Compare Tab Notes and Tracking Time: 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.
Tracking Time is a tool for managing tasks and projects with ease. It offers strong integrations and reporting with few functions and many bugs, which lowers the rating.
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
  • Time Tracking: Easily track time spent on tasks with a simple interface.
  • Project Management: Organize tasks and projects efficiently.
  • Reporting: Generate detailed reports to analyze productivity.
  • Integrations: Connect with popular tools like Google Calendar and Slack.
Our Rating
7.9
7.6
Total users
1,459
32,223
Total ratings
40
156
Average rating
4.8 ⭐
3.7 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
5.0
5.0
7 ratings
1.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.4
4.23
146 ratings
30.0K+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.0
5.00
2 ratings
1.8K+Users
Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.6
4.64
33 ratings
459Users
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
2.8
3.36
8 ratings
398Users
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.

5.5

Tracking Time offers numerous functions aimed at both individual users and teams. Projects can be created for which time tracking can then be started. Detailed reports can then be output. In our tests, all these functions also worked in the Tracking Time tool.

Tracking Time


However, the web extension considered here was disappointing. This only has the function of starting and stopping time recording. Even when beginning time tracking, the extension requires that the corresponding project has been created. It is impossible to spontaneously start time tracking for a new project; the new project must first be made on the external Tracking Time website, where the reports can also be found.

The Tracking Time extension therefore has great potential to integrate many useful Tracking Time functions. However, the functions are currently very limited in comparison to competitors.

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

In general, Tracking Time works reliably, but in reviews some users have reported occasional slowdowns, especially when processing large data sets. Regular updates and optimizations could help improve performance consistency.

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 of Tracking Time is clean and modern and makes it easy to navigate. The dashboard on the website is well organized and you get an instant overview of your times. There are still improvements to be made in terms of customization options such as layouts.

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 web extension is free of charge. However, it should be noted that it offers only a few functions. Other competitors offer considerably more functions for their free extensions. If you only use the extension in addition to Tracking Time and consider all functions in the price-performance ratio, it is competitive. In particular, the free plan already offers sufficient features for most people.
The paid plans offer advanced features and integrations with excellent value for money, making it a particularly worthwhile investment for teams looking to increase their productivity.

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

Although the tool is generally easy to use on the website, there are problems with the basic functions of the extension. In the test, we started a time recording on the website and stopped it later via the extension. When we wanted to start a new task, it took us a while to understand the principle that only tasks that had already been created could be restarted. This is not an intuitive function, which is why users might be annoyed right from the start.
One positive point, however, is the tutorials and support documentation, which can help new users.

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

Tracking Time uses basic security measures to protect user data. Encryption and regular updates ensure the integrity of the data. In our research, most of this could be read in the privacy policies, but a little more transparency in the handling of user data would still be an advantage, as this is stored online.

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.

Tracking Time is a tool for anyone who wants to improve their time management. The design is very intuitive, but unfortunately, the extension has hardly any functions. The extension is useful for anyone who uses Tracking Time, but anyone looking for a good extension for time tracking will not find it here.
However, the price-performance ratio of the functions of the entire tool is good.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Tab Notes and Tracking Time, Tab Notes came out on top, scoring 7.9.

Tracking Time is the most widely used, with over 32k users and 156+ reviews, but Tab Notes outperformed it in our review. User reviews for Tracking Time 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? Tab Notes stands out with a rating of 7. On the other hand, Tracking Time lags behind in this area with a rating of 5.5.
  • Need top performance? Tracking Time 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 Tracking Time. In the Design category, Tab Notes has scored a solid 8. The design is functional and generally pleasing, but not without some minor flaws.
  • Best deal? You can't go wrong with either: Tab Notes and Tracking Time. 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, Tracking Time lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Tracking Time 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, Tab Notes is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.