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Software · head to head

Instapaper vs Tampermonkey

Instapaper logo

Instapaper

Software

Save anything for reading later

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tampermonkey logo

Tampermonkey

Software

The most popular userscript manager

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; Tampermonkey only source code up to version 2.9 is GPLv3; all newer versions are distributed under a proprietary license despite the extension itself being free to use
  • They diverge on capability: Instapaper covers Save for later, Tampermonkey covers Userscript management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Instapaper and Tampermonkey actually diverge.

Attributes where Instapaper and Tampermonkey differ
AttributeInstapaperTampermonkey
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Kindle, E-readers (BOOX)Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Founded20082010

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

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

Only in Tampermonkey

  • Userscript management
  • Script editor
  • Auto-update
  • Cloud sync
  • Opera support

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Safari 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 Tampermonkey
  • Building a searchable personal archive of things worth keepingnot Tampermonkey

Tampermonkey

  • Auto-run custom JavaScript to add features to specific websitesnot Instapaper
  • Block ads, remove clutter, or reformat page layout via community/personal userscriptsnot Instapaper
  • Run scripts sourced from Greasy Fork or similar userscript repositoriesnot Instapaper
  • Automate repetitive web tasks such as form-filling or redirect skipping via installed scriptsnot Instapaper

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

Tampermonkey

  • Only source code up to version 2.9 is GPLv3; all newer versions are distributed under a proprietary license despite the extension itself being free to use
  • Under Manifest V3, GM_webRequest is not (yet) supported
  • Under Manifest V3, GM_xmlhttpRequest fires only one progress event instead of streaming progress, requiring a responseType: 'stream' workaround
  • Since v5.3.2, Chrome/Edge (MV3) requires the user to manually enable Developer Mode, or from Chrome 138+ a per-extension 'Allow User Scripts' toggle, before any userscript will run

Pricing, plan by plan

Instapaper

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Instapaper review.

Tampermonkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tampermonkey review.

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 Tampermonkey if

  • You need userscript management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.
  • You also want script editor.
Tampermonkey review

Questions people ask

Is Instapaper or Tampermonkey better?
Neither clearly leads. Instapaper starts at Free and Tampermonkey at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Instapaper or Tampermonkey?
Instapaper starts at Free and Tampermonkey at Free.
Does Instapaper or Tampermonkey run on more platforms?
Instapaper runs on Web, iOS, Android, Kindle, E-readers (BOOX). Tampermonkey runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.
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 Tampermonkey is typically brought in for.
What can Instapaper do that Tampermonkey cannot?
Instapaper covers Save for later, Clean reading, Highlighting, Full-text search. Tampermonkey covers Userscript management, Script editor, Auto-update, Cloud sync. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support, Safari support.
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