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Best open-source Chrome extensions

Open-source Chrome extensions publish their code publicly, so anyone can review what they actually do. Our top pick is uBlock Origin Lite: it is free, open source and blocks ads and trackers on Manifest V3 without hidden tracking of your own browsing.

Last reviewed · 7 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. Dark Reader

    Dark mode for every website.

    Free Customization ✓ Open source

  3. Bitwarden

    Open-source password manager.

    Freemium Security & Privacy ✓ Open source

  4. JSON Formatter

    Pretty-print JSON right in the browser.

    Free Developer Tools ✓ Open source

  5. React Developer Tools

    Inspect React component trees and props.

    Free Developer Tools ✓ Open source

  6. Read Aloud

    Text-to-speech for any web page.

    Free Accessibility ✓ Open source

  7. Video Speed Controller

    Speed up, slow down and rewind any HTML5 video.

    Free Media & Entertainment ✓ Open source✓ No account needed

Open-source extensions let developers and security researchers inspect the code instead of trusting a vendor's word. That matters most for extensions with deep access, like ad blockers reading every page and password managers holding your logins. The picks below all publish their source code publicly.

Open-source ad blocking and privacy

uBlock Origin Lite is open source and built on Manifest V3, so its ad and tracker-blocking rules are publicly auditable. Dark Reader is also open source, applying a dark theme to any website by generating styles on the fly rather than sending your browsing to a remote service.

Open-source password management

Bitwarden publishes its full codebase, including its browser extension, mobile apps and server. It offers a free plan alongside paid tiers for teams and extra features. Being open source lets independent researchers verify how it encrypts and stores your passwords.

Open-source developer and reading tools

JSON Formatter and Video Speed Controller are both open source and free, doing one focused job each. React Developer Tools is maintained openly by the React team itself. Read Aloud, a free text-to-speech tool, also publishes its source for anyone to review.

Best open-source Chrome extensions: FAQs

What is the best open-source Chrome extension?

uBlock Origin Lite is a leading choice because it is free, fully open source and built on Chrome's current Manifest V3 platform, making its ad and tracker-blocking rules publicly reviewable.

Is there a good open-source ad blocker for Chrome?

Yes, uBlock Origin Lite is open source and blocks ads and trackers using Manifest V3 rules, so its behavior is not hidden behind closed, proprietary code.

Is Bitwarden actually open source?

Yes, Bitwarden publishes the source code for its browser extension, apps and server. It offers a free plan and paid plans for additional features such as team sharing.

Why does open source matter for a password manager extension?

A password manager holds sensitive logins, so publishing the code lets independent security researchers verify how it encrypts and stores that data instead of asking users to trust the vendor alone.

Are open-source Chrome extensions safer than closed-source ones?

Open source does not guarantee safety by itself, but it allows anyone to inspect the code for hidden tracking or bugs. Closed-source extensions require trusting the developer's claims without that check.

Is Dark Reader open source?

Yes, Dark Reader is open source and free. It generates a dark theme for websites locally in the browser rather than sending page content to an external server.

Can I verify a Chrome extension's published code matches the store version?

In principle, yes, by comparing the extension's public repository against the installed files, though this requires technical steps most users skip and instead rely on the developer's reputation.

Is there an open-source developer tools extension for Chrome?

React Developer Tools is open source and maintained by the React team, letting you inspect component trees and props while trusting a codebase anyone can review.

Are open-source extensions always free?

Not always. Bitwarden is open source but offers both a free plan and paid plans with extra features, showing that open-source code and pricing are separate decisions.

Where can I find the source code for an open-source Chrome extension?

Most open-source extensions link their repository, often on GitHub, from their Chrome Web Store listing or developer website, where the license and commit history are visible.