Softwr

Browser Extensions · head to head

React Developer Tools vs uBlock Origin

React Developer Tools logo

React Developer Tools

Browser Extensions

Debug React applications in your browser

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
uBlock Origin logo

uBlock Origin

Browser Extensions

Free, open-source ad content blocker

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: React Developer Tools react Developer Tools is only available as a Chrome browser extension. No support for other browsers mentioned.; uBlock Origin cNAME uncloaking of third-party trackers disguised as first-party is only available on Firefox, because the required DNS API does not exist in Chromium
  • They diverge on capability: React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, uBlock Origin covers Ad blocking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where React Developer Tools and uBlock Origin differ
AttributeReact Developer ToolsuBlock Origin
PlatformsChrome, Firefox, EdgeChrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
Founded20042014

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 uBlock Origin

  • Ad blocking
  • Tracker blocking
  • Malware domain blocking
  • Custom filter lists
  • Opera support

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support

What people use each for

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

React Developer Tools

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

uBlock Origin

  • Ad and tracker blocking in web browsersnot React Developer Tools
  • Privacy protection while browsing the webnot React Developer Tools
  • Reducing bandwidth usage by blocking adsnot React Developer Tools
  • Users seeking open-source browser extensionsnot React Developer Tools

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 is only available as a Chrome browser extension. No support for other browsers mentioned.

uBlock Origin

  • CNAME uncloaking of third-party trackers disguised as first-party is only available on Firefox, because the required DNS API does not exist in Chromium
  • HTML filtering of response bodies requires the webRequest.filterResponseData API, which is only available in Firefox
  • On Chromium-based browsers uBO is not reliably ready at browser launch, so tracker and advertisement payloads can reach already-open tabs before filtering starts
  • Pre-fetch blocking is not reliable on Chromium-based browsers because they give websites precedence over user settings
  • The Chromium build does not use the WebAssembly filtering code paths, because the extra manifest permission would create friction publishing to the Chrome Web Store
  • LZ4 storage compression is Firefox only, and on Chromium in incognito mode IndexedDB resets, so uBO launches with out-of-date filter lists

Pricing, plan by plan

React Developer Tools

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

uBlock Origin

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Ad blocking
    • Tracker blocking
    • Custom filter lists

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.
React Developer Tools review

Choose uBlock Origin if

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

Questions people ask

Is React Developer Tools or uBlock Origin better?
Neither clearly leads. React Developer Tools starts at Free and uBlock Origin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, React Developer Tools or uBlock Origin?
React Developer Tools starts at Free and uBlock Origin at Free.
Does React Developer Tools or uBlock Origin run on more platforms?
React Developer Tools runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge. uBlock Origin runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
Can I use React Developer Tools for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is React Developer Tools best used for?
React Developer Tools is most often used for debugging react components during development, inspecting component state and props, performance profiling of react applications. Of those, debugging react components during development and inspecting component state and props are not what uBlock Origin is typically brought in for.
What can React Developer Tools do that uBlock Origin cannot?
React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, Props/State viewing, Performance profiler, Hooks debugging. uBlock Origin covers Ad blocking, Tracker blocking, Malware domain blocking, Custom filter lists. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
uBlock Origin: How much does uBlock Origin cost?

uBlock Origin is completely free and open-source software with no licensing fees, subscriptions, or commercial restrictions.

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
uBlock Origin: Is uBlock Origin open source?

Yes, uBlock Origin is distributed under the GPL-3.0 License with source code publicly available on GitHub. The project encourages community review and contribution.

Source
uBlock Origin: Does uBlock Origin accept donations?

No, uBlock Origin explicitly does not accept donations. The project instead encourages users to support the developers maintaining the filter lists that power the extension.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on React Developer Tools

More on uBlock Origin

Keep looking

Other head to heads