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Privacy Badger vs Tampermonkey

Privacy Badger logo

Privacy Badger

Software

Automatically learn to block invisible trackers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tampermonkey logo

Tampermonkey

Software

The most popular userscript manager

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Privacy Badger it is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads; 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: Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Tampermonkey covers Userscript management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Privacy Badger and Tampermonkey actually diverge.

Attributes where Privacy Badger and Tampermonkey differ
AttributePrivacy BadgerTampermonkey
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsChrome, Firefox, Edge, OperaWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Founded19902010

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 Privacy Badger

  • Automatic tracker detection
  • Learning algorithm
  • Do Not Track support
  • No filter lists required

Only in Tampermonkey

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

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Opera support

What people use each for

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

Privacy Badger

No use cases recorded yet. See the Privacy Badger review.

Tampermonkey

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

Where each one falls short

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

Privacy Badger

  • It is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads
  • There is no Safari build, and Safari on iOS lacks extension capabilities Privacy Badger needs to work
  • Chrome on Android does not support extensions, so Android users have to switch to Firefox or Edge
  • Protection is aimed at third-party trackers and does not comprehensively cover tracking by the site you are actually visiting

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

Privacy Badger

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Automatic tracker learning
    • Third-party blocking
    • Do Not Track

Tampermonkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tampermonkey review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Privacy Badger if

  • You need automatic tracker detection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
  • You also want learning algorithm.
Privacy Badger 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 Privacy Badger or Tampermonkey better?
Neither clearly leads. Privacy Badger 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, Privacy Badger or Tampermonkey?
Privacy Badger starts at Free and Tampermonkey at Free.
Does Privacy Badger or Tampermonkey run on more platforms?
Privacy Badger runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera. Tampermonkey runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.
Can I use Privacy Badger for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Privacy Badger do that Tampermonkey cannot?
Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Learning algorithm, Do Not Track support, No filter lists required. Tampermonkey covers Userscript management, Script editor, Auto-update, Cloud sync. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support, Opera support.
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