Browser Extensions · head to head
Ghostery vs React Developer Tools
React Developer Tools
Browser Extensions
Debug React applications in your browser
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Ghostery database of trackers requires regular updates to remain current; React Developer Tools react Developer Tools ships under the MIT license as part of the React open source project, free with no commercial tier; support is community GitHub issues only, with no vendor SLA.
- They diverge on capability: Ghostery covers Tracker blocking, React Developer Tools covers Component inspection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Ghostery and React Developer Tools actually diverge.
| Attribute | Ghostery | React Developer Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | free |
| Platforms | Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera | Chrome, Firefox, Edge |
| Founded | 2009 | 2004 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Browser Extensions).
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 Ghostery
- Tracker blocking
- Ad blocking
- Privacy dashboard
- Enhanced anti-tracking
- Safari support
- Opera support
Only in React Developer Tools
- Component inspection
- Props/State viewing
- Performance profiler
- Hooks debugging
Both cover
- Chrome support
- Firefox support
- Edge support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Ghostery
- Blocking ads and sponsored content before they loadnot React Developer Tools
- Preventing tracker profiling by replacing identifying data with random valuesnot React Developer Tools
- Automatically rejecting non-essential cookie consentnot React Developer Tools
- Seeing which companies track a given site through WhoTracks.Menot React Developer Tools
React Developer Tools
No use cases recorded yet. See the React Developer Tools review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Ghostery
- Database of trackers requires regular updates to remain current
- Some sites break functionality when trackers are aggressively blocked
React Developer Tools
- React Developer Tools ships under the MIT license as part of the React open source project, free with no commercial tier; support is community GitHub issues only, with no vendor SLA.
Pricing, plan by plan
Ghostery
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Ghostery review.
React Developer Tools
Free- FreeFree
- Component tree
- Props inspection
- State tracking
Which should you pick?
Choose Ghostery if
- You need tracker blocking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera.
- You also want ad blocking.
Choose React Developer Tools if
- You need component inspection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
- You also want props/state viewing.
Questions people ask
- Is Ghostery or React Developer Tools better?
- Neither clearly leads. Ghostery starts at Free and React Developer Tools at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Ghostery or React Developer Tools?
- Ghostery starts at Free and React Developer Tools at Free.
- Does Ghostery or React Developer Tools run on more platforms?
- Ghostery runs on Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera. React Developer Tools runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
- Can I use Ghostery for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Ghostery best used for?
- Ghostery is most often used for blocking ads and sponsored content before they load, preventing tracker profiling by replacing identifying data with random values, automatically rejecting non-essential cookie consent, seeing which companies track a given site through whotracks.me. Of those, blocking ads and sponsored content before they load and preventing tracker profiling by replacing identifying data with random values are not what React Developer Tools is typically brought in for.
- What can Ghostery do that React Developer Tools cannot?
- Ghostery covers Tracker blocking, Ad blocking, Privacy dashboard, Enhanced anti-tracking. React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, Props/State viewing, Performance profiler, Hooks debugging. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Ghostery: Is Ghostery completely free?
Yes. Ghostery is a free ad blocking browser extension that you can install without paying a subscription. All of Ghostery's features are completely free to use, including ad blocking, tracker blocking, and cookie consent banner handling.
SourceGhostery: What browsers does Ghostery support?
Ghostery is available for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Edge and Safari as a browser extension.
SourceGhostery: What data does Ghostery collect?
Ghostery collects no personal information, ensuring your privacy remains protected while using the extension.
Source