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Browser Extensions · head to head

ColorZilla vs Instapaper

ColorZilla logo

ColorZilla

Browser Extensions

Advanced color picker and eyedropper

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Instapaper logo

Instapaper

Browser Extensions

Save anything for reading later

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ColorZilla no pricing information published on main website or pricing page, making cost structure unclear to potential users; Instapaper full text search across saved articles is Premium only, at $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year
  • They diverge on capability: ColorZilla covers Color picker, Instapaper covers Save for later.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ColorZilla and Instapaper actually diverge.

Attributes where ColorZilla and Instapaper differ
AttributeColorZillaInstapaper
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsChrome, Firefox, EdgeWeb, iOS, Android, Kindle, E-readers (BOOX)
Founded20072008

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Browser Extensions).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in ColorZilla

  • Color picker
  • Eyedropper tool
  • Gradient generator
  • Palette analyzer

Only in Instapaper

  • Save for later
  • Clean reading
  • Highlighting
  • Full-text search
  • Safari support

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ColorZilla

  • Extracting exact color values from website designs instantlynot Instapaper
  • Generating CSS gradients without returning to Photoshopnot Instapaper
  • Analyzing and converting visual color palettes to codenot Instapaper

Instapaper

  • Saving articles to read later with the clutter stripped outnot ColorZilla
  • Building a searchable personal archive of things worth keepingnot ColorZilla

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ColorZilla

  • No pricing information published on main website or pricing page, making cost structure unclear to potential users
  • No free tier or trial option clearly advertised, limiting ability to test features before purchase

Instapaper

  • Full text search across saved articles is Premium only, at $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year
  • Free accounts are limited to 5 notes a month, against unlimited on Premium
  • Text to speech, speed reading and the permanent archive are all Premium only
  • The free web experience carries advertising

Pricing, plan by plan

ColorZilla

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Color picker
    • Eyedropper
    • Gradient generator

Instapaper

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Instapaper review.

Which should you pick?

Choose ColorZilla if

  • You need color picker.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
  • You also want eyedropper tool.
ColorZilla review

Choose Instapaper if

  • You need save for later.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Kindle, E-readers (BOOX).
  • You also want clean reading.
Instapaper review

Questions people ask

Is ColorZilla or Instapaper better?
Neither clearly leads. ColorZilla starts at Free and Instapaper at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ColorZilla or Instapaper?
ColorZilla starts at Free and Instapaper at Free.
Does ColorZilla or Instapaper run on more platforms?
ColorZilla runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge. Instapaper runs on Web, iOS, Android, Kindle, E-readers (BOOX).
Can I use ColorZilla for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is ColorZilla best used for?
ColorZilla is most often used for extracting exact color values from website designs instantly, generating css gradients without returning to photoshop, analyzing and converting visual color palettes to code. Of those, extracting exact color values from website designs instantly and generating css gradients without returning to photoshop are not what Instapaper is typically brought in for.
What can ColorZilla do that Instapaper cannot?
ColorZilla covers Color picker, Eyedropper tool, Gradient generator, Palette analyzer. Instapaper covers Save for later, Clean reading, Highlighting, Full-text search. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ColorZilla: How much does ColorZilla cost?

ColorZilla does not publish pricing on its website. The site describes browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome, plus an online CSS gradient editor, but cost information is not available. Users must contact the company directly or check browser extension marketplaces for availability and cost details.

Source
Instapaper: What is the cost of Instapaper?

Instapaper costs $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year. The yearly plan saves over 15% compared to the monthly rate.

Source
ColorZilla: Is ColorZilla free to use?

The website does not specify whether ColorZilla tools are free or paid. While browser extensions are often offered free in extension stores, the online tools and their pricing model are not documented on the main site.

Source
Instapaper: Does Instapaper offer a free trial?

No trial period is offered. The subscription starts immediately upon purchase.

Source
Instapaper: What features are included in the paid subscription?

Premium features include full-text search across all articles, permanent archiving, PDF reading, unlimited notes (free tier limited to 5 per month), Kindle integration, AI-powered text-to-speech, and speed reading up to 3x faster. The paid version also removes advertisements.

Source
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