AI extensions for research teams
Defensible briefs need openable provenance, scoped tabs, and exports that survive peer review. DeepShell targets that pattern; it cannot see private CRM/inbox fields.
Dimensions we compare
- Pricing model
Subscription vs per-use after free credits. Write down what happens when the trial ends and whether cost per run is visible.
- Install permissions
Does it request read-all-websites at install, or wait for per-site prompts? Screenshot the Store list on evaluation day.
- Per-answer cost
Can you see a settled figure after a run, or only vague credits you cannot map to money?
- Source citations
Do claims tag back to a tab or passage you can open while the page stays visible?
- Export formats
CSV, XLSX, notes - and whether you preview before download and can repair headers.
- Multi-tab support
Active tab only, pasted URLs, or select several open pages in one ask with tags?
- Free tier without a card
Can you start without payment details, what do free credits cover, and what is the cost after free credits?
- Background automation
Does it claim clicking, form filling, or scheduled runs? If yes, demand the control model.
- Document attachments
Can you attach PDFs/files beside the ask, or only live URLs / separate upload sites?
- Data leaving the browser
Is the vendor clear that page text you ask about is sent for answering? Subprocessors? Training? Retention?
How to use this comparison
Open this page beside the Chrome Web Store listings you are evaluating for "AI extensions for research teams".
On the same day, write down permissions, pricing language, automation claims, and citation behaviour in the vendor's own words. Date the notes.
Then run the practical test at the bottom on each finalist. Structural notes without a task pack still produce shallow buys.
- Screenshot permission lists
- Save pricing pages as PDF
- Record first-run prompts on a fresh profile
Structural facts beat unsupported rankings
Model quality changes weekly. Permission models, citation UX, export paths, and pricing shapes change slowly - and decide whether the tool fits browser work.
Evaluate tools with repeatable tasks using your own sample sources. Include both a comparison and a table extraction.
The practical ten-minute test
Job A: open two public pages with conflicting numbers; ask what differs; click every citation.
Job B: extract one visible table; preview; download; spot-check three cells.
Job C: highlight one sentence; ask for support/contradict/unclear; open sources.
Score each finalist on the dimensions above. Keep the score sheet - it survives future reviews.
Failure modes to watch
Fluent answers with no openable provenance.
All-sites permission with no documented rationale.
Automation claims without stop/log/credential stories.
Exports without preview that create cleanup jobs worse than paste.
"Free" that silently becomes a seat you did not budget.
Where DeepShell for Chrome stands (September 2026)
No websites requested at install; per-site prompts when needed.
Settled cost on the receipt after each run.
Source tags for multi-tab claims; CSV/XLSX after preview for extracts; attachments supported.
Bots support recurring reads while Chrome is open, one allowed site at a time. Ready-made bots are read-only; changes require permission.
When another product is the better buy
Choose automation-first or scraper products when you need unattended browsing, form filling, or scheduled bulk harvests.
Choose specialist DMS/legal/CRM platforms when the system of record is the requirement.
Choose a cloud chatbot subscription when open-ended brainstorming at high steady volume is the centre of gravity and tab provenance is rare.
DeepShell focuses on comparing, extracting, drafting, and checking information from selected browser sources.
When to choose them instead
Choose another tool if you need unattended automation, form filling, or unlimited flat seats as the core offer. Choose DeepShell for Chrome when the work is already on your screen and you need citations, exports, and a real receipt.
See it on real jobs
Frequently asked
Is this a ranking of which AI is smarter?
No. Model quality changes weekly. We compare structural facts you can verify on listings, installs, and a short task pack.
Where do competitor facts come from?
Public product pages, Chrome Web Store listings, and privacy docs. Date what you capture - permissions and pricing drift.
What is a fair ten-minute test?
Compare two conflicting public tabs with citations; extract one table with preview; fact-check one highlighted sentence. Score the dimensions on this page.
How does DeepShell show up on these dimensions?
As of September 2026: no websites at install, per-site prompts, settled receipts, source tags, CSV/XLSX after preview, attachments supported, no current click/bot claims.
When should I pick another tool?
Choose another tool if you need unattended automation, form filling, or unlimited flat seats as the core offer. Choose DeepShell for Chrome when the work is already on your screen and you need citations, exports, and a real receipt.
Where can I find practical workflows?
Comparison guides decide category fit. Process guides show structured sample outputs once you are in the DeepShell loop.
Should we re-check vendors later?
Yes - quarterly is enough for most teams. Re-screenshot permissions and re-run the three-job test if the product changed.