Comparison between Instapaper and Pocket
In the age of information overload, read-it-later apps have become increasingly popular for bookmarking articles to read later on. Two of the most popular read-it-later apps in the market are Instapaper and Pocket.
Whether you are a casual reader or a student doing research, you need a reliable bookmarking service that allows you to save the content you find and access it quickly and easily.
In this post, we'll provide you with a comprehensive comparison of Instapaper and Pocket, in terms of features, compatibility, pricing, and overall design.
Main Differences between Instapaper and Pocket
Here are some key differences between the two services:
| Instapaper | ||
|---|---|---|
| Social media sharing | Yes | Yes |
| Customization of font size | Yes | Yes |
| Text-to-speech | No | Yes |
| Downloading capabilities | No | Yes |
| Browser extensions | Yes | Yes |
| Dark mode | Yes | Yes |
As you can see, Instapaper is missing some of the key features that Pocket includes. With Pocket, you can utilize text-to-speech, download content, and access dark mode.
This isn’t to say that Instapaper is a bad service, rather that Pocket has slightly more features, albeit for a price.
Features
When it comes to features, both Instapaper and Pocket offer a similar set of core functionalities. Both have browser extensions, and they both enable you to save articles from websites for later reading. In addition, they allow for highlighting and annotating specific text within articles, and they offer various fonts and sizes to choose from.
Pocket offers a few more features than Instapaper, specifically text-to-speech, download options, and dark mode. It also includes a tag system, where you can organize your articles by topic, making it easier to find what you’re looking for.
On the other hand, Instapaper focuses on simplicity and readability, offering a distraction-free reading experience. It doesn’t include any advertisements, and it provides a clean and minimalist user interface.
Compatibility
Both Instapaper and Pocket are available on most devices and operating systems, including iOS, Android, and web browsers. They have browser extensions available for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Opera.
Pricing
In terms of pricing, both services offer a free version with limited features. Instapaper’s free version excludes certain features such as full-text search functionality.
For Pocket, a free account allows you to save up to 50 articles per month only. After that, you'll need to upgrade to Pocket Premium, which costs $4.99 per month or $44.99 per year. This upgrade also gives users access to additional features like suggested tags and recommended articles.
Instapaper, on the other hand, offers a Premium account for $2.99 per month, or $29.99 per year. The premium version includes additional features like full-text search, unlimited highlights, and automatic article backups.
Overall Design
When it comes to design, both Instapaper and Pocket have a modern and stylish interface. Instapaper is known for its clean design, with a focus on typography and white space, while Pocket has a more colorful and vibrant design.
Additionally, Pocket follows a skeuomorphic design philosophy where its interface resembles physical objects from real life. For instance, the app icon looks like a denim pocket. This design adds an element of fun and quirkiness to the overall user experience.
Conclusion
Both Instapaper and Pocket are excellent read-it-later apps that provide users with the ability to save and revisit articles whenever they have time. The choice between the two comes down to personal preference and the features that matter most to you.
Overall, Pocket has a broader range of features and is more versatile, but comes with a higher price tag. On the other hand, Instapaper is cheaper and focuses more on readability, perfect for those looking for a simple and clean interface.