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Browser Extensions · head to head

Userscripts vs WhatFont

Userscripts logo

Userscripts

Browser Extensions

Open-source userscript manager for Safari on Mac and iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WhatFont logo

WhatFont

Browser Extensions

Identify fonts on web pages

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Userscripts safari cannot let extensions bypass a site's Content Security Policy, so strict sites produce "Refused to execute a script" errors that the @inject-into workaround does not always fix.; WhatFont can only detect web-safe fonts and fonts loaded via web font services
  • They diverge on capability: Userscripts covers Built-in script editor, WhatFont covers Font detection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 15 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Userscripts and WhatFont actually diverge.

Attributes where Userscripts and WhatFont differ
AttributeUserscriptsWhatFont
Pricing modelopen-sourceUnknown
PlatformsSafari, macOS, iOSChrome, Firefox, Arc
FoundedUnknown2011

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 Userscripts

  • Built-in script editor
  • Standard metadata support
  • GM API
  • Remote script updating
  • iCloud sync
  • Per-page popup

Only in WhatFont

  • Font detection
  • Typography info
  • Service detection
  • Hover inspection
  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Safari support

What people use each for

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

Userscripts

  • Running userscripts on Safari without paying for Tampermonkeynot WhatFont
  • Running userscripts on an iPhone or iPadnot WhatFont
  • Writing scripts on a Mac and syncing them to iOSnot WhatFont
  • Blocking or restyling site elements Safari content blockers cannot reachnot WhatFont
  • Keeping a script library under an open-source licencenot WhatFont

WhatFont

  • Identifying typefaces used on competitor websites for design researchnot Userscripts
  • Sourcing font inspiration from high-performing landing pagesnot Userscripts
  • Discovering web font services like Google Fonts or Typekit on sitesnot Userscripts

Where each one falls short

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

Userscripts

  • Safari cannot let extensions bypass a site's Content Security Policy, so strict sites produce "Refused to execute a script" errors that the @inject-into workaround does not always fix.
  • Apple only. There is no Chrome, Firefox or Edge build, so it cannot be a cross-browser answer.
  • iCloud sync is documented as having delays, which is awkward when editing the same script on two devices.
  • Requires macOS 12 and Safari 14.1, or iOS 15.1, so older Apple hardware is excluded.
  • GPL v3 means a commercial licence is required for non-open-source use, which matters if you are embedding rather than just using it.

WhatFont

  • Can only detect web-safe fonts and fonts loaded via web font services
  • Does not work on images with embedded text or rasterized typography
  • Limited to inspecting single text elements at a time

Pricing, plan by plan

Userscripts

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full functionality
    • GPL v3 licensed
    • macOS, iOS and iPadOS

WhatFont

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Font inspection on any website
    • Font family identification
    • Font size and weight detection

Which should you pick?

Choose Userscripts if

  • You need built-in script editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Safari, macOS, iOS.
  • You also want standard metadata support.
Userscripts review

Choose WhatFont if

  • You need font detection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Arc.
  • You also want typography info.
WhatFont review

Questions people ask

Is Userscripts or WhatFont better?
Neither clearly leads. Userscripts starts at Free and WhatFont at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Userscripts or WhatFont?
Userscripts starts at Free and WhatFont at Free.
Does Userscripts or WhatFont run on more platforms?
Userscripts runs on Safari, macOS, iOS. WhatFont runs on Chrome, Firefox, Arc.
Can I use Userscripts for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Userscripts best used for?
Userscripts is most often used for running userscripts on safari without paying for tampermonkey, running userscripts on an iphone or ipad, writing scripts on a mac and syncing them to ios, blocking or restyling site elements safari content blockers cannot reach. Of those, running userscripts on safari without paying for tampermonkey and running userscripts on an iphone or ipad are not what WhatFont is typically brought in for.
What can Userscripts do that WhatFont cannot?
Userscripts covers Built-in script editor, Standard metadata support, GM API, Remote script updating. WhatFont covers Font detection, Typography info, Service detection, Hover inspection.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Userscripts: Is Userscripts for Safari free?

Yes, free on the App Store and licensed under GPL v3. A commercial licence is required for use in something that is not itself open source.

Source
WhatFont: How do I use WhatFont to inspect fonts?

Click the WhatFont icon in your browser toolbar to activate it, then hover over any text on a webpage to see the font name and details in a pop-up. Click the text to reveal additional information like font style, weight, color, and font samples.

Source
Userscripts: Does it work on iPhone?

Yes, on iOS and iPadOS 15.1 or later, which makes it one of the few ways to run userscripts on an iPhone.

Source
WhatFont: What browsers does WhatFont support?

WhatFont works on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Arc browser. It is available as a free extension in each browser's extension store.

Source
Userscripts: Why do I get "Refused to execute a script" errors?

Safari does not let extensions bypass a site's Content Security Policy the way other browsers do. The documented workaround is changing the script's @inject-into setting, though it does not resolve every case.

Source
WhatFont: Is WhatFont free?

Yes. WhatFont is a completely free browser extension with no paid tier or premium features. It is maintained as a free tool for designers and developers.

Source
Userscripts: Do my scripts sync between Mac and iPhone?

Yes, over iCloud, though the project notes the sync can be delayed rather than immediate.

Source
Userscripts: What are the system requirements?

macOS 12 or later with Safari 14.1 or later, or iOS and iPadOS 15.1 or later.

Source
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