As a developer, having the right tools can make your workflow faster, more efficient, and less frustrating. Chrome extensions are a great way to enhance your browsing and coding experience. Here’s a list of must-have Chrome extensions for developers in 2025, complete with easy-to-understand explanations, visuals, and step-by-step instructions.
1. React Developer Tools
If you’re working with React, this extension is a lifesaver. It allows you to inspect the React component hierarchy, view props and state, and debug your React applications directly in the Chrome DevTools.
Why you need it: Simplifies debugging and improves your understanding of React component structures.
➡ Install React Developer Tools
How to use it:
- Install the extension and open Chrome DevTools (F12 or right-click > Inspect).
- Navigate to the Components tab to view the React component tree.
- Inspect props, state, and hooks for each component.
- Use the Profiler tab to analyze performance and identify bottlenecks.
2. Wappalyzer
Wappalyzer helps you identify the technologies used on any website. From JavaScript frameworks to CMS platforms, it gives you insights into the tech stack behind the scenes.
Why you need it: Great for competitive analysis or learning what tools other developers are using.
➡ Install Wappalyzer
How to use it:
- Install the extension and visit any website.
- Click the Wappalyzer icon in the Chrome toolbar.
- View the list of technologies used on the site, such as frameworks, analytics tools, and hosting providers.
- Use this information for competitive analysis or to learn about new tools.
3. Octotree - GitHub Code Tree
Navigating GitHub repositories can be a pain, especially for large projects. Octotree adds a sidebar to GitHub that displays the repository’s file structure, making it easier to browse code.
Why you need it: Saves time when exploring or reviewing code on GitHub.
➡ Install Octotree
How to use it:
- Install the extension and go to any GitHub repository.
- A file tree sidebar will appear on the left side of the page.
- Click on files or folders to navigate through the repository without refreshing the page.
- Use the search bar to quickly find specific files.
4. Responsive Viewer
Testing your website’s responsiveness across multiple devices is crucial. Responsive Viewer lets you view your site in multiple screen sizes simultaneously.
Why you need it: Simplifies responsive design testing and ensures your site looks great on all devices.
➡ Install Responsive Viewer
How to use it:
- Install the extension and open the website you want to test.
- Click the Responsive Viewer icon in the Chrome toolbar.
- Select multiple device presets or create custom screen sizes.
- View your site in different resolutions side by side.
5. ColorZilla
ColorZilla is a must-have tool for designers and developers who work with colors. It allows you to pick colors from any webpage, analyze them, and copy their HEX, RGB, or HSL values instantly. It also includes a gradient generator and a color history feature.
Why you need it: Simplifies color selection and ensures consistency in your designs.
➡ Install ColorZilla
How to use it:
- Install the extension and click the ColorZilla icon in the Chrome toolbar.
- Use the Eyedropper tool to pick a color from any webpage.
- Copy the color code (HEX, RGB, or HSL) and use it in your project.
- Explore the Gradient Generator to create and copy CSS gradients.
- Use the Color History feature to revisit recently used colors.
6. JSON Viewer Pro
Working with JSON data? This extension formats JSON responses into a readable tree structure, making it easier to analyze and debug.
Why you need it: Makes JSON data human-readable and easier to work with.
➡ Install JSON Viewer Pro
How to use it:
- Install the extension and open a webpage that returns JSON data.
- Click the JSON Viewer Pro icon in the Chrome toolbar.
- View the JSON data in a collapsible tree structure.
- Use the search feature to quickly find specific keys or values.
7. Web Developer
This extension adds a toolbar with various web development tools, including options to disable CSS, view image information, and resize the browser window.
Why you need it: A Swiss Army knife for web developers, packed with useful tools for debugging and testing.
➡ Install Web Developer
How to use it:
- Install the extension and click the Web Developer icon in the Chrome toolbar.
- Use the toolbar to disable CSS, view image dimensions, or resize the browser window.
- Explore other tools like form validation, outline elements, and more.
8. Daily.dev - Developer News Feed
Daily.dev is a developer news aggregator that brings the best articles, blogs, and resources from across the web into one place. It opens every time you open a new tab, ensuring you never miss out on the latest updates in the tech world.
Why you need it: Perfect for staying informed about the latest trends, tools, and best practices in software development.
➡ Install Daily.dev
How to use it:
- Install the extension and open a new tab in Chrome.
- Customize your feed by selecting your interests (e.g., JavaScript, Python, DevOps).
- Browse articles, blogs, and resources curated for developers.
- Save articles to read later or share them with your team.
9. Hackertab.dev - Developer News
Hackertab.dev is a personalized news feed for developers. It aggregates content from GitHub, Dev.to, Medium, Hashnode, and more, based on your interests and preferences.
Why you need it: Stay updated with the latest developer news, tools, and trends without leaving your browser.
➡ Install Hackertab.dev
How to use it:
- Install the extension and click the Hackertab.dev icon in the Chrome toolbar.
- Customize your feed by selecting your preferred topics (e.g., React, AI, DevOps).
- Browse the latest articles, GitHub repositories, and news tailored to your interests.
- Save or share content directly from the extension.
10. Ghostery
Ghostery is a powerful privacy and ad-blocking extension that helps you browse the web faster and more securely. It blocks trackers, ads, and pop-ups, while also providing insights into the trackers operating on any website.
Why you need it: Protects your privacy, speeds up page loading, and improves your browsing experience by blocking intrusive elements.
➡ Install Ghostery
How to use it:
- Install the extension and click the Ghostery icon in the Chrome toolbar.
- Toggle the Block Trackers switch to enable or disable tracker blocking.
- Use the Smart Blocking feature to allow non-intrusive trackers for specific sites.
- Click See All Trackers to view a detailed list of trackers operating on the current webpage.
- Customize your blocking preferences in the Settings menu for a personalized experience.
Key Features:
- Blocks ads, trackers, and pop-ups.
- Provides detailed insights into website trackers.
- Improves page load speed and reduces data usage.
- Protects your privacy by preventing data collection.
Conclusion
These Chrome extensions can significantly improve your productivity as a developer. Whether you’re debugging React apps, analyzing tech stacks, testing responsiveness, or staying updated with the latest developer news, there’s something here for everyone. Give them a try and see how they can streamline your workflow! Happy coding!
Top comments (1)
Thanks for the great article! I love discovering new tools to improve my workflow. Besides the extensions you mentioned, I’d also recommend Emmet Review, Perfect Pixels, and WAVE Evaluation Tools – they’ve helped me a lot. Definitely worth trying