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Browser Extensions · head to head

React Developer Tools vs Web Developer

React Developer Tools logo

React Developer Tools

Browser Extensions

Debug React applications in your browser

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Web Developer logo

Web Developer

Browser Extensions

Web developer toolbar for browsers

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.; 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: React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, Web Developer covers CSS inspection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where React Developer Tools and Web Developer differ
AttributeReact Developer ToolsWeb Developer
PlatformsChrome, Firefox, EdgeChrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
Founded20042003

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 Web Developer

  • CSS inspection
  • Form debugging
  • Image analysis
  • Element outlining
  • 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 Web Developer
  • Inspecting component state and propsnot Web Developer
  • Performance profiling of React applicationsnot Web Developer

Web Developer

No use cases recorded yet. See the Web Developer review.

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.

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

React Developer Tools

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

Web Developer

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

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 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 React Developer Tools or Web Developer better?
Neither clearly leads. React Developer Tools 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, React Developer Tools or Web Developer?
React Developer Tools starts at Free and Web Developer at Free.
Does React Developer Tools or Web Developer run on more platforms?
React Developer Tools runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge. Web Developer 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 Web Developer is typically brought in for.
What can React Developer Tools do that Web Developer cannot?
React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, Props/State viewing, Performance profiler, Hooks debugging. Web Developer covers CSS inspection, Form debugging, Image analysis, Element outlining. 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
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
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Related pages

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