Software Alternatives & Startups

Readwise VS HazeOver

Compare Readwise VS HazeOver and see what are their differences

Readwise

Effortlessly rediscover and organize your Kindle highlights

HazeOver

Focus on one app by dimming all the background windows

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid Free trial $4.99 / One-off

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Readwise should be more popular than HazeOver. It has been mentioned 88 times since March 2021.

social mentions
88 vs 22
Productivity popularity
76% vs 24%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 230

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Readwise
HazeOver
Website readwise.io hazeover.com
Pricing
Paid Free trial $4.99 / One-off Official pricing
Platforms —
Mac MacOS
Company — Startup from the United States
Listed in

About Readwise and HazeOver

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Readwise
HazeOver

No description of Readwise yet.

Too many windows to manage? Large display? Or getting lost in multiple monitors? HazeOver is for you! Turn distractions down and focus on your current task. HazeOver automatically highlights the front window by dimming background windows. • Help yourself focus on one thing at a time....

Read more about HazeOver

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Readwise 5 features
HazeOver 5 features
  • Centralized System
    Readwise allows users to consolidate highlights and notes from various reading platforms, such as Kindle, Instapaper, and Pocket, into one place.
  • Ease of Use
    The platform is user-friendly, making it easy to import, organize, and review highlights.
  • Spaced Repetition
    Readwise uses spaced repetition algorithms to help users retain and recall information over time by regularly revisiting highlights.
  • Customizable Export Options
    Users can export their highlights and notes to other services like Evernote, Notion, or plain text files, allowing for flexible usage of the stored data.
  • Search Functionality
    Readwise offers robust search capabilities, making it simple to find specific highlights or notes across your library.

Possible disadvantages

  • Subscription Cost
    Readwise operates on a subscription model, which may be considered expensive for some users relative to the features offered.
  • Limited Functionality Without Subscription
    While there is a free trial available, many features are gated behind a subscription, limiting the usability of the free version.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its overall user-friendliness, some users might find a learning curve when initially setting up and configuring the system to suit their needs.
  • Dependence on Third-Party Integrations
    Readwise’s value is largely dependent on its integrations with third-party services, meaning any changes or issues with those services can impact its effectiveness.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Since Readwise collects and stores data from multiple reading platforms, there may be privacy concerns regarding how this data is handled and stored.
  • Focus Enhancement
    HazeOver dims background windows, allowing you to concentrate better on the task at hand without being distracted by other open applications.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application is easy to use, with straightforward controls for adjusting the dimming intensity and other settings.
  • Customization Options
    Users can customize the dimming effect to suit their preferences, including choosing the dimness level and applying different settings for different times of day.
  • System Resource Efficiency
    HazeOver runs efficiently in the background without using significant system resources, ensuring it doesn’t slow down your computer.
  • Compatibility
    The app works well with macOS features, supporting multiple monitors and virtual desktops.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Readwise
HazeOver

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Readwise is well-regarded for its utility in helping users actively engage with and digest their reading materials. It provides a streamlined way to revisit and reinforce key concepts, making it a valuable tool for those serious about boosting their information retention.

Why this product is good

  • Readwise is designed to help users retain information from their readings by organizing, highlighting, and revisiting key excerpts. It integrates with various platforms like Kindle, Instapaper, and Pocket to collate highlights in one place. The daily review feature encourages consistent engagement with past highlights, aiding in better recall and comprehension. The platform is beneficial for avid readers, students, and professionals who wish to maximize their learning retention and make the most out of their reading habits.

Recommended for

  • Avid readers looking to remember more from their books
  • Students who need to recall key concepts from academic materials
  • Professionals who want to maintain a repository of valuable insights from articles and reports for reference
  • Anyone interested in personal development and continuous learning through reading

Overall verdict

  • Overall, HazeOver receives positive reviews for its simplicity, user-friendly interface, and effectiveness in enhancing focus and productivity. Users appreciate the ability to adjust dimming intensity and customize settings to suit their preferences.

Why this product is good

  • HazeOver is designed to reduce visual clutter on your desktop by dimming background windows, allowing you to focus on the task at hand. It is particularly useful for improving productivity and reducing distractions in a busy digital environment.

Recommended for

  • Individuals who frequently multitask on their computer.
  • Users seeking to minimize distractions for improved concentration.
  • People who work with multiple windows or multiple displays.
  • Those who prefer a minimalist digital workspace.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Readwise 2 videos + Add
HazeOver 4 videos + Add

Readwise: How to use Spaced Repetition with your books

More videos

  • - Keep track of Kindle highlights with Readwise [#49] Adam Franklin

HazeOver: Distraction Dimmer™ for macOS Tahoe

More videos

  • - Review: HazeOver: dim background apps and get rid of distractions
  • - SCOM0922 - Tip - HazeOver - Preview
  • - HazeOver Review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Readwise
HazeOver
76% 76%
24% 24%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
Mac
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Readwise and HazeOver. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Readwise 5.0 · 1 review
HazeOver no reviews yet
  • Great help to review books
    SaaSHub review
    · Nov 2021

    I imported my kindle highlights, as many others. Now I daily review some highlights (thanks to a dashboard, I am motivated). And where I didn't create highlights, as I only listened to the audiobooks, I get the...

  • Best 6 Mac Window Managers
    mackeeper.com · Sep 2023

    Until Apple brings better window management to Macs, these third-party tools are the best way to improve organization and productivity. Most of them let you snap windows into position by dragging them to the edge of...

  • What productivity tools are most useful
    clariti.app · Feb 2021

    If you are multi-tasker and have the habit of toggling between multiple windows to get thingsdone. Thank heavens, HazeOver removes all the distractions by automatically highlighting thewindow that you are currently...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Readwise 88 mentions
HazeOver 22 mentions
  • Relego, a free, self-hostable alternative to Readwise
    Anyway, as I reached the end of the chapter, I wanted to read my Readwise's daily recap. However, my iPhone was in other room. I didn’t want to get up; I was tired. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Exporting Mac OSX Book Highlights into an Obsidian Vault or Markdown Files
    The only highlights that Readwise retrieves semi-automatically are from the books I buy from Kindle, by going into the Readwise app and clicking a button. If I upload them to Kindle or need highlights from the Apple Books app, I have to... - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Show HN: I combined spaced repetition with emails so you can remember anything
    Readwise also has this feature. I get a daily email with a random assortment of highlights that have been pulled in from multiple sources (Reader, Notion, Kindle, etc.) The product benefit in their case is that it's kind of like Zapier,... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago

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  • Alan.app – Add a Border to macOS Active Window
    In a similar vein, but different concept - https://hazeover.com/ - dimming inactive windows. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Alan.app – Add a Border to macOS Active Window
    Instead of adding a border to the active window, I use an app that fades out the background windows: https://hazeover.com. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Alan.app – Add a Border to macOS Active Window
    I run a tool that I like much better both in terms of not being distracting on-screen and reducing the light blasting my eyes: https://hazeover.com I'm not affiliated, but I love it and recommended it to friends. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago

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Alternatives to Readwise and HazeOver

When comparing Readwise and HazeOver, you can also consider the following products.