Compare Instapaper and Potato VPN: Which App is the Best?
Instapaper is a simple, no-fuss app for saving and reading articles offline. It's easy to use, looks clean, and helps you keep your reading organized. | Potato VPN is a free VPN service with 10M+ downloads and 4.5/5 rating, offering 6 free countries and premium servers, though it has faced some connection stability issues and billing concerns. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 7.6 Winner in this category | 6.9 |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads |
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | |
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Instapaper does what you need: save articles, read them offline, and organize with folders and tags. You can pay for extras like searching your saved stuff or adding more notes, but most people won't need that. Some things are missing or work better on iPhone than Android, and sometimes syncing is slow. But overall, it covers the basics really well. Winner in this category | 7.0 Potato VPN offers a solid set of features that justify its free-first positioning. The service includes free access to 6 main countries, automatic fastest server selection, and no registration required. The service also includes advanced features like premium servers and live chat support, making it more than just a basic VPN. What sets Potato VPN apart is its generous free tier and user-friendly approach. The service also includes advanced features like automatic server selection and live chat support, making it more than just a basic VPN. However, unlike Proton VPN, it lacks a kill switch and split tunneling. However, the service lacks some advanced features found in dedicated VPN providers, such as specialized servers for specific use cases and some cutting-edge privacy features. The service also doesn't offer some advanced features like obfuscated servers or specialized streaming servers that some competitors provide. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN offers good features, but the connection issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. The service provides good value for users who need free VPN features. |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Instapaper is fast and works well most of the time. We didn't have crashes, and reading is smooth. Sometimes syncing is slow or articles take a while to show up, especially on Android. But for everyday use, it's reliable. Winner in this category | 6.0 Potato VPN's performance is inconsistent, with good speeds when working but frequent connection issues that significantly impact usability. The service offers decent connection speeds and automatic server selection, but the frequent disconnections and connection stability problems make it difficult to use reliably. The service works well for basic VPN protection when connected, but many users report VPN connection failures and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The connection issues are particularly concerning given the free-first positioning. The service's performance issues are particularly concerning given the free-first positioning. Users expect reliability and performance from a free VPN service, but Potato VPN's connection problems make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives that offer similar features with better performance. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN's performance is below average. The connection issues make it difficult to justify the free-first positioning, and users might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with better reliability. |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.0 We like how Instapaper looks. It's clean and simple, so you can just read without distractions. You can change the font or switch to dark mode if you want. The Android app could look a bit more modern, but it's still nice to use. Winner in this category | 7.5 Potato VPN's interface strikes a good balance between functionality and user-friendliness. The main screen provides quick access to server selection, connection controls, and key settings. The interface is clean and modern, with good attention to detail and user experience. The app's design is intuitive and well-organized, with clear navigation between different features. The connection status is clearly displayed, and the settings menu is well-structured. The interface doesn't overwhelm users with complex options while still providing access to advanced features. The interface is generally user-friendly and provides good visual feedback about connection status and app performance. The design reflects the free-first positioning of the service, making it easy for users to manage their VPN connection. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN's design is competitive and well-polished. The interface is functional and professional, with good attention to detail and user experience. |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 7.0 The free version is great—you get all the basics and no ads. The paid plan costs more now and doesn't add a lot unless you really need the extra features. If you just want to save and read, stick with the free version. If you want more, think about if it's worth it for you. Winner in this category | 7.0 Potato VPN's value proposition is good for free users, with generous free access and user-friendly features. The service offers competitive pricing compared to other free VPNs, with the ability to get free access to 6 countries being a significant advantage. The service's pricing is competitive with other free VPNs, and the generous free access makes it particularly attractive for users who want a comprehensive free solution. The comprehensive features and privacy protection add value beyond basic VPN functionality. However, the service's value is impacted by connection stability issues and billing concerns. Many users report frequent disconnections and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The connection issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN offers good features but at a similar cost. The connection issues make it difficult to recommend over free alternatives that offer similar performance with better reliability. Winner in this category |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 8.0 It's really easy to get started with Instapaper. Saving and reading is simple, and you don't have to mess with a lot of settings. Sometimes it's hard to find certain features on Android, and syncing can be a bit slow, but most of the time it just works. Winner in this category | 7.5 Potato VPN is generally easy to use for basic VPN functionality, with a simple interface that requires no technical knowledge. The app's design is intuitive, and most users can get started quickly without any setup or configuration. The service works well for most use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly. The service offers automatic server selection and no registration required, making it accessible to users of all technical levels. The app doesn't require complex configuration, and the VPN connection process is straightforward. The service works well for most use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly. However, the service's ease of use is compromised by frequent disconnections and connection stability issues. Many users report VPN connection failures and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The app can be frustrating to use due to connection issues and stability problems. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN's ease of use is similar but not significantly better. The connection issues can be frustrating for users who expect reliability from a free VPN service. |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Instapaper doesn't show ads or track you much, which we like. You do need an account to sync your articles, but we didn't see any big privacy problems. It's not the most private app ever, but it feels safe enough for everyday use. Winner in this category | 6.5 Potato VPN takes security and privacy seriously, with high-level encryption and privacy protection claims. The service includes automatic server selection and no registration required. The service also includes advanced features like live chat support for enhanced privacy protection. The service's privacy features are comprehensive for a free solution, with high-level encryption and privacy protection. The service also includes advanced features like automatic server selection for enhanced security and privacy protection. However, Potato VPN has faced some privacy concerns in the past, particularly around its data collection practices and connection reliability. While the company has maintained its privacy commitments, some users remain concerned about the service's data practices and connection stability. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN's privacy practices are solid but not exceptional. The service provides good protection for most users, but those with high privacy requirements might want to consider alternatives with more advanced privacy features. |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | If you want an app that just lets you save and read articles without any hassle, Instapaper is a great pick. It's not perfect—sometimes things are a bit slow or missing on Android, and the premium plan costs more now. But for most people, the free version is more than enough. We use it all the time and think you might like it too. | Potato VPN offers good free access and user-friendly features, but its value proposition is compromised by connection stability issues and billing concerns. The service provides generous free access to 6 countries and automatic server selection, but the frequent disconnections and billing problems make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives.
For users who prioritize free access and are willing to work within the service's limitations, Potato VPN offers a solid feature set with good free access when working properly. However, those seeking specialized VPN functionality or experiencing connection issues might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with better reliability, such as Thunder VPN for a more stable free experience.
Ultimately, Potato VPN's free-first approach and user-friendly features make it a good choice for users seeking free access, but the connection stability issues and billing concerns make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives that offer similar features with better performance. For a more consistent free experience, consider Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
