Compare Weava, PDF & Web Highlighter, Glasp, and Diigo: Which Extension is the Best?
Weava Highlighter was once a popular choice, but now it’s filled with ads and has a poor user experience. Better options like Web Highlights do the job better without the hassle. | Web Highlights lets you highlight text on any website or PDF, create notes, and generate AI summaries. It’s free, simple, and doesn’t require signing up. The best online PDF and web highlighter. | AI-powered web highlighter for websites, PDFs, and YouTube videos. Build your AI clone from highlights and connect with 1M+ learners worldwide. | Diigo is a handy tool for bookmarking, highlighting, and annotating web pages. It has many features, but its old design and limited highlight colors might make it less appealing. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each extension. |
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| Our Rating Tooltivity's expert review score for each extension, based on hands-on testing and research. | 7.0 | 9.8 Winner in this category | 8.9 | 7.8 |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 300,000 | 112,696 | 506,682 Winner in this category | 200,000 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 2,732 | 3,924 Winner in this category | 840 | 2,320 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | 4.1 ⭐ | 4.8 ⭐ Winner in this category | 4.2 ⭐ | 4.6 ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the extension. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Chrome User rating and stats for the extension on Chrome browser. |  4.1 3.02 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 300.0K+Users | 4.8 4.87 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 100.0K+Users Winner in this category | 4.5 3.78 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 500.0K+Users | 4.6 3.55 Average Chrome Web Store rating from the last 100 reviews 200.0K+Users |
| Edge User rating and stats for the extension on Edge browser. | - |  4.7 4.70 Average Microsoft Edge Store rating from the last 100 reviews 11.8K+Users Winner in this category | 4.0 4.25 Average Microsoft Edge Store rating from the last 100 reviews 6.7K+Users | - |
| Firefox User rating and stats for the extension on Firefox browser. | - |  5.0 5.00 Average Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store rating from the last 100 reviews 888Users Winner in this category | - | - |
| Safari User rating and stats for the extension on Safari browser. | - | - | - | - |
| Features Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each extension. | 8.5 Weava offers basic but functional features like web and PDF highlighting, annotations, and folder organization. The basic functionalities work great but the lack of innovative or advanced functionalities, especially compared to competitors, limits its appeal. Top 3 Features of Weava Highlighter1. Highlight Websites and PDFs  Similar to our favorite highlighter Web Highlights, you can highlight text on any website or PDF. Choose different colors to customize your highlights and make important information stand out. 2. Organize Research into Folders  Weava lets you save your highlights and organize them into folders, making it simple to keep your research organized and find what you need fast. 3. Collaborate with Your Team  Weava allows you to share folders with your team, making collaboration on research projects easy. Everyone can add and view highlights and notes all in one place. | 9.8 Web Highlights offers a range of features. In addition to its main function of highlighting text on websites and PDFs, it provides much more, making it the ideal tool for learning and self-improvement. Top Features of Web Highlights1. Highlighting websites & PDFs:  Web Highlights excels at one thing better than any other tool we tested—highlighting websites and PDFs. You don't even need an account. Just visit any site, highlight the text, and a marker icon will appear, letting you choose from different highlight colors. Once highlighted, your highlights are visible on the website. And the best thing: Your highlights will also be visible on the website if you reload the page. You not necessarily need the highlighter popup to mark up some text. In general, there are three ways to create a highlight:
In our tests, we could easily highlight several websites, and those highlights were effortlessly restored when revisiting them. It works seamlessly with both online and local PDFs.  All of your highlights are not only visible on the page but also accessible through the sidebar, which gives you a good overview of your highlights made. This is much like the highlighter sidebar which is common in PDF tools like Acrobat. Here is how it looks:  The sidebar gives you an outline of your highlights on the current page. 2. AI-powered summaries ✨ One of the things I like most is how smoothly the AI-powered summary feature gives you a quick overview of a website’s content. The AI summary feature in Web Highlights works entirely offline with Chrome’s built-in LLM, making it both super fast and completely private. You can choose from different summary styles depending on what you need:
 3. Create Notes & Tags:  You can either create tags & notes by using the sidebar or by clicking on a highlight on the page. This will open up a popup allowing you to add tags and notes to a specific highlight. Any changes you make on the pages are also directly visible in the sidebar. Making it a perfect research tool to work with large articles. Inside the sidebar you can then find all your highlights and bookmarks listed for the given tag. 4. Web App:  The best thing about Web Highlights is, that it can synchronize all your research to the corresponding web app at app.web-highlights.com. The web app can be opened in your browser but works perfetly on your phone. If you have opened the website before, you can even access your research when you are offline. The dashboard of the app shows all of your research in one place in a beautiful overview. You can also filter for specific tags or websites. 5. Save Bookmarks:  Web Highlights isn't just for highlighting text—it’s also great for saving pages as bookmarks. This way, you can either come back later to continue highlighting or easily find the page again. 6. Email reminders  A standout feature of Web Highlights is its email reminder, which works a lot like "snoozing" emails. You can set a reminder for a specific date and time by clicking the clock icon on a highlighted page. Web Highlights will then email you the article so you don’t forget to revisit it. This feature is unique among competitors, and we use it daily to get reminders for websites we need to return to later. 7. Export to Notion, Markdown, and more  Web Highlights gives you plenty of export options. With the Markdown export, you can easily send your research to any Second Brain or PKM tool you prefer. On top of that, it directly integrates with Notion and Capacities through full API connections. For instance, if you're on a highlighted page, just click the three dots in the sidebar and choose "Export to Notion." In seconds, a Notion page will be created. The same process works for Capacities. Winner in this category | 9.5 Highlighting features: In our tests, Glasp's highlighting features worked flawlessly. We were able to highlight text on a variety of websites, in PDF files, and even in YouTube transcripts without any issues. Thanks to the numerous color options and the ability to add notes to each highlight, we were able to easily organize and retrieve our information across different types of content. AI integration: We tried the AI summary feature with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini and found the results really useful for summarizing our highlights and asking questions. Social learning: We explored the social features by browsing other users' highlights and sharing our own. However, we found it a bit intrusive that this is mandatory in the free version. Export options: Exporting our highlights to Obsidian and Notion worked smoothly. We tested all available formats (Markdown, HTML, CSV, JSON) and found the flexibility helpful for integrating Glasp into our existing workflows. | 8.5 Diigo offers basic features for a highlighter and bookmarking tool. It works well and we were able to highlight most websites and they were recreated when revisiting them. The highlighter popup makes it easy to highlight text offering 4 colors. It looks like this:  We would have wished to have more color options. Also, note-taking and the tagging functionality are working, but its design does not look appealing.  The dashboard where your highlights are stored works well and gives you an overview of all your highlights.  |
| Performance Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each extension. | 7.0 Weava performs adequately when it comes to basic highlighting and syncing. However, the overall performance is marred by the intrusive ads and occasional bugs that make the experience less smooth than it should be. | 10 The extension performs seamlessly, allowing you to highlight websites and PDFs without any lag or interruptions. The full-text search functionality is quick and accurate, enabling you to find your highlights effortlessly. Additionally, the ability to sync your highlights across devices ensures that you can access your research from anywhere, enhancing your productivity. The best part is that the web app works entirely offline. So, you can access your research from any device, even without an internet connection. Winner in this category | 8.7 In our experience, marking and saving content was quick and almost instantaneous on websites and in PDF files. The extension did not noticeably slow down our browsers. Most features worked reliably, but we occasionally encountered problems with YouTube transcription and AI summaries, which were also mentioned by users in their reviews. | 8.0 Diigo performs well in terms of highlighting and syncing across devices. The fact that highlights are always synchronized can cause some loading delays. It's not as fast as other highlighters that use an offline-first approach, but it works reasonably well. However, the unreliable link creation feature and the simple sidebar outliner design need improvement. |
| Design Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each extension. | 6.0 The design is where Weava really struggles. The interface is cluttered with ads, making it not only visually unappealing but also frustrating to use. Here's a screenshot showing one of their ads taking up nearly half the height of their sidebar:  The overall design feels outdated and lacks the intuitive flow found in other tools. This poor design significantly hampers the user experience. | 9.9 The design is clean and intuitive, making it easy to get started right away. We loved the customizable highlight colors and the overall look and feel of the sidebar. What users love most is the intuitive sidebar and the well-organized web app. It’s super easy to navigate and quickly find what you need. The web app also looks great on mobile devices, making it simple to access the articles you've read on your phone. Winner in this category | 9.3 During our tests, the user interface appeared clear and intuitive. The sidebar did not interfere with reading, but was accessible at all times to view highlights and notes. We liked the color-coded highlights, which made it easier to scan and visually organize information. | 7.0 The design fulfills its functionality. The design of Diigo is outdated and could use a modern refresh. The lack of a nice overview of all your highlights on the page itself means you have to open the dashboard on diigo.com instead. The dashboard on diigo.com is okay, but other highlighters like Web Highlights have a much nicer user interface. |
| Value for Money Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each extension. | 6.8 The free version of Weava offers basic features, and their premium plan at $3.99/month is priced similarly to competitors. However, given the ads in the free version and the overall user experience, you can find better value in alternatives that provide more features and a cleaner interface for the same or even lower cost. | 9.5 Web Highlights can be used for free without signing up, providing access to a wide range of offline features. To fully enjoy the benefits of Web Highlights, including accessing your highlights and bookmarks from anywhere with automatic cloud-sync, you can upgrade to the PREMIUM or ULTIMATE version of the extension. The pricing plans are affordable, making it a cost-effective solution for students, researchers, and avid online readers. No other tool gives you this much value for so little cost. Winner in this category | 8.8 We made extensive use of the free plan and found that unlimited tagging and basic organization and access to the social network is more than sufficient for most users. For heavy users, especially researchers and content creators, the additional AI features and private tags are worth the price of the Pro plan. The price is similar to that of competitors. Compared to other tools we've tested, Glasp offers a more comprehensive set of features, making the price competitive in the knowledge management space. For those of us who rely on knowledge management in our work, the time savings and improved organization easily justified the Pro subscription. | 8.0 The free version of Diigo offers basic features and is fine for most users. The paid plans are reasonably priced and similar to other highlighters. However, we think other highlighters offer more value for the same price. |
| Ease of Use Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each extension. | 6.5 Weava’s basic highlighting functionality is straightforward, but the poor design and mandatory account creation add unnecessary friction. The ads make navigation cumbersome, and while it’s not difficult to learn, using the tool effectively can be a challenge due to these barriers. | 9.5 We can’t think of a simpler Chrome Extension to start with than this one. The best part? It works seamlessly right out of the box, no account needed. Installing it is a breeze, and you can easily add the extension to both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Once installed, a highlighter pop-up appears whenever you highlight text on any website. The process is intuitive and easy to grasp. If you need help, Web Highlights offers plenty of blog posts that guide you through its features. With so many powerful features, Web Highlights might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but everything falls into place quickly. The tagging system, in particular, is easy to use and much simpler than traditional folders. That’s why we rate it 9.5 out of 10. It’s extremely user-friendly, though some features might take a little time to fully appreciate. Winner in this category | 9.0 Setting up Glasp was quick—we installed the extension, created an account, and were able to start tagging within minutes. The introductory video was clear and helped us get up to speed quickly. When we looked at features such as creating AI clones and advanced export options, it became a little more complex. It took some trial and error to figure out how to best use these tools. Overall, the tool is definitely designed so that anyone can use most of its features. | 7.8 Diigo is fairly easy to use, but the sidebar outliner takes some time to get used to. You can't see all your highlights on the page itself, so you have to go to the dashboard on diigo.com. We wish there was a sidebar to quickly access all our highlighted pages, like in the Web Highlights extension. |
| Security & Privacy Tooltivity's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each extension. | 7.0 Weava does take steps to protect user data, and their privacy policy is clear about not selling personal information. However, the requirement to create an account and the potential for data collection through ads could be a concern for privacy-conscious users. | 9.9 In the Security & Privacy category, we give Web Highlights a solid 10/10. The fact that you can use this tool offline without needing an account sets it apart from its competitors. Even if you opt for cloud sync by creating an account, Web Highlights puts data privacy first. Your highlights, notes, and tags are visible only to you by default unless you decide to share them. Your data isn’t sold to third parties, nor is it used or transferred for anything beyond the extension's core functionality. This dedication to data privacy ensures your information stays secure and confidential. Winner in this category | 8.0 During our review, we found that Glasp collects website content and some personal data to enable its features. By default, some of our highlights were shared publicly. We had to adjust our settings to keep the information private. Therefore, it is important to be aware of this, especially since it is mandatory for free users. | 7.5 Diigo takes reasonable steps to protect user data. However, since you need an account and your data is stored in their database, absolute protection can't be guaranteed. We think a highlighter should work without needing to sign up, but this feature is missing in Diigo. |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each extension. | Weava Highlighter may still be a popular choice, but its current state leaves much to be desired. The overwhelming presence of ads and a clunky design significantly detract from the user experience, making it hard to justify its use when other tools offer a more polished and ad-free environment. If you’re serious about your productivity, it’s worth exploring alternatives like Web Highlights, which delivers all the benefits of Weava without the downsides. | We have been using Web Highlights - PDF & Web Highlighter for years and can confidently say it’s a top-notch tool for anyone who spends a lot of time reading online. Its user-friendly design and powerful features make it a must-have for students, researchers, and professionals alike. The free version is fantastic, but if you need more advanced features, the premium options are well worth the price. If you’re serious about staying organized while reading online, we highly recommend giving Web Highlights a try. | Glasp Web Highlighter has proven in testing that it can help users interact with digital content in a useful way in their everyday lives. It is not just a highlighting tool, but a comprehensive organization system that combines the best aspects of social learning with AI technology. What we particularly appreciate about Glasp is that it encourages a more intensive engagement with the content. Instead of passively bookmarking pages, users are motivated to highlight specific passages and add notes, which leads to better retention and understanding. It is therefore particularly specialized in learning content. However, Glasp is not without its challenges. The limitations of the AI features and privacy restrictions in the free version may be problematic for many users. In addition, some users report technical issues with the YouTube transcription features. For researchers, students, and content creators who are seriously interested in building a kind of second brain, Glasp offers compelling value. The combination of highlighting, AI summarization, and social learning creates a unique ecosystem that is difficult to replicate with other tools. Casual users, however, may find the complexity and pricing structure daunting. | Diigo is a handy tool for collecting stuff from the web, like bookmarks, highlights, and notes.
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| Our Recommendation | In our comparison between Weava, PDF & Web Highlighter, Glasp, and Diigo, PDF & Web Highlighter came out on top, scoring 9.8. Glasp is the most widely used, with over 507k users and 840+ reviews, but PDF & Web Highlighter outperformed it in our review. User reviews for PDF & Web Highlighter and Glasp reflect our findings, while we rate Weava and Diigo lower than users do. Notably, PDF & Web Highlighter has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.83, which supports its strong performance in our review. There are big differences between these extensions, so it's important to look at the details below to find the best fit for your needs.
If you want a quick recommendation, PDF & Web Highlighter is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you. | |||
