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Privacy Badger vs Web Developer

Privacy Badger logo

Privacy Badger

Software

Automatically learn to block invisible trackers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Web Developer logo

Web Developer

Software

Web developer toolbar for browsers

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; Web Developer the Web Developer browser extension is licensed GPL-3.0 per its GitHub repository (github.com/chrispederick/web-developer), which states 'All files are distributed for free under the terms of the GNU General Public License,' confirming it has no vendor pricing model to compare.
  • They diverge on capability: Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Web Developer covers CSS inspection.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Privacy Badger and Web Developer actually diverge.

Attributes where Privacy Badger and Web Developer differ
AttributePrivacy BadgerWeb Developer
Founded19902003

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera), 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 Web Developer

  • CSS inspection
  • Form debugging
  • Image analysis
  • Element outlining

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Opera 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

Web Developer

  • The Web Developer browser extension is licensed GPL-3.0 per its GitHub repository (github.com/chrispederick/web-developer), which states 'All files are distributed for free under the terms of the GNU General Public License,' confirming it has no vendor pricing model to compare.

Pricing, plan by plan

Privacy Badger

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

Web Developer

Free
  • FreeFree
    • CSS tools
    • Form tools
    • Image tools

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 Web Developer if

  • You need css inspection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
  • You also want form debugging.
Web Developer review

Questions people ask

Is Privacy Badger or Web Developer better?
Neither clearly leads. Privacy Badger starts at Free and Web Developer at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Privacy Badger or Web Developer?
Privacy Badger starts at Free and Web Developer at Free.
Does Privacy Badger or Web Developer run on more platforms?
Both run on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
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 Web Developer cannot?
Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Learning algorithm, Do Not Track support, No filter lists required. Web Developer covers CSS inspection, Form debugging, Image analysis, Element outlining. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support, Opera support.
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