2026-04-11
Save This One vs Pinboard: Simple Bookmarking Compared
*Last updated April 2026*
Save This One and Pinboard both reject feature bloat. They are simple bookmarking tools built for people who want to save a link and find it later. The difference is in the approach. Pinboard is a text-only web app from 2009 with archival features and a paid annual plan. Save This One is a free, modern tool with notes on every bookmark, tags, and fast search built in. This guide compares the two so you can pick the right one.
Save This One vs Pinboard at a Glance
| Feature | Save This One | Pinboard |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | $22/yr (Basic) / $39/yr (Archival) |
| Tags | Yes | Yes |
| Notes on bookmarks | Yes | Yes (description field) |
| Full-text search | Yes (free) | Archival only ($39/yr) |
| Web archive / cached copies | No | Archival only ($39/yr) |
| Browser extension | Yes | Third-party |
| Mobile | iOS Shortcuts | No native apps |
| Raycast integration | Yes | No |
| CLI / cURL support | Yes | API |
| UI design | Modern, clean | Text-only, dated |
| Native apps | Web app | Web only |
| Dead link detection | No | Archival only |
Save This One: Key Strengths
Save This One is built for people who want a clean, modern way to keep links without paying for it. Every feature is free.
What it does best:
- Completely free. No annual fee, no tiers, no credit card. Every feature is available to every user. Pinboard costs $22 to $39 per year.
- Modern, clean interface. Save This One has a polished UI that feels like a tool built in 2026, not 2009. If you spend time in your bookmarks, the experience matters.
- Notes on every bookmark. Add context to any link. Write why you saved it, what you were thinking, or what to do with it later. Free, always.
- Fast search included. Full-text search across titles, URLs, tags, and notes is built in at no cost. On Pinboard, full-text search requires the $39/year Archival plan.
- Multiple ways to save. Use the browser extension, Raycast, iOS Shortcuts, or cURL from your terminal. If you work in the command line or use Raycast as your launcher, Save This One fits your workflow.
Where it falls short:
- No web archival or cached copies. If a page goes down, you lose access. Pinboard's Archival plan solves this.
- No public API yet. Developers who want to build custom integrations will find Pinboard's API more flexible today.
- Newer tool. Pinboard has been running for over 15 years. Save This One does not have that track record yet.
Pinboard: Key Strengths
Pinboard is a beloved tool in the developer community. It has earned trust through years of quiet, reliable operation. Maciej Ceglowski built it as a solo project, and that independence is part of its appeal.
What it does best:
- 15+ years of reliability. Pinboard launched in 2009 and has been running steadily since. If longevity matters to you, few bookmarking tools come close.
- Archival copies protect against link rot. The Archival plan saves cached copies of every page you bookmark. When a page disappears from the web, your copy survives. This is genuinely useful.
- Powerful API for custom integrations. Pinboard's API is well-documented and widely used. Developers have built dozens of tools on top of it, from command-line clients to custom workflows.
- Privacy-focused. No tracking, no ads, no data mining. Pinboard's business model is straightforward: you pay for the service.
- Minimalist philosophy. Pinboard does not chase trends. It saves links and gets out of the way.
Where it falls short:
- $22 to $39 per year. The Basic plan costs $22/year. Full-text search and archival require the $39/year plan. Save This One includes search for free.
- No native apps. Pinboard is web-only. There is no official mobile app. Third-party apps exist, but official support is limited to the website.
- Dated interface. The text-only design is intentional, but it has not changed much since 2009. Some users find it charming. Others find it hard to use.
- Full-text search costs extra. Searching inside your bookmarks requires the Archival plan at $39/year.
- Solo developer. Maciej runs Pinboard alone. That independence is a strength, but it also means the project depends entirely on one person.
Which Should You Choose?
Pick Save This One if:
- You want a free tool with no annual fee and no restrictions.
- You want a modern, clean interface that feels good to use.
- You save links to find them later and want notes and search included for free.
- You use Raycast, iOS Shortcuts, or cURL and want flexible ways to save links.
- You prefer simple tools and do not need web archival.
Pick Pinboard if:
- You need permanent cached copies of web pages to protect against link rot.
- You want a well-documented API for building custom tools and workflows.
- You value a 15-year track record and trust a tool that has been running since 2009.
- You prefer a privacy-first service with no tracking or ads.
For most people who want a simple, modern way to save and find links, Save This One is the free choice that gets the job done. If web archival and a mature API matter more to you, Pinboard has earned its reputation. See all our picks in 7 best bookmarking tools in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Save This One free?
Yes. Save This One is completely free for all users. There is no paid plan, no trial, and no features locked behind a paywall. Pinboard costs $22 per year for the Basic plan and $39 per year for the Archival plan.
Does Pinboard have a mobile app?
No. Pinboard does not have an official mobile app. Third-party apps like Pinner and Pushpin exist, but Pinboard itself is web-only. Save This One supports saving links through iOS Shortcuts for quick mobile saves.
Which tool is better for developers?
Both work well for developers. Pinboard has a full API that lets you build custom clients, scripts, and automations. Save This One supports cURL for saving links from the terminal and has a Raycast extension for fast keyboard-driven workflows. The main difference is price: Save This One is free, and Pinboard is not.