It’s a sad day for Xmarks users, the most popular cross-platform and cross-browser compatible bookmark syncing app currently available. Xmarks has decided to close down operations January 10, 2011, leaving us wondering what we’ll do without the awesome app.
We’ve rounded up six free alternatives to semi-accomplish the same task Xmarks does. If you use and love Xmarks, you might consider making a pledge in an effort to potentially save the killer service.
Save Xmarks
Xmarks Home
Although there are other apps and services that put their best efforts towards accomplishing the same task as Xmarks, none have really rivaled the king of bookmark syncing across multiple computers and/or browsers. Unfortunately the freemium model isn’t feasible for the Xmarks team to continue with, but there’s a possibility Xmarks could be saved should the community show enough interest and make their pledges.
If you’re interesting in making a pledge, see the Xmarks blog for more information. I’ve already made my pledge!
Browser Specific Alternatives
Xmarks has listed a few browser specific alternatives that may just do what you need. We’ve also added a few to the list, covering a few other popular browsers.
Opera Link
Delicious
1. Delicious
Although using Delicious as a bookmark sync tool across browsers won’t actually sync your browser’s true bookmarks, but rather the bookmarks you save with Delicious, it’s still a very functional option.
There may also be browser plugins that enable uploading your current browser bookmarks. This is something I’ll look into further, possibly for a future post.
tidyfavorites
2. tidyfavorites (Windows only)
Although tidyfavorites is Windows only, it’s a great way to get your bookmarks synced across IE, Firefox, Opera and Chrome. However, it’s not immediately clear if this option allows for synchronization across multiple computers.
BookMacster
3. BookMacster (Mac only)
Mac only, BookMacster syncs your bookmarks across all the major OS X browsers including Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Camino, Opera and even with other apps such as Google Bookmarks and Delicious.
Another great Mac only option is AllBookmarks from Agile Web Solutions, which ties into 1Password.
Google Bookmarks
4. Google Bookmarks
Did you know Google even offered an easy way to compile your bookmarks? You can even import, export and manage your bookmarks via labels. There are even several plugins for browser integration.
Historious
5. historious
Awhile ago we talked about Ditching Bookmarking with Search Powered historious, an up and coming new web app eliminating the old method of bookmarking and bringing it up to date with today’s technology. The historious team has made massive improvements since we last looked at it and it’s definitely a solid option.
Dropbox
6. Dropbox
If you only need your bookmarks synchronized between multiple computers (of the same platform), but the same browser, Dropbox can do it. Unfortunately it’s not an elegant solution, but it may do the trick for some of you.
Here’s a guide on setting up Dropbox to sync Safari’s bookmarks and history.
Final Thoughts
There’s no elegant or exact replacement for Xmarks, so it won’t be a surprise if someone else steps in sometime soon to take it’s place. Until then, however, we may just not have a solution at all for multiple computer, cross-platform, cross-browser bookmark synchronization. Very sad.
If you know of a solution we should have listed here, let us know via comment below and we’ll consider adding it to the list. Thanks!
User Submitted Alternatives
Fruux
Fruux (Mac only)
Submitted by Armin. Fruux is a simple OS X system pane that syncs your Address Book, Calendars, Tasks and Bookmarks between multiple Macs. It currently only supports Safari but iPhone and iPod touch support are in development, along with a web app counterpart.
Evernote
Evernote
Submitted by Matthew Guay. Evernote is a fantastic application for capturing and syncing information, including your “bookmarks”, so you can access the information anywhere, on almost any platform, including iPhone and Android. This is one seriously awesome app!