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Browser Extensions · head to head

Greasemonkey vs Vim

Greasemonkey logo

Greasemonkey

Browser Extensions

The original userscript manager, for Firefox

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vim logo

Vim

Technology

Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Greasemonkey firefox only. There is no Chrome, Edge or Safari build and there never has been.; Vim configuration system uses keyboard mappings with no graphical interface for settings
  • They diverge on capability: Greasemonkey covers Userscript execution, Vim covers Modal editing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 17 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Greasemonkey and Vim actually diverge.

Attributes where Greasemonkey and Vim differ
AttributeGreasemonkeyVim
Pricing modelopen-sourcefree
PlatformsFirefoxLinux, Unix, macOS, Windows
CategoryBrowser ExtensionsTechnology
FoundedUnknown1988

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 Greasemonkey

  • Userscript execution
  • Built-in script editor
  • GM. API
  • @resource support
  • Script localisation
  • Firefox for Android

Only in Vim

  • Modal editing
  • Extensive customization
  • Plugin support
  • Macro recording
  • Split windows
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Search and replace
  • Command history

What people use each for

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

Greasemonkey

  • Restyling or de-cluttering a site you use dailynot Vim
  • Automating a repetitive action on a web applicationnot Vim
  • Adding a missing feature to a site you do not controlnot Vim
  • Running userscripts on Firefox for Androidnot Vim
  • Writing and testing your own scripts in the browsernot Vim

Vim

  • Code editingnot Greasemonkey
  • Configuration filesnot Greasemonkey
  • System administrationnot Greasemonkey
  • Remote editingnot Greasemonkey
  • Terminal-based developmentnot Greasemonkey

Where each one falls short

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

Greasemonkey

  • Firefox only. There is no Chrome, Edge or Safari build and there never has been.
  • Its API diverged from the Tampermonkey conventions most shared scripts are written against, so a script from a sharing site may need adjusting to run.
  • The dashboard is plainer than Tampermonkey's, with no diff view when a script updates itself.
  • No cloud sync of the kind Tampermonkey and Violentmonkey offer; moving machines means exporting.
  • A userscript manager can read and rewrite every page you visit, so the security of the arrangement depends entirely on the scripts you choose to install.

Vim

  • Configuration system uses keyboard mappings with no graphical interface for settings
  • Requires browsing documentation to modify even basic settings
  • Lacks sensible defaults for many common configurations
  • Plugin ecosystem stability varies widely depending on custom configuration complexity

Pricing, plan by plan

Greasemonkey

Free
  • Open sourceFree
    • Unlimited scripts
    • Built-in editor
    • No account required

Vim

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Powerful text editing
    • Extensive customization
    • Plugin ecosystem

Which should you pick?

Choose Greasemonkey if

  • You need userscript execution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Firefox.
  • You also want built-in script editor.
Greasemonkey review

Choose Vim if

  • You need modal editing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Unix, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want extensive customization.
Vim review

Questions people ask

Is Greasemonkey or Vim better?
Neither clearly leads. Greasemonkey starts at Free and Vim at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Greasemonkey or Vim?
Greasemonkey starts at Free and Vim at Free.
Does Greasemonkey or Vim run on more platforms?
Greasemonkey runs on Firefox. Vim runs on Linux, Unix, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Greasemonkey for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Greasemonkey best used for?
Greasemonkey is most often used for restyling or de-cluttering a site you use daily, automating a repetitive action on a web application, adding a missing feature to a site you do not control, running userscripts on firefox for android. Of those, restyling or de-cluttering a site you use daily and automating a repetitive action on a web application are not what Vim is typically brought in for.
What can Greasemonkey do that Vim cannot?
Greasemonkey covers Userscript execution, Built-in script editor, GM. API, @resource support. Vim covers Modal editing, Extensive customization, Plugin support, Macro recording.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Greasemonkey: Is Greasemonkey still maintained?

Yes. Version 4.14 was released on 2 June 2026, and the project has an active repository, bug tracker and discussion groups.

Source
Vim: Is Vim free and open source?

Yes, Vim is free and open source, distributed under a charityware license. The creator requested donations to ICCF Holland, a non-profit supporting AIDS victims in Uganda. All donations are forwarded to ICCF.

Source
Greasemonkey: Does Greasemonkey work on Chrome?

No. It is a Firefox extension and has never shipped for Chrome. Violentmonkey and Tampermonkey are the equivalents there.

Source
Vim: What platforms does Vim support?

Vim runs on Unix-like systems (Linux, macOS, BSD), Windows (7, 8, 10, 11), VMS, and is available through package managers or standalone installation on all major operating systems.

Source
Greasemonkey: Will Tampermonkey scripts run in Greasemonkey?

Often, but not always. Greasemonkey's API diverged from the conventions most shared scripts are written against, so a script may need its header or its GM calls adjusted.

Source
Vim: Who maintains Vim now?

Vim was created by Bram Moolenaar, who passed away on August 3, 2023. Christian Brabandt is the current lead maintainer, and the project continues with volunteer contributors.

Source
Greasemonkey: Does Greasemonkey run on mobile?

On Firefox for Android, from version 4.12. There is no iOS build, because Firefox on iOS cannot load extensions of this kind.

Source
Greasemonkey: What is the GM API?

The set of functions a userscript manager exposes to scripts, named after Greasemonkey, which defined it. Greasemonkey supports the promise-based GM. form including GM.xmlHttpRequest and GM.registerMenuCommand.

Source
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