Softwr

Browser Extensions · head to head

Privacy Badger vs Wappalyzer

Privacy Badger logo

Privacy Badger

Browser Extensions

Automatically learn to block invisible trackers

From
Free
Rated
-
Wappalyzer logo

Wappalyzer

Browser Extensions

Identify web technologies

From
Free
Rated
-

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; Wappalyzer cannot detect server-side or hidden technologies without client-side footprints
  • They diverge on capability: Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Wappalyzer covers Technology detection.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Privacy Badger and Wappalyzer differ
AttributePrivacy BadgerWappalyzer
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsChrome, Firefox, Edge, OperaChrome, Firefox, Edge, Web
Founded19902009

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 Privacy Badger

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

Only in Wappalyzer

  • Technology detection
  • CMS identification
  • Framework analysis
  • Analytics tracking

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support

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

Wappalyzer

  • Cannot detect server-side or hidden technologies without client-side footprints
  • Went closed-source in 2023; self-hosting now difficult without maintaining community forks
  • Data export features locked to Business plan ($450/month) minimum

Pricing, plan by plan

Privacy Badger

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

Wappalyzer

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Wappalyzer 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.

Choose Wappalyzer if

  • You need technology detection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Web.
  • You also want cms identification.

Questions people ask

Is Privacy Badger or Wappalyzer better?
Neither clearly leads. Privacy Badger starts at Free and Wappalyzer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Privacy Badger or Wappalyzer?
Privacy Badger starts at Free and Wappalyzer at Free.
Does Privacy Badger or Wappalyzer run on more platforms?
Privacy Badger runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera. Wappalyzer runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Web.
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 Wappalyzer cannot?
Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Learning algorithm, Do Not Track support, No filter lists required. Wappalyzer covers Technology detection, CMS identification, Framework analysis, Analytics tracking. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Wappalyzer: Does Wappalyzer have a free version?

Yes. Wappalyzer's browser extension is completely free and provides unlimited technology lookups with no account required. The free tier includes basic website technology detection across all categories.

Source
Wappalyzer: What are the paid pricing tiers for Wappalyzer?

Wappalyzer's paid plans start at $250/month for Pro (5,000 lookups, 1 user), $450/month for Business (20,000 lookups, 5 users, API access), and $850+/month for Enterprise (200,000+ lookups, 25+ users). Annual billing offers 17% discount.

Source
Wappalyzer: Can Wappalyzer detect all website technologies?

Wappalyzer detects over 1,000 technologies but cannot detect server-side or hidden technologies, backend infrastructure, internal databases, or ERP systems with no client-side footprint.

Source
Wappalyzer: Can Wappalyzer be self-hosted?

Wappalyzer went closed-source in 2023 when the GitHub repository was taken down. It can be deployed via Docker or npm, but the community-contributed fingerprint database is now part of the commercial product. Open-source forks are available but not officially maintained.

Source
Wappalyzer: What integrations does Wappalyzer offer?

Wappalyzer integrates with CRM systems like Salesforce and HubSpot, and supports lead list exports and API access for business users on paid plans.

Source
Wappalyzer: When does Wappalyzer data export become available?

Data export and lead list generation features are only available on the Business plan ($450/month) and above, not on the Pro tier.

Source

Related pages

Other head to heads