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Browser Extensions · head to head

Tampermonkey vs Web Developer

Tampermonkey logo

Tampermonkey

Browser Extensions

The most popular userscript manager

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: 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; 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: Tampermonkey covers Userscript management, Web Developer covers CSS inspection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Tampermonkey and Web Developer actually diverge.

Attributes where Tampermonkey and Web Developer differ
AttributeTampermonkeyWeb Developer
Pricing modelopen-sourcefree
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, AndroidChrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
Founded20102003

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 Tampermonkey

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

Only in Web Developer

  • CSS inspection
  • Form debugging
  • Image analysis
  • Element outlining

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

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

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

Tampermonkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tampermonkey review.

Web Developer

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

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 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 Tampermonkey or Web Developer better?
Neither clearly leads. Tampermonkey 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, Tampermonkey or Web Developer?
Tampermonkey starts at Free and Web Developer at Free.
Does Tampermonkey or Web Developer run on more platforms?
Tampermonkey runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android. Web Developer 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 Web Developer is typically brought in for.
What can Tampermonkey do that Web Developer cannot?
Tampermonkey covers Userscript management, Script editor, Auto-update, Cloud sync. Web Developer covers CSS inspection, Form debugging, Image analysis, Element outlining. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support, Opera support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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