Chrome has the largest extension ecosystem of any browser. If you are considering switching to Firefox, extension compatibility is a legitimate concern.
Here is an honest assessment of what changes when you move your extensions from Chrome to Firefox.
The extension standard
Both Chrome and Firefox use the WebExtensions API — a shared standard that allows most Chrome extensions to run on Firefox with minor or no modifications.
This means: most popular Chrome extensions have Firefox versions. The catalog is not identical, but the gap is smaller than it was five years ago.
Extensions that work the same in Firefox
Most productivity extensions, password managers, ad blockers, and developer tools have Firefox versions that work identically:
- uBlock Origin (Firefox has the more capable version — Manifest V2 is fully supported)
- 1Password, Bitwarden, LastPass — all have Firefox extensions
- React DevTools, Redux DevTools — identical
- Dark Reader — identical
- Honey, Rakuten — identical
Extensions unique to Chrome
Some Chrome extensions use Chrome-specific APIs that Firefox does not implement:
- Extensions that integrate with Chrome's sync infrastructure
- Extensions that use Chrome Enterprise policies
- Some extensions that interact with the Chrome browser UI directly
If you rely on these, check the specific extension for Firefox availability before switching.
Extensions unique to Firefox (or better on Firefox)
Firefox has extensions that benefit from capabilities Chrome has restricted:
- uBlock Origin: Firefox allows Manifest V2, which gives uBlock more blocking capability than Chrome's Manifest V3 version
- Multi-Account Containers: A Mozilla-built extension that isolates sessions — no equivalent in Chrome
- Tree Style Tab: Vertical tab management; Chrome has limited alternatives
Extensions I built for Firefox
The extensions in this series were built specifically for Firefox using the WebExtensions API. They work on Firefox desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux) and are available on Firefox Add-ons.
They do not have Chrome versions currently.
Summary
For most common extension use cases, Firefox has equivalent or identical extensions. The switch does not require giving up your tools.
The meaningful advantages Firefox has in extensions: better ad blocking (Manifest V2 support), session isolation (Multi-Account Containers), and a privacy-first extension review process on AMO.
For more on the Firefox extensions I built: full series.
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