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Browser Extensions · head to head

Ghostery vs React Developer Tools

Ghostery logo

Ghostery

Browser Extensions

Block ads and stop trackers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
React Developer Tools logo

React Developer Tools

Browser Extensions

Debug React applications in your browser

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Ghostery database of trackers requires regular updates to remain current; React Developer Tools react Developer Tools is only available as a Chrome browser extension. No support for other browsers mentioned.
  • They diverge on capability: Ghostery covers Tracker blocking, React Developer Tools covers Component inspection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ghostery and React Developer Tools actually diverge.

Attributes where Ghostery and React Developer Tools differ
AttributeGhosteryReact Developer Tools
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsFirefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, OperaChrome, Firefox, Edge
Founded20092004

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 Ghostery

  • Tracker blocking
  • Ad blocking
  • Privacy dashboard
  • Enhanced anti-tracking
  • Safari support
  • Opera support

Only in React Developer Tools

  • Component inspection
  • Props/State viewing
  • Performance profiler
  • Hooks debugging

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support

What people use each for

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

Ghostery

  • Blocking ads and sponsored content before they loadnot React Developer Tools
  • Preventing tracker profiling by replacing identifying data with random valuesnot React Developer Tools
  • Automatically rejecting non-essential cookie consentnot React Developer Tools
  • Seeing which companies track a given site through WhoTracks.Menot React Developer Tools

React Developer Tools

  • Debugging React components during developmentnot Ghostery
  • Inspecting component state and propsnot Ghostery
  • Performance profiling of React applicationsnot Ghostery

Where each one falls short

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

Ghostery

  • Database of trackers requires regular updates to remain current
  • Some sites break functionality when trackers are aggressively blocked

React Developer Tools

  • React Developer Tools is only available as a Chrome browser extension. No support for other browsers mentioned.

Pricing, plan by plan

Ghostery

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Ghostery review.

React Developer Tools

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Component tree
    • Props inspection
    • State tracking

Which should you pick?

Choose Ghostery if

  • You need tracker blocking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera.
  • You also want ad blocking.
Ghostery review

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.
React Developer Tools review

Questions people ask

Is Ghostery or React Developer Tools better?
Neither clearly leads. Ghostery starts at Free and React Developer Tools at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ghostery or React Developer Tools?
Ghostery starts at Free and React Developer Tools at Free.
Does Ghostery or React Developer Tools run on more platforms?
Ghostery runs on Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera. React Developer Tools runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
Can I use Ghostery for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Ghostery best used for?
Ghostery is most often used for blocking ads and sponsored content before they load, preventing tracker profiling by replacing identifying data with random values, automatically rejecting non-essential cookie consent, seeing which companies track a given site through whotracks.me. Of those, blocking ads and sponsored content before they load and preventing tracker profiling by replacing identifying data with random values are not what React Developer Tools is typically brought in for.
What can Ghostery do that React Developer Tools cannot?
Ghostery covers Tracker blocking, Ad blocking, Privacy dashboard, Enhanced anti-tracking. React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, Props/State viewing, Performance profiler, Hooks debugging. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ghostery: Is Ghostery completely free?

Yes. Ghostery is a free ad blocking browser extension that you can install without paying a subscription. All of Ghostery's features are completely free to use, including ad blocking, tracker blocking, and cookie consent banner handling.

Source
React Developer Tools: How much does React Developer Tools cost?

React Developer Tools is completely free. It is a free browser extension with no subscription fees or costs.

Source
Ghostery: What browsers does Ghostery support?

Ghostery is available for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Edge and Safari as a browser extension.

Source
React Developer Tools: Is React Developer Tools available for download?

Yes. React Developer Tools is available as a free extension on the Chrome Web Store for download at no cost.

Source
Ghostery: What data does Ghostery collect?

Ghostery collects no personal information, ensuring your privacy remains protected while using the extension.

Source
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