The best Chrome extensions for developers help save time and boost productivity. Developers can use these tools to customize their browser and automate tasks.
This article reveals the 27 best Chrome extensions for developers. We will walk you through the right tools for different functions, like coding and designing.
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Foundational Chrome Extensions for Every Developer
Below are the best Chrome extensions every beginner developer must have:
1. Web Developer
Web developer is a must for developers to help them get started. It adds a toolbar with various web development tools to your Chrome browser.
This all-purpose tool performs tasks more than the basic inspector, like finding broken images. Developers can also use Web Developer to outline elements and disable JavaScript or CSS.
It further ensures a responsive design across different screen sizes. You can resize your browser window to see how it works on different devices. This feature helps mobile users have a seamless experience.
Web developer extension helps you validate HTML and check for accessibility issues. It has good ratings. Over 1 million users on Windows, Linux, and macOS trust this extension.
2. Wappalyzer
Wappalyzer is another helpful Chrome extension that reveals the technologies websites use. It identifies content management systems (CMS), payment processors, JavaScript frameworks, and others.
This powerful tool does more than reveal thousands of web technologies. Wappalyzer helps you monitor your competitors’ websites, helping you understand the technology they use. You can analyze e-commerce platforms and know when your competitors change CMS.
Used by over 3 million developers, this tool helps users choose the right development technology.
3. Clear Cache
Clear Cache extension is a simple solution that clears your browsing data with just a click. You don’t need to worry about any pop-ups or go to your Chrome settings window. You can also customize the tool to clear specific data like downloads, passwords, or app cache.
The Clear Cache extension helps provide the latest version of your web applications during development. You can test changes without interruption from old cached data. This capability makes things easier and prevents frustration.
Extensions for Code, CSS, and API Handling
Below are Chrome extensions for code, CSS, and API handling:
4. JSONView
JSONView is another powerful extension on the Chrome Web Store. This tool is valuable for developers working with APIs, as it helps make JSON data readable.
It arranges this raw data in an appealing format in your browser window. The result is clean, well-organized data that’s understandable.
JSONView includes features like syntax highlighting, collapsible nodes, and line numbers for easy navigation. Users praise this open-source tool for improving productivity.
5. CSS Peeper
CSS Peeper simplifies work for developers and designers with its user-friendly interface and capabilities. It allows you to inspect CSS styles on any webpage in a clean panel. You can quickly view colors, assets, and hidden CSS properties without manual code inspection.
CSS Peeper makes it easy to gather design inspiration and check compliance with style guides. You can extract styling elements and understand how they work.
6. ModHeader
ModHeader helps you test your API and debug issues with great control. It modifies HTTP request and response headers within your browser environment.
This extension is also useful for testing how other apps connect to the API. You can save different header profiles to switch between them easily during testing. You can use ModHeader to simulate user agents, add authentication headers, or change data to test API behaviors.
7. CSSViewer
CSSViewer is another useful Chrome extension for quick CSS inspection. It shows a floating panel with details when your mouse is over a section. You learn about the font, color, background, box, and positioning.
This CSS property viewer provides detailed information without overwhelming users. You can get the styling detail you need while focusing on your work.
8. Prettier
Prettier is a code formatter that provides a code style guide for your team. It makes the code easier to read and helps team members fix issues easily.
This tool provides options to let you choose the coding style you want. Then, it automatically formats your code using the agreed standard.
This feature makes work faster, as team members won’t have to argue about their preferences. Instead, they focus on how the code works rather than how it looks. Prettier integrates well into your existing work, maintaining code quality.
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Best Chrome Extensions for Design, Fonts, and UI
Below are the best Chrome extensions for design and user interface (UI):
9. ColorZilla
ColorZilla is the ideal color tool for designers and front-end developers. It’s one of the popular Chrome extensions and includes an eyedropper and color picker.
You can pick any color from a web page and get its HEX, RGB, and HSL codes. You can then use the values in your design or coding projects.
ColorZilla saves the history of the colors you picked for easy access during design. It also helps you generate CSS gradients and analyze color schemes across different websites.
10. WhatFont
WhatFont is another excellent tool for designers. It helps users identify fonts on web pages without reading CSS code. You only need to click on the font to get the name, family, color, size, and position.
This extension simplifies the design process. It provides immediate font details, so you don’t need to access stylesheets. This feature helps you understand and copy the design you want.
11. Window Resizer
Window Resizer is a responsive design tester that ensures your layout works across all devices. It resizes your browser window to copy different screen resolutions for testing.
Providing a mobile-responsive site is important for user experience. This tool makes it easier to achieve this responsive design.
The extension includes default sizes for desktop, tablet, and mobile screens. You can also add your screen sizes to test special devices or unusual layouts. Window Resizer also works well for cross-device testing, so you don’t need multiple devices.
12. VisBug
VisBug is another excellent developer tool, ideal for developers, designers, and testers. It helps users edit web pages without coding; you drag and drop elements into place.
This extension lets you move, delete, copy, and paste any element. You can change texts, typography, color, and many other elements with just a click.
VisBug is perfect for ensuring teamwork among team members. It makes it easy to create and share design ideas with team members. As a result, all can be in agreement before full development begins.
13. ColorPick Eyedropper
ColorPick Eyedropper is a powerful Chrome extension for web developers and designers. It simplifies color selection, providing quick access to colors you like while browsing online.
This tool provides the HEX and RGB value of any element you hover over. The zoomed-in view helps you pick exact colors from detailed or tiny parts of a design.
Top Chrome Plugins for Testing, Debugging, and QA
Below are the best Chrome plugins for testing, debugging, and quality assurance (QA):
14. Marker.io
Marker.io is a versatile tool for bug reporting and feedback collection. It simplifies communication between developers and clients by enabling visual reporting.
Users can take screenshots of web pages and add notes, highlights, and drawings. Then, send the reports to project management tools like GitHub or Jira.
This extension also automatically captures data like screen size and browser version with each report. The session relay lets you watch the last 30 seconds of user actions before a bug report.
These visuals help developers and QA teams understand and fix issues faster.
15. BrowserStack
BrowserStack is a handy tool for website testing across various browsers and devices. This extension streamlines cross-browser testing, ensuring an excellent user experience.
Its mobile testing feature lets you test actual device behavior and mobile-specific features. With BrowserStack, you don’t need several devices for testing. With instant access to the browser testing functionality, you can solve cross-browser issues.
16. AXE DevTools
AXE DevTools helps users find and fix accessibility issues on their website. It connects with Chrome DevTools to check your web page for problems like low color contrast or missing alt text.
This extension is fast, providing accurate results without interrupting your development workflow.
AXE DevTools also provides helpful tips for fixing each problem. By meeting accessibility standards, you’re sure your site will work for everyone. This scenario helps prevent any legal issues.
17. LambdaTest
LambdaTest is another handy tool for cross-browser testing. It provides a cloud-based platform for testing across multiple browsers and operating systems. The extension can find and fix cross-browser issues before they reach your users.
LambdaTest also lets you perform live testing on your website and take screenshots. It connects well to your setup, making testing easier.
18. LT Debug
LT Debug is a free Chrome extension built by LambdaTest. It simplifies debugging by providing a set of tools that integrate into your browser. This connection removes the need to switch between debuggers and analytic tools.
This tool helps you modify HTTP headers and block URL requests. LT Debug also mimics different network conditions for testing. Its simple interface helps you identify and fix issues during development.
19. Check My Links
Check My Links is an essential Chrome plugin for detecting broken links. It crawls your web page and checks each link to report whether it is valid or not.
Broken links can frustrate users, affecting your site’s performance. But with this tool, you can maintain your site and ensure optimum performance. It automates link checking, saving you time.
20. Web Developer Checklist
Web Developer Checklist helps you meet development standards during your web projects. It spots issues like missing favicons, 404 pages, or sitemaps.
The extension also validates HTML and ensures SEO performance. With Web Developer Checklist, you’re sure of delivering a professional product to your client.
Must-Have Chrome Extensions for Web Productivity
Below are must-have Chrome extensions to improve your productivity:
21. OctoTree
OctoTree is an open-source tool for displaying GitHub code in a tree format. It’s valuable for developers who frequently read sources on GitHub. OctooTree grants them quick access to any files, so they don’t need to download or check too many repositories.
This tool supports GitHub themes and private repositories, helping you understand code at a glance. It also makes version control workflows more efficient, improving the GitHub experience.
22. Grepper
Grepper is a search engine for helping developers and programmers find answers quickly. This tool provides quick access to code snippets from various programming communities. It then displays these solutions on your Google search results page.
This extension also integrates git workflows and helps developers learn from shared code examples. It creates a searchable library of useful code solutions in different programming languages.
23. Fake Filler
Fake Filler is the most popular browser extension for testing forms. It saves time for developers and testers who frequently test forms by filling in fake data.
You can set up this form filler to fit your testing needs and data formats. Fake Filler works like a lorem ipsum generator on any website. It fills all input with random names, emails, and phone numbers, eliminating the need for manual filling.
24. Session Buddy
Session Buddy is the most popular browser extension for managing browser tabs. This session manager lets you save open tabs as collections you can restore later.
This tool helps you organize your work by projects, topics, or as you want. You don’t have to worry if your system crashes; Session Buddy will restore all your tabs as you left them. Session Buddy also has a search function that helps you find any tab quickly.
25. Vimium
Vimium is another useful Chrome extension that provides keyboard shortcuts for navigation. It’s great for developers who prefer using keyboard shortcuts over a mouse.
This extension allows you to browse, switch tabs, and activate tools without using your mouse. Vimium helps speed up browser navigation.
26. Ghostery
Ghostery is a powerful plugin that helps protect the privacy of users. It blocks ads, trackers, and unnecessary content scripts, websites use to monitor user behaviors.
This extension also helps increase website speed for better performance. By blocking these elements, Ghostery helps web pages load faster.
27. Allow CORS: Access-Control-Allow-Origin
Allow CORS provides a simple switch to turn off Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) errors while coding. It’s useful for front-end developers who need to test APIs from different domains.
This extension unblocks JavaScript API requests, making development and testing easier. It helps fix common issues without needing to change server settings.
Note: Use Allow CORS during development and not in production, as it can create security risks.
Whatever project you’re handling, installing the right Chrome extensions is a smart move. These tools connect well with your development workflow, helping you succeed faster. It automates several tasks, from inspecting elements to testing across various screen resolutions.
Choosing the right extension tools is important for getting the best results. Understanding the difference between web design and development can help you make this choice.
Remember to build a mobile-responsive website. Whether you’re building your own site or for a client, a responsive design is important. This phenomenon lets anyone access your site from any device.
Window Resizer and responsive design testers are great tools to help you achieve this functionality.
Website performance is another thing to keep in mind. Creating a site that ends up not working well will be a waste of resources. Invest in extensions that identify issues and help make your website faster.
This investment will not only keep users happy but also enhance productivity.
Many of these Google Chrome extensions work well together. The combination of testers, debugging, and design tools creates a powerful toolset for your projects.
When you add all the necessary tools, the Google Chrome extension menu becomes your control center. It grants you quick access to any of these tools.
Bringing Your Project to Life with the Right Foundation
The best Chrome plugins are important for enhancing your web projects. However, before you can use these tools, you need to have a secure website first.
Learning how to create a website will help you set up a solid online presence. Also, your choice of web hosting will provide a solid foundation for your site. These Google Chrome extensions work well with the right hosting setup.
Ensure you choose the best web hosting provider that’ll support your projects.
For beginners, understanding what WordPress is will help you choose well. WordPress offers a simple setup to help you build the website you want. Then, with quality hosting, you’ve got all it takes to begin your developer journey.
Conclusion
These Chrome extensions for developers simplify tasks and boost productivity. From testing to fixing issues, this tool can help you become a better web developer.
Success depends on choosing the right tools for your specific needs. Consider your job type, and you and your clients need to make the right choice. Development and debugging tools are a must-have for all developers.
Next Steps: What Now?
Follow these steps to make the most of your Chrome extensions:
- Set up a solid online presence with the best website builders.
- Consider your needs or those of your clients.
- Choose only extensions that you need.
- Your extension stack must include development and debugging tools.
Further Reading & Useful Resources
Below are additional resources to help you as a developer:
- What is PHP used for? Learn how this versatile tool is useful in web development.
- What is website accessibility? Learn 10 things every web designer should know.
- What makes a website good? Learn the top 8 qualities every website should have.
- Chrome Extension for Productivity: Top picks to explore for your site.
- SEO Chrome Extension: Find the best options to rank your site.
