Enhance your web surfing app’s capabilities with these free extensions
Greasemonkey and Tampermonkey enhance aweb surfing app’scapabilities.
Theseadd-onslet you choose from thousands of user scripts that modify web page behavior and appearance.
Browsers don’t vet user scripts the same as most extensions.
Lifewire
So, use scripts at your own risk.
The scripts featured here have a significant user base and have proven to be relatively safe.
However, there’s no guarantee when it comes to overall safety.
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Install and Use Greasemonkey
Greasemonkey is only available forFirefox.
To download it, visit theGreasemonkey download pageon the Mozilla add-ons website.
Select themonkeytoggle switch to enable and turn off the Greasemonkey extension.
Select thedown arrowaccompanying the toggle to modify the Greasemonkey tweaks and fire up the Firefox User Scripts management interface.
Install and Use Tampermonkey
Tampermonkey is available for a range of web browsers.
Similar to Greasemonkey, you manage Tampermonkey using a toggle switch on the address bar.
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The Top User Scripts
Here are some of the best scripts, listed in alphabetical order.
Anti-Adblock Killer
Lifewire
Fast and light.
Buggy for some users.
Can slow the internet tool.
May block non-ad pop-ups.
Many websites either recommend or force you to disable ad-blocking software such as Adblock Plus.
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This script overrides that restriction in some cases and allows your ad blocker to function as expected.
It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing.
AntiAdware
Svetlana Orusova / Getty Images
Removes unwanted items.
Works with popular sites.
Many free downloads are coupled with additional applications, extensions, or prefs modifications that you may not want.
Some downloads include harmless additions such as a branded web app toolbar or a change to your home page.
However, some free downloads may install adware and other less-than-reputable software.
This script does a good job of removing these unwanted items on some of the most popular websites.
Auto Close YouTube Ads
Customizable controls.
Support YouTubers with shorter ads.
Doesn’t have auto skip for banner ads.
Some users report bugs.
Only works on YouTube.
Direct Links Out
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Frequent updates.
Works on popular sites.
Image Source / Getty Images
Doesn’t work on all sites.
Many websites display a warning and require user interaction when you click a link that redirects to another site.
Feedly Filtering and Sorting
Enhances the Feedly website.
Can be slow to load.
Google Hit Hider by Domain
Oleksiy Maksymenko / Getty Images
Supports multiple search engines.
Not functional with some browsers.
Some results aren’t filtered.
Buttons can be buggy.
Block certain websites or entire domains from appearing in search engine results with this script.
It works best with Chrome or Firefox.
Google Search Extra Buttons
Customized search.
Option to revert to the old theme.
Can’t change button locations.
Doesn’t work with all browsers.
Only works with Google search.
This script adds useful buttons to Google’s engine.
Instagram Reloaded
View full-size content.
Some features only work with Chrome.
Videos download without audio.
Can’t download Stories.
View and download full-size images and videos from Instagram by pressing a keyboard shortcut with this script.
This script works with all browsers, but the direct-download feature only works with Chrome.
Linkify Plus Plus
Supports dynamic content.
Custom allowlist and blocklist.
Only works with Chrome or Firefox.
Incompatible with some scripts.
This script converts text URLs and IP addresses into links to the respective destinations.
It makes almost any text link a clickable link.
Manga Loader
Support for over 70 sites.
Works on mobile through a bookmarklet.
Some images don’t load.
Mobile can be buggy.
Pinterest Without Registration
Browse Pinterest without a login or registration.
Login may be required after some scrolling.
Only works in the U.S.
This script lets you browse image collections on Pinterest without creating an account on the site.
However, it doesn’t work as expected on all pages.
Translate.google Tooltip
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Translates selected text into a tooltip.
Works with Google Translate.
May not work with Firefox.
Wide GitHub
Read lines of code without scrolling.
See more documentation simultaneously.
No GitHub Enterprise support.
Only works with Chrome.
Programmers find this script useful.
It resizes all GitHub repository pages for a better look and feel.
Not every script works across all browsers, so verify the corresponding description and notes before installation.
