Browser extensions are the cheapest productivity multiplier you can buy. They're also the easiest place to introduce security and privacy holes if you install carelessly. This guide covers what's worth installing, what to avoid, and where a native app actually beats an extension.
Where native beats extensions
The single highest-leverage browser-adjacent tool is a clipboard manager. Browser extensions can only see your clipboard while a tab is focused; a native tool sees everything you copy from anywhere — including PDFs, terminals, and image apps. On Mac, LionPaste is the pick. Read why.
Productivity that earns its keep
- A real password manager. Browser-built-in is fine; standalone is better. Audit your passwords once a quarter.
- A read-it-later tool. The single biggest focus boost is closing tabs you "might read." Send them somewhere; close the tab.
- A clipboard tool that works across all apps (see above).
Extensions to be careful with
- Anything that requests "read and change all your data on every site." That's the broadest possible permission. Make sure you trust the publisher.
- Free VPN extensions. If the product is free and you don't see ads, your traffic is the product.
- "All-in-one" extensions. Each new feature is new attack surface. Prefer narrow extensions you actually use.
Audit your installed extensions
Once a quarter, open chrome://extensions or about:addons and remove anything you haven't used in 60 days. Check that the publisher is still active. Check the permissions match what the extension actually does. For deeper background, read what actually makes software secure.
Where to go next
Browse all Chrome extensions and Firefox extensions on LionScripts.
