Compare Tracking Time and Instapaper: Which Extension is the Best?

	Tracking Time	Instapaper
	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. Time Management 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 Web Clipper Reader Mode
Key Features	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.	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	7.6	8.2
Total users	32,223	214,048
Total ratings	156	657
Average rating	3.7 ⭐	4.1 ⭐
Entry Level Price	Free	Free
Chrome	4.4 146 ratings 30.0K+Users	3.8 542 ratings 200.0K+Users
Edge	4.0 2 ratings 1.8K+Users	-
Firefox	2.8 8 ratings 398Users	4.4 115 ratings 14.0K+Users
Safari	-	-
Features	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. 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.	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.
Performance	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.	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 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.	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 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.	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	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.	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	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.	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	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.	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.
	Install Tracking Time	Install Instapaper
Our Recommendation	In our comparison between Tracking Time 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 reflect our findings. Notably, Instapaper has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.11, 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? Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8.8. On the other hand, Tracking Time lags behind in this area with a rating of 5.5. Performance-wise, both deliver: Tracking Time and Instapaper. In the Performance category, Tracking Time has scored a good 8. It performs reliably, though it may not excel in all scenarios. Design lovers, take note: Instapaper stands out with a rating of 8.5. On the other hand, Tracking Time lags behind in this area with a rating of 8. Best deal? You can't go wrong with either: Tracking Time and Instapaper. In the Value for Money category, Tracking Time has scored a fair 8. It provides decent value for money, though there may be better options in its price range. Ease of use? It's a tie: Tracking Time and Instapaper. In the Ease of Use category, Tracking Time has scored an average 7. It is generally usable, but some aspects may be confusing or cumbersome. For privacy, it's a tie: Tracking Time and Instapaper. In the Security & Privacy category, Tracking Time has scored an excellent 9. It offers robust security and privacy features that effectively protect user data. If you want a quick recommendation, Instapaper is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.