Chrome New Tab Extensions Compared: Finding Your Perfect Match (2025)
Compare every major Chrome new tab extension. Side-by-side analysis of Dream Afar, Momentum, Tabliss, and more — find the perfect new tab for your needs.
With dozens of new tab extensions available for Chrome, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Some prioritize beautiful wallpapers, others focus on productivity tools, and many lock features behind paywalls.
This comprehensive guide compares every major new tab extension to help you find your perfect match.
Table of Contents
- What We Evaluated
- Quick Comparison Table
- Detailed Reviews
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Best For Each Use Case
- Our Recommendations
What We Evaluated
Evaluation Criteria
We tested each extension across six key dimensions:
| Criterion | What We Measured |
|---|---|
| Features | Wallpapers, widgets, productivity tools |
| Free Value | What's available without paying |
| Privacy | Data storage, tracking, permissions |
| Performance | Load time, memory usage |
| Design | Visual appeal, user experience |
| Reliability | Stability, update frequency |
Testing Methodology
- Fresh Chrome profile for each test
- One week of daily use per extension
- Measured load times with DevTools
- Reviewed privacy policies and permissions
- Compared free vs. premium features
Quick Comparison Table
Feature Comparison
| Extension | Wallpapers | Todos | Timer | Weather | Focus Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dream Afar | ★★★★★ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Momentum | ★★★★☆ | Limited | ❌ | Premium | Premium | ❌ |
| Tabliss | ★★★★☆ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Infinity | ★★★☆☆ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Bonjourr | ★★★★☆ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Homey | ★★★★☆ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Pricing Comparison
| Extension | Free Tier | Premium Price | What's Locked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dream Afar | Everything | N/A | Nothing |
| Momentum | Basic | $5/month | Focus, integrations, weather |
| Tabliss | Everything | N/A | Nothing |
| Infinity | Most features | $3.99/month | Cloud sync, themes |
| Bonjourr | Everything | Donations | Nothing |
| Homey | Basic | $2.99/month | Widgets, customization |
Privacy Comparison
| Extension | Data Storage | Account Required | Tracking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dream Afar | Local only | No | None |
| Momentum | Cloud | Yes | Analytics |
| Tabliss | Local only | No | None |
| Infinity | Cloud (optional) | Optional | Some |
| Bonjourr | Local only | No | None |
| Homey | Cloud | Optional | Some |
Detailed Reviews
Dream Afar — Best Overall
Rating: 9.5/10
Dream Afar stands out as the most generous new tab extension available. Every feature is free, no account is required, and all data stays on your device.
Wallpapers:
- Unsplash integration (millions of photos)
- Google Earth View satellite imagery
- Custom photo uploads
- Multiple collections (nature, architecture, abstract)
- Daily, hourly, or per-tab refresh
Productivity Tools:
- Todo list with persistent storage
- Pomodoro timer with sessions
- Quick notes widget
- Focus mode with site blocking
- Search bar with multiple engines
Privacy:
- 100% local storage
- No account required
- No analytics or tracking
- Minimal permissions
- Transparent data practices
Pros:
- Completely free (no premium tier)
- Full feature set out of the box
- Best privacy practices
- Beautiful, curated wallpapers
- Fast performance
Cons:
- Chrome/Chromium only
- No cross-device sync
- Focus mode blocking is "soft"
Best for: Users who want everything free with maximum privacy.
Momentum — Most Popular
Rating: 7.5/10
Momentum pioneered the beautiful new tab category and remains the most recognized name. However, its freemium model increasingly limits free users.
Wallpapers:
- Curated daily photos
- Nature and travel focused
- Custom uploads (premium)
- Limited free selection
Productivity Tools:
- Daily focus question
- Basic todo list
- Weather (premium)
- Integrations (premium)
- Focus mode (premium)
Privacy:
- Cloud storage for premium
- Account required for full features
- Usage analytics
- Data used for improvement
Pros:
- Established, reliable
- Beautiful photography
- Cross-browser support
- Third-party integrations (premium)
Cons:
- Many features locked behind $5/month
- Account required
- Cloud-based data storage
- Limited free customization
Best for: Users who want integrations and don't mind paying.
→ Read full comparison: Dream Afar vs Momentum
Tabliss — Best Open Source
Rating: 7.5/10
Tabliss is a fully open-source new tab extension, perfect for users who value transparency and community-driven development.
Wallpapers:
- Unsplash integration
- Giphy backgrounds
- Solid colors
- Custom URLs
Productivity Tools:
- Time and date
- Weather widget
- Quick links
- Search bar
- Greeting message
Privacy:
- Fully open source (auditable)
- Local storage only
- No account required
- Minimal permissions
Pros:
- 100% open source
- Completely free
- Good customization
- Privacy-focused
- Firefox + Chrome
Cons:
- No todo list
- No timer/Pomodoro
- Less polished UI
- Fewer wallpaper options
- No focus mode
Best for: Open source advocates and developers.
→ Read full comparison: Dream Afar vs Tabliss
Infinity New Tab — Best for Power Users
Rating: 7/10
Infinity offers extensive customization with a grid-based layout, app shortcuts, and numerous widgets.
Wallpapers:
- Bing daily wallpaper
- Custom uploads
- Solid colors
- Animation effects
Productivity Tools:
- Bookmarks/shortcuts grid
- Todo list
- Weather
- Notes
- Search with history
Privacy:
- Local storage default
- Cloud sync optional (account)
- Some analytics
- More permissions requested
Pros:
- Highly customizable
- Great bookmark management
- Multiple layout options
- Power user features
Cons:
- Can feel cluttered
- Steeper learning curve
- Some premium features
- More resource-intensive
Best for: Power users who want maximum customization.
Bonjourr — Best Minimalist
Rating: 7/10
Bonjourr focuses on minimalism and simplicity, offering a clean new tab with just the essentials.
Wallpapers:
- Unsplash integration
- Dynamic gradients
- Custom photos
- Time-based changes
Productivity Tools:
- Time and greeting
- Weather
- Quick links
- Search bar
- Notes
Privacy:
- Open source
- Local storage only
- No account
- No tracking
Pros:
- Ultra-clean design
- Lightweight
- Open source
- Privacy-focused
Cons:
- Very limited features
- No todo list
- No timer
- No focus mode
- Basic customization
Best for: Minimalists who want simplicity over features.
Homey — Best Design
Rating: 6.5/10
Homey offers beautiful aesthetics with curated wallpapers and a polished interface.
Wallpapers:
- Curated collections
- High-quality photography
- Premium collections
- Custom uploads (premium)
Productivity Tools:
- Time display
- Todo list
- Weather
- Bookmarks
Privacy:
- Cloud storage
- Account optional
- Some analytics
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Curated content
- Clean interface
Cons:
- Limited free features
- Premium required for full experience
- Less privacy-focused
- Fewer productivity tools
Best for: Users who prioritize aesthetics over features.
Head-to-Head Comparisons
Dream Afar vs Momentum
The most common comparison — the free challenger vs. the premium incumbent.
| Factor | Dream Afar | Momentum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $5/month for full |
| Todos | ✅ Full | Limited free |
| Timer | ✅ Pomodoro | ❌ No |
| Focus Mode | ✅ Free | Premium only |
| Weather | ✅ Free | Premium only |
| Privacy | Local only | Cloud-based |
| Account | Not needed | Required for premium |
Winner: Dream Afar (for free users), Momentum (for integration needs)
→ Full comparison: Dream Afar vs Momentum → Looking for a Momentum alternative?
Dream Afar vs Tabliss
Two free, privacy-focused options with different strengths.
| Factor | Dream Afar | Tabliss |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpapers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Todos | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Timer | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Focus Mode | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Design | Polished | Good |
Winner: Dream Afar (for features), Tabliss (for open source)
→ Full comparison: Dream Afar vs Tabliss
Free Extensions Compared
For users who won't pay, here's how free options stack up:
| Extension | Free Feature Score |
|---|---|
| Dream Afar | 10/10 (everything free) |
| Tabliss | 8/10 (no productivity tools) |
| Bonjourr | 7/10 (minimal features) |
| Momentum | 5/10 (heavily limited) |
| Infinity | 7/10 (most free) |
→ Best Free Alternatives to Momentum
Privacy-Focused Extensions Ranked
For privacy-conscious users:
| Rank | Extension | Privacy Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dream Afar | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | Tabliss | ★★★★★ |
| 3 | Bonjourr | ★★★★★ |
| 4 | Infinity | ★★★☆☆ |
| 5 | Momentum | ★★☆☆☆ |
→ Privacy-First New Tab Extensions Ranked
Best For Each Use Case
Best for Free Users: Dream Afar
Why: Every feature available for free. No premium tier, no paywalls, no "upgrade to unlock" messages. What you see is what you get.
Runner-up: Tabliss (if you don't need productivity features)
Best for Privacy: Dream Afar / Tabliss / Bonjourr (tie)
Why: All three store data locally only, require no accounts, and include no tracking. Choose based on features needed:
- Dream Afar: Full feature set
- Tabliss: Open source
- Bonjourr: Minimalist
Best for Productivity: Dream Afar
Why: Only free extension with todos, timer, notes, AND focus mode. Others either lack features or lock them behind paywalls.
Runner-up: Momentum (if willing to pay $5/month)
Best for Minimalists: Bonjourr
Why: Clean, simple, and uncluttered. Just time, weather, and a few links. No distractions.
Runner-up: Tabliss (more customizable minimalism)
Best for Integrations: Momentum (Premium)
Why: Only option with meaningful third-party integrations (Todoist, Asana, etc.). Requires premium subscription.
Note: If you don't need integrations, Dream Afar offers more features for free.
Best for Customization: Infinity
Why: Most layout options, grid customization, and visual tweaks. Power user friendly.
Runner-up: Tabliss (simpler but flexible)
Best for Open Source: Tabliss
Why: Fully open source, community-driven, auditable code. Perfect for developers and transparency advocates.
Runner-up: Bonjourr (also open source)
Our Recommendations
The Clear Winner: Dream Afar
For most users, Dream Afar offers the best overall value:
Why we recommend it:
- Everything free — No premium tier means no feature anxiety
- Full productivity suite — Todos, timer, notes, focus mode
- Best privacy — Local storage, no tracking, no account
- Beautiful wallpapers — Unsplash + Google Earth View
- Fast and reliable — Minimal resource usage
The only reasons to choose something else:
- You need third-party integrations → Momentum (paid)
- You require open source → Tabliss
- You want extreme minimalism → Bonjourr
Installation Recommendation
Try Dream Afar first. If it doesn't meet your needs after a week, then explore alternatives.
- Install Dream Afar
- Use for one week
- If missing something critical, try alternatives
- But you probably won't need to
Related Comparisons
- Dream Afar vs Momentum: Complete Comparison
- Momentum Alternative: Privacy-First New Tab
- Dream Afar vs Tabliss: Which Is Right for You?
- Best Free Alternatives to Momentum
- Privacy-First New Tab Extensions Ranked
- Best Free New Tab Extensions for Chrome 2025
Ready to upgrade your new tab? Install Dream Afar free →
Try Dream Afar Today
Transform your new tab into a beautiful, productive dashboard with stunning wallpapers and customizable widgets.