21 Best & Free Browser Extensions for Chrome and Firefox to Improve Web Experience In 2021
Browser extensions are a really good way to improve your Web experience. However, more than 130 000 add-ons are available on the Google Chrome Web Store. Are you ready to check them one-by-one to find the perfect one?
Here is a list of the 21 best and free browser extensions you have to install in 2021 to help you to improve data privacy and security, productivity, or Web experience. All of them are available for Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome (except one actually, but I found an alternative for you). This list has been done by checking the most popular extensions, users number, and reviews on the Chrome Web Store and Firefox Add-ons.
PRIVACY & SECURITY
Cybersecurity and data privacy are some of the most important things when you browse the Web in 2021. Protect your online identity against big tech giants (GAFAM - Google Apple Facebook Amazon Microsoft…) is a must. You don’t want them to collect, analyze, and sell your personal information. Here are 5 of the best browser add-ons to help you without constraint to protect your data when you browse the Web.
1. uBlock Origin
Did you already have the feeling that someone is watching you when you browse the Web? I’m talking about those ads that remind you for days that you didn’t buy that gadget you clicked on just for the fun of it. To avoid that, the best way is to use a good tracker blocker. One of the best is uBlock Origin. it’s a wide-spectrum content blocker with CPU and memory efficiency as a primary feature.
2. Ninja Cookie
Have you had enough of cookie banners? Those extremely irritating pop-ups are really annoying. The first step if you want to protect your privacy is to reject the use of non-essential cookies. Although this is possible, the design of cookie banners makes them easier to allow than to block! Now you can enjoy Web browsing without the worry of cookie banners with Ninja Cookie. Ninja Cookie is a new browser extension that automatically removes cookie banners by rejecting the use of non-essential cookies. You definitely need it!
3. Lastpass
What about passwords? “12345” or “qwerty” or “password” are some of the most used passwords ever. The only reason is that you need thousands of passwords when you browse the web and you can’t remember all of them. Using a password manager is definitely the best idea. By using a password manager like Lastpass, you’ll be able to store usernames and complex passwords, fill forms quickly by saving your addresses, credit card numbers, and more. Try it!
4. HTTPS Everywhere
HTTPS Everywhere is a browser extension that automatically switches thousands of sites from insecure “HTTP” to secure “HTTPS”. That’s all. HTTPS is really important to protect your data. For example, if you buy a product without HTTPS encryption, hackers from all around the world would be able to get your credit card number easily. I think this is a really good reason why you have to use HTTPS Everywhere!
5. Decentraleyes
Decentraleyes is a bit hard to understand for non-tech internet users. Decentraleyes “prevents a lot of requests from reaching networks like Google Hosted Libraries, and serves local files to keep sites from breaking”. This addon is a good complement to tracker blockers like uBlock Origin.
PRODUCTIVITY & USEFUL TOOLS
Right now, you don’t know and use them. But trust me, if you install and start using them, your web browsing will be much better. Screenshot, world clock, performance, tasks manager… Those 8 extensions are a must-have!
6. Nimbus Screenshot & Screen Video Recorder
What should I say to introduce Nimbus Screenshot? Well, this is a screenshot tool… With this addon, you’ll be able to capture a full Web page, edit screenshots or record video directly from your screen. When I browse the Web, I sometimes have to share content like a train or plane ticket for example and Nimbus is the best way to do that with ease. I’m sure you need it too :)
7. One Tab
Some people like me have a big problem: They open too many tabs! It’s a big problem when your computer lacks memory or power. If you’re that kind of person, you’ll like One Tab. Click the OneTab icon, and the extension will convert all of your tabs into a list. You can either restore them individually or all at once. Easy!
8. FoxClocks
FoxClocks shows times around the world. That’s all, but it’s very helpful.
9. Evernote
Save interesting things you find on the Web and share them with all your devices is sometimes hard to do. With Evernote, you can do that plus you can highlight things, add annotations… This browser add-on will automatically save the webpage you are browsing on to your Evernote account. Really easy and really useful.
10. BlockSite
The BlockSite tagline is “Stay Focused & Control Your Time”. I don’t know what should I say to be more explicit. BlockSite will help you to stay focus on your daily task by blocking distracting websites. You can schedule the blocking, add short breaks, monitor how many hours you spend on specific websites. This addon is polyvalent and really helpful if you want to stop Web procrastination
11. Forest
Let’s be honest: Forest is cute. This is one big reason you need it. Forest is an interesting way to save you from Internet addiction. Plant a seed in Forest. This seed will grow into a tree progressively. But if you start browsing the websites on your block list, your tree will die. Just because you want to get a forest instead of empty land, you’ll stop Web procrastination. Or maybe Forest is another way to procrastinate.
12. Todoist
Todoist is a desktop and mobile tasks manager. Ranked as “the best to-do list right now” by The Verge, Todoist is used by 25 million people to organize, plan and collaborate on projects, both big and small. With the browser extension, you’ll be able to manage and monitor your tasks and plan your day with ease.
13. Mercury Reader or Tranquility Reader
Mercury Reader is a fantastic addon if you want to read an article without distraction. Mercury Reader cleans the Webpage and leaves only text and images. A useful feature is the send to kindle feature that allows you to read articles with your Kindle. Amazing! :)
Mercury Reader is not available for Firefox. An alternative is Tranquility Reader.
CUSTOMIZATION
Those 2 customization extensions will change your browser and improve your experience. They make your browser much better. That’s all. :)
14. Dark Reader
A blank web page when you browse the web at night is uncomfortable for your eyes. Don’t worry, Dark Reader will help you! This browser extension creates dark themes for websites on the fly and makes them easy to read at night. This addon is a must-have if you like to browse the web late… In your bed?
15. Momentum
Momentum replaces a new tab page with a personal dashboard featuring to-do, weather, and inspiration and that’s beautiful.
TRANSLATIONS AND DICTIONARIES
Translate webpages or write articles is sometimes really hard. A good translation tool and a dictionary are really useful.
16. Mate Translate
Mate Translate is an all-in-one translator. The addon translates words in 103 languages and makes worldwide Web browsing easier if you don’t speak 103 languages… The extension is able to highlight text and translate Netflix subtitles and that’s a game-changer!
17. Grammarly
Grammarly is a writing assistant that helps you to improve your writing. With Grammarly, you will eliminate errors and get feedback and suggestions on Gmail, Google Docs, Twitter, LinkedIn, and nearly everywhere else you find yourself writing. This extension is really useful if you want to be more confident with your writing. An Alternative is LanguageTool.
SOCIAL MEDIA
18. Bitly
Bitly is a URL shortener. This service will transform long URLs into short and easy-to-use ones. The bitly extension will help you to do that in a snap. Click the Bitly button in your toolbar or right-click on a page to quickly create a short link to the current URL.
19. RiteTag
RiteTag is a useful tool if you are in trouble when it comes the time to find the perfect hashtag. RiteTag is able to generate hashtags for images or texts. One of the most useful feature of RiteTag is the color indicator: Green suggestions are the best hashtag you should use to get seen right now. Blue ones are the best suggestion if you want to get seen over time…
SEO
20. SEOQuake
SEOQuake is a fantastic tool for webmaster or SEO expert (or you if you don’t have enough money to hire an SEO specialist / or if you just want to do the job by yourself). SEOQuake will give you specific metrics like backlinks, traffic, keyword difficulty, On-Page SEO audit… This addon is a must-have if you are in charge of website development.
GAMES
21. Boxel Rebound
If you don’t want to use Forest or don’t care about tasks managers like Todoist, it’s time to introduce you to Boxel Rebound. Boxel Rebound is an in-browser game. Are you ready to waste time? :)
