Google Chrome features some neat features, including the new Gemini AI integration, tab grouping, and one of its standout features: extension support. Chrome has a vast extension library that allows users to add any missing functionality and layer of security they may need.
Among this endless list of Chrome extensions, there are some great Chrome extensions, some good Chrome extensions, and then there are malicious Chrome extensions that you can add to the Chrome browser, but what many of us don’t know are open-source Chrome extensions. These are mostly free with either a one-time payment or a cheap subscription that helps the developers to keep improving and secure. Among these open-source extensions, there are four extensions that I install without fail.
Arrange your bookmarks bar more conveniently
The Bookmark Sidebar extension enables me to add a sidebar to the Chrome browser that contains all my bookmarks. Here, I can add, manage, open, or even arrange all my Chrome bookmarks. And if you already have bookmarks saved on the Chrome browser, you won’t need to set it up separately. The Bookmark Sidebar automatically fetches all my saved bookmarks, along with their folders and sub-folders.
The Bookmark Sidebar also allows you to launch a bookmarked page or even a new tab right from the Bookmark Sidebar. With the Bookmark Sidebar extension enabled, you can single-click your left mouse button to check the bookmark information and determine whether the saved bookmark is broken, still relevant, or not.
Dark Reader
Enhance readability and reduce eyestrain at night
Dark Reader is most important to me. I often use my computer in a dark room (which is not recommended), so my Windows computer is always in dark mode. But there are still some websites that refuse to adapt to dark mode (can you imagine!), blasting me with bright white light that makes my eyes teary and causes pain.
The Dark Mode extension solves that for me. It forces all the websites into dark mode—especially those with readable text. The Dark Mode extension performs its job perfectly. It converts websites with bright themes into a dark theme, featuring a high-contrast color scheme. You can even tweak all the aspects of the theme applied by Dark Mode, such as brightness, contrast, dark mode intensity, or even text. Making the extension extremely customizable.
DuckDuckGo Search & Tracker Protection
Add a layer of security and make yourself invisible to search trackers
While I can use the DuckDuckGo browser, I decided not to leave Chrome and add the extension. DuckDuckGo is built around security, and with the DuckDuckGo Search & Tracker Protection extension, I can enjoy almost all of its security features in the Chrome browser. When you install the DuckDuckGo Search & Tracker Protection extension, it replaces Chrome’s search engine and home page with DuckDuckGo.
This extension will block third-party cookies from loading, block almost every cookie from tracking you, and stop Google from collecting your data on Chrome. In addition, DuckDuckGo Search & Tracker Protection also adds features such as a more secure private browsing mode, link tracking protection, and Global Privacy Control to the Chrome browser.
Clipboard History Manager
Remember everything you ever copied in Chrome
I usually use Chrome browser for my work, and while at it, I copy tons of snippets, quotes, and sometimes images. However, Chrome’s single-clipboard limit is a handicap—until I started using Clipboard History Manager. This open-source extension is a secure clipboard manager that automatically saves everything that I copy. What makes it more convenient is that it saves everything locally on your device, so as long as you have storage on your PC, you can copy and paste to your heart’s content.
It’s privacy-focused, accessing the clipboard without invading our privacy by not asking for intrusive permissions or tracking. This makes it perfect for handling sensitive info like passwords. There are many more features, such as instant search, custom tags with colors, favorites, and sorting by date or alphabetically. The Clipboard History Manager can be accessed via keyboard shortcuts within Chrome like Alt + Shift + V (or you can customize it), through right-click menus, and even from floating windows.
Lastly, there are features like the merge tool, which lets you combine copied bits into one polished paragraph, and the built-in analytics tools, which let users manage and track storage.
Clipboard History Manager also offers a Pro tier at $1.99 monthly or $14.99 annually, which includes cross-device and cloud syncing, priority for feature requests, and a mobile app.
Give Chrome open-source extensions it deserves
Chrome browser is secure, safe, and a no-brainer for most users. But many amazing features and layers of security are available in other browsers that are missing from Chrome. But with its vast library of extensions, you can make up for every missing feature. That’s where these open-source extensions come into play. They are safe, mostly free, and feature-rich. With extensions like DuckDuckGo, you can add a layer of safety and security. With extensions like Bookmark Sidebar, Dark Reader, and Clipboard history manager, you can add features to Chrome that might never make it to the browser.
