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Tampermonkey vs Privacy Badger

Tampermonkey logo

Tampermonkey

Software

The most popular userscript manager

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Privacy Badger logo

Privacy Badger

Software

Automatically learn to block invisible trackers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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; Privacy Badger it is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads
  • They diverge on capability: Tampermonkey covers Userscript management, Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Tampermonkey and Privacy Badger actually diverge.

Attributes where Tampermonkey and Privacy Badger differ
AttributeTampermonkeyPrivacy Badger
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, AndroidChrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
Founded20101990

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Tampermonkey

  • Userscript management
  • Script editor
  • Auto-update
  • Cloud sync
  • Safari support

Only in Privacy Badger

  • Automatic tracker detection
  • Learning algorithm
  • Do Not Track support
  • No filter lists required

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Opera support

What people use each for

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

Tampermonkey

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

Privacy Badger

No use cases recorded yet. See the Privacy Badger review.

Where each one falls short

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

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

Privacy Badger

  • It is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads
  • There is no Safari build, and Safari on iOS lacks extension capabilities Privacy Badger needs to work
  • Chrome on Android does not support extensions, so Android users have to switch to Firefox or Edge
  • Protection is aimed at third-party trackers and does not comprehensively cover tracking by the site you are actually visiting

Pricing, plan by plan

Tampermonkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tampermonkey review.

Privacy Badger

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Automatic tracker learning
    • Third-party blocking
    • Do Not Track

Which should you pick?

Choose Tampermonkey if

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

Choose Privacy Badger if

  • You need automatic tracker detection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
  • You also want learning algorithm.
Privacy Badger review

Questions people ask

Is Tampermonkey or Privacy Badger better?
Neither clearly leads. Tampermonkey starts at Free and Privacy Badger at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Tampermonkey or Privacy Badger?
Tampermonkey starts at Free and Privacy Badger at Free.
Does Tampermonkey or Privacy Badger run on more platforms?
Tampermonkey runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android. Privacy Badger runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
Can I use Tampermonkey for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Tampermonkey best used for?
Tampermonkey is most often used for auto-run custom javascript to add features to specific websites, block ads, remove clutter, or reformat page layout via community/personal userscripts, run scripts sourced from greasy fork or similar userscript repositories, automate repetitive web tasks such as form-filling or redirect skipping via installed scripts. Of those, auto-run custom javascript to add features to specific websites and block ads, remove clutter, or reformat page layout via community/personal userscripts are not what Privacy Badger is typically brought in for.
What can Tampermonkey do that Privacy Badger cannot?
Tampermonkey covers Userscript management, Script editor, Auto-update, Cloud sync. Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Learning algorithm, Do Not Track support, No filter lists required. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support, Opera support.
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