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Software · head to head

Tampermonkey vs uBlock Origin

Tampermonkey logo

Tampermonkey

Software

The most popular userscript manager

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
uBlock Origin logo

uBlock Origin

Software

Free, open-source ad content blocker

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; uBlock Origin cNAME uncloaking of third-party trackers disguised as first-party is only available on Firefox, because the required DNS API does not exist in Chromium
  • They diverge on capability: Tampermonkey covers Userscript management, uBlock Origin covers Ad blocking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Tampermonkey and uBlock Origin actually diverge.

Attributes where Tampermonkey and uBlock Origin differ
AttributeTampermonkeyuBlock Origin
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, AndroidChrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
Founded20102014

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 uBlock Origin

  • Ad blocking
  • Tracker blocking
  • Malware domain blocking
  • Custom filter lists

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 uBlock Origin
  • Block ads, remove clutter, or reformat page layout via community/personal userscriptsnot uBlock Origin
  • Run scripts sourced from Greasy Fork or similar userscript repositoriesnot uBlock Origin
  • Automate repetitive web tasks such as form-filling or redirect skipping via installed scriptsnot uBlock Origin

uBlock Origin

  • Blocking advertisements and third-party trackers in the browsernot Tampermonkey
  • Running a default-deny policy on third-party scripts and resourcesnot Tampermonkey
  • Element picking and cosmetic filtering of unwanted page contentnot Tampermonkey

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

uBlock Origin

  • CNAME uncloaking of third-party trackers disguised as first-party is only available on Firefox, because the required DNS API does not exist in Chromium
  • HTML filtering of response bodies requires the webRequest.filterResponseData API, which is only available in Firefox
  • On Chromium-based browsers uBO is not reliably ready at browser launch, so tracker and advertisement payloads can reach already-open tabs before filtering starts
  • Pre-fetch blocking is not reliable on Chromium-based browsers because they give websites precedence over user settings
  • The Chromium build does not use the WebAssembly filtering code paths, because the extra manifest permission would create friction publishing to the Chrome Web Store
  • LZ4 storage compression is Firefox only, and on Chromium in incognito mode IndexedDB resets, so uBO launches with out-of-date filter lists

Pricing, plan by plan

Tampermonkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tampermonkey review.

uBlock Origin

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Ad blocking
    • Tracker blocking
    • Custom filter lists

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 uBlock Origin if

  • You need ad blocking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
  • You also want tracker blocking.
uBlock Origin review

Questions people ask

Is Tampermonkey or uBlock Origin better?
Neither clearly leads. Tampermonkey starts at Free and uBlock Origin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Tampermonkey or uBlock Origin?
Tampermonkey starts at Free and uBlock Origin at Free.
Does Tampermonkey or uBlock Origin run on more platforms?
Tampermonkey runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android. uBlock Origin 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 uBlock Origin is typically brought in for.
What can Tampermonkey do that uBlock Origin cannot?
Tampermonkey covers Userscript management, Script editor, Auto-update, Cloud sync. uBlock Origin covers Ad blocking, Tracker blocking, Malware domain blocking, Custom filter lists. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support, Opera support.
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