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Best Chrome extensions for YouTube

The best Chrome extensions for YouTube depend on what you want to do: watch without ads, control playback, or research and grow a channel. Our top pick for most people is uBlock Origin Lite, a free, lightweight Manifest V3 content blocker that also blocks in-video ads and trackers across every site you visit.

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

    Review Add to Chrome

  2. BlockSite

    Block distracting sites and schedule focus time.

    Freemium Productivity

    Review Add to Chrome

  3. StayFocusd

    Limit time on time-wasting websites.

    Free Productivity ✓ No account needed

    Review Add to Chrome

  4. Keywords Everywhere

    Search volume and CPC right inside Google.

    Paid SEO

    Review Add to Chrome

  5. vidIQ

    YouTube keyword and channel analytics.

    Freemium Social Media ✓ AI-powered

    Review Add to Chrome

  6. TubeBuddy

    YouTube SEO and A/B testing toolkit.

    Freemium Social Media

    Review Add to Chrome

  7. Video Speed Controller

    Speed up, slow down and rewind any HTML5 video.

    Free Media & Entertainment ✓ Open source✓ No account needed

    Review Add to Chrome

YouTube's own controls cover the basics, but a few Chrome extensions add features Google leaves out. Some focus on watching, such as blocking ads or changing playback speed. Others are built for creators, giving keyword data, channel analytics and A/B testing tools you cannot get from YouTube Studio alone.

Block ads and distractions while watching

uBlock Origin Lite blocks display and video ads on YouTube along with trackers on every other site, using Chrome's Manifest V3 rules instead of reading page content. If YouTube itself becomes the distraction, BlockSite or StayFocusd let you cap how long you spend on it or block it entirely during set hours, which suits anyone who watches one video and loses an hour.

Control video playback and speed

Video Speed Controller adds on-screen buttons to speed up, slow down or rewind any HTML5 video, including YouTube, with keyboard shortcuts so you do not need to open the settings menu each time. This helps when skimming long tutorials, lectures or interviews at 1.5x to 2x speed without losing the ability to slow down for detail.

Research keywords and grow a channel

vidIQ and TubeBuddy overlay keyword suggestions, tag data and channel analytics directly on YouTube and in YouTube Studio, useful for creators planning titles and thumbnails. Keywords Everywhere adds search volume and CPC data inside Google search, which pairs well with YouTube keyword research when you are also targeting blog or web search traffic.

Best Chrome extensions for YouTube: FAQs

What is the best Chrome extension for YouTube?

uBlock Origin Lite is the best all-round pick because it blocks ads on YouTube and every other site for free, using Chrome's Manifest V3 rules. Creators researching keywords may prefer vidIQ or TubeBuddy instead.

Is there a Chrome extension to download YouTube videos?

YouTube's terms restrict downloading videos you do not own, so we do not recommend or list downloader extensions here. Use YouTube's own offline download feature in the app where the creator has enabled it.

How do I block ads on YouTube in Chrome?

Install a Manifest V3 content blocker such as uBlock Origin Lite from the Chrome Web Store, then enable it. It blocks most display and in-video ads automatically without any extra setup.

What is the best extension for speeding up YouTube videos?

Video Speed Controller is a free extension that adds on-screen and keyboard controls to speed up, slow down or rewind any HTML5 video, including YouTube, well beyond YouTube's own 2x limit.

Are vidIQ and TubeBuddy safe to install?

Both are established, widely used creator tools that request access to YouTube Studio to show analytics and keyword data. Only grant that access if you plan to use their research features regularly.

Can I limit how much time I spend on YouTube?

Yes. BlockSite and StayFocusd both let you set daily time limits or block YouTube entirely during chosen hours, which helps if you tend to watch one video and lose track of time.

Do I need a paid plan for YouTube keyword research extensions?

vidIQ and TubeBuddy offer free tiers with basic features, while deeper keyword and competitor data sits behind paid plans. Casual creators can often start free and upgrade later if needed.

Do YouTube extensions work in Edge and Brave?

Most YouTube extensions from the Chrome Web Store, including uBlock Origin Lite and Video Speed Controller, also install in Chromium-based browsers such as Microsoft Edge and Brave.

Will a YouTube extension slow down my browser?

Lightweight extensions built on Manifest V3, such as uBlock Origin Lite, are designed to use minimal memory and CPU. Heavier analytics overlays like vidIQ may add a small delay while loading data on channel pages.

What is the difference between vidIQ and TubeBuddy?

Both provide keyword research, tag suggestions and channel analytics for creators, with overlapping features. Compare their current free-tier limits and paid plans directly, since both change their offerings over time.

Is Keywords Everywhere useful for YouTube?

Keywords Everywhere shows search volume and CPC mainly inside Google search rather than YouTube itself, so it suits creators who also plan blog content, rather than being a dedicated YouTube keyword tool.