Editorial policy: how we review extensions

How extensions are chosen for shortlists

Best-of lists and comparisons start from a task, such as saving tabs or checking a page's SEO, rather than from a list of products. Extensions are then judged on the criteria printed on each list. Across every list, the same questions come up:

• Does it do the job well, or only claim to?
• Are the permissions it asks for proportionate to what it does?
• Is it still maintained, with a recent update on the Chrome Web Store?
• Is the free tier genuinely usable, and is paid pricing clear?
• How large and how positive is its user base on the Chrome Web Store?

What the numbers mean

Ratings, review counts and install figures come from each extension's public Chrome Web Store listing and can lag the live store. Install figures on the store are rounded, so they are shown as approximate values such as "100K+". When an extension's figures have not been synced from the store, the page shows no rating or install count instead of an estimate.

Directory pages

Every extension in the directory has its own page so it can be found and compared. Directory pages show the store details, pricing model and related alternatives. Hand-written pros, cons and recommendations appear only where the editorial team has added them, so not every directory page carries a full written review.

Money and independence

Extension developers cannot pay for a place on a shortlist, a better position or a changed verdict. Links to the Chrome Web Store are ordinary links and do not earn a commission. If sponsored placements or affiliate links are ever introduced, they will be labelled where they appear and listed on this page.

Corrections and updates

Extensions change quickly. Pages are revised when an extension changes its pricing, permissions or features, and the "Updated" date on guides reflects the last real change. Developers and readers can report errors through the contact page, and developers can submit an extension for consideration.