase user productivity across multiple platforms. The high number of features, from writing assistance to image editing, makes it a versatile choice for truly anyone. Although it excels in many areas, there is still room for improvement. In particular, the sometimes high prices will put normal users off. Overall, Sider is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to combine almost all the possibilities of AI in one tool and is willing to pay for it.
	Install Screencastify	Install Sider
Our Recommendation	In our comparison between Screencastify and Sider, Sider came out on top, scoring 8.7. Sider is the most widely used, with over 8 million users and 112k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for Screencastify reflect our findings, while we rate Sider lower than users do. Notably, Sider has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.86, which is even higher than our rating of 8.7. 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? Sider stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.8. Need top performance? Sider stands out with a rating of 9.2. 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, Sider lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5. Want to get the most for your money? Sider stands out with a rating of 7.8. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 5. If you hate complicated tools, Sider stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5. For privacy, it's a tie: Screencastify and Sider. In the Security & Privacy category, Screencastify has scored a solid 8. It offers adequate security and privacy features, though there is room for improvement. If you want a quick recommendation, Sider is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.