Compare Aloha Browser VPN and PaperSpan: Which App is the Best?
A reliable read-it-later app with clean formatting and offline reading. Great for organizing articles by category, though the interface feels dated. | Aloha Browser VPN is a privacy-focused browser with 10M+ downloads and 4.8/5 rating, offering built-in VPN, ad blocking, and video downloading features, though it has faced some recent connection issues and download problems. | |
| 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. | 7.2 | 7.4 Winner in this category |
| 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. | 7.3 PaperSpan is pretty good at the basic stuff. It takes messy web articles and makes them actually readable, which is honestly the main thing you want from an app like this. No ads, no random pop-ups, just clean text that's easy on the eyes.
The annoying part is that sometimes the text gets cut off halfway through an article, so you have to switch to the web view to finish reading. Also, the search could be better. It's a solid app for basic use, but if you want fancy features, you might be disappointed. We'd give it 7.3 out of 10. | 8.0 Aloha Browser VPN offers a comprehensive set of features that justify its all-in-one positioning. The service includes built-in VPN functionality, ad blocking, video downloading capabilities, and file management tools. The combination of browser and VPN functionality provides users with a complete privacy solution in one app. What sets Aloha Browser VPN apart is its unique approach to privacy browsing, offering built-in VPN access, ad blocking, and video downloading capabilities. The service also includes advanced features like Wi-Fi file sharing, secure vault for passwords, and gesture controls for enhanced user experience. 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 privacy-focused browsers like Brave Browser VPN or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Aloha Browser VPN offers significantly more features, but the connection stability issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. The service provides good value for users who need comprehensive privacy features. Winner in this category |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 6.9 Performance is PaperSpan's biggest weakness. When everything works correctly, the app is fast and responsive. Article saving is quick, reading is smooth, and offline functionality is excellent. The problem is consistency—too many things go wrong too often. The most common issues we encountered include sync problems between devices, network connectivity failures during signup, and the frustrating text view cutoff that interrupts reading sessions. The discontinued Chrome extension also limits desktop integration significantly. These aren't dealbreaking problems, but they add up to an inconsistent user experience. The positive news is that recent ratings have improved significantly (4.13/5 for the last 100 reviews compared to 3.8/5 overall), indicating the developers are actively addressing these issues. Performance score: 6.9/10. Winner in this category | 6.0 Aloha Browser VPN's performance is inconsistent, with good speeds when working but frequent connection issues that significantly impact usability. The service offers decent browsing speeds and VPN functionality, but the frequent connection problems and download issues make it difficult to use reliably. The service works well for basic browsing and privacy protection when connected, but many users report VPN connection failures and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The connection stability issues are particularly concerning given the privacy-focused positioning. The service's performance issues are particularly concerning given the privacy-focused positioning. Users expect reliability and performance from a privacy-focused service, but Aloha Browser VPN's connection problems make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives that offer similar features with better performance. Compared to other privacy-focused browsers like Brave Browser VPN or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Aloha Browser VPN's performance is below average. The connection stability issues make it difficult to justify the privacy-focused 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. | 6.2 PaperSpan's design prioritizes function over form, which works well for the reading experience but falls short everywhere else. The article reader itself is excellent—clean typography, perfect spacing, and smart image handling make reading genuinely enjoyable.
The problem is everything outside the reading experience. The overall interface looks and feels outdated compared to modern apps. Multiple users mentioned this in reviews, and we completely agree—PaperSpan desperately needs a visual refresh. The functionality is solid, but the dated appearance undermines the user experience. Design score: 6.2/10. | 8.5 Aloha Browser VPN's interface strikes an excellent balance between functionality and user-friendliness. The main screen provides quick access to browsing controls, VPN settings, and key features. The VPN toggle is easily accessible, and the interface is clean and modern. The app's design is intuitive and well-organized, with clear navigation between browser and VPN functionality. 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 all-in-one positioning of the service, making it easy for users to switch between browsing and VPN functionality. Compared to other privacy-focused browsers like Brave Browser VPN or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Aloha Browser VPN's design is competitive and well-polished. The interface is functional and professional, with good attention to detail and user experience. Winner in this category |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 8.1 This is where PaperSpan absolutely excels. The free version is genuinely useful—not a crippled demo designed to force you into paying. You get article saving, clean reading, offline access, and basic organization without any artificial restrictions. It's refreshingly honest in a world of manipulative freemium models. The premium subscription at €10.99 monthly unlocks audio playback, enhanced search, Kindle integration, and improved syncing. For heavy readers who use these features daily, it's reasonably priced. Casual users will find the free version more than sufficient for their needs. What impressed us most was user feedback describing PaperSpan as "the only read later app providing all the features for free." While not entirely accurate, it speaks to how generous the free tier feels. The pricing is fair and transparent—no hidden costs or misleading trials. Value for money score: 8.1/10. Winner in this category | 7.5 Aloha Browser VPN's value proposition is strong, with a generous free tier and comprehensive features for a competitive price. The service offers excellent value for money compared to other browsers, with the ability to get built-in VPN functionality for free being a significant advantage. The service's pricing is competitive with other privacy-focused browsers, and the generous free tier makes it particularly attractive for users who want to try the service before committing to a paid plan. The comprehensive features and privacy protection add value beyond basic browsing functionality. However, the service's value is impacted by recent connection issues and download problems. Many users report VPN connection failures and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The connection stability issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. Compared to other privacy-focused browsers like Brave Browser VPN or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Aloha Browser VPN offers more features but at a similar cost. The connection stability issues make it difficult to recommend over free alternatives that offer similar performance with fewer limitations. |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 7.8 PaperSpan gets this right from the first minute. The app is genuinely intuitive—no complex setup, no overwhelming feature lists, just straightforward functionality that works exactly as you'd expect. Within minutes of downloading, you're saving and reading articles effortlessly. The basics are seamless. Save articles with one click from your browser, and the automatic categorization handles organization without any input from you. Reading controls are exactly where you'd expect them, and switching between text and web view is instant when needed. We did encounter some frustrating technical issues. Network connectivity problems during signup affect multiple users, and we experienced sync delays between devices. The text cutoff issue can be annoying mid-article. These problems don't break the app, but they create unnecessary friction in what should be a smooth experience. Ease of use score: 7.8/10. Winner in this category | 7.5 Aloha Browser VPN is generally easy to use for basic browsing and 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 offers automatic VPN connection and browsing features, making it accessible to users of all technical levels. The app doesn't require complex configuration, and the browsing experience 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 recent connection issues and download problems. Many users report VPN connection failures and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The app can be slow to connect, and some users experience issues with the VPN not working reliably. Compared to other privacy-focused browsers like Brave Browser VPN or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Aloha Browser VPN's ease of use is similar but not significantly better. The connection stability issues can be frustrating for users who expect reliability from a privacy-focused service. |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 6.8 Security and privacy aren't PaperSpan's strongest selling points, mainly because there's limited transparency about how your data is handled. The app stores your reading data on their servers for syncing across devices, which is standard practice but means your reading habits and saved articles aren't kept locally. What concerned us most was the lack of detailed privacy documentation. For an app that handles your reading preferences, article URLs, and potentially sensitive saved content, clearer communication about data protection would be reassuring. We didn't encounter obvious security problems during testing, but the transparency gap is noticeable. Most users probably won't find this problematic for everyday use, but privacy-conscious readers might want to dig deeper into the terms of service or consider alternatives with more transparent data practices. Security and privacy gets 6.8 out of 10. | 7.0 Aloha Browser VPN takes security and privacy seriously, with built-in VPN functionality and ad blocking capabilities. The service includes basic encryption and privacy protection features. The secure vault for passwords and private browsing mode provide additional security options. The service's privacy features are comprehensive for a browser-based solution, with built-in VPN access and ad blocking. The service also includes advanced features like secure file sharing and password protection for enhanced security and privacy protection. However, Aloha Browser VPN has faced some security concerns in the past, particularly around its data collection practices and VPN 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 privacy-focused browsers like Brave Browser VPN or dedicated VPNs like Proton VPN, Aloha Browser VPN's security practices are solid but not exceptional. The service provides good protection for most users, but those with high security requirements might want to consider alternatives with more advanced privacy features. Winner in this category |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | After using PaperSpan for a while, we'd actually recommend it to most people. Yeah, it looks a bit old and has some annoying bugs, but it does the main job really well. If you commute a lot or just want to actually read those articles you save instead of letting them pile up forever, this app helps. It's not fancy, but it works, and sometimes that's exactly what you need. | Aloha Browser VPN is a privacy-focused browser that offers excellent convenience with built-in VPN functionality and comprehensive features, but its value proposition is compromised by recent connection issues and download problems. The service provides good privacy protection and convenience, but the connection problems and download issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives.
For users who prioritize convenience and are willing to work within the app's limitations, Aloha Browser VPN offers a solid feature set with good performance when working. However, those seeking specialized VPN functionality or experiencing connection issues might find better value with dedicated VPN services like Proton VPN that offer more reliable performance.
Ultimately, Aloha Browser VPN's all-in-one approach and built-in VPN functionality make it a good choice for users seeking convenience, but the connection stability issues and download problems make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives like Brave Browser VPN that offer similar features with better performance. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
