kitio.aiClearly Reader vs SurfMind
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Clearly Reader has the lower starting price: about $2 a month, against $10 for SurfMind.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Distraction-free reader view
- AI skim summaries
- Chat with the page
- Text to speech
- Translation
- Export to Obsidian and more
- Page-aware chat
- 100+ models and local LLMs
- Cited answers
- Browser actions
- MCP and skills
| Feature | Clearly Reader | SurfMind |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Reader mode extension with AI summaries, chat and text to speech | Browser extension that chats about any page with 100+ AI models |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $14.99 one-time | $10/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | LESSLAB LLC | SurfMind |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
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Pricing compared
Clearly Reader has the lower starting price: about $2 a month, against $10 for SurfMind.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Free
Free
- Basic reader features
- 3 AI skims per month
Pro lifetime
$14.99 one-time
- One-time payment
- Advanced reading features
- Early-bird price
Subscription
$29.90/yr
- Cloud sync and clipping
- AI reader assistant
- RSS and podcast feeds
- Early-bird price
3 plans
Free
Free
- Page-aware chat
- Any AI provider or local LLM
- Basic MCP and skills
Pro Monthly
$10/mo
- 800 SurfMind credits a month
- Hosted models and image generation
- Browser actions
Pro Lifetime
$39 one-time
- Browser actions
- Early feature access
- No credits included
Prices in USD, checked Nov 5, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Clearly Reader
- Core reader mode is free
- Many export and read-later targets
- Works on Chrome, Edge, Firefox and iOS
- Free tier gets only 3 AI skims a month
- Cloud and AI need a subscription
- Shown prices are early-bird discounts
SurfMind
- Free tier with your own API keys
- Supports local models
- One-time lifetime option
- Lifetime plan excludes hosted credits
- Browser automation is Pro only
- Setup needed to add your own keys
Which one should you choose?
Choose Clearly Reader if you want:
- Core reader mode is free
- Many export and read-later targets
- Works on Chrome, Edge, Firefox and iOS
Watch out: free tier gets only 3 ai skims a month.
Choose SurfMind if you want:
- Free tier with your own API keys
- Supports local models
- One-time lifetime option
Watch out: lifetime plan excludes hosted credits.
Clearly Reader vs SurfMind FAQ
What is the difference between Clearly Reader and SurfMind?
Clearly Reader: Reader mode extension with AI summaries, chat and text to speech. SurfMind: Browser extension that chats about any page with 100+ AI models. Both are productivity tools.
Is Clearly Reader or SurfMind cheaper?
Clearly Reader has the lower starting price: about $2 a month, against $10 for SurfMind.
Do Clearly Reader and SurfMind have free plans?
Clearly Reader: Yes. SurfMind: Yes.
Who makes Clearly Reader?
Clearly Reader is made by LESSLAB LLC.
Who makes SurfMind?
SurfMind is made by SurfMind.
Which should I choose, Clearly Reader or SurfMind?
Choose Clearly Reader if you value core reader mode is free and many export and read-later targets. Choose SurfMind if you value free tier with your own api keys and supports local models.