If y'all apply Mozilla's Firefox browser, yous are probably familiar with Themes and Extensions, which are add-ons that let you add new features, change the way your browser behaves, or modify the fashion your browser appears. With thousands of add-ons available, the sky is pretty much the limit when it comes to browser customization.

In 2015, Mozilla appear that information technology would move away from the electric current Extensions platform toward WebExtensions, and in 2016, Mozilla announced that WebExtensions would be the but way to add functionality or change the behavior of your browser by the cease of 2017. The official date for this transition is when Firefox 57 ships.

Observe What You're Looking For

  • Add-on Extensions vs. WebExtensions

    • Why WebExtensions?

    • What the Switch to WebExtensions Means for You

  • Installing New Add-Ons

    • How to Find Add-Ons That are Compatible with Firefox 57+

  • A Notation on Themes

  • Alternatives to the Most Popular Add-Ons

  • Alternatives to Your Favorite Add-Ons

    • Privacy and Security

    • Content and Media

    • Productivity

    • Utilities

  • Determination

Add-on Extensions vs. WebExtensions

Mozilla's motility to its WebExtensions platform is designed to:

  • Brand it easier to develop cross-browser extensions: the goal is to make it easy to write extensions that run without whatever (or minimal) modifications on whatever major browser, and the WebExtensions framework is very similar to the one used to develop browser extensions for Opera and Google's Chrome.
  • Increase stability by making it less likely that changes to Firefox interruption an add-on: currently, extensions are highly intertwined with the Firefox system, and then updates to the browser itself often broken extensions. Vendors provided fixes, but until the patches could be shipped, users were left with cleaved extensions. One of the goals for WebExtensions is to remove this dependence on the browser to minimize issues as a result of upgrades and updates to Firefox.
  • Be easier to maintain: in a way, this is an extension of the explanation above. If your extension is not breaking due to browser upgrades/ updates, you lot will not accept to fix them. But the framework with which WebExtensions is built on is more than divers and separated from the browser itself.

Why WebExtensions?

The specifics between current themes/extensions and WebExtensions are technical in nature, but here is a very simplified explanation.

Currently, developers are able to touch almost annihilation in the browser's lawmaking, which means that they can implement some very powerful add-ons. Nevertheless, the antipodal of this is that developers tin also do things that impact a user's browser very badly (albeit accidentally). As explained above, the tight coupling between the browser and the addition meant that upgrades and updates to the browser itself ofttimes broken extensions.

Mozilla's answer to these downsides is the WebExtension, which you can call back of equally being similar to a set of building blocks. Add together-ons cannot rely on anything used for the browser and tin can only be built with the blocks provided by Mozilla. This decoupling of add-ons from the browser means that add together-ons can no longer wreak havoc on users' browsers, either deliberately or accidentally.

What the Switch to WebExtensions Means for Y'all

In the finish, what you should know is that one time Firefox 57 ships, any extension that is not a WebExtension (or theme that is incompatible with the WebExtension platform) will non load when Firefox launches. If you want to retain the functionality and behavior of your browser as it is, yous will need to install the WebExtension equivalents of your existing themes and extensions.

Add-Ons in Firefox 57

To that end, this commodity will listing the WebExtension equivalents for some of the most commonly used add together-ons. In some cases, there are already plans to convert an extension to a WebExtension. If an extension is dead and there are no plans for someone to develop a WebExtension equivalent, we do not list the extension. One time Firefox 57 ships, you cannot even use legacy extensions, even if they are already installed.

Installing New Add-Ons

If yous are looking to install new add-ons, consider opting for only those that take been tagged equally uniform so that you practice not have to update when Firefox 57 ships.

How to Find Add-Ons That are Compatible with Firefox 57+

All extensions and themes, as well as collections, which are curated groups of add-ons around a specific theme, such as Privacy Matters, Countersign Managers, and Dynamic Media Downloaders, tin be plant on the add together-ons folio on the Mozilla website.

Currently, at that place is no way to search or filter for extensions that are compatible with Firefox 57+. We assume that this is because Firefox 57 is currently unavailable, and in the future, you will not exist able to install non-compatible extensions. For the time being, when yous are browsing search results lists or category groupings, you can identify WebExtensions by looking for a light-green tag next to the extension proper noun that says Compatible WITH FIREFOX 57+.

uBlock Origin Compatible with Firefox 57

If the extension is not compatible with Firefox 57, the download push button will be grayed out like this:

Incompatible with Firefox 57

A Note on Themes

Currently, Firefox supports two types of themes: Complete and Lightweight.

  • Complete Themes are those that completely supersede the default Firefox appearance. Developers of complete themes must provide all CSS, images, and icons for the browser. This ways that developers have a lot of control, but the themes themselves are difficult to create and hard to maintain given how tightly intertwined they are with the browser itself.
  • Lightweight Themes, which are the more pop selection, are much simpler to create; anyone can create i simply by uploading an image.

With the release of Firefox 57, Mozilla is hoping to blend the ease of creating a Lightweight Theme with the functionality nigh often seen in Complete Themes. Substantially, developers volition create a manifest that "layers" changes on top of the default Firefox theme. The Mozilla team will also be adding a WebExtensions API for theming, so changes to themes can exist done at runtime.

What this means is that Complete Themes won't work once Firefox 57 launches, and there really won't be an alternative. Lightweight Themes, however, tin can easily exist ported (if they oasis't been already).

Alternatives to the Most Pop Add-Ons

AddBlock for Firefox

The following is a list of the nearly popular extensions for use with Firefox, also as its current compatibility with Firefox 57+. If information technology is not compatible, we have provided the all-time possible alternatives for you to consider.

  1. Adblock Plus (ABP): Using the existing Adblock Plus for Chrome codebase equally a starting bespeak, the Adblock Plus team is working to close the existing characteristic gap (as compared to the current version offered for Firefox users). The AdBlock Plus squad will offer this tool as a WebExtension beginning fall 2017. There is likewise a less characteristic-rich version from the same developers called Adblock for Firefox, which is already available.
  2. uBlock Origin: Already uniform with Firefox 57+. No updates are necessary.
  3. Video DownloadHelper: If you are using Video DownloadHelper to better the download speed of your videos, consider using something similar Internet Download Managing director. If you are using this extension for its media grabbing features, consider installing Bulk Media Downloader, or Video Downloader Prime.
  4. Easy Screenshot: Easy Screenshot is designed to a web page. Other screenshot-related tools with similar functionality that you might consider include Nimbus Screen Capture or Crawly Screenshot Plus.
  5. NoScript Security Suite: NoScript has released a hybrid WebExtension, and it has a full WebExtension in evolution. One time Firefox 57 ships, you'll automatically be migrated to the NoScript WebExtension.
  6. Firebug: In 2017, Firebug, a powerful web development tool, functionality was merged into the built-in Firefox Programmer Tools. You lot can use the Dev Tools without installing any add-ons.
  7. Cisco WebEx Extension: Already uniform with Firefox 57+. No updates are necessary.
  8. Ghostery: Already compatible with Firefox 57+. No updates are necessary.
  9. DownThemAll!: For downloading media, consider Bulk Media Downloader, Video Downloader Prime number, or i-Click Downloader. If y'all want something that downloads links, movies, and audio clips on a given folio with only one click, keep your eye out on FlashGot Mass Downloader; the WebExtension version is in development. Finally, there are likewise Multiple File Downloader and Download Master.
  10. Greasemonkey: The electric current stable version of Greasemonkey is non compatible with Firefox 57, but the development team plans to launch version 4, which will work with Firefox 57. If you are interested in moving to this version earlier Firefox forces you lot to switch, yous can download an alpha test version. Y'all might also consider using Violentmonkey or Tampermonkey.

Alternatives to Your Favorite Add-Ons

The following add-ons aren't amid the peak ten, but many users find them useful. Since they will not work once WebExtensions get the norm for add-ons, here are alternatives that yous might consider using instead.

Privacy and Security

These add-ons give Firefox a security heave, or offering other security advantages like malware detection.

  1. Browser-Security: Bitdefender TrafficLight for Firefox can exist used instead of Browser-Security to protect yourself against malware and phishing attacks.
  2. CrazyMailing's Disposable Temporary Due east-Mail Accost: Generate and utilize a temporary electronic mail accost to protect yourself from spam and to stay anonymous using Bloody Vikings! or Temp Mail – Dispensable Temporary Electronic mail.
  3. Disconnect: Ported and already compatible with Firefox 57+, so you can continue seeing the invisible sites that are tracking you and block them.
  4. Flashblock: To forestall yourself from seeing anymore Wink animations, you can apply a fork of Flashblock chosen Flash Cake (Plus).
  5. FoxyProxy Standard: A port for this proxy is in the works.
  6. HTTPS Everywhere: Smart HTTPS can help you forcefulness all your spider web traffic to use the more secure HTTPS protocol.
  7. LastPass Password Manager: Bitwarden is a free password director that, as a bonus, also works on other devices, such as smartphones and tablets. 1Password is a stand-alone program that offers a WebExtension that you might exist interested in using.
  8. Private Tab: Utilize Incognito This Tab to open the current tab in an incognito tab.

Content and Media

Facebook Unfriend Finder

Control media, and monitor social networking activity, with these alternative WebExtensions.

  1. Download YouTube Videos as MP4 has two alternatives: YouTube Download & Adblocker Smarttube and YouTube Video and Audio Downloader.
  2. Enable WhatsApp Spider web: WhatsApp Web is already fully compatible with Firefox, so you don't need any add together-ons to use it.
  3. If you are a fan of Facebook, you are in luck. The globe'south largest social media network seems to become a lot of love from add together-on developers, and the following Facebook-related WebExtensions are set up to go:
    • AdBlocker for Facebook
    • Toolbar Button for Facebook
    • Facebook Videos Downloader
    • Download Facebook Video
    • Sidebar for Facebook
    • Facebook Unfriend Finder
    • Facebook Messenger
    • Seen Blocker for Facebook.
  4. Feedly – Beyond Google Reader: Feedly, which rose to prominence with the demise of Google Reader, has functionality that can easily be duplicated by Reader or Awesome RSS.
  5. Instagram already has a lot of WebExtensions for use with its production, including web-based Instagram, Instagram Video Download, and Image Download for Instagram.
  6. Lucifox No known WebExtensions support viewing content in OPDS format yet. But if you demand merely the power to read .epub ebooks within the browser, you tin can use EPUBReader.
  7. Elementary RSS Reader (SRR): Alternatives to Uncomplicated RSS Reader include Reader and Awesome RSS.
  8. Twitterfox: Share on Twitter allows you to share the content you discover on the spider web to your Twitter feed. Twitter equally a Sidebar lets you utilise Twitter in a sidebar within your browser.
  9. YouTube Enhancer Plus – If yous use YouTube Enhancer Plus, yous might consider:
    • YouTube High Definition
    • YouTube Wink Player
    • Enhancer for YouTube.

Productivity

These handy add-ons have not nevertheless been converted to WebExtensions, just we've made recommendations for alternatives.

  1. Gmail Notifier: An culling version, Gmail Notifier + is compatible with Firefox 57. If you lot would like to endeavor something new, consider Checker Plus for Gmail or Console & Notifier for Gmail.
  2. Google Docs Viewer (PDF, DOCX, PPTX, XLSX, etc…): An alternate tool for viewing documents in your browser is Docs Online Viewer.
  3. Google Translator for Firefox: If yous want to translate full web pages, try Lexicon (Google Translate) Anywhere; if you are working more frequently with snippets of text, employ Page Translator (though Folio Translator does piece of work with full pages of text also).
  4. iMacros for Firefox: iMacros automates a lot of tasks, including filling out forms, downloading files and extracting data, and so on. There isn't a WebExtension out there that duplicates all its functionality, just you can go assistance with web forms from AutoFill Forms or AutoFormer+.
  5. Open with Photoshop:  You tin can send content for utilise in Photoshop with Edit with Adobe Photoshop.
  6. Print Edit: To print things off the cyberspace without the extras, such as whitespace or advertisements, consider Print Friendly & PDF or Print Edit We.
  7. TodoFox: To manage your to-practice lists and reminders, you can employ Todo or TickTock instead of TodoFox.
  8. Webmail Ad Blocker, which removes ads from web-based email accounts, has already been ported and will function once Firefox 57 is live.
  9. X-notifier: If you are using a web-based email account, you can proceed to get notifications using X-notifier, which will exist ported to WebExtensions.

Utilities

Forecastfox WebExtension

Quickly replace dead utility add together-ons with new WebExtensions that offer like functionality.

  1. Flagfox: Country Flag+ displays a state flag based on the server location of the active tab's URL. You might too consider Country Flags & IP Whois or Active Whois & Flags extension.
  2. Forecastfox Weather condition: To continue using this product, which gets international weather forecasts from AccuWeather.com and displays them in any toolbar or condition bar, catch the WebExtension version the developers accept released. If you'd like another weather condition-related WebExtension, consider Gismeteo.
  3. Google Reverse Paradigm Search: Other ways to perform opposite image searches include TinEye Reverse Image Search or Reverse Image Search.
  4. Image Block prevents images from downloading, which is helpful when you lot are browsing on a slower connection. You tin get the same functionality from Prototype Video Cake.
  5. Open Bookmarks in New Tab: The Open Bookmarks in New Tab add-on will no longer exist needed, since its functionality will exist built in to Firefox 57.
  6. QuickDrag: Alternatives to QuickDrag include Glitter Drag.
  7. Random Amanuensis Spoofer: This extension is in the process of being forked. In the meantime, you might consider uMatrix.
  8. ScrollyFox: Alternatives to ScrollyFox include Scroll to Elevation, Shift + Curl (Horizontal Scrolling), or Curl++.
  9. Tab Mix Plus: Tab Management, which is where you change the mode opening and endmost tabs deport, is an area where there are already multiple WebExtensions available already, including New Tab Override, New Tab Tweaker, Custom New Tabs, Change New Tab, and newtab.urlEX.
  10. Theme Font & Size Changer: Currently, there's no culling to this app since theme-related changes (and the power to make them) are in flux, but a temporary fix might be changing the zoom of your browser window with Zoom Page Nosotros.
  11. TinyURL Generator – Create shortened URLs with ane-Click Shorten URL.

Decision

By the end of 2017, Mozilla will accept released Firefox 57, which means that not-WebExtensions add together-ons will no longer function with your installation of Firefox. Given the features and functionality added by the assorted add-ons available, this proves to be problematic for many people.

However, developers are aware of the changes to come, and many, specially those who are responsible for the near pop extensions, are rolling out WebExtensions versions of their products. Some are available today, while others are porting their products from the Chrome versions they have already developed. Unfortunately, not all existing extensions have viable alternatives, and this article sought to discover WebExtensions (or WebExtensions to be) whose functionality is like, if not identical, to those of the original product.

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