The NX1 alternative to Speed Dial 2
Speed Dial 2 is the most mature take on a clear idea: the new tab is a launchpad. Your sites sit in front of you as tiles, sorted into groups, in any number — and nothing else competes for the space. If that is exactly what you want, this has been a polished version of it for years.
NX1 starts from the same tiles and goes two steps further. First, one wall of tiles is not enough: every topic gets its own start page, switched with a click. Second, the page does not stop at links — a news feed and more than 25 live widgets show what has happened since yesterday.
NX1 and Speed Dial 2 at a glance
| NX1 | Speed Dial 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Core idea | Topic start pages with tiles, news and live widgets | A speed-dial grid: your sites as tiles |
| Tiles and folders | Tiles and folders, plus one page per topic | Tiles in groups, unlimited |
| Content | News feed and topic search per start page | Deliberately tiles only |
| Live data | Over 25 widgets — sport, prices, gaming, weather, calendar | — |
| Device sync | By code, without an account, free | Part of the paid Pro edition |
| Bringing bookmarks | 1:1 import on first run; Autopilot files them into areas on request | Create tiles from bookmarks |
| Price | Free | Free tier; Pro edition is paid |
| Platform | Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera + web app on mobile | Chrome and Firefox; mobile app in the Pro edition |
Sync is not our paywall
With Speed Dial 2, automatic synchronization across browsers and devices belongs to the paid Pro edition according to the vendor, together with backups and the mobile app. With NX1 the sync is free and does not even need an account: pair computer and phone with a QR code or eight characters, and areas and tiles line up. On a phone each start page can additionally be added to the home screen as its own app.
One wall of tiles becomes several pages
The longer you use a speed dial, the more collects on it — until the shopping site sits next to the project tool. NX1 separates by topic instead: one start page for work, one for football, one for gaming, each with its own tiles, background, search and widgets. Switching is a click, and a new page is built by AI from its name or installed from the gallery.
Fair is fair: where Speed Dial 2 remains the better choice
If you read the new tab purely as a launchpad, Speed Dial 2 gives you the more polished execution of exactly that idea — refined over years, with fine control over how the tiles look and sit, and with nothing else asking for attention beside them. It also runs as an extension in Firefox, where NX1 only offers the web app.
Frequently asked questions
Does syncing between two computers cost anything with NX1?
No. Device pairing is part of the free version and runs on a QR code or eight characters instead of an account. If you do not need it, leave it off — then all settings stay on the device.
Can I bring my existing browser bookmarks?
Yes. On first run NX1 offers a 1:1 import of your browser bookmarks — they show up as tiles and can be reordered or moved into start pages afterwards.
Is NX1 free?
Yes. NX1 is free and works without an account; device sync uses a pairing code instead of a login.
Does NX1 work in Firefox or Safari?
As an extension NX1 runs in Chromium browsers (Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera). In Firefox, Safari and on mobile you use NX1 as a web app at start.nx1-app.com.
As of: October 2026 · Statements about third-party extensions are made to the best of our knowledge as of the stated date, without guarantee — feature sets and pricing may change. All trademarks and product names belong to their respective owners; NX1 is not affiliated with any of the vendors mentioned.