Desktop Sidebar vs. Google Sidebar

I’ve been testing both Desktop Sidebar and Google Sidebar. I’ve used Desktop Sidebar for a few years and then heard about Google’s version so I decided to see how it compares. Desktop Sidebar has been around for several years so, as you’d expect, there are far more plug-ins available. Earlier versions seemed to hog memory but the latest version is really slick. I especially like the many available skins and the number of ways to customize the layout and look. The iTunes plug-in is sweet.

Google Sidebar, like all Google services, is constantly being updated. At the moment it’s very easy to use but does not have as many available plug-ins to give it additional functionality. An earlier version I tested, it did not have a Outlook module to pull email, tasks and such from. Both versions bring RSS feeds to your desktop which is one of the most popular features.

Although I prefer Desktop Sidebar today, Google continues to make it’s product more compelling. Both are easy to use and configure but Google seems better suited for first time users and the non-techie crowd. If you want access to the most plug-ins, take a look at Desktop Sidebar. In my opinion, it’s also the best looking of the two.