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Browser Extensions · head to head

Stay vs Tampermonkey

Stay logo

Stay

Browser Extensions

Safari userscript manager that runs Tampermonkey scripts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tampermonkey logo

Tampermonkey

Browser Extensions

The most popular userscript manager

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Stay apple only. No Chrome, Firefox or Edge build, so it cannot serve a cross-browser workflow.; Tampermonkey only source code up to version 2.9 is GPLv3; all newer versions are distributed under a proprietary license despite the extension itself being free to use
  • They diverge on capability: Stay covers Tampermonkey and Violentmonkey compatibility, Tampermonkey covers Script editor.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 15 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stay and Tampermonkey actually diverge.

Attributes where Stay and Tampermonkey differ
AttributeStayTampermonkey
Pricing modelone-timeopen-source
PlatformsSafari, iOS, macOSWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
FoundedUnknown2010

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 Stay

  • Tampermonkey and Violentmonkey compatibility
  • Cross-device bookmark sync
  • Download manager
  • Dark mode
  • One-time purchase across platforms

Only in Tampermonkey

  • Script editor
  • Auto-update
  • Cloud sync
  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Safari support
  • Opera support

Both cover

  • Userscript management

What people use each for

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

Stay

  • Running Tampermonkey scripts on Safarinot Tampermonkey
  • Running userscripts on iPhone and iPadnot Tampermonkey
  • Syncing bookmarks across Apple and non-Apple devicesnot Tampermonkey
  • Managing downloads into categorised folders on iOSnot Tampermonkey
  • Forcing dark mode on sites that do not offer itnot Tampermonkey

Tampermonkey

  • Auto-run custom JavaScript to add features to specific websitesnot Stay
  • Block ads, remove clutter, or reformat page layout via community/personal userscriptsnot Stay
  • Run scripts sourced from Greasy Fork or similar userscript repositoriesnot Stay
  • Automate repetitive web tasks such as form-filling or redirect skipping via installed scriptsnot Stay

Where each one falls short

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

Stay

  • Apple only. No Chrome, Firefox or Edge build, so it cannot serve a cross-browser workflow.
  • The free tier is deliberately limited, so the practical product is the paid one.
  • Compatibility with Tampermonkey and Violentmonkey scripts is a translation layer rather than the real thing, and a script relying on an unusual GM function may not behave identically.
  • It bundles bookmark sync, downloads and dark mode alongside the script manager, which is more surface area than some people want from an extension with access to every page.
  • A much smaller project than the established managers, so fewer scripts are tested against it.

Tampermonkey

  • Only source code up to version 2.9 is GPLv3; all newer versions are distributed under a proprietary license despite the extension itself being free to use
  • Under Manifest V3, GM_webRequest is not (yet) supported
  • Under Manifest V3, GM_xmlhttpRequest fires only one progress event instead of streaming progress, requiring a responseType: 'stream' workaround
  • Since v5.3.2, Chrome/Edge (MV3) requires the user to manually enable Developer Mode, or from Chrome 138+ a per-extension 'Allow User Scripts' toggle, before any userscript will run

Pricing, plan by plan

Stay

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited functionality
  • Lifetime$5/one-time
    • All features
    • iPhone, iPad and Mac
    • Lifetime updates

Tampermonkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tampermonkey review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Stay if

  • You need tampermonkey and violentmonkey compatibility.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Safari, iOS, macOS.
  • You also want cross-device bookmark sync.
Stay review

Choose Tampermonkey if

  • You need script editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.
  • You also want auto-update.
Tampermonkey review

Questions people ask

Is Stay or Tampermonkey better?
Neither clearly leads. Stay starts at Free and Tampermonkey at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Stay or Tampermonkey?
Stay starts at Free and Tampermonkey at Free.
Does Stay or Tampermonkey run on more platforms?
Stay runs on Safari, iOS, macOS. Tampermonkey runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.
Can I use Stay for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Stay best used for?
Stay is most often used for running tampermonkey scripts on safari, running userscripts on iphone and ipad, syncing bookmarks across apple and non-apple devices, managing downloads into categorised folders on ios. Of those, running tampermonkey scripts on safari and running userscripts on iphone and ipad are not what Tampermonkey is typically brought in for.
What can Stay do that Tampermonkey cannot?
Stay covers Tampermonkey and Violentmonkey compatibility, Cross-device bookmark sync, Download manager, Dark mode. Tampermonkey covers Script editor, Auto-update, Cloud sync, Chrome support. Both handle Userscript management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Stay: Can Stay run Tampermonkey scripts?

Yes. It supports its own native scripts and also scripts written for Tampermonkey and Violentmonkey, which is the main reason to choose it on Safari.

Source
Tampermonkey: How much does Tampermonkey cost?

Tampermonkey is completely free for all versions and across all supported browsers including Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera, and Firefox.

Source
Stay: How much does Stay cost?

A one-time payment, reported at around $5, covering iPhone, iPad and Mac with lifetime updates and no subscription. A free version with limited functionality is available.

Source
Tampermonkey: Is Tampermonkey available on all browsers?

Yes, Tampermonkey is available on Chrome 120 and later, Microsoft Edge, Safari, Opera Next, and Firefox with no cost.

Source
Stay: Does Stay work on iPhone?

Yes. It supports Safari across iPhone, iPad and Mac, and the single purchase covers all three.

Source
Stay: What can userscripts do in Safari through Stay?

The vendor's examples are automatic pagination, immersive translation, redirect blocking and aggregated search. Anything a userscript can do on another browser is broadly in scope, subject to Safari's own restrictions.

Source
Stay: Is Stay open source?

The project publishes source on GitHub, and the app is distributed through the App Store as a paid product with a limited free tier.

Source
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