Software · head to head
Violentmonkey vs Dark Reader
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Violentmonkey smaller script ecosystem compared to Tampermonkey which has larger user base and more available scripts; Dark Reader cannot modify PDF files displayed in browsers
- They diverge on capability: Violentmonkey covers Userscript support, Dark Reader covers Dark mode.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Violentmonkey and Dark Reader actually diverge.
| Attribute | Violentmonkey | Dark Reader |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge |
| Founded | 2013 | 2014 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), 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 Violentmonkey
- Userscript support
- Clean interface
- Cloud sync
- Script editor
- Opera support
Only in Dark Reader
- Dark mode
- Custom brightness
- Contrast adjustment
- Site-specific settings
- Safari support
Both cover
- Chrome support
- Firefox support
- Edge support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Violentmonkey
- Run open-source userscripts to customize or automate web pagesnot Dark Reader
- Import scripts compatible with Greasemonkey and Tampermonkey formatsnot Dark Reader
- Sync scripts and settings across browsers via Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, or WebDAVnot Dark Reader
- Batch import/export scripts as zip filesnot Dark Reader
Dark Reader
- Applying dark mode to websites that don't natively support itnot Violentmonkey
- Reducing eye strain for night-time or extended browsingnot Violentmonkey
- Per-site brightness, contrast, and sepia customizationnot Violentmonkey
- Toggling dark mode on/off per domainnot Violentmonkey
- Accessibility use for light-sensitive usersnot Violentmonkey
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Violentmonkey
- Smaller script ecosystem compared to Tampermonkey which has larger user base and more available scripts
- Less marketing and visibility results in lower adoption compared to more widely-known alternatives
- Community maintenance model means slower feature development compared to commercial alternatives
Dark Reader
- Cannot modify PDF files displayed in browsers
- Performance impact on devices with limited resources
Pricing, plan by plan
Violentmonkey
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Violentmonkey review.
Dark Reader
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Dark Reader review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Violentmonkey if
- You need userscript support.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge.
- You also want clean interface.
Choose Dark Reader if
- You need dark mode.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
- You also want custom brightness.
Questions people ask
- Is Violentmonkey or Dark Reader better?
- Neither clearly leads. Violentmonkey starts at Free and Dark Reader at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Violentmonkey or Dark Reader?
- Violentmonkey starts at Free and Dark Reader at Free.
- Does Violentmonkey or Dark Reader run on more platforms?
- Violentmonkey runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge. Dark Reader runs on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
- Can I use Violentmonkey for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Violentmonkey best used for?
- Violentmonkey is most often used for run open-source userscripts to customize or automate web pages, import scripts compatible with greasemonkey and tampermonkey formats, sync scripts and settings across browsers via dropbox, onedrive, google drive, or webdav, batch import/export scripts as zip files. Of those, run open-source userscripts to customize or automate web pages and import scripts compatible with greasemonkey and tampermonkey formats are not what Dark Reader is typically brought in for.
- What can Violentmonkey do that Dark Reader cannot?
- Violentmonkey covers Userscript support, Clean interface, Cloud sync, Script editor. Dark Reader covers Dark mode, Custom brightness, Contrast adjustment, Site-specific settings. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Violentmonkey: Is Violentmonkey open-source?
Yes. Violentmonkey is fully open-source and available on GitHub, making it free to use and community-maintained unlike Tampermonkey which has a larger proprietary ecosystem.
SourceDark Reader: Is Dark Reader free to use?
Yes, Dark Reader is completely free with no ads and no tracking. It does not send user data anywhere.
SourceViolentmonkey: What browsers does Violentmonkey support?
Violentmonkey works on browsers with WebExtensions support, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and other Chromium-based browsers.
SourceDark Reader: How can I customize the dark mode in Dark Reader?
Users can configure brightness, contrast, and sepia filter settings to suit their specific needs, and selectively enable or disable Dark Reader for specific websites.
SourceViolentmonkey: How does Violentmonkey compare to Tampermonkey in performance?
Community benchmarks show Violentmonkey uses about 15 to 30 percent less RAM on Chrome compared to Tampermonkey when managing many open tabs.
SourceDark Reader: What browsers does Dark Reader support?
Dark Reader is available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers across desktop and mobile platforms.
SourceViolentmonkey: What is the current version of Violentmonkey?
Violentmonkey reached version 2.46.0 as of July 31, 2026, with active ongoing development and regular updates to the open-source project.
SourceDark Reader: Does Dark Reader work offline?
Yes, Dark Reader runs entirely on your device with no external dependencies. It analyzes web pages locally to generate dark themes.
Source