As a writer, I often spend considerable time in my web browser throughout the day. Like most, I have been using whatever bookmarking feature is included in the browser I’m using. I use different browsers, and they virtually all handle bookmarks the same way. I create folders and add bookmarked sites to them.

I usually keep my most essential bookmark folders in the default bookmarks bar. If I need more real estate, I hit Ctrl + Shift + B to toggle it on or off. That is about the extent of my bookmarks' management. Also, with the browser’s autofill feature, I use fewer bookmarks. However, I discovered a better way to manage bookmarks.

I use the Raindrop.io app, which offers numerous features and significantly improves the experience of managing bookmarks compared to using a browser. It is cross-platform, so you can access your bookmarks regardless of the device you are using, making it a more effective way to manage bookmarks than using a browser.

Raindrop.io for better bookmark management

Many features for managing your bookmarks across platforms

Raindrop is a fantastic bookmarking tool that provides the features necessary to manage your bookmarks effectively. It includes extensions for bookmarks, saves sites for all major browsers, supports shared bookmark lists, and features a clean UI that’s easy to work with.

It doesn’t just show you a list of your bookmarks, but also allows you to view the links directly from the app. I don’t need to open them in a separate tab or window. I can view the sites directly on my computer inside the Raindrop experience by selecting the preview option. They open in a sidebar, which is far more efficient than the alternative.

Additionally, it's cross-platform and compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iPhone. Additionally, it is free to use and costs only $3 per month or $28 per year for the Pro version, which offers nested folders, automatic webpage archiving, full article search, and more features. That’s less than the cost of a house coffee at Starbucks. So, I was pleased that it’s affordable. The free version allows for 100 MB of files per month and more than 1,600 integrations, such as Zapier and IFTTT, to connect to Raindrop for any automation you have in mind.

Using Raindrop.io

It’s straightforward and a pleasure to use

I started with Raindrop by importing my bookmarks from other browsers. This part isn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Instead of picking a browser and clicking “import,” it requires exporting a file from your browser and uploading it to Raindrop. Whether your browser refers to them as favorites or bookmarks, it should provide a straightforward method for exporting bookmarks. I have moved to Vivaldi, but I still have most of my bookmarks (favorites) in Edge. However, it's easy enough to transfer them from the settings menu.

It’s also possible to use the embedded web viewer to link to pages with interactive elements and edit them inside Raindrop. This can be especially helpful if you want to use Notion to access specific pages with notes you have jotted down. Once, I imported my bookmarks, notes, and everything else, and synced them across other devices, including my mobile.

It’s also helpful that Raindrop separates your bookmarks into filtered sections like articles, audio, video, and ones without tags. I should also mention that you can tag your articles for easier sorting and management. Select the edit option, and you can add notes to an article or add tags. It also allows “favoriting” articles, which is another way to help keep your bookmarks organized.

Settings

Plenty of settings to optimize it for your workflow

Raindrop.io includes a fair number of settings that you can configure to make it work best for you. The integrations with other services are also a plus, which you can access via settings. For instance, it has integrations for using the Raycast Extension and Alfred Workflow. I can also save Reddit and Pocket items to Raindrop, which allows me to keep track of essential threads and articles I’ve saved for later. It has integrations for Feedly, which is a big help to my workflow.

There are over 2,600 integrations, so you’re bound to find one that works for you. If you get the Pro version, you’ll have access to annotations for making notes on pages, 10GB of files per month, priority support, reminders, automatic daily backups, and more.

Settings also allow you to customize the interface, as well as back up Raindrop to Google Drive or Dropbox. You can add 2FA for an extra layer of security for your data, import more bookmarks from other browsers, and manage your account.

Efficient tools included

Makes managing bookmarks easier with visual cues

It’s also helpful that Raindrop separates your bookmarks into filtered sections like articles, audio, video, and ones without tags. I should also mention that you can tag your articles for easier sorting and management. Select the edit option, and you can add notes to an article or add tags. It also allows “favoriting” articles, which is another way to help keep your bookmarks organized. Everything also syncs between devices you’re signed in to, including your phone.

It also allows for filtering bookmarks and links, making it easier for me to find what I need and more efficient for my workflow. In addition, I can change the icons for bookmarks, which is a helpful way to see what I need at a glance. It includes hundreds of icons to choose from, and you can select one for specific bookmarks. To make things easier, I can search for the particular icon that I want to use. It even lets me create custom icons for links and add them to my database of existing default icons.

Raindrop.io is a feature-packed, all-in-one bookmark manager

I’ve been using Raindrop.io for a week so far and have been pleasantly surprised with its features and ease of use. I haven’t gone all in yet and am still holding off on getting the Pro version while I get acclimated to it. However, since it works so well, I am considering the additional features of a subscription. Even if you don’t get Pro, there is plenty in this app to get you to make this the next bookmark manager you will use full time.

Enough can’t be said about how great this app is. I can change views to bookmarks depending on how I need to look through them. One essential example is changing the layout to a Pinterest-like view, allowing me to browse work-related web pages or view personal tabs in a layout that’s visually appealing. There’s no clutter. It truly is an all-in-one bookmark manager. It's also convenient that I can view everything on my computer or phone while on the go.