Browser Extensions · head to head
React Developer Tools vs AdBlock Plus
React Developer Tools
Browser Extensions
Debug React applications in your browser
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: React Developer Tools react Developer Tools ships under the MIT license as part of the React open source project, free with no commercial tier; support is community GitHub issues only, with no vendor SLA.; AdBlock Plus acceptable Ads allowlist model generates controversy over ad filtering conflicts of interest
- They diverge on capability: React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, AdBlock Plus covers Ad blocking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which React Developer Tools and AdBlock Plus actually diverge.
| Attribute | React Developer Tools | AdBlock Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser |
| Founded | 2004 | 2006 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 React Developer Tools
- Component inspection
- Props/State viewing
- Performance profiler
- Hooks debugging
Only in AdBlock Plus
- Ad blocking
- Acceptable Ads
- Custom filters
- Social media blocking
- Safari support
- Opera support
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.
React Developer Tools
- React Developer Tools ships under the MIT license as part of the React open source project, free with no commercial tier; support is community GitHub issues only, with no vendor SLA.
AdBlock Plus
- Acceptable Ads allowlist model generates controversy over ad filtering conflicts of interest
- Smaller feature set compared to open-source alternatives like uBlock Origin
- Less customization and dynamic filtering compared to uBlock Origin
- Mobile version less comprehensive than desktop extension
- Chrome version increasingly limited due to Manifest V3 migration
Pricing, plan by plan
React Developer Tools
Free- FreeFree
- Component tree
- Props inspection
- State tracking
AdBlock Plus
Free- FreeFree
- Ad blocking
- Acceptable Ads option
- Custom filters
Which should you pick?
Choose React Developer Tools if
- You need component inspection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
- You also want props/state viewing.
Choose AdBlock Plus if
- You need ad blocking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser.
- You also want acceptable ads.
Questions people ask
- Is React Developer Tools or AdBlock Plus better?
- Neither clearly leads. React Developer Tools starts at Free and AdBlock Plus at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, React Developer Tools or AdBlock Plus?
- React Developer Tools starts at Free and AdBlock Plus at Free.
- Does React Developer Tools or AdBlock Plus run on more platforms?
- React Developer Tools runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge. AdBlock Plus runs on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser.
- Can I use React Developer Tools for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What can React Developer Tools do that AdBlock Plus cannot?
- React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, Props/State viewing, Performance profiler, Hooks debugging. AdBlock Plus covers Ad blocking, Acceptable Ads, Custom filters, Social media blocking. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
AdBlock Plus: What does Adblock Plus block?
Adblock Plus blocks banner ads, pre-roll and mid-roll video ads on YouTube, pop-ups, sidebar ads, and most standard display formats. With Acceptable Ads disabled and EasyPrivacy enabled, it achieved a 100/100 score on AdBlock Tester in April 2026.
SourceAdBlock Plus: What browsers does Adblock Plus support?
Adblock Plus is available for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, and Yandex Browser.
SourceAdBlock Plus: Is there a premium version of Adblock Plus?
Yes. Adblock Plus Premium costs $40 annually or $4 per month and allows users to block cookie consent pop-ups, while the free version includes core ad blocking.
SourceAdBlock Plus: What is Acceptable Ads?
Acceptable Ads is an opt-in setting that allows advertising Adblock Plus deems unobtrusive to display on websites; it is disabled by default but can be toggled in Settings.