Compare Tab Notes and Instapaper: Which Extension is the Best?

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.
Instapaper lets you save, organize, and highlight articles, videos, and web pages for offline reading. Features include folders, Kindle sync, text-to-speech, and mobile apps
Key Features
  • 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
  • Offline Reading: Save web pages to read later without internet connection
  • Text View: Clean, distraction-free reading experience
  • Highlighting: Mark important passages in your saved articles
  • Kindle Integration: Send articles directly to your Kindle device
  • Browser Extension: Quick save functionality across major browsers
  • Mobile Apps: Access your reading list on iOS and Android devices
  • Folder Organization: Create custom folders to organize your saved content
Our Rating
7.9
8.2
Total users
1,459
214,048
Total ratings
40
657
Average rating
4.8 ⭐
4.1 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
5.0
5.0
7 ratings
1.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
3.8
2.67
542 ratings
200.0K+Users
Edge
-
-
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.6
4.64
33 ratings
459Users
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.4
4.39
115 ratings
14.0K+Users
Safari
-
-
Features
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.

8.8

Instapaper's feature set is impressive in its core functionality. The service excels at its primary purpose of saving and reading web content offline. The text view feature provides an excellent reading experience, stripping away distractions and presenting content in a clean, readable format. The highlighting and note-taking capabilities are useful tools for active readers, though they could benefit from some refinement. The Kindle integration works seamlessly, making it easy to transfer articles to your e-reader. Mobile apps offer reliable synchronization across devices, ensuring your reading list is always up to date. However, the service lacks some modern features like social sharing that competitors offer. The search functionality in the free tier is somewhat basic, and customization options are more limited compared to other services in this space.

screenshot
Performance
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.

8.0

Instapaper’s performance is strong overall, but the initial setup leaves much to be desired. After installing the Chrome extension, there was no response or prompt—no indication that any further action was needed. It wasn’t until we read a user review that we realized we had to manually visit the Instapaper website and log in. Without that information, we likely would have assumed the extension was broken and uninstalled it.

Once past that rocky start, however, the service works reliably. Web pages save quickly, and saved content loads without issue. Offline access is stable, and synchronization across devices keeps your reading list up to date. The mobile apps offer smooth performance and quick navigation, while the text view provides a responsive and comfortable reading experience. The search function is usable, though slightly slow at times. Despite the poor onboarding, Instapaper delivers solid functionality once everything is properly set up.

Design
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.

8.5

The design of Instapaper focuses on simplicity and readability. The interface is clean and minimalist, putting the content front and center. The text view is particularly well-designed, offering a comfortable reading experience with good typography and spacing. The mobile apps follow their respective platform design guidelines, providing a native feel on both iOS and Android. The browser extension maintains this simplicity with a straightforward interface. However, some UI elements feel dated and could use a refresh. While the reading experience is consistent across platforms, the navigation could be more intuitive in some areas. The limited customization options might disappoint users who prefer more control over their reading environment.

Value for Money
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.

8.0

The pricing structure of Instapaper offers a basic free tier that's functional but limited. The premium features are reasonably priced, offering good value for heavy readers. The pricing is competitive compared to alternatives in the market. However, some features that are currently premium could potentially be included in the free tier to provide more value to basic users. The annual subscription offers good savings for committed users. While the premium features are well-implemented, the free tier could offer more value to attract new users and provide a better experience for casual users.

Ease of Use
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.

7.0

Instapaper’s setup process is not beginner-friendly. After installing the browser extension, there was no response or guidance—no prompt, login window, or confirmation. We had to manually visit the website and log in, something we only discovered thanks to a tip in another user’s review. Without that, we likely would have uninstalled the extension, assuming it didn’t work. However, once logged in, the service functions smoothly. Saving content is quick, the interface is clean and intuitive, and managing your reading list is simple and efficient.

Security & Privacy
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.

9.0

Instapaper takes user privacy and security seriously. The service maintains a clear and transparent privacy policy, explicitly stating that user data is not sold to third parties. The company has demonstrated a strong commitment to user privacy through its GDPR compliance and Privacy Shield certification. Data storage is secure, and the service regularly updates its security measures. The data collection practices are transparent, with clear explanations of what information is collected and how it's used. This high level of attention to privacy and security makes Instapaper a trustworthy choice for users concerned about their data.

Conclusion

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.

Instapaper is a reliable “read-it-later” service that is characterized by its core features. The service has maintained its position in the market by focusing on what matters most to readers: a clean, distraction-free reading experience and reliable offline access to stored content.

While it doesn't offer the breadth of features of some newer competitors, its simplicity and reliability make it a solid choice for those who primarily want to save articles and read offline. Recent issues with the Chrome extension and some user complaints about the save feature need to be addressed, but the core service remains stable and useful.

For users who appreciate a simple, straightforward approach to saving and reading web content, Instapaper remains a good choice. However, those looking for advanced features or a more modern interface should look for alternatives.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Tab Notes and Instapaper, Instapaper came out on top, scoring 8.2.

Instapaper is the most widely used, with over 214k users and 657+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for Instapaper 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.

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? Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8.8. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.
  • Need top performance? Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Design lovers, take note: Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8.5. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • Best deal? You can't go wrong with either: Tab Notes and Instapaper. In the Value for Money category, Tab Notes has scored a fair 8. It provides decent value for money, though there may be better options in its price range.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Tab Notes stands out with a rating of 8.2. On the other hand, Instapaper lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Instapaper stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.

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