Software · head to head
Dark Reader vs ColorZilla
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Dark Reader cannot modify PDF files displayed in browsers; ColorZilla the vendor's own homepage as captured by the Internet Archive on 2 January 2022 describes ColorZilla only as a free browser extension for Firefox and Chrome (eyedropper, color picker, gradient generator) with no paid tier, pricing page, or subscription mentioned anywhere on the site
- They diverge on capability: Dark Reader covers Dark mode, ColorZilla covers Color picker.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Dark Reader and ColorZilla actually diverge.
| Attribute | Dark Reader | ColorZilla |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | free |
| Platforms | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge | Chrome, Firefox, Edge |
| Founded | 2014 | 2007 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Dark Reader
- Dark mode
- Custom brightness
- Contrast adjustment
- Site-specific settings
- Safari support
Only in ColorZilla
- Color picker
- Eyedropper tool
- Gradient generator
- Palette analyzer
Both cover
- Chrome support
- Firefox support
- Edge support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Dark Reader
- Applying dark mode to websites that don't natively support itnot ColorZilla
- Reducing eye strain for night-time or extended browsingnot ColorZilla
- Per-site brightness, contrast, and sepia customizationnot ColorZilla
- Toggling dark mode on/off per domainnot ColorZilla
- Accessibility use for light-sensitive usersnot ColorZilla
ColorZilla
No use cases recorded yet. See the ColorZilla review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Dark Reader
- Cannot modify PDF files displayed in browsers
- Performance impact on devices with limited resources
ColorZilla
- The vendor's own homepage as captured by the Internet Archive on 2 January 2022 describes ColorZilla only as a free browser extension for Firefox and Chrome (eyedropper, color picker, gradient generator) with no paid tier, pricing page, or subscription mentioned anywhere on the site
Pricing, plan by plan
Dark Reader
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Dark Reader review.
ColorZilla
Free- FreeFree
- Color picker
- Eyedropper
- Gradient generator
Which should you pick?
Choose Dark Reader if
- You need dark mode.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
- You also want custom brightness.
Choose ColorZilla if
- You need color picker.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
- You also want eyedropper tool.
Questions people ask
- Is Dark Reader or ColorZilla better?
- Neither clearly leads. Dark Reader starts at Free and ColorZilla at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Dark Reader or ColorZilla?
- Dark Reader starts at Free and ColorZilla at Free.
- Does Dark Reader or ColorZilla run on more platforms?
- Dark Reader runs on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge. ColorZilla runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
- Can I use Dark Reader for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Dark Reader best used for?
- Dark Reader is most often used for applying dark mode to websites that don't natively support it, reducing eye strain for night-time or extended browsing, per-site brightness, contrast, and sepia customization, toggling dark mode on/off per domain. Of those, applying dark mode to websites that don't natively support it and reducing eye strain for night-time or extended browsing are not what ColorZilla is typically brought in for.
- What can Dark Reader do that ColorZilla cannot?
- Dark Reader covers Dark mode, Custom brightness, Contrast adjustment, Site-specific settings. ColorZilla covers Color picker, Eyedropper tool, Gradient generator, Palette analyzer. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Dark Reader: Is Dark Reader free to use?
Yes, Dark Reader is completely free with no ads and no tracking. It does not send user data anywhere.
SourceDark Reader: How can I customize the dark mode in Dark Reader?
Users can configure brightness, contrast, and sepia filter settings to suit their specific needs, and selectively enable or disable Dark Reader for specific websites.
SourceDark Reader: What browsers does Dark Reader support?
Dark Reader is available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers across desktop and mobile platforms.
SourceDark Reader: Does Dark Reader work offline?
Yes, Dark Reader runs entirely on your device with no external dependencies. It analyzes web pages locally to generate dark themes.
Source