When switching from Momentum, handle the transition in order: Export your Momentum data first. Momentum allows you to download your todo list and settings from the account dashboard. Do this before uninstalling. Install the new extension and configure it before uninstalling Mom...

Momentum Alternative Chrome (2026)

Last updated: April 17, 2026

Momentum replaced your new tab page with a beautiful wallpaper, daily motivation, and a to-do list. It became a morning ritual for millions. But in 2026, the extension ecosystem has evolved significantly, and several alternatives now offer superior features for developers and power users who need more than just pretty pictures.

This guide examines the best Momentum alternative Chrome extensions available in 2026, focusing on customization capabilities, developer features, and performance. We’ll cover installation details, configuration examples, and honest assessments of where each extension excels or falls short.

Why Look for a Momentum Alternative?

Momentum still works, but it hasn’t kept pace with what power users demand. The extension remains largely unchanged, and its focus on generic motivation quotes doesn’t serve developers who need contextual information, quick access to documentation, or integration with their workflow tools.

Beyond feature stagnation, Momentum has concrete drawbacks worth considering:

Memory overhead: At roughly 45MB, it’s one of the heavier new-tab extensions available
Mandatory cloud sync: Your to-do items and settings are stored on Momentum’s servers, not locally
Limited customization: Widget layout is fixed; you can’t rearrange elements or add custom data sources
Subscription wall: The best features sit behind a paid plan that has increased in price each year
No developer integrations: No GitHub activity, no JIRA tasks, no custom API support

The ideal alternative should provide:

Customizable new tab experience with a flexible widget system
Developer-focused widgets like GitHub integration or API data displays
Fast performance with low memory consumption
Options for self-hosting or local-only data storage
A free tier that is genuinely useful, not just a teaser

Top Momentum Alternatives in 2026

Tabliss

Tabliss stands out as the most feature-complete free alternative. It offers a widget system that surpasses Momentum’s capabilities while maintaining a clean interface. The project is open source and actively maintained, which means you can audit the code or even fork it to build your own variant.

Key features:

Customizable widgets (weather, time, bookmarks, quotes, links, custom HTML)
Local storage only. no account required, ever
Unsplash integration for wallpapers with custom photo sources
Todo list with local persistence and keyboard shortcuts
Font customization and color overlay controls

For developers who value privacy, Tabliss stores all data locally in Chrome’s sync storage. You can export your entire configuration as JSON for backup or migration between machines.

// Tabliss widget configuration example (exported JSON format)
{
 "widgets": [
 {
 "type": "links",
 "data": {
 "title": "Dev Resources",
 "links": [
 { "name": "MDN", "url": "https://developer.mozilla.org" },
 { "name": "GitHub", "url": "https://github.com" },
 { "name": "Can I Use", "url": "https://caniuse.com" },
 { "name": "Bundlephobia", "url": "https://bundlephobia.com" }
 ]
 }
 },
 {
 "type": "todo",
 "data": {
 "items": [
 { "text": "Review PR #42", "done": false },
 { "text": "Update dependencies", "done": true },
 { "text": "Write unit tests for auth module", "done": false }
 ]
 }
 },
 {
 "type": "time",
 "data": {
 "format": "HH:mm",
 "clockType": "24h"
 }
 }
 ],
 "background": {
 "type": "unsplash",
 "collections": ["developer-workspaces"]
 }
}

To import this configuration, open Tabliss settings, click “Import”, and paste the JSON. Your entire setup. layouts, links, and todos. transfers instantly.

Best for: Developers who want a solid, private, highly configurable new tab without paying for anything.

Infinity New Tab

Infinity New Tab Pro has matured into a powerful productivity hub. Its Kanban-style board and customizable shortcuts make it ideal for developers managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Developer advantages:

Pinned bookmarks with favicon auto-fetch and folder organization
Custom shortcut commands with keyword triggers
Notepad with markdown support and autosave
Pomodoro timer with session statistics
Weekly activity statistics tracking
Drag-and-drop widget placement on a grid

The free version covers most use cases, while the Pro version adds cloud sync across devices and additional themes. If you work across multiple machines, the sync capability makes the subscription worthwhile.

One particular strength is the notepad widget. Instead of opening a separate app to jot a quick thought, you can write markdown directly on your new tab. Notes persist automatically and support syntax highlighting for code blocks:

Today's Sprint Tasks
In Progress
- [ ] Refactor `useAuth` hook to use new token refresh logic
- [ ] Fix mobile layout on `/dashboard` route
Done
- [x] Deploy staging environment
- [x] Review Maria's PR on the API layer
Notes
```bash
Quick test command for auth module
npm run test -- --testPathPattern=auth

Best for: Developers and project managers who juggle multiple workstreams and want visual organization without leaving the browser.
3. Station
Station takes a different approach by combining new tab functionality with app launching. It creates a unified dashboard for both local applications and web services.
This works exceptionally well for developers who switch between IDEs, terminal, and browser frequently. Station's app launcher supports custom commands and can integrate with VS Code's integrated terminal. Instead of hunting through your dock or taskbar, a new tab becomes your command center.
```json
{
 "station": {
 "apps": [
 {
 "name": "Terminal",
 "type": "application",
 "command": "open -a Terminal"
 },
 {
 "name": "Local Server",
 "type": "web",
 "url": "http://localhost:3000",
 "icon": "server"
 },
 {
 "name": "Staging",
 "type": "web",
 "url": "https://staging.yourapp.com",
 "icon": "globe"
 },
 {
 "name": "VS Code",
 "type": "application",
 "command": "code ~/projects/current"
 }
 ],
 "shortcuts": [
 {
 "key": "g",
 "action": "navigate",
 "url": "https://github.com"
 },
 {
 "key": "l",
 "action": "navigate",
 "url": "http://localhost:3000"
 },
 {
 "key": "j",
 "action": "navigate",
 "url": "https://yourcompany.atlassian.net"
 }
 ]
 }
}

Station integrates with Slack, Notion, and Figma to pull notifications directly into your new tab, so you get a status overview each time you open a tab. This reduces context switching. you see whether anything needs attention before you decide to navigate somewhere.

Best for: Full-stack developers who constantly switch between local tools, staging environments, and project management apps.

Himsal

For developers seeking a minimalist alternative, Himsal delivers a clean, distraction-free experience with a focus on productivity metrics. If Momentum feels too busy and you want something that stays out of your way, Himsal is worth a close look.

Standout features:

Focus timer with configurable work and break intervals
Daily goals with streak counting and historical charts
Minimalist weather and time display
Keyboard-driven navigation throughout the entire UI
Vim-style shortcuts for power users
Optional dark and light themes that respect system preference

Himsal uses significantly less memory than Momentum and loads nearly instantly. At roughly 8MB, it’s the lightest option in this comparison. a difference that compounds when you open dozens of tabs during a long coding session or are running a resource-intensive development environment alongside Chrome.

The keyboard-first design is worth emphasizing. Once you learn the shortcuts, you never need to reach for a mouse to interact with your new tab. Here’s the key reference:

Shortcut	Action
`f`	Start focus timer
`b`	Start break timer
`t`	Add a todo item
`d`	Mark todo as done
`/`	Open search
`g g`	Jump to goals
`Esc`	Dismiss modal

Best for: Developers who find most new-tab extensions distracting and want something fast, silent, and keyboard-operable.

Epoc

Epoc targets developers who want actionable information on every new tab. It integrates with various APIs to display relevant data without manual configuration. Where other extensions show you generic weather or random wallpapers, Epoc shows you things actually relevant to your current work.

API integrations:

GitHub contribution graph and open PR count
JIRA task summaries filtered by assignee
Weather with location auto-detection
Custom webhook triggers for internal dashboards
RSS feeds from developer blogs or changelogs

The extension supports custom JavaScript snippets for advanced users who want to pull data from internal tools. This makes it uniquely powerful in team environments where internal dashboards or APIs exist.

// Epoc custom widget example. fetches from your internal task API
window.epoc.registerWidget('custom-tasks', {
 refreshInterval: 60000, // refresh every minute
 render: async () => {
 const tasks = await fetch('/api/tasks?assignee=me&status=open')
 .then(r => r.json());
 const overdue = tasks.filter(t => new Date(t.dueDate) < new Date());
 return `
 <div class="task-widget">
 <h3>Open Tasks: ${tasks.length}</h3>
 ${overdue.length > 0
 ? `<p class="overdue-warning">${overdue.length} overdue</p>`
 : ''}
 <ul>
 ${tasks.slice(0, 5).map(t => `
 <li class="${t.priority === 'high' ? 'high-priority' : ''}">
 ${t.title}
 </li>
 `).join('')}
 </ul>
 </div>
 `;
 }
});

The GitHub integration alone justifies evaluating Epoc. Seeing your contribution graph and open pull requests on every new tab keeps you aware of review requests without constantly checking GitHub. You can configure which repositories to monitor, so you’re not flooded with activity from large organizations.

Best for: Developers embedded in teams using GitHub and JIRA who want contextual project data rather than generic productivity content.

Performance Comparison

Extension	Memory Usage	Load Time	Data Storage	Price
Momentum	~45MB	800ms	Cloud	Free / $3.99/mo
Tabliss	~12MB	200ms	Local	Free
Infinity New Tab	~35MB	400ms	Cloud/Local	Free / $1.99/mo
Station	~50MB	600ms	Cloud	Free
Himsal	~8MB	150ms	Local	Free
Epoc	~25MB	350ms	Hybrid	Free / $2.49/mo

The memory figures represent typical usage after the extension loads all assets. Local-only options like Himsal and Tabliss provide better privacy and work offline without degraded functionality. Cloud-based extensions typically fail gracefully when offline, but some features like synced todos or widget data won’t update.

Load time matters more than it sounds. If you open 20 new tabs during a debugging session, an 800ms load time adds up to 16 seconds of waiting across those tabs. Himsal’s 150ms load means the same 20 tabs cost you only 3 seconds total.

Detailed Feature Comparison

Feature	Momentum	Tabliss	Infinity	Station	Himsal	Epoc
Custom widgets	Limited	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
GitHub integration	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
JIRA integration	No	No	No	Limited	No	Yes
Local-only storage	No	Yes	Optional	No	Yes	Optional
Custom JavaScript	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Vim keybindings	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Markdown notepad	No	No	Yes	No	No	No
Open source	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Offline support	Partial	Full	Partial	Partial	Full	Partial

Choosing the Right Alternative

Consider these factors based on your specific workflow:

For privacy-conscious developers: Tabliss or Himsal store everything locally. No account needed, no data leaves your browser, and both work completely offline. Tabliss is open source, so you can verify exactly what it does.

For power users needing integrations: Infinity or Epoc offer the most customization, though some features require accounts. Epoc wins if you’re deep in the GitHub and JIRA ecosystem.

For minimal resource consumption: Himsal uses 8MB of memory compared to Momentum’s 45MB. The difference is noticeable on lower-end machines or when running memory-intensive development tools alongside Chrome. Tabliss at 12MB is also an excellent lightweight choice if you want a few more widgets.

For team environments: Station’s app launcher and Epoc’s JIRA integration work well in professional settings where you need quick access to project management tools and want to surface relevant work context on every new tab.

For keyboard-first workflows: Himsal is the only option with comprehensive Vim-style keybindings. If you live in the terminal and rarely reach for the mouse, this matters.

For cross-device sync: Infinity New Tab Pro or Momentum are the strongest choices. Both sync settings and todos across devices, which matters if you switch between a desktop and laptop regularly.

Migration Tips

When switching from Momentum, handle the transition in order:

Export your Momentum data first. Momentum allows you to download your todo list and settings from the account dashboard. Do this before uninstalling.
Install the new extension and configure it before uninstalling Momentum. This way you don’t lose your current setup while you’re getting the new one configured.
Import browser bookmarks. Most alternatives support importing from Chrome’s bookmark manager. Your existing folders and links transfer automatically.
Rebuild widgets incrementally. Don’t try to replicate every Momentum feature on day one. Start with the essentials. time, a few key links, a minimal todo list. and add complexity only when you actually miss something.
Give yourself a one-week trial. The new tab page is habitual. Any change feels wrong at first. Commit to a week before deciding whether the extension is actually worse or just different.

For Tabliss specifically, use the JSON configuration export feature after you’ve set it up on one machine. Save that JSON to a note or file, and importing it on a new machine takes seconds.

Building Your Own: The DIY Option

Some developers reach for none of the above and build a custom new-tab page. Chrome’s extension API allows overriding the new tab page with a local HTML file. which opens the door to full customization without depending on a third-party extension.

A minimal custom new tab page might look like this:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
 <title>New Tab</title>
 <style>
 body {
 background: #1a1a2e;
 color: #eee;
 font-family: 'JetBrains Mono', monospace;
 display: flex;
 align-items: center;
 justify-content: center;
 height: 100vh;
 margin: 0;
 }
 #clock { font-size: 5rem; }
 #tasks { margin-top: 2rem; text-align: left; }
 </style>
</head>
<body>
 <div>
 <div id="clock"></div>
 <div id="tasks">
 <h3>Today</h3>
 <ul id="task-list"></ul>
 <input id="new-task" placeholder="Add task..." />
 </div>
 </div>
 <script>
 // Update clock
 setInterval(() => {
 document.getElementById('clock').textContent =
 new Date().toLocaleTimeString('en-US', { hour12: false });
 }, 1000);
 // Load tasks from localStorage
 const tasks = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('tasks') || '[]');
 const list = document.getElementById('task-list');
 tasks.forEach(t => {
 const li = document.createElement('li');
 li.textContent = t;
 list.appendChild(li);
 });
 // Add tasks
 document.getElementById('new-task').addEventListener('keydown', e => {
 if (e.key === 'Enter' && e.target.value.trim()) {
 tasks.push(e.target.value.trim());
 localStorage.setItem('tasks', JSON.stringify(tasks));
 location.reload();
 }
 });
 </script>
</body>
</html>

Package this with a minimal manifest.json specifying "chrome_url_overrides": { "newtab": "newtab.html" }, load it as an unpacked extension, and you have a completely custom new tab with zero external dependencies. The trade-off is obvious. you maintain it yourself. but for developers who want exactly and only what they want, this is the cleanest solution.

Conclusion

The Chrome extension landscape in 2026 offers superior alternatives to Momentum for developers and power users. Whether you prioritize privacy, performance, or integrations, a strong option exists for your workflow.

Start with Tabliss if you want a well-rounded feature set without any privacy trade-offs. Try Himsal if low memory usage and keyboard navigation are your priorities. Evaluate Epoc if GitHub and JIRA integrations would genuinely change how you start your day. And consider the DIY route if no off-the-shelf option aligns with what you actually want.

The best extension is the one you actually use daily. Test a few options for a week before committing your configuration. the friction of migration is lower than you think, especially since most alternatives support importing from browser bookmarks.

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