Best Chrome Extensions for Web Developers to make your life easier
by
Frank Cross
Post Updated: October 15, 2024
Developing websites is complex, at least to us web developers, everyone out there makes it sound like it’s easy lol, if they only knew!! Anyway, the right tools can make the process smoother and more efficient.
Whether you’re working with WordPress like I am, Shopify, or custom code, Chrome extensions can make your life much easier and you will see what I mean when you see the list of extensions I found for you guys to try.
In this post, we’ll explore the best Chrome extensions for web developers in 2024. From debugging tools to optimizing performance, these extensions are designed to streamline your workflow, helping you tackle common challenges with ease and build better websites faster, and hey, that probably means more money in your pocket too!
Top Chrome Extensions for Web Developers
1. Web Developer
⭐️ Top Features:
- 🔧 Inspect and edit CSS, manage cookies, and disable scripts with ease
- 🖥 Useful toolbar for accessing multiple developer tools in one place
- 💡 Helps web developers debug code, check responsive design, and streamline their workflow
Why we like it: Web Developer is an all-in-one toolkit that makes inspecting and editing web elements a breeze. It saves time for developers by providing quick access to commonly needed tools in a single interface.
2. Lighthouse
⭐️ Top Features:
- 🔍 Run performance audits and generate reports on SEO, accessibility, and page speed
- ⚡ Provides suggestions to optimize web pages for better performance
- 📊 Especially useful for developers looking to boost their site’s SEO and loading speed
Why we like it: Lighthouse is crucial for developers who need to ensure their sites perform well across the board. It offers insights that can help improve load times, SEO ranking, and overall user experience.
3. WhatFont
⭐️ Top Features:
- 🔠 Quickly identify fonts used on any webpage
- 🖋 Provides font family, weight, size, and color information on hover
- 🎨 Useful for developers and designers working on typography and UI design
Why we like it: WhatFont is a simple yet powerful tool for web developers who need to quickly grab font information without having to dig into the source code.
4. Wappalyzer
⭐️ Top Features:
- 🛠 Detects technologies used on any website, including CMS, frameworks, and e-commerce platforms
- 🔧 Great for developers researching tech stacks of competitors or other sites
- 📊 Helps web developers stay up-to-date on which tools and frameworks are popular
Why we like it: Wappalyzer provides invaluable insights into what technologies are used on any given site, helping developers make informed decisions about their own tech stack.
5. JSON Viewer Pro
⭐️ Top Features:
- 📊 Format and visualize raw JSON data in a structured, readable format
- 🔄 Real-time editing and highlighting for better debugging
- 🛠 Ideal for developers working with APIs and large datasets
Why we like it: JSON Viewer Pro makes it easy to format and debug JSON data directly in the browser. It’s an essential tool for developers working with APIs, providing a clean interface and real-time editing capabilities.
6. ColorZilla
⭐️ Top Features:
- 🎨 Pick colors directly from any website and get exact color values
- 🖌 Generate CSS gradients and analyze page colors
- 🖥 Ideal for developers and designers working on the visual aspects of web development
Why we like it: ColorZilla is perfect for web developers who need to quickly grab color values or create custom gradients. It speeds up the process of replicating design elements from websites.
7. ModHeader
⭐️ Top Features:
- 🔧 Modify HTTP request headers directly in the browser
- 🛠 Useful for testing APIs, debugging, and simulating environments
- 💡 Essential for developers working with web applications that rely on custom headers
Why we like it: ModHeader is a powerful tool for developers who need to test HTTP requests and debug their applications. It simplifies the process of manipulating headers and helps you fine-tune your projects.
8. Check My Links
⭐️ Top Features:
- 🔗 Quickly scans web pages for broken links
- 🔍 Highlights valid and broken links with color-coded results
- 💻 Helps developers ensure all links on a webpage are functional, boosting SEO and user experience
Why we like it: Check My Links is a simple yet effective tool for web developers who want to ensure all links on their site are functional, which is crucial for SEO and user experience.
9. Session Buddy
⭐️ Top Features:
- 📂 Saves and restores sessions, allowing you to reopen multiple tabs at once
- 🔄 Organize open tabs into collections for better tab management
- 💻 Great for developers juggling multiple projects or research tasks
Why we like it: Session Buddy makes managing tabs easy and ensures you never lose your workspace. It’s especially helpful for developers who work across multiple projects or research-heavy environments.
10. Page Ruler
⭐️ Top Features:
- 📏 Measure the pixel dimensions and positioning of elements on a webpage
- 🖥 Perfect for testing responsive designs and ensuring proper layout
- 🔄 Allows developers to fine-tune UI elements for consistent results across devices
Why we like it: Page Ruler is an excellent tool for developers working on responsive designs. It helps ensure pixel-perfect layouts and accurate spacing for all screen sizes.
11. WordPress Admin Switcher
⭐️ Top Features:
- 🔀 Quickly switch between the WordPress admin dashboard and the front end of your site
- ⌨️ Customizable keyboard shortcuts for fast access
- ⚡ Improve workflow by skipping manual URL changes
Why we like it: WordPress Admin Switcher saves developers and admins time by letting them move seamlessly between the admin and frontend views. It’s ideal for those managing multiple WordPress sites.
12. Manganum
⭐️ Top Features:
- 📋 All-in-one sidebar for quick access to Gmail, calendar, tasks, and more
- ⚙️ Customizable workspace for personalizing frequently used tools
- 💡 Boost productivity by keeping everything you need in one place
Why we like it: Manganum is great for developers and multitaskers who need quick access to their emails, tasks, and links while working. It streamlines daily workflows with its integrated sidebar features.
13. Tweak and Modify HTTP Requests
⭐️ Top Features:
- 🔧 Modify HTTP headers for custom API testing
- 🛠 Create custom rules for debugging requests or blocking elements
- 🔄 Intercept and adjust HTTP requests in real time
Why we like it: This extension is essential for developers who work with APIs and web applications. It allows you to customize requests for better testing and debugging, ensuring efficient web development.
14. Clear Cache
⭐️ Top Features:
- ⚡ Quickly clear your browser’s cache without refreshing the page
- 🔧 Customizable cache clearing options, including cookies and local storage
- 🚀 Streamlines development by ensuring you see the latest version of your site without manual cache clearing
Why we like it: Clear Cache is a great tool for web developers who constantly update sites. It saves time by letting you clear cache with a single click, making it perfect for ongoing development and testing.
15. Fake Filler
⭐️ Top Features:
- 💻 Automatically populate forms with dummy data for testing
- 🔄 Customizable fields for different input types (email, names, etc.)
- ⚡ Saves time by auto-filling forms during development and testing
Why we like it: Fake Filler simplifies testing by automating the process of filling out forms with test data. It’s a huge time saver for developers working with forms and user input fields.
16. Save Image As Type
⭐️ Top Features:
- 📷 Save images in multiple formats like JPG, PNG, and WebP
- 🔄 Quickly switch image formats using a right-click option
- ⚡ Perfect for developers needing specific image formats for web optimization
Why we like it: Save Image As Type is a time-saving tool for developers working with various image formats, making it easy to save images in the right format for their projects.
