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Technology · head to head

Google Chrome vs Tampermonkey

Google Chrome logo

Google Chrome

Technology

Google's browser, built on Chromium, with the largest market share and the strictest limits on what extensions may do.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tampermonkey logo

Tampermonkey

Browser Extensions

The most popular userscript manager

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Chrome manifest V3 replaced blocking webRequest with declarativeNetRequest, which imposes hard caps on the number of filtering rules an extension can apply, so uBlock Origin does not run on Chrome and its Lite version blocks measurably less; if content blocking matters to your users, this is not a setting you can change.; Tampermonkey only source code up to version 2.9 is GPLv3; all newer versions are distributed under a proprietary license despite the extension itself being free to use
  • They diverge on capability: Google Chrome covers Chrome Browser Cloud Management, Tampermonkey covers Userscript management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Chrome and Tampermonkey actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Chrome and Tampermonkey differ
AttributeGoogle ChromeTampermonkey
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
CategoryTechnologyBrowser Extensions
Founded20082010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Google Chrome

  • Chrome Browser Cloud Management
  • Several hundred policies
  • Site isolation
  • Safe Browsing
  • Profiles
  • DevTools
  • Extended Stable channel
  • Chrome Web Store

Only in Tampermonkey

  • Userscript management
  • Script editor
  • Auto-update
  • Cloud sync
  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Safari support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Chrome

  • Enterprise fleets that need centrally managed browser policy and version reporting at no licensing costnot Tampermonkey
  • Web development, where Chrome's DevTools and Lighthouse are the reference tooling and where most users will benot Tampermonkey
  • Running enterprise SaaS applications certified only against Chrome, which is common in HR, finance and healthcare softwarenot Tampermonkey
  • Environments already using Google Workspace, where profile sign-in, sync and context-aware access are already in placenot Tampermonkey

Tampermonkey

  • Auto-run custom JavaScript to add features to specific websitesnot Google Chrome
  • Block ads, remove clutter, or reformat page layout via community/personal userscriptsnot Google Chrome
  • Run scripts sourced from Greasy Fork or similar userscript repositoriesnot Google Chrome
  • Automate repetitive web tasks such as form-filling or redirect skipping via installed scriptsnot Google Chrome

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Chrome

  • Manifest V3 replaced blocking webRequest with declarativeNetRequest, which imposes hard caps on the number of filtering rules an extension can apply, so uBlock Origin does not run on Chrome and its Lite version blocks measurably less; if content blocking matters to your users, this is not a setting you can change.
  • The browser is the entry point to Google's account, search and advertising business, and the defaults, prompts and sign-in flows all pull towards a Google account; running it fully detached is possible but requires policy and ongoing attention as new prompts are added.
  • Site isolation runs a process per site, which is correct security design and expensive in memory; on machines with 8 GB and users who keep dozens of tabs open it produces genuine slowdowns and support tickets that no configuration removes.
  • The four-week release cadence means a new major version roughly every month, and even Extended Stable delivers one every eight weeks, so any environment that formally certifies browser versions is permanently behind or permanently re-certifying.
  • Because it ships features first and holds the majority of the market, a team that tests only in Chrome builds against Chrome-specific behaviour and finds out about Safari and Firefox breakage from users rather than from CI.
  • Google has reversed direction on Privacy Sandbox repeatedly, announcing third-party cookie deprecation, delaying it several times and then abandoning it in 2025 before retiring several of the replacement APIs, so any advertising or measurement plan built on Chrome's stated roadmap has had to be rebuilt more than once.

Tampermonkey

  • Only source code up to version 2.9 is GPLv3; all newer versions are distributed under a proprietary license despite the extension itself being free to use
  • Under Manifest V3, GM_webRequest is not (yet) supported
  • Under Manifest V3, GM_xmlhttpRequest fires only one progress event instead of streaming progress, requiring a responseType: 'stream' workaround
  • Since v5.3.2, Chrome/Edge (MV3) requires the user to manually enable Developer Mode, or from Chrome 138+ a per-extension 'Allow User Scripts' toggle, before any userscript will run

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Chrome

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Chrome review.

Tampermonkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tampermonkey review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Chrome if

  • You need chrome browser cloud management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want several hundred policies.
Google Chrome review

Choose Tampermonkey if

  • You need userscript management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.
  • You also want script editor.
Tampermonkey review

Questions people ask

Is Google Chrome or Tampermonkey better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Chrome starts at Free and Tampermonkey at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Chrome or Tampermonkey?
Google Chrome starts at Free and Tampermonkey at Free.
Does Google Chrome or Tampermonkey run on more platforms?
Google Chrome runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Tampermonkey runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.
Can I use Google Chrome for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google Chrome best used for?
Google Chrome is most often used for enterprise fleets that need centrally managed browser policy and version reporting at no licensing cost, web development, where chrome's devtools and lighthouse are the reference tooling and where most users will be, running enterprise saas applications certified only against chrome, which is common in hr, finance and healthcare software, environments already using google workspace, where profile sign-in, sync and context-aware access are already in place. Of those, enterprise fleets that need centrally managed browser policy and version reporting at no licensing cost and web development, where chrome's devtools and lighthouse are the reference tooling and where most users will be are not what Tampermonkey is typically brought in for.
What can Google Chrome do that Tampermonkey cannot?
Google Chrome covers Chrome Browser Cloud Management, Several hundred policies, Site isolation, Safe Browsing. Tampermonkey covers Userscript management, Script editor, Auto-update, Cloud sync.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Google Chrome: Why does uBlock Origin no longer work?

Chrome's Manifest V3 removed the blocking webRequest API that it depends on and replaced it with declarativeNetRequest, which limits how many rules an extension may register. uBlock Origin Lite works within those limits and blocks less. Firefox retains the original API.

Tampermonkey: How much does Tampermonkey cost?

Tampermonkey is completely free for all versions and across all supported browsers including Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera, and Firefox.

Source
Google Chrome: Is Chrome the same as Chromium?

No. Chrome is Chromium plus Google's proprietary additions: certain media codecs, Google account sync, Safe Browsing integration and usage reporting. Chromium builds omit those, which is why some sites' video playback and sign-in behaviour differ.

Tampermonkey: Is Tampermonkey available on all browsers?

Yes, Tampermonkey is available on Chrome 120 and later, Microsoft Edge, Safari, Opera Next, and Firefox with no cost.

Source
Google Chrome: What does enterprise management cost?

Nothing. Chrome Browser Cloud Management, the administrative policy templates and Extended Stable are all free. This is unusual and is a genuine reason organisations standardise on it.

Google Chrome: How often does it update?

A major version every four weeks on the stable channel, with security updates in between, and every eight weeks on the Extended Stable channel intended for managed fleets.

Google Chrome: Is Chrome on iPhone actually Chrome?

No. Apple's platform rules mean it runs on WebKit, so on iOS you get Chrome's interface, sync and account integration on top of Safari's engine, not Blink.

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