Softwr

Browser Extensions · head to head

React Developer Tools vs WhatFont

React Developer Tools logo

React Developer Tools

Browser Extensions

Debug React applications in your browser

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WhatFont logo

WhatFont

Browser Extensions

Identify fonts on web pages

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.; WhatFont can only detect web-safe fonts and fonts loaded via web font services
  • They diverge on capability: React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, WhatFont covers Font detection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where React Developer Tools and WhatFont differ
AttributeReact Developer ToolsWhatFont
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsChrome, Firefox, EdgeChrome, Firefox, Arc
Founded20042011

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 React Developer Tools

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

Only in WhatFont

  • Font detection
  • Typography info
  • Service detection
  • Hover inspection
  • Safari 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 WhatFont
  • Inspecting component state and propsnot WhatFont
  • Performance profiling of React applicationsnot WhatFont

WhatFont

  • Identifying typefaces used on competitor websites for design researchnot React Developer Tools
  • Sourcing font inspiration from high-performing landing pagesnot React Developer Tools
  • Discovering web font services like Google Fonts or Typekit on sitesnot 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.

WhatFont

  • Can only detect web-safe fonts and fonts loaded via web font services
  • Does not work on images with embedded text or rasterized typography
  • Limited to inspecting single text elements at a time

Pricing, plan by plan

React Developer Tools

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

WhatFont

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Font inspection on any website
    • Font family identification
    • Font size and weight detection

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 WhatFont if

  • You need font detection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Arc.
  • You also want typography info.
WhatFont review

Questions people ask

Is React Developer Tools or WhatFont better?
Neither clearly leads. React Developer Tools starts at Free and WhatFont at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, React Developer Tools or WhatFont?
React Developer Tools starts at Free and WhatFont at Free.
Does React Developer Tools or WhatFont run on more platforms?
React Developer Tools runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge. WhatFont runs on Chrome, Firefox, Arc.
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 WhatFont is typically brought in for.
What can React Developer Tools do that WhatFont cannot?
React Developer Tools covers Component inspection, Props/State viewing, Performance profiler, Hooks debugging. WhatFont covers Font detection, Typography info, Service detection, Hover inspection. 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
WhatFont: How do I use WhatFont to inspect fonts?

Click the WhatFont icon in your browser toolbar to activate it, then hover over any text on a webpage to see the font name and details in a pop-up. Click the text to reveal additional information like font style, weight, color, and font samples.

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
WhatFont: What browsers does WhatFont support?

WhatFont works on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Arc browser. It is available as a free extension in each browser's extension store.

Source
WhatFont: Is WhatFont free?

Yes. WhatFont is a completely free browser extension with no paid tier or premium features. It is maintained as a free tool for designers and developers.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on React Developer Tools

More on WhatFont

Keep looking

Other head to heads