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Browser Extensions · head to head

Instapaper vs Privacy Badger

Instapaper logo

Instapaper

Browser Extensions

Save anything for reading later

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Privacy Badger logo

Privacy Badger

Browser Extensions

Automatically learn to block invisible trackers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Instapaper full text search across saved articles is Premium only, at $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year; Privacy Badger it is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads
  • They diverge on capability: Instapaper covers Save for later, Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Instapaper and Privacy Badger actually diverge.

Attributes where Instapaper and Privacy Badger differ
AttributeInstapaperPrivacy Badger
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Kindle, E-readers (BOOX)Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
Founded20081990

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 Instapaper

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

Only in Privacy Badger

  • Automatic tracker detection
  • Learning algorithm
  • Do Not Track support
  • No filter lists required
  • Opera 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.

Instapaper

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

Privacy Badger

No use cases recorded yet. See the Privacy Badger review.

Where each one falls short

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

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

Privacy Badger

  • It is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads
  • There is no Safari build, and Safari on iOS lacks extension capabilities Privacy Badger needs to work
  • Chrome on Android does not support extensions, so Android users have to switch to Firefox or Edge
  • Protection is aimed at third-party trackers and does not comprehensively cover tracking by the site you are actually visiting

Pricing, plan by plan

Instapaper

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Instapaper review.

Privacy Badger

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Automatic tracker learning
    • Third-party blocking
    • Do Not Track

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Privacy Badger if

  • You need automatic tracker detection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
  • You also want learning algorithm.
Privacy Badger review

Questions people ask

Is Instapaper or Privacy Badger better?
Neither clearly leads. Instapaper starts at Free and Privacy Badger at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Instapaper or Privacy Badger?
Instapaper starts at Free and Privacy Badger at Free.
Does Instapaper or Privacy Badger run on more platforms?
Instapaper runs on Web, iOS, Android, Kindle, E-readers (BOOX). Privacy Badger runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
Can I use Instapaper for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Instapaper best used for?
Instapaper is most often used for saving articles to read later with the clutter stripped out, building a searchable personal archive of things worth keeping. Of those, saving articles to read later with the clutter stripped out and building a searchable personal archive of things worth keeping are not what Privacy Badger is typically brought in for.
What can Instapaper do that Privacy Badger cannot?
Instapaper covers Save for later, Clean reading, Highlighting, Full-text search. Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Learning algorithm, Do Not Track support, No filter lists required. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support.
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