Privacy & security

The best browser extensions, according to hackers

70 browser extensions recommended in Hacker News comments over the past year, ranked by how many separate people recommend each one.

• Most recommendedSponsorBlock137 people recommend it
• Built to lastNoScriptowners report a median of 10 years
• Least regretStylus14 recommend, 0 criticize

All browser extensions

• SponsorBlockA free, open-source extension that auto-skips sponsor reads, intros and filler in YouTube videos using crowdsourced timestamps, though it only works once someone has submitted segments.137recommend
• Firefox Multi-Account ContainersRecommended for keeping several accounts of one site logged in side by side, and for splitting browsing into isolated containers. Critics say setup is manual and the interface is barebones.76recommend
• NoScriptPeople recommend it for blocking JavaScript by domain, which cuts trackers, pop-ups and junk, with selective whitelisting. The common caveat is that it breaks many sites and needs frequent per-site allowing.61recommend
• Claude in ChromePeople recommend it for browsing tasks like searching sites, filling forms and QA testing, since it drives your own Chrome profile. Critics most often flag security risks and slowness.53recommend
• UnhookHides YouTube Shorts, recommendations, comments and home feed, leaving subscriptions and search. Caveat: it hasn't been updated in years and some options are broken.48recommend
• Dark ReaderPeople recommend it for dark mode on most websites, with adjustable brightness and contrast; the main caveat is that it sometimes breaks sites and can be slow.41recommend
• DeArrowA browser extension that replaces YouTube titles and thumbnails with crowdsourced, less sensational versions. Critics say the alternative titles people submit are sometimes unreliable.40recommend
• Consent-O-MaticAutomatically rejects cookie consent banners for you in the browser, though critics say it often fails on particular sites.36recommend
• LibRedirectRedirects links from YouTube, Reddit, X and others to privacy-friendly frontends, with your choice of instance. Caveat: it doesn't check that instances are up.35recommend
• SingleFileSaves full web pages as one HTML file, including logged-in pages other tools miss. Main caveat: each capture is manual and needs browser access.34recommend
• Bypass Paywalls CleanPeople recommend this free browser extension for getting past paywalls on most news sites, with rules updated every few weeks. Critics warn of privacy risks and legal trouble.32recommend
• uMatrixLets you control which scripts, frames and third-party connections load on each site through a granular matrix. Caveat: it is no longer updated and breaks many sites by default.31recommend
• TweeksBrowser extension that uses an LLM to change web pages from plain-language prompts, a modern take on Greasemonkey. Critics most often worry about data privacy and how it will be monetized.30recommend
• VimiumBrings vi-style keyboard navigation to any website, so links are clicked by key instead of mouse. Critics find it limited.29recommend
• SideberyFirefox extension that shows tabs as a vertical, nested tree with flexible customization and handles thousands of tabs well. Critics say being an extension causes occasional glitches.27recommend
• Privacy BadgerBlocks trackers automatically and is often paired with uBlock Origin for ads; one commenter notes it does not necessarily block ads on its own.26recommend
• Redirector Firefox extensionFree Firefox extension that uses regular expressions to automatically redirect URLs, such as x.com links or YouTube Shorts.24recommend
• Tree Style TabFirefox extension that shows tabs as a nested tree, keeping hundreds organized and readable. Common caveat: it can use gigabytes of RAM and feels complex.23recommend
• AdNauseamPeople recommend it to poison ad profiles by clicking every hidden ad, wasting advertisers' money. Critics say ad networks easily detect the fake clicks.22recommend
• Old Reddit RedirectFree Firefox extension that sends Reddit links to old Reddit without a login prompt. Common caveat: it sometimes stops working or still shows the new site.20recommend
• Orange Juice browser extensionAdds small tweaks to Hacker News, such as keyboard navigation and dark mode, that people find more comfortable; critics call it overengineered.18recommend
• TampermonkeyPeople recommend it as one place to run custom scripts that are easier to build and review than full browser extensions. Main caveat: it is closed source.16recommend
• GreasemonkeyA Firefox extension that runs user scripts to customize how websites look and behave, recommended as a free, easy-to-review way to personalize the web.16recommend
• Temporary ContainersFirefox add-on that opens sites in disposable containers so each session starts clean and stays separated from others. Critics note it has been unmaintained and once corrupted a Firefox profile.15recommend
• StylusPeople recommend Stylus for applying custom CSS to individual websites, such as hiding YouTube Shorts links or fixing the light mode flash on HN. Critics note its interface is not intuitive.14recommend
• Hacker SmackerHighlights chosen Hacker News commenters and marks others so you can scan threads faster and skip or filter their comments. Critics say it encourages glossing over diverging viewpoints.14recommend
• Privacy PassRecommended for passing human checks across sites without cross-site tracking; critics say the extension often just shows challenge pages and its privacy claims are unproven.13recommend
• WeedoutSafari extension that hides YouTube videos labeled as AI, for a cleaner feed. Critics say it relies on YouTube's own AI detection, which they find inaccurate.13recommend
• Cookie AutoDeletePeople recommend it for automatically deleting cookies and site data after tabs close or on a set schedule, with per-site rules. Some say it seems unmaintained now.12recommend
• ViolentmonkeyFree, open-source userscript manager that people choose over Tampermonkey because it is open source and more lightweight.11recommend
• StopTheMadness ProPeople recommend it for blocking annoying website anti-features in Safari, with flexible rules and URL redirect controls. Critics note it should be used selectively rather than given access to every website.11recommend
• News Feed EradicatorA free browser extension that removes the Facebook news feed while leaving messaging usable, which people say has kept them off the feed for years.11recommend
• FB PurityBrowser extension that restores chronological Facebook feeds and hides generated junk posts, and people say it has worked reliably for years. Caveat: it can break as Meta changes Facebook.11recommend
• uBlacklistPeople recommend it for permanently blocking unwanted sites like AI content farms from search results across Google and other engines.10recommend
• Video Background Play FixPeople recommend this free Firefox extension for keeping video playing in the background, including on Firefox for Android, as an alternative to official YouTube apps.10recommend
• OneTabRecommended as a tab cemetery: closes open tabs and saves them as a list. Critics say it can crash alongside other extensions.10recommend
• Comments Owl for Hacker NewsA browser extension for Hacker News that lets you block users and noisy threads, making the site easier to read and less stressful to use.10recommend
• Obsidian Web ClipperSaves web pages into your Obsidian vault to keep for later, and its reader mode works on ChatGPT transcripts. Critics say it often misses content.10recommend
• TridactylFree Firefox extension for vim-style browser keyboard control. Critics say some sites break or capture keypresses.9recommend
• Control Panel for YouTubeFree extension that hides or redirects YouTube Shorts and removes clutter, giving users more control over what they see on YouTube. One reported conflict with uBlock Origin on Firefox for Android.9recommend
• YomitanA free browser extension that shows dictionary readings and definitions when you hover over Japanese words, so learners can read and look up terms without leaving the page.9recommend
• YouTube No TranslationTurns off YouTube's automatic AI dubs and translated titles. It works on YouTube pages, but people report automatic translation still appears on embedded videos.9recommend
• HN split-view userscriptUserscript that opens a Hacker News link and its comment thread side by side, so you read both without juggling two tabs.9recommend
• RECAPFree tool that adds the PACER court documents you buy to CourtListener for others to read, and makes the official PACER site easier to use.8recommend
• I Don't Care About CookiesPeople use it to automatically reject or accept cookie popups in the browser, so they stop seeing them. Critics note it was bought by Avast and may allow tracking.8recommend
• Enhancer for YouTubeFirefox extension that removes much of YouTube's clutter, including Shorts, with many options in one add-on. Critics say it is unmaintained and may break YouTube.8recommend
• LinkedIn Feed BlockerChrome extension that hides sponsored, promoted and recommended LinkedIn posts and keeps blocked ones greyed out, which people say makes the feed usable. Critics say the paid tier is not worth it.8recommend
• Control Panel for TwitterRecommended for hiding most unwanted content on Twitter and undoing X-era changes, such as restoring the reverse-chronological Following timeline.7recommend
• Vinegar YouTube extensionRecommended for restoring native HTML5 video on sites like YouTube and for being worth its small one-time price. Critics report duplicate video copies and playback controls that do nothing.7recommend
• Noir Safari extensionRecommended for automatically darkening websites in Safari, including Hacker News, and for working reliably on OLED screens. Some pages stay light when their authors opt out of darkening.7recommend
• ContainerisePeople use it to split Firefox into isolated containers, giving per-tab, private-style browsing and a separate SOCKS proxy for each container.7recommend
• Chrome MaskFirefox add-on that makes sites see Chrome with one button click, useful on specific sites. Written by a Firefox engineer.7recommend
• GhosteryPeople recommend Ghostery as a browser extension that blocks trackers and beacons for privacy. The main caveat is doubt about whether it can be trusted, given its past problematic behaviour.7recommend
• AmazonBrandFilterA free browser extension that helps shoppers find things on Amazon without house-brand knockoffs. People praise the original idea and the ongoing maintenance, and no recurring criticism appeared.7recommend
• Kill Sticky bookmarkletRemoves sticky headers and overlays on most sites, catching some uBlock Origin misses. Caveat: sometimes it removes the wrong thing.6recommend
• FoxyProxyPeople recommend it for sending only chosen domains or URL patterns through a proxy from inside the browser, without containers or manual proxy settings.6recommend
• Refined GitHubBrowser extension that adds defaults and fixes to make GitHub's interface more usable, recommended as a free addition to the stock UI. One critic reports some features not working.6recommend
• Refined Hacker NewsPeople recommend it as a free add-on that makes Hacker News easier to read and navigate. Critics say the underlying code is weak and the project has not been updated in years.6recommend
• Indie Wiki BuddyRedirects Fandom search results to independent wiki alternatives and shows Fandom pages through a free frontend.6recommend
• Learn Japanese contextually while browsingCommenters praise the idea of learning Japanese from words in pages you browse, and note there are no daily limits. Critics report a missing space around wrapped words and pronunciation problems.6recommend
• WebUSB Extension for FirefoxAdds WebUSB to Firefox so web apps can reach USB devices, safer for many than installing random executables. Critics fear the permission prompt would be ignored if it went mainstream.6recommend
• h264ifyA browser extension that forces YouTube to serve H.264 video, which people use to reduce processing load and restore GPU decoding.5recommend
• Return YouTube DislikeA free browser extension that people add to other YouTube blockers. Critics say it sends viewing data to a third party, and it can stop YouTube working when run with uBlock Origin.5recommend
• Reddit Enhancement SuiteFree extension for old Reddit that people say makes the site tolerable, with features like tracking your lifetime upvotes. Some features reportedly break.5recommend
• Sink It for RedditPeople recommend it as a broader-support alternative to RES that makes Reddit's interfaces usable, including old Reddit on mobile, though one critic calls that only an ok job.5recommend
• Shorts BlockerPeople recommend it for hiding YouTube Shorts, so videos show in the normal layout without infinite scrolling. Critics say a simple addon could do the same job.5recommend
• JShelterBrowser extension that randomizes fingerprint values so sites see a different identity each session, which people recommend for making cross-site tracking harder.5recommend
• Tab Session ManagerPeople recommend it for saving browser tabs into sessions that can be restored later, with automatic saving at set intervals.5recommend
• Shut Up: Comment BlockerPeople recommend it for hiding website comments by default, which helps avoid spoilers and low-quality comments. No critics or complaints appear in the quotes.5recommend
• Overgrown browser extensionPlayful visual reminder of how long tabs sit unused. Critics note only about 20 tabs load, so it helps less with many tabs.5recommend