Browser Extensions
Short guidance on which extensions are worth keeping and how to avoid common mistakes (stacked ad blockers, redundant “security” add-ons, and password storage in the browser alone).
Principles
- Keep the list short. Every extension is extra attack surface and another thing to update.
- Use one content blocker. Do not run several ad blockers at once (e.g. uBlock Origin plus a second “adblock” extension). Pick one stack and tune it.
- Skip extensions the browser already replaces. For example, HTTPS Everywhere is obsolete in modern browsers that default to HTTPS upgrades.
- Brave users: if you only need simple list-based blocking and are not using advanced uBlock Origin features, Brave Shields is often enough on its own.
uBlock Origin
| Browser | Install |
|---|---|
| Firefox | Add-ons page |
| Chrome | Chrome Web Store |
A good default is DNS-level blocking for broad lists plus a small uBO ruleset for things DNS cannot fix (cosmetic rules, fine-grained site tweaks, first-party nuisances).
If you already resolve DNS with something like hagezi list sets, keep uBO minimal and focused on what DNS cannot cover. Example configuration: uBlock-Config.txt.
Violentmonkey
| Browser | Install |
|---|---|
| Firefox | Add-ons page |
| Chrome | Chrome Web Store |
Install only if you actually run userscripts. Heavy users can also load some userscript-style resources through uBlock Origin (userResourcesLocation), so you may not need a separate manager.
Examples
- TwitchAdSolutions
- Simple Sponsor Skipper (YouTube; saves time on sponsored segments)
Password manager (Bitwarden)
| Browser | Install |
|---|---|
| Firefox | Add-ons page |
| Chrome | Chrome Web Store |
Avoid relying on the built-in browser password vault as your only store: convenience is high, but you usually want end-to-end encryption and cross-device recovery that dedicated managers provide. Bitwarden is a common choice; see Privacy Guides Passwords for a broader overview.
Dark Reader
| Browser | Install |
|---|---|
| Firefox | Add-ons page |
| Chrome | Chrome Web Store |
Caution: On hardened or fingerprinting-aware browsers (for example Mullvad Browser), forced dark mode often breaks site appearance or fights the browser’s anti-fingerprinting model. Install only when you understand the trade-off; otherwise use per-site zoom/theme or the browser’s own dark scheme if available.
AHA Music – Song Finder for Browser
| Browser | Install |
|---|---|
| Firefox | No official AMO listing; use the web app or install on Chrome / Edge below. |
| Chrome | Chrome Web Store |
Identifies music playing in a tab (YouTube, Spotify Web, social sites, and so on) without using the microphone. The vendor documents the extension for Chrome and Edge; other browsers can still use the website.
Enhancer for YouTube™
| Browser | Install |
|---|---|
| Firefox | Add-ons page |
| Chrome | Chrome Web Store |
Adds playback controls, layout tweaks, themes, and options to hide parts of the YouTube UI. Treat it like any powerful content script: keep it updated and only enable features you actually use.
I don't care about cookies
| Browser | Install |
|---|---|
| Firefox | Add-ons page |
| Chrome | Chrome Web Store |
Hides or auto-handles many cookie-consent banners. If you want a community-maintained fork with a different policy stance, see I still don't care about cookies (Firefox) and its Chrome listing from the same project.
Google Translate
| Browser | Install |
|---|---|
| Firefox | To Google Translate (sends selected text to Google Translate; common substitute because Google does not ship the same Chrome extension on AMO). |
| Chrome | Chrome Web Store |
Improve Crunchyroll
| Browser | Install |
|---|---|
| Firefox | Add-ons page |
| Chrome | Chrome Web Store |
Player size, skip controls, watch progress, and optional MAL/AniList helpers on Crunchyroll. Only enable if you use the site regularly.
INSSIST – Web Client for Instagram
| Browser | Install |
|---|---|
| Firefox | No Firefox add-on from the same vendor; use Instagram in the browser without it, or use Chrome / Edge (Chromium). |
| Chrome | Chrome Web Store |
Desktop-focused Instagram workflow (posting, scheduling, DMs, and similar). Review permissions and pricing; do not treat any third-party wrapper as a substitute for normal account security hygiene.
SponsorBlock for YouTube – Skip Sponsorships
| Browser | Install |
|---|---|
| Firefox | Add-ons page |
| Chrome | Chrome Web Store |
Crowdsourced segment skipping (sponsors, intros, outros, self-promo, and more). Works best when you occasionally submit or vote so the database stays accurate.