Compare Tab Notes and LanguageTool: 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.
LanguageTool impressed us as a solid grammar-checker alternative to Grammarly. It provides excellent multilingual support, is easy to use, and is more affordable but may struggle with longer texts.
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
  • Style Suggestions: Offers synonym replacements, concise rephrasing, and formal alternatives.
  • Spell Checker: Identifies and corrects spelling errors.
  • Multilingual Support: Supports over 25 languages including English, German, Spanish, and French.
  • Plagiarism Detection: Checks for duplicate content.
  • Personal Dictionary: Allows users to add custom words for future checks.
  • Privacy: GDPR compliant and ensures secure, encrypted connections and no IP address storage.
Our Rating
7.9
8.8
Total users
1,459
3,173,195
Total ratings
40
16,550
Average rating
4.8 ⭐
4.8 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
5.0
5.0
7 ratings
1.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
4.75
11.4K+ ratings
2.0M+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.8
4.62
567 ratings
801.3K+Users
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.6
4.64
33 ratings
459Users
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.7
4.58
4.6K+ ratings
371.9K+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.

9.0

LanguageTool offers a comprehensive set of features that go beyond basic grammar and spelling checks. It supports over 20 languages, making it a versatile tool for multilingual users. The advanced grammar checks are particularly impressive, catching complex issues that many other tools miss. Compared to competitors like Grammarly, LanguageTool holds its own with unique features like custom dictionaries and plagiarism detection.

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

LanguageTool does a good job of spotting grammar and style issues. However, it can take a while to process longer texts, and sometimes, clicking on suggestions causes the page to jump to the top, which can be a bit frustrating.

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.

8.0

The design is clean and intuitive, making it easy for users to navigate and utilize the tool effectively. The browser integration is seamless, and the user interface is straightforward.

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.

9.5

The free version gives you the basics, but the premium version really shines with its advanced features.

While Grammarly can be expensive, LanguageTool offers great value at a more affordable price. So, if you’re seeking a budget-friendly alternative to Grammarly, LanguageTool is a solid choice.

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.

9.0

LanguageTool is very user-friendly, with a minimal learning curve. Most users will find it easy to get started and make the most of its features right out of the box.

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.

9.5

LanguageTool takes privacy seriously. No account is required for basic features, and the tool ensures that user data is not sold or made public. This focus on privacy is a significant plus.

LanguageTool states that it is GDPR compliant which makes it especially interesting for users in Europe.

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.

LanguageTool is a reliable and efficient writing assistant that supports multiple languages. Its advanced grammar and style checks make it a valuable tool for writers and professionals. While the premium version offers excellent features, the free version is somewhat limited. Overall, LanguageTool is a solid choice for anyone looking to improve their writing.

Compared to Grammarly, LanguageTool holds its own, especially if you need to write in multiple languages. When it comes to writing in different languages, LanguageTool is the way to go. But if you’re only writing in English, Grammarly still delivers better results.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Tab Notes and LanguageTool, LanguageTool came out on top, scoring 8.8.

LanguageTool is the most widely used, with over 3 million users and 17k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for LanguageTool 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? LanguageTool 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? LanguageTool stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Both look and feel great: Tab Notes and LanguageTool. In the Design category, Tab Notes 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? LanguageTool stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • If you hate complicated tools, LanguageTool stands out with a rating of 9. 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, LanguageTool 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, LanguageTool is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.