Some time ago, we reviewed the new Firefox browser designed for developers.
Since then, most of our developers kept Google Chrome as their primary browser.
Working with Chrome offers access to an immense repository of the best Chrome extensions for developers, web services, and tools which makes our daily tasks less of a chore.
With the built-in web developer tools now, there is no further need for more tools.
However, I’d like to present you with 22 of the best Google Chrome+ extensions for web developers or app developers to try in 2023.
List of 22 best Chrome extensions tools for web developers in 2023
1. Usersnap Chrome extension
The Usersnap Chrome extension lets you capture and annotate any web page directly in your browser. It’s super-easy to provide visual feedback on prototypes or report bugs with this Google extension.
And all created screenshots and screen recordings are directly stored in your project dashboard, making bug tracking and feedback a lot of fun!
Click the image to see Usersnap’s Chrome extension in action (YouTube video) ⤵️
Usersnap is an award-winning bug tracking and feedback tool, featured by Inc., Forbes, Techcrunch, and The Huffington Post.
It is loved by companies such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft who use Usersnap on a daily basis to work together on web development projects.
Try Usersnap for free for 15 days here.
Learning to write programs stretches your mind, and helps you think better, creates a way of thinking about things that I think is helpful in all domains.
Bill Gates – Founder, Microsoft
2. Web Developer extension
The web developer extension for Chrome adds a little toolbar with different tools available. The original concept of this web developer extension for Chrome extension used for developers came from the PNH Developer Toolbar.
The Google extension web developers have a lot of handy tools a developer can use in their day-to-day work – for graphic designers as well as programmers.
It allows you to do a lot more than the standard Chrome Inspector, like being able to easily add outlines to elements just by clicking, displaying rulers, finding all broken images on a page, and lots more.
Link: Web developer extension.
3. Hiver – Chrome extension
This is a tool that helps teams manage group inboxes like engineering@ and bugs@, right from Gmail.
With Hiver, critical emails – regarding support escalations and other technical and bug reports and problems – arriving in these inboxes can be auto-assigned to individual developers and kept track of in real-time, till the point of resolution.
Link: Hiver
4. f19N Obtrusive Live Test
This Chrome extension for developers is a sandboxed, extendable Webpage Testing Framework.
It allows devs to test all pages on predefined best practices such as SEO or web performance. It is very simple to create the tests yourself.
You get direct visual feedback and see what is happening in the browser during page loads and render lifecycles.
Link: F19N Obtrusive Live Test
5. ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity solution for software teams to plan, collaborate, and manage projects in one centralized work hub.
Known for its rich set of customizable features, ClickUp packs six of its most dynamic project management tools into its Chrome Extension to help developers create detailed tasks, track time, annotate screenshots, or take notes from any open tab.
Since it’s directly connected to your workflows, every action you take using the Chrome Extension is automatically updated in your ClickUp Workspace across devices, in real-time.
ClickUp’s Chrome Extension will boost productivity by streamlining your task creation and feedback processes while eliminating the need to open, close, or click between windows as you work.
Link: ClickUp Chrome Extension
6. Window Resizer for Developer
The Window Resizer browser extension lets you resize your browser window on the fly.
Clicking on the icon in the menu bar produces a drop-down menu of window sizes that you can customize.
What’s neat about the Window Resizer is that it offers an option to launch it as a pop-up, enabling you to switch through different screen resolutions and see if your media breakpoints are working as expected.
On top of that, you can also rotate your screen and customize the presets.
Resize the browser window to emulate various screen resolutions.
Link: Window Resizer
7. ColorPicker Chrome – Eyedropper for web page
ColorPick Eyedropper is a simple color picker tool that allows you to select color values from any web page.
Link: ColorPick Eyedropper
8. CSSViewer – web developer extension
CSSViewer is helpful chrome extension with a simple CSS property viewer. It provides a floating panel that reports on the identity of the section that the mouse is over, along with its font, text, color, background, box, positioning, and effects attributes.
CSSViewer provided the basic CSS information you need quickly. Make sure to install this useful Chrome extension.
Link: CSS Viewer
9. Lorem Ipsum generator
The lorem ipsum generator does what its name states. It provides an easy and quick way to create default text. Definitely, this is a quick win if you need some default text as a placeholder.
Link: Lorem Ipsum Generator
10. actiTIME
actiTIME Timer tool helps every web developer to keep track of work hours directly from the web browser and web apps such as Jira. It is used by companies and freelancers for analyzing performance and controlling the project’s progress and profitability.
Link: actiTIME
11. Ghostery
Ghostery is a great Google extension for web developers that detects trackers, pixels, and any other embedded snippets on a website.
You immediately see which plugins and trackers are installed on the web page you’ve visited. Further on, Ghostery lets you protect your privacy. There’s no registration or sign-up required to use this Chrome extension.
See who’s tracking your web browsing with Ghostery.
Link: Ghostery
12. Wappalyzer Chrome Exstension
Similar to Ghostery, the Wappalyzer Chrome extension lets you identify software that is installed on any particular website.
It uncovers technologies and. as content management systems, eCommerce platforms, web servers, JavaScript frameworks, and installed analytics tools.
Identify web technologies with Wappalyzer.
Link: Wappalyzer
13. IE Tab
In need to do some manual IE testing and don’t want to install all kinds of different Internet Explorer versions?
Check out the IE Tab extension for Chrome which emulates IE by using the IE rendering engine directly in Chrome. You can test your website for IE6, IE7, IE8, or IE9 directly in your chrome browser.
Unfortunately, the IE Tab Chrome extension is only available for Windows at the moment.
Link: IE Tab
14. Spider Free
If you need to find broken links on your site and want to restrict spidering to a specific directory you need Site Spider Free.
Link: Spider free
15. Session Manager
When you’re working on the web, browser tabs management is a great skill. Session Manager is your Chrome extension for web developers to go.
It saves your browsing state and lets you re-open the session later. It is particularly useful if you find yourself opening the same web page over and over.
Link: Session Manager
16. Clear Cache – Web developer Chrome extension
This extremely useful Chrome extension allows you to clear your cache from the toolbar. It works “behind-the-scenes” meaning there are no popups or confirmation dialogs to distract you.
It’s customizable in terms of how much data you want to clear, including app cache, downloads, file systems, form data, history, local storage, passwords, and much more.
Link: Clear Cache
17. JSONVue
As a developer working with RESTful APIs, reading raw JSON data on a browser can be quite awkward. It’s much easier to read JSON in tree-view, rather than in its raw state.
The Chrome extension JSONView helps you view JSON documents in the browser.
Link: JSON Viewer
18. Marker.io
Marker.io is a versatile Chrome extension designed to streamline the feedback and bug reporting process for every web developer. With Marker.io, capturing and sharing feedback about web pages becomes effortless.
This tool allows you to take screenshots of web pages and annotate them with comments, highlights, and annotations directly within the browser.
It simplifies communication between developers, designers, and clients by providing a visual context to issues or suggestions. Marker.io supports integration with popular project management and collaboration tools, making it an indispensable asset for efficient web development workflows.
19. BrowserStack Chrome extension
The BrowserStack Chrome extension is a handy tool for web developers to test the compatibility of their websites across different browsers and devices.
With this extension, you can quickly preview your site’s appearance and functionality on various platforms, ensuring a smooth user experience.
By providing instant access to BrowserStack’s testing capabilities, this extension simplifies the process of identifying and resolving cross-browser issues during development.
Link: BrowserStack Chrome Extension
20. LightShot Chrome Extension
The LightShot Chrome extension offers a convenient way for web developers to capture and share screenshots directly from the browser.
With a simple click, you can select and capture a specific area of a web page, add annotations, and quickly share the image with colleagues or clients.
This tool streamlines the process of visually communicating design ideas, issues, or concepts, making it a valuable asset for collaborative web development projects.
Link: LightShot Chrome Extension
21. Grepper Chrome Extension
The Grepper Chrome Extension is a powerful tool for developers seeking quick and effective solutions to coding problems.
By integrating seamlessly into your browser, this extension provides easy access to a vast collection of code snippets and solutions from various programming communities. Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue or looking to learn new techniques, Grepper simplifies the process of finding relevant code examples, saving you time and enhancing your coding proficiency.
Link: Grepper Chrome Extension
22. ModHeader Chrome Extension
The ModHeader Chrome Extension is an essential tool for web developers engaged in HTTP header analysis and manipulation.
With ModHeader, you can easily modify HTTP headers for web requests, enabling you to test and debug your web applications with greater control.
This extension is particularly valuable for tasks like testing API integrations, simulating different environments, and diagnosing issues related to headers. Its user-friendly interface empowers developers to make real-time adjustments and fine-tune their projects for optimal performance.
Link: ModHeader Chrome Extension
How to Find and Add extensions to Chrome
Enhance your browsing experience by adding extensions to Google Chrome. These small software add-ons provide extra functionality and features. Here’s how to find and install them:
- Open Chrome: Launch Google Chrome on your computer.
- Access Web Store: Click the three dots in the top-right, select “More tools,” and click “Extensions.” Or enter “chrome://extensions/” in the address bar.
- Search Extensions: Explore the Chrome Web Store by browsing or using keywords.
- Add Extension: Click on an extension you like and press “Add to Chrome.”
- Confirm: Review the permissions and click “Add Extension.”
- Installation: Chrome will download and install the extension.
- Extension Icon: Find the extension’s icon in the toolbar or menu.
- Configure & Use: Customize settings and start using the extension.
- Manage Extensions: Easily enable, disable, or remove extensions in the Extensions menu.
Remember, choose extensions from trusted sources for security and reliability.
How to Use and Manage Chrome extensions for devs
Google Chrome extensions can significantly enhance a developer’s workflow. Here’s a brief guide:
- Installation: Find and install developer-focused extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
- Access: Locate extensions in the toolbar or Extensions menu.
- Developer Tools: Right-click to inspect web pages and utilize built-in Developer Tools for debugging.
- Configuration: Customize extension settings for tailored functionality.
- Usage: Activate tools like JSON viewers, form fillers, and responsive design testers.
- Testing: Simulate user agents and screen sizes for cross-browser testing.
- Version Control: Integrate Git workflows and manage repositories.
- Updates: Keep extensions updated for the latest features and security patches.
- Security: Install extensions only from trusted sources and review permissions.
- Removal: Easily remove unnecessary extensions from the Extensions menu.
With these extensions, you can optimize your coding, testing, and debugging, making web development more efficient.
How to See or View Chrome Extensions
To see or view Chrome extensions for web, that are currently installed in your Google Chrome browser, follow these steps:
- Open Chrome: Launch the Google Chrome browser on your computer.
- Access Extensions:
- Option 1: Click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the Chrome window. From the dropdown menu, hover your cursor over “Extensions,” and then click on “Manage extensions.”
- Option 2: Alternatively, you can directly enter “chrome://extensions/” in the address bar and press Enter.
- View Installed Extensions:
- You will be directed to the “Extensions” page, where you can see a list of all the extensions currently installed in your browser.
- Explore and Manage:
- From the Extensions page, you can explore each extension’s options, settings, permissions, and other details.
- Some extensions might have icons that appear in the Chrome toolbar, which you can interact with.
- Enable, Disable, or Remove:
- To enable or disable an extension, use the toggle switch next to the extension’s name.
- To remove an extension, click on the “Remove” button below the extension’s details.
Remember that managing your extensions allows you to keep your browser organized and tailored to your needs. Make sure to only install extensions from trusted sources to maintain security.
How to make/develop a Chrome Plugins and Addons – How to Do It!
Chrome extensions or add-ons for Chrome are small software applications that introduce new features and make your web developer browsing experience more convenient.
They allow users to tailor browser functionality and aesthetics on different devices according to their personal preferences. Coding extensions is usually done using a multitude of programming languages including JS, HTML, and CSS.
Coding Extensions – Step by Step Guide
When coding chrome extensions for developers, first of all you need to create a folder and add the following files.
Step 1 – manifest.json
This is the file that will provide Chrome with basic information related to your extension such as required permission and its name. The majority of the variables in the manifest file are quite self-explanatory and you can change any of them. The matches variable is responsible for running the select content.js when the extension helps a particular webpage is launched.
- “<all_urls>”: will match any URL that begins with an approved scheme such as http:, https:, file:, ftp:, or chrome-extension:.
- “http://*/*”: will match any URL that uses the http: scheme.
- “https://*/*”: will match any URL that uses the https: scheme.
- “*://*/*”: will match any URL that uses the https: or http: scheme.
Step 2 – content.js
This is a JavaScript file that’s executed in the context of web pages. It means that this file enables content script to interact with websites and web pages that the user opens in their Chrome browser.
Step 3 – Image Icon
Add your icon file in png format to the folder. You can either download or create an icon for your extension.
Step 4 – background.js
While you have installed the extension, there are no instructions present. Create a file named background.js and add a background script. Place this file in the extension folder. Ensure that you’ve registered your background script in the manifest which tells your extension what files to reference and how certain files will act.
Step 5 – Creating and Naming Extension
Once you are done, add all the files to a folder and name it after your extension.
Intuitive design is how we give the user new superpowers.
Jared Spool – Founder, User Interface Engineering
This article on the best chrome extensions made for developers was brought to you by Usersnap – a visual customer feedback software used by software companies like Facebook, Airbus, and Microsoft.
Capture user feedback easily. Get more insights and make confident product decisions.
Getting feedback has never been easier and we hope you’ve realized that after reading this article. Let us know what you think, your feedback is important.
And if you’re ready to try out a customer feedback software, Usersnap offers a free trial. Sign up today or book a demo with our feedback specialists.
