Report updated Apr 17, 2026

Noir - Dark Mode for Safari is an established utilities app that is a paid app. With a 3.2/5 rating from 137.7K reviews, it shows polarized user reception. Users particularly appreciate safari integration & quality, though functional failure & ads (android) remains a common concern.

What is Noir - Dark Mode for Safari?

Noir is a premium Safari extension ($2.99) that uses a custom color-matching engine to provide automated dark mode for all websites. It is currently a top-performing utility (#3 Paid Utilities US) targeting privacy-conscious Apple users. While the iOS version is highly polished and integrated with system features like Shortcuts and Focus Filters, the Android version suffers from neglect and poor user sentiment. The app differentiates itself through its high-fidelity visual results and a one-time purchase model that rejects the industry trend toward subscriptions.

Current Momentum

v2.29 · 3w ago

Maintenance

Noir is currently in maintenance mode, with the most recent updates focused on addressing platform-specific bugs and compatibility issues.

Active Nemesis

1Blocker: Ad Blocker

1Blocker: Ad Blocker

By 1Blocker

Other Rivals

Brave Browser & Search Engine
Opera: AI browser with VPN
AdGuard VPN: Free Your Privacy
Vinegar - Tube Cleaner
Vivaldi Powerful Web Browser
Nitefall: Browser dark mode
Super Agent for Safari

7-Day Rank Pulse 🇺🇸

Utilities
#6
18

Rating Pulse 🇺🇸

Recent User Mood

What makes this app unique?

What Does It Look Like?

What Are The Key Features?

Automatic Website Dark ModeDifferentiator

Generates custom dark styles based on real-time color analysis of websites.

System IntegrationDifferentiator

Deep support for iOS Shortcuts, Control Center, Focus Filters, and Widgets.

Site-Specific CustomizationDifferentiator

Granular controls to enable/disable or theme dark mode on a per-website basis.

How much does it cost?

Paid
  • One-time purchase of $2.99

Noir leverages a 'buy once, use forever' model to attract users frustrated by the subscription-heavy utility market. This is a core part of its marketing and a major driver of positive sentiment.

Who Built It?

Jeffrey Kuiken app icon 1
Jeffrey Kuiken app icon 2
Jeffrey Kuiken app icon 3
Jeffrey Kuiken app icon 4

Jeffrey Kuiken

(276.7K)

Providing high-fidelity Safari extensions and specialized companion tools for gaming enthusiasts. Enhancing user experience through native integration and spoiler-conscious design.

Portfolio

5

Apps

Free 3Paid 1
Utilities50%
Reference50%

Explore the full Jeffrey Kuiken report

Portfolio breakdown, audience, momentum, and every app published by Jeffrey Kuiken.

Go deeper

What do users think recently?

High confidence · Latest 100 of 1.3K total reviews analyzed

How did the latest release land?

Overall
3.2/ 5
(137.7K)
Current version
4.6/ 5
+1.4 vs overall
(1.3K)
Main signal post-update: safari Integration & Quality.

What is the recent mood?

Mixed

Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate safari integration & quality and fair pricing model, but report functional failure & ads (android) and performance & load times.

What Users Love

Safari Integration & Quality
Fair Pricing Model

What Frustrates Users

Functional Failure & Ads (Android)
Performance & Load Times

View the full user-sentiment analysis

Mood gauge, ratings & review-volume history, every praise / complaint / request, and sentiment over time.

Go deeper

What is the competitive landscape for Noir - Dark Mode for Safari?

How's The Utilities Market?

How does it evolve in the Utilities market?

Noir - Dark Mode for Safari is losing ground.

Rank progression

179 active rankings tracked — 30-day window

The rivals identified

The outtake for Noir - Dark Mode for Safari

Strengths to defend, gaps to attack

Core Strengths

  • Sophisticated color-matching engine
  • Deep iOS/iPadOS system integration
  • Strong 'No-Subscription' brand loyalty
  • Privacy-first architecture (no data collection)

Critical Frictions

  • Page load performance overhead
  • Broken/Neglected Android version
  • Occasional site compatibility issues (e.g., maps)
  • Single-feature dependency

Growth Levers

  • Bundle with other Safari-enhancing utilities
  • Optimize CSS injection speed to reduce 'flashbang' effect
  • Expand into desktop Safari as a unified cross-platform tool

Market Threats

  • Native browser 'Night Mode' improvements (Brave, Safari)
  • High-velocity competitors like 1Blocker adding visual features
  • Platform-level changes to Safari extension APIs

What are the next best moves?

high

Optimize rendering engine to reduce page load latency.

Performance and load times are the #1 functional complaint among iOS users, directly impacting retention.

medium

Address the Android version disparity.

The 3.17 rating and 'scam' accusations on Android are diluting the brand's premium reputation.

medium

Implement a 'Report Broken Site' quick-action in the extension UI.

Users report specific site compatibility issues (e.g., Craigslist); a streamlined feedback loop would improve the color-matching algorithm.

Feature Gaps vs Competitors

  • Ad and tracker blocking (available in 1Blocker)
  • Built-in VPN and AI assistant (available in Opera)
  • Cookie consent automation (available in Super Agent)

Key Takeaways

Noir is the gold standard for Safari dark mode extensions, but it is vulnerable to performance-related churn and platform-level feature creep. To maintain its #3 ranking, the PM must prioritize rendering speed and double down on 'Apple-only' features that third-party browsers like Brave cannot replicate.

Where Is It Heading?

Stable

v2026.1.2 update (Mar 2026) shows active maintenance and quick response to iPadOS bugs.

Android version has not been updated since July 2022, signaling a pivot away from cross-platform support.

Rankings show a slight decline in overall paid charts (↓17), suggesting increased competition in the utility space.

FAQ

Is Noir better than the free dark mode extensions for Safari?
Yes, according to user reviews. While free extensions often use simple color inversion, Noir's algorithm analyzes a site's specific palette to generate a 'native-looking' dark mode that preserves image quality and contrast.
Does Noir - Dark Mode for Safari collect my browsing history?
No. Noir's privacy policy and app description explicitly state that it does not collect any browsing data. Your settings are stored locally or synced via your personal iCloud account.
Will Noir slow down my web browsing in Safari?
Some users report increased page load times when the extension is active. While it is designed to be fast, the process of analyzing and overriding a website's CSS can add a slight delay on complex pages.
What is the difference between Noir and 1Blocker?
Noir is a specialist tool for visual dark mode customization. 1Blocker is a broader utility suite focused on blocking ads, trackers, and annoyances. Many users install both to complement each other.

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Noir - Dark Mode for Safari, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

What's new

Noir's market position has shifted from a universally praised iOS utility to a 'mixed' sentiment product due to an abandoned Android version and performance-related churn.

declined

Sentiment Downgrade

added

Android Neglect Identified

shifted

Competitive Benchmarking

improved

Granular Customization

Cite this report

Marlvel.ai. “Noir - Dark Mode for Safari Intelligence Report.” Updated Apr 17, 2026. https://marlvel.ai/apps/noir-dark-mode-for-safari

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