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Browser Extensions · head to head

Pocket vs Tampermonkey

Pocket logo

Pocket

Browser Extensions

Save articles and videos for later

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tampermonkey logo

Tampermonkey

Browser Extensions

The most popular userscript manager

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Pocket no note-taking feature despite competitor Instapaper offering this; 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: Pocket covers Save for later, Tampermonkey covers Userscript management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Pocket and Tampermonkey actually diverge.

Attributes where Pocket and Tampermonkey differ
AttributePocketTampermonkey
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, SafariWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Founded20072010

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 Pocket

  • Save for later
  • Offline reading
  • Clean reading view
  • Tagging

Only in Tampermonkey

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

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Safari support
  • Opera support

What people use each for

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

Pocket

  • Saving articles from across the web to read later on any devicenot Tampermonkey
  • Discovering curated articles and stories through algorithmic recommendationsnot Tampermonkey
  • Managing personal reading lists and organizing saved content by topicsnot Tampermonkey

Tampermonkey

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

Where each one falls short

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

Pocket

  • No note-taking feature despite competitor Instapaper offering this
  • Full-text search of saved articles limited to premium tier ($4.99/month)
  • Highlights feature was unreliable and often failed to work properly with large libraries
  • Images, particularly infographics and data-heavy charts, frequently failed to display properly in the reading view
  • Limited sharing capabilities with non-Pocket users

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

Pocket

Free
  • Premium$4.99/month
    • Permanent library backup
    • Full-text search
    • AI-suggested tags
  • Premium Annual$45/year
    • Permanent library backup
    • Full-text search
    • AI-suggested tags

Tampermonkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tampermonkey review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Pocket if

  • You need save for later.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Safari.
  • You also want offline reading.
Pocket 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 Pocket or Tampermonkey better?
Neither clearly leads. Pocket 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, Pocket or Tampermonkey?
Pocket starts at Free and Tampermonkey at Free.
Does Pocket or Tampermonkey run on more platforms?
Pocket runs on Web, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Safari. Tampermonkey runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.
Can I use Pocket for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Pocket best used for?
Pocket is most often used for saving articles from across the web to read later on any device, discovering curated articles and stories through algorithmic recommendations, managing personal reading lists and organizing saved content by topics. Of those, saving articles from across the web to read later on any device and discovering curated articles and stories through algorithmic recommendations are not what Tampermonkey is typically brought in for.
What can Pocket do that Tampermonkey cannot?
Pocket covers Save for later, Offline reading, Clean reading view, Tagging. Tampermonkey covers Userscript management, Script editor, Auto-update, Cloud sync. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support, Safari support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Pocket: Does Pocket work offline?

Yes. Pocket syncs articles to your device for offline reading access on phones, tablets, and computers.

Source
Tampermonkey: How much does Tampermonkey cost?

Tampermonkey is completely free for all versions and across all supported browsers including Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera, and Firefox.

Source
Pocket: Is Pocket free to use?

Pocket was free with unlimited article saves, offline reading, and basic tagging. Premium was $4.99/month or $45/year, adding features like permanent library backup, full-text search, and AI-suggested tags.

Source
Tampermonkey: Is Tampermonkey available on all browsers?

Yes, Tampermonkey is available on Chrome 120 and later, Microsoft Edge, Safari, Opera Next, and Firefox with no cost.

Source
Pocket: How do I export my saved articles?

Users could export data via CSV file by visiting getpocket.com/export before the October 8, 2025 deadline. The export includes links and metadata but not full article text or offline cached content.

Source
Pocket: Can I take notes while reading articles in Pocket?

Pocket did not have a native note-taking feature. Premium subscribers could highlight and annotate articles, but text notes were not supported, unlike competitor Instapaper.

Source
Pocket: Does Pocket sync across my devices?

Yes. Saved articles, tags, and reading progress synced automatically across iOS, Android, Web, and browser extensions.

Source
Pocket: What happened to Pocket?

Mozilla shut down Pocket on July 8, 2025, as part of a strategic shift to focus resources on Firefox. Users could export data until October 8, 2025, after which all saved data was permanently deleted.

Source
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