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Browser Extensions · head to head

Redux DevTools vs Web Developer

Redux DevTools logo

Redux DevTools

Browser Extensions

Debug Redux state changes 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: Redux DevTools significant performance overhead when tracking large state trees with many action history entries; 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: Redux DevTools covers Action history, Web Developer covers CSS inspection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Redux DevTools and Web Developer actually diverge.

Attributes where Redux DevTools and Web Developer differ
AttributeRedux DevToolsWeb Developer
Pricing modelopen-sourcefree
PlatformsChrome, Firefox, Edge, ElectronChrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
Founded20152003

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 Redux DevTools

  • Action history
  • State diff
  • Time-travel debugging
  • State export

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.

Redux DevTools

  • Redux development and debugging tool for JavaScript applicationsnot Web Developer
  • Action replay and time-travel debugging for state managementnot 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.

Redux DevTools

  • Significant performance overhead when tracking large state trees with many action history entries
  • Memory consumption increases with action history, especially with large datasets of 11,000+ records
  • UI becomes sluggish when LogMonitor contains many actions in history
  • Requires manual configuration of maxAge and sanitizers to optimize performance

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

Redux DevTools

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Redux DevTools review.

Web Developer

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Redux DevTools if

  • You need action history.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Electron.
  • You also want state diff.
Redux DevTools 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 Redux DevTools or Web Developer better?
Neither clearly leads. Redux DevTools 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, Redux DevTools or Web Developer?
Redux DevTools starts at Free and Web Developer at Free.
Does Redux DevTools or Web Developer run on more platforms?
Redux DevTools runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Electron. Web Developer runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
Can I use Redux DevTools for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Redux DevTools best used for?
Redux DevTools is most often used for redux development and debugging tool for javascript applications, action replay and time-travel debugging for state management. Of those, redux development and debugging tool for javascript applications and action replay and time-travel debugging for state management are not what Web Developer is typically brought in for.
What can Redux DevTools do that Web Developer cannot?
Redux DevTools covers Action history, State diff, Time-travel debugging, State export. 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

Redux DevTools: Is Redux DevTools free?

Yes, Redux DevTools is completely free and open-source under the MIT license. It is available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, and can also be used as a standalone app or React component.

Source
Redux DevTools: What browsers does Redux DevTools support?

Redux DevTools is available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. It can also be integrated directly into applications as a React component or standalone app.

Source
Redux DevTools: Does Redux DevTools work with production builds?

Redux DevTools is designed for development and should be disabled in production builds. Keeping it enabled in production can impact application performance due to state logging overhead.

Source
Redux DevTools: How do I enable time-travel debugging with Redux DevTools?

Redux DevTools allows you to step back through dispatched actions, canceling actions to return to previous application states. This time-travel debugging is built into the core functionality of the extension.

Source
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