Lumen vs Glasp: private research or social learning.
The short answer
Glasp is a free social web highlighter: highlights are shared on a public profile by default and exported as files or copied into notes apps. Lumen is private by default, sends highlights to a chosen note automatically and only once, and adds a reader view, reading plans, analytics and MCP access for agents.
Side by side
| Feature | Lumen | Glasp |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free plan; Pro free for 7 days | Free tier and paid plans (check their site) |
| Default visibility | Private | Social profile, public by default |
| Send to a chosen note automatically | Yes, per collection | Export or copy |
| Duplicate safe | Yes, delivery ledger | Manual |
| Reader view and reading progress | Yes | No |
| PDF highlighting | In progress | Yes, in its own viewer |
| AI | Pick your model, including local | Built in summaries |
| Agent access (MCP) | Yes | Check their docs |
Facts about Glasp checked 2026-11-01. Prices and features change; check their site before deciding.
Choose Glasp if
- You enjoy discovering what other people highlight publicly.
- You need PDF highlighting today.
Choose Lumen if
- Your reading is research for something you are writing.
- You want highlights to land in Obsidian or Notion without copy and paste.
- You want privacy by default.
Switching takes five minutes
- Export your Glasp highlights as markdown.
- Save the source pages in Lumen and point a collection at your notes.
- Highlight with the Lumen extension from now on.
Questions
Answer
Is Lumen social like Glasp?
No profiles or public highlights. Lumen only shows aggregate signals such as "readers like you also saved this", and only when at least two other readers saved it.
Answer
Can I use both?
Yes. They are browser extensions with separate toolbars; most people keep one to avoid two popups on every selection.