Must use Add-ons and Extensions for Firefox Users
Welcome, web browser to our voyage into the world of add-ons and extensions for Firefox. While there are many web browsers out there, most of us tend to stick to the big dogs: Chrome, Safari, Edge, and of course, Firefox. Launched by Mozilla in 2004, Firefox is a browser that’s famous for putting you, the user first.
Equipped with solid protection features, including easy to manage cookie settings, built-in pop-up blockers, and enhanced tracking protection, Firefox is also highly customizable. From a Firefox translator extension to Bitwarden Firefox extension, the sheer volume of extensions available for this browser are a major pull for many users: small add-ons to boost browser functionality, and build a browser that is truly yours.
If you’re a Firefox user, then you’re likely reading this article through said browser, if not, give it a try, and see how the add-ons and extensions for Firefox can revolutionize your web browsing experience. Let’s jump straight in and check out 10 of the best Firefox extensions.
1. uBlock Origin
If you’re peeved with popups, aggravated by ads, and tired of trackers, then you may need a dose of uBlock Origin. This wide-spectrum content blocker by Raymond Hill puts memory efficiency and CPU first. In addition to blocking ads, trackers, popups, coin miners and more, uBlock Origin, or uBO (as it's called by those in the know) can be customized by simple point-and-click to block JavaScript locally or globally. Free, open source with a public license, uBlock Origin is also surprisingly a potentially effective tech for energy conservation, as blocking ads saves electricity!
2. YouTube SponsorBlock
Another open-source, crowdsourced extension for Firefox, https://sponsor.ajay.app/ can give you the power to automatically skip annoying, time wasting sponsor messages on YouTube. You’ll never have to sit through an annoying toothpaste ad before watching your favorite YouTube content ever again, as SponsorBlock automatically checks its database for reported sponsors, then skips them. Get involved and join over 13 million users, and submit your very own sponsors that deserve to be skipped.
3. Bitwarden Password Manager
Don’t get bit by forgetting or mislaying your passwords, get Bitwarden and ensure that all of your passwords are safe and sound. The Bitwarden extension for Firefox is a simple, trustworthy password manager with a free plan available for unlimited devices. Even if you’re already using another password manager, you can easily migrate your data, including passwords, credit cards, and even secrets to Bitwarden with a few simple clicks. Finally, zero-knowledge encryption ensures that you, and only you can access your information.
4. Proton VPN Firefox extension
Switzerland may not immediately conjure up images of VPN farms, but Proton VPN Firefox extension bills itself as a Swiss VPN that you can trust. Lightning fast, reliable, and secure as the vaults of a Swiss bank, Proton VPN keeps a strict no logs policy in accordance with Swiss law. Proton VPN enables you to bypass censorship and access “the truth”, or simply unblock and watch popular streaming services. Open-source, and transparent, you can easily check the code for yourself, while independent audits will let you decide if Proton VPN cuts the mustard.
5. Bypass Paywall Clean
If you’re looking to get into the festival without a ticket, then Bypass Paywall Clean can get you in for free. This open-source browser extension circumvents paywalls, allowing users to access paid-content without handing over a penny. Do beware though, that this type of extension may violate the T&Cs of the website you visit. In plainspeak it could be illegal, so if you don’t want to take your chances with the long arm of the law, then try 12ft, and see if it works for you.
6. Unhook
As we navigate the wild pastures of YouTube, at times it can feel like we’re a fish, dodging hooks baited with all kinds of distractions. Unhook cuts the line, or severs the net, depending on how you use it. Simple and effective, Unhook can be used to hide related videos, suggestion walls, shorts, comments and pretty much every other potential distraction that might be lurking on the ‘Tube. Simply toggle through the many options to make your YouTube experience less distracting.
7. Viewhance
Customize the built-in media viewer in Firefox to your heart’s content with Viewhance. Unlimited possibilities and functionality are only a few clicks away with Viewhance, without even needing to leave your browser! Featuring super-easy navigation, as well as custom playback and display, if you’re a regular user of the built-on media viewer in Firefox, Viewhance will massively enhance your media experience, from work to play.
8. Dark Reader
If you didn’t realize that the white background of this website was straining your eyes, try Dark Reader and you’ll discover that with inverted colors, you can read for hours without strain! Particularly suited to night readers, Dark Reader can be enabled for all websites or particular domains, with the choice of dark or light mode, as well as customizable brightness, contrast, and sepia options. Over 8 million users can’t be wrong, and for individuals, a one-time payment of $9.99 delivers Dark Reader for life.
9. Auto Tab Discard
As the name suggests, Auto Tab Discard automatically (or manually if you choose) discards inactive, idle, and forgotten tabs. This browser extension can seriously assist your battery life by disabling JavaScript code as well as DOM events on discarded tabs. Memory usage is reduced by discarding idle tabs, while a convenient list of hostnames and regular expressions can be inputted to exclude them from auto-discarding.
10. TWP
Short for Translate Web Pages, the last of our extensions today has the ability to traverse linguistic and cultural barriers. TWP allows users to choose the translation service of their choice, and translate full pages, selected text, and even PDF documents. Forget the wait, TWP translates pages in real time: this add-on can increase productivity, translating desired content in a single click, without the hassle of opening new tabs.
Add-on, add-off
We hope that you’ve enjoyed discovering ten of our favorite add-ons and extensions for Firefox. As you may have noticed, there are add-ons and extensions galore available to maximize every aspect of your Firefox browsing experience. Take the plunge and try one today, see where it takes you!
Edmund is an English copywriter based in New Taipei City, Taiwan. He is a widely published writer and translator with two decades of experience in the field of bridging linguistic and cultural gaps between Chinese and English.
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