Top 15 Must-Have Chrome Extensions for Web Developers in 2024

Top 15 Must-Have Chrome Extensions for Web Developers in 2024
Published
Apr 19, 2024

Chrome is the most popular web browser on the market today, with more than 3.45 billion internet users covering 64.86 of the global browser market share across all devices.

To make the user experience better, Chrome developers have come up with different chrome extensions that do basically what their name suggests, i.e. extend the capabilities and features of chrome and improve the user experience.

Since 2009, when they first were enabled, and up till today, the number of extensions on Google has increased exponentially and includes more than 176,000 in number. Because their usage and purpose are really vast, in this article, we will focus on a list of Chrome extensions that web developers and designers will find very helpful throughout their workday.

What are Chrome Extensions?

Google Chrome extensions are software applications built on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that extend the capabilities of the Google Chrome web browser. By integrating with third-party websites and services, they add new features and functionalities, enabling users to personalize their browsing experience, and boost their efficiency. 

They provide, amongst others, productivity tools, web enrichment, and information aggregation. Some examples of Chrome extensions include ad-blockers, custom themes, password managers, etc. They can be obtained from the Chrome Web Store and, once installed, are displayed as icons in the browser's toolbar from which they can be accessed.

Chrome extensions are a significant factor in Chrome's dominance in the market, the vast library of various extensions supercharges Chrome's functionality and enhances the user experience.

Further below, you can explore a selected list of the most useful Chrome extensions for web developers in 2024, categorized in sections to streamline your workflow.

15 Best Chrome Extensions for Developers 

Design & Productivity Boosters

1. Daily.dev - web development news extension

With the rapid changes happening in web development, we chose to start this list of extensions with Daily.dev - a Chrome extension that offers web developers a daily dose of the latest news and updates from the web development industry.

A screenshot of the Daily.dev chrome extension for Webflow developers
Daily.dev - Chrome extension

Daily.dev compiles articles, tutorials, and resources from a range of more than 400 sources, including well-known websites and blogs, to keep developers up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. 

The extension offers personalization options, allowing developers to tailor their news feed based on topics that interest them, such as JavaScript, HTML, CSS, or specific frameworks or libraries. It is free and has more than 200,000 users and a 5-star rating. No sign-up is required.

Additionally, it can also be used as a platform for developers to showcase their own work and network with others in the web development community. It is a valuable tool for staying informed and connected in the web development industry.

2. Wappalyzer

Wappalyzer is a Chrome extension that helps to identify the technologies used on websites. This technology profiler detects various tools such as content management systems, e-commerce platforms, web frameworks, server software, analytics, and more.

A screenshot of Wappalyzer homepage, a Chrome extension useful for web designers and developers
Wappalyzer - Chrome extension

It aids web developers, marketers, and researchers to better understand the web landscape and make informed decisions by gaining insights into website technologies.

Simply install it and click the button on the toolbar to use it. With over 2 million downloads and a rating of 4.6 out of 5, Wappalyzer is a widely used and highly rated browser extension.

3. Stylebot

Stylebot is a user-friendly CSS editing tool for Chrome. It enables developers to efficiently test and apply custom CSS styles to any web page, facilitating experimentation with design variations.

Stylebot - A CSS editing chrome extension for web developers
Stylebot - Chrome extension

It allows you to modify various elements such as font, color, margins, visibility, and more. It also offers the option to manually code CSS. 

It has more than 200,000 users and a 4/5 user rating. For more information about its features, click on this link. With Stylebot, developers can make on-the-fly changes without the need to access source code or reload the page, thus streamlining the development process. 

4. Loom

Even though Loom is not an extension dedicated specifically to developers, we thought of including it in this list because of the value it brings to the users. This Chrome extension for screen recording is the ultimate tool to use when creating and sharing video content!

Loom homepage - A desktop app and chrome extension for screen and webcam simultaneous recording
Loom - Chrome extension

It lets you effortlessly capture video recordings of both your screen and webcam simultaneously, and create video tutorials, presentations, and more. The video gets automatically uploaded after you press the stop record button.

You can provide a more engaging experience by simply clicking and sharing the link of the uploaded video or you can invite your entire team to your workspace and access your videos together.

A screenshot which shows a Loom recording read to be share via Copy Link, or other options

By using Loom, web developers and designers can save time compared to traditional methods of presenting their work. When working remotely, they can give feedback or training to their clients without the need to write them an email or wait and align their schedule for an online meeting. 

With more than 6,000,000 downloads and a 4.7 out of 5 user rating, this Chrome extension screen recorder is the highest-downloaded extension on our list.

5. Clear cache

Have you had to go through the multi-step process of clearing the cache to troubleshoot website issues you might stumble upon? Clear cache is a simple and fast way to clear anything from cache to cookies, downloads, history, and more with a single click on the dedicated toolbar button.

A picture of Clear cache chrome extension and its options for customization
Clear cache - Chrome extension


Clear cache helps to improve browser performance, troubleshoot website issues, and save device storage space. You can customize what and how much of your data you want to clear on the options page, as seen in the image above.

The extension has more than 900,000 users and a 4.5 out of 5 user rating.

Enhance Debugging & Development

6. Web developer

Web developer helps developers in simplifying the web development process by adding a toolbar with helpful tools. This includes disabling JavaScript, viewing source code, resizing the browser window, displaying image file sizes and topographic information, etc.

Web Developer Toolbar preview - A Chrome extension for developers
Web Developer - Chrome Extension

Those tools make it easier for developers to test and debug their websites and web applications. The extension is pretty useful, with more than 1,000,000 users and a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.

7. ModHeader

ModHeader chrome extension image showcase preview frm the chrome extensions library
ModHeader — Chrome Extension

ModHeader lets you modify HTTP headers for web requests and responses, useful for developers during testing. It offers features like editing headers, URL redirection, and filtering.

However, recent reviews raise concerns about the developer's trustworthiness due to injected ads and unexpected tab openings. With a free tier with limited features and a paid tier for more, consider these issues and explore similar extensions before installing.

8. Lighthouse (By Google)

Lighthouse a chrome extension made by Google for web developers - a preview from the chrome library
Lighthouse — Chrome Extension

Lighthouse is a free Chrome extension by Google that helps developers and website owners improve their webpages. It automatically audits performance, accessibility, SEO, and best practices, then generates reports highlighting areas for improvement.

These reports can be viewed and shared online, making collaboration easier. With its focus on quality and user-friendliness, Lighthouse seems like a valuable tool for anyone building web applications.

9. React developer tools

React Developer Tools is a Chrome-based toolset for debugging and inspecting the open-source React JavaScript library.

A screenshot of React Developer Tools chrome extension on chrome webstore
React Developer Tools - Chrome extension

It offers visibility into the structure of React components, current state and props, and real-time interaction, simplifying debugging and optimization of React applications. 

To access the page's React tree permissions are required, but don't worry the data are not transmitted. The extension is widely used with more than 4,000,000 users and has a 4/5 user rating review.  

10. JSONView

JSONView helps you view the JSON documents that in the browser are normally shown as plain text.

JSONView - Chrome extension for web developers, read JSON data clearly
JSONView - Chrome extension

It formats the JSON data in a readable format, with features like syntax highlighting and folding, making it easier to work with the data and troubleshoot any issues. It is downloaded from more than 100.000 users and has a 4-star rating. Check this example of a JSON data text modified through this extension (the extension should be activated).

11. Responsive viewer

A screenshot of the Responsive Viewer chrome extension from the chrome plugins library
Responsive Viewer — Chrome Extension

Responsive Viewer is a popular Chrome extension (4.5 stars) for web developers and designers. It helps test how websites look on different screens (desktops, tablets, mobiles) by displaying them all at once in a single window.

This multi-screen view helps with faster testing and layout adjustments for optimal responsiveness across devices. The extension also assures user privacy by not tracking or collecting any data. While some reviewers reported display issues, Responsive Viewer seems like a valuable tool for building responsive websites.

Bonus: Other Chrome useful extensions

12. Live Custom CSS, Js Injector

Live Custom CSS chrome extension image preview from the chrome web store
Live Custom CSS, JS Injector — Chrome Extension

Live Custom CSS/JS Injector is a Chrome extension for web developers. It lets you write and inject custom CSS and JavaScript directly into any webpage, allowing you to see the changes instantly without reloading.

This real-time editing helps with design and code experimentation, but keep in mind that the modifications might only affect the specific webpage you're on and not the entire website.

13. Fake filler

Using Fake filler is one of the easiest ways to fill out forms and blank fields on a page with dummy data. Filling a lot of forms manually and repeatedly will take out a lot of valuable time from you, whereas by utilizing Fake filler you can do that in a matter of seconds. 

A screenshot of Fake Filler homepage- a chrome extension for filling blank forms on pages
Fake filler — Chrome extension

Fake filler randomly fills out inputs with names, emails, phone numbers, etc. It is a must-have for developers who test out applications with a lot of forms.

The extension is customizable, giving you the means to make the necessary changes to match your requirements. It also allows you to sync the data to all the browsers where you install it, without the need to copy the settings.

It has been downloaded by more than 200.000 users and has a rating of 4.4 out of 5. Its free option is limited to 25 custom fields, whereas the paid subscription is unlimited and offered with a monthly or yearly payment, as can be seen below. 

An image showing the prices and features of Fake filler, in its Free and Premium versions
Free and Premium Features and Prices

14. Marker.io

A screenshot of the Marker.io chrome extension inside the chrome extensions library
Marker.io — Chrome Extension

Marker.io helps developers report visual bugs on websites faster. You can take screenshots, highlight areas, and add notes directly on the webpage.

Marker.io automatically gathers technical data and integrates with project management tools like Jira and Trello to create bug reports without leaving the website. However, it requires an account and has paid plans, and some reviewers raised concerns about permission requests.

15. LT Debug

LT Dbug chrome extension preview from the chrome web store - intended for web development and testing/debugging
LT Debug — Chrome Extension

LT Debug is a Chrome extension for web development and testing. It lets you record user interactions and replay them as automated tests across different browsers on a cloud platform. You can also run live interactive tests and capture screenshots on various devices.

Additionally, LT Debug offers a collection of free utilities for modifying requests, injecting scripts, and more. This extension seems particularly useful for developers and testers who already use LambdaTest Cloud for web application testing.

Conclusion

Google Chrome's dominance in the browser market is complemented by a rich ecosystem of extensions, catering to the diverse needs of developers and designers. With over 176,000 extensions available, users can streamline their workflows, enhance productivity, and improve user experience.

This curated list of 20 essential Chrome extensions for web developers and designers in 2024 provides valuable tools for tasks ranging from code analysis to screen recording, empowering users to excel in their roles and stay at the forefront of web development.

Lastly, thank you for your time and attention. We keep our blog fresh with new articles on web design and related topics, so be sure to check back often for the latest insights and don't forget to follow our socials for more web design news and inspiration. We guarantee it'll be worth your while.

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