Compare Tab Notes and one sec: 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.
One Sec is a browser extension designed to help you manage your time online by introducing a brief pause before accessing distracting websites.
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
  • Pause Before Access: Introduces a short delay before opening distracting sites.
  • Customizable Settings: Adjust the delay time and select which sites to monitor.
  • Analytics Dashboard: Provides insights into your browsing habits.
  • Cross-Browser Support: Available on multiple browsers for seamless integration.
Our Rating
7.9
8.9
Total users
1,459
25,121
Total ratings
40
1,024
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
4.9
4.86
859 ratings
20.0K+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.9
4.86
47 ratings
3.6K+Users
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.6
4.64
33 ratings
459Users
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.8
4.74
118 ratings
1.5K+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.

7.5

The core function that One Sec uses to make users more productive is a pause before opening the website. When I open websites I have defined, such as Twitter, a gray page with a countdown appears. During this period, I was reminded that I didn't want to spend so much time on Twitter and asked myself whether this was intentional or just a reflex out of boredom.
This worked very well for us in the test and there were no problems.


It is also possible to adjust the delay individually. If you only need the reminder but don't want to be disturbed too much, you can set the timer to just one second, or several seconds if you prefer.


Finally, a useful function is the analysis dashboard. This provides analyses of your surfing behavior, showing you at a glance how often you try to open these websites during the day. However, we would like to see more analysis options here.


All in all, the functions are kept very simple; further options for time tracking would be an advantage here so that you don't need additional extensions. These functions are already available in the mobile app. One Sec is a good addition to existing time management extensions.

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.

9.5

In our test, we did not notice any delays or slowdowns due to the extension.
Regular updates are also released to improve performance and fix bugs.

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 user interface is clean and minimalist, and this also applies to the setup and settings. The extension offers an effective use of visual elements for taking a break by displaying a preset screen with a countdown. There would be potential for improvement here if the screen could be customized.

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.

9.2

The browser extension is completely free of charge. However, you only get a small number of functions. For anyone who only needs the basic function, this is unbeatable value for money.

OneSec also offers an app with additional functions. At $4.99/month or $49.99/year, it also has a good price-performance ratio.

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.

9.5

The installation process was quick and straightforward. This also includes the setup, which is very intuitive with clear step-by-step instructions. Everything is also well explained in the settings menu afterward, so everyone should be able to find their way around.

set up
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

Data usage is described transparently in the privacy policy, which places great value on user privacy.
This is also reflected in the fact that the features already work with minimal authorizations so that not much private data needs to be tracked.

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.

One Sec is a tool that encourages mindful browsing by introducing a pause every time you want to access a distracting website.
Although it stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness, its limited functionality means that it should only be seen as a supplement in the area of time management. Overall, however, it is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their online productivity.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Tab Notes and one sec, one sec came out on top, scoring 8.9.

one sec is the most widely used, with over 25k users and 1k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for one sec reflect our findings, while we rate Tab Notes lower than users do.

Notably, one sec has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.85, 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? one sec stands out with a rating of 7.5. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.
  • Need top performance? one sec stands out with a rating of 9.5. 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 one sec. 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? one sec stands out with a rating of 9.2. On the other hand, Tab Notes lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • If you hate complicated tools, one sec stands out with a rating of 9.5. 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, one sec 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, one sec is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.