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Best security and privacy Chrome extensions

A security Chrome extension blocks trackers and ads while a password manager protects your accounts with strong, unique passwords. Our top pick is uBlock Origin Lite: it's free, lightweight and built on Manifest V3, blocking most ads and trackers without slowing down your browsing.

Last reviewed · 3 listings · Independent, not affiliated with Google

Our picks

  1. uBlock Origin Lite

    Lightweight Manifest V3 content blocker.

    Free Security & Privacy ✓ Open source✓ Manifest V3

  2. Bitwarden

    Open-source password manager.

    Freemium Security & Privacy ✓ Open source

  3. 1Password

    Password manager for families and teams.

    Paid Security & Privacy ✓ Free trial

Good browser security combines two habits: blocking trackers and unwanted content, and never reusing weak passwords across sites. A content blocker cuts down on tracking scripts and intrusive ads, while a password manager generates and stores unique logins, which removes the biggest single risk to your accounts.

Blocking ads and trackers

uBlock Origin Lite blocks most ads and known tracking scripts using Chrome's Manifest V3 rules system. It's lightweight and doesn't need a large custom filter list to work well, making it a solid default for most people who want fewer ads and less tracking without configuring anything.

Managing passwords securely

Bitwarden is a freemium, open-source password manager that generates strong unique passwords and autofills them across sites. 1Password is a paid alternative built for families and teams, adding shared vaults and admin controls. Either beats reusing the same password across multiple accounts.

What permissions security extensions need

Content blockers need to read and modify web page content to block ads and trackers, which is expected for their job. Password managers need to read login forms to autofill credentials. Review permissions for any extension outside these categories that requests similar access, since it's a common way malicious extensions steal data.

Best security and privacy Chrome extensions: FAQs

What is the best security Chrome extension?

uBlock Origin Lite is our top pick for blocking. It's free, lightweight and built on Manifest V3, blocking most ads and trackers without needing manual configuration.

What is the best password manager extension for Chrome?

Bitwarden is a strong freemium choice, being open-source with a solid free tier. 1Password is a paid alternative built for families and teams that need shared vaults and admin controls.

Is uBlock Origin Lite as good as the original uBlock Origin?

uBlock Origin Lite is built specifically for Manifest V3, Chrome's current extension platform, trading some advanced filtering flexibility for better performance and sandboxing compared to the original version.

Are password manager extensions safe to use?

Reputable password managers like Bitwarden and 1Password encrypt your data so even the company can't read your passwords. They need access to login forms to autofill credentials, which is expected for their function.

Is Bitwarden free to use?

Yes, Bitwarden has a free plan that covers unlimited password storage and autofill across devices. Its paid plans add features like encrypted file storage and advanced sharing.

What's the difference between Bitwarden and 1Password?

Bitwarden is open-source with a generous free tier, while 1Password is a paid-only product built with stronger team and family management features, including shared vaults and detailed admin controls.

Do content blockers slow down Chrome?

A lightweight blocker like uBlock Origin Lite generally speeds up browsing overall, since blocking ads and trackers means fewer scripts load on each page, despite the extension itself using a small amount of resources.

Are these security extensions safe on banking websites?

Content blockers and password managers are widely used on banking sites, but some banks recommend disabling ad blockers if a page doesn't load correctly. Password managers are generally safe and help you use a unique, strong password per account.

Do security extensions work in Edge or Brave?

Yes, uBlock Origin Lite, Bitwarden and 1Password all install in Chromium-based browsers such as Microsoft Edge and Brave, since they use the same extension platform as Chrome.

Can I use a free password manager instead of a paid one?

Yes, Bitwarden's free plan covers core password storage and autofill for individual use. Paid options like 1Password make more sense once you need shared family or team vaults.

How do I know if a security extension is trustworthy?

Check that it's open source or well known, review its requested permissions against what its job actually requires, and confirm it's actively updated. Avoid extensions with vague descriptions or excessive permission requests.

What permissions should a password manager not ask for?

A password manager needs to read login forms to autofill credentials but shouldn't need broad permissions like reading your browsing history or accessing your camera. Unusual permission requests are a warning sign.