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10 Killer Firefox Extensions That You Probably Don’t Know About

by Seanwin, Mar 10, 2008

The best Firefox Extensions out there, right here.

This isn't the usual list of extensions that everyone is used to using, but 10 add-ons that many may not know about, but can be very useful for everyday web browsing.

1. PicLens

PicLens instantly transforms your browser into a full-screen 3D experience for viewing images across the web. Makes browsing through pictures a wonderful experience. The interactive 3D Wall and built-in search function, lets you effortlessly drag, click, zoom, and zip your way around a wall of pictures for an amazing viewing experience.

2. Snap Links

You know the times where you have been trying to find something through a search engine, but you have to go through every link one by one in order to find it? All of us have been there, but now with just one click you can open multiple searches with Snap Links. Snap Links allows users to easily open multiple links in new tabs by drawing a box around them.

3. Tab Scope

With Tab Scope you can hover over a tab to get an instant preview of the web page. The cool thing is you have real time navigation, zoom, and you can even click on links without having to switch tabs.

4. Reminder Fox

This is for those who spend hours on Firefox, including myself. Reminder Fox is an extension that displays and manages to do's. It can set reminders and alert you at the appropriate moment.

5. Download Statusbar

You can view and manage downloads in a small status bar in the corner of the screen, without having that download window get in your way.

6. HyperWords

This add-on makes every word interactive by adding a very handy options menu when you hover over it. Just think, you are viewing a map, and you hover over a location name and you get the option to locate it, search it, or get any information you want on it. Possibilities are endless!

7. Foxmarks Bookmark Synchronizer

If you're like me and use Firefox on multiple computers, you'll want Foxmarks. All you have to do is install Foxmarks on each computer and without you knowing, it will synchronize your bookmarks for you. You can also log onto my.foxmarks.com to have access to your bookmarks where ever you go.

8. Tab Effect

It adds a nice effect to Firefox by simulating a 3D cube being turned when switching through tabs.

9. Cooliris Previews

Cooliris Preview allows you to surf through the web faster by giving you a small preview of the website, without you even having to click on it. Just imagine, surfing without wasting time by clicking on links and coming to realize that it wasn't even close to what you were looking for. All you have to do is just mouse over any link, and the Cooliris preview window immediately appears in order to show you the content.

10. StumbleUpon

This is by far the best add-on out there. It discovers websites based on your interests, and learns what you like. A fair warning to those that want to download this, it's so great that you will find yourself spending more time than you thought possible surfing around the web. It basically feels like the first time you got high speed internet.

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Comments (113)
#1 by Shawny Nevill, Mar 10, 2008
i use a few of these and from now on will use a few more, nice article
#2 by Peter, Mar 10, 2008
I have to say great info for Firefox users. I had no idea there were so many useful downloads that can make your web browsing even more enjoyable. I downloaded almost all of them and I have to say that its going to be tough leaving my computer, now that I have the Stumble Upon extension installed. Thanks
#3 by jesse, Mar 10, 2008
my friend lane is an incredibly gifted surfer dude - not like surfing on the ocean - though he probably could do that because he is so skilled - but rather a surfer dude as in the internet. he is a master at it and he highly recommended this cool article and i am happy he did! he surfs the internet like i fish the lakes.
#4 by Niki, Mar 10, 2008
Cool!
#5 by Alex Santeria, Mar 10, 2008
Firefox really does have some great extensions!
#6 by Ray, Mar 10, 2008
Very cool man! i love firefox just because of these reasons
#7 by PassinGass, Mar 10, 2008
i'm tempted to use the Tab Scope but how much memory will it consume?
#8 by Seanwin, Mar 10, 2008
I have it installed on a few computers, including an old p4 processor and I have to say you can't even notice a difference. It pops up right when you put your cursor on the tab, and you can even change the speed in order to give it a little delay.
#9 by Alex, Mar 11, 2008
Granted, a couple of these MAY be useful, but most are just conceptual. I doubt I'd really need them in day to day browsing - some of them can actually become a nuisance on occasion.
#10 by Farhan, Mar 11, 2008
What about AdBlock Plus!!! Its AWESOME :)
#11 by manoj, Mar 11, 2008
thanks few are new to me..will try them now
#12 by Rob, Mar 11, 2008
the sad thing is i know all those exts and i have all those exts.
#13 by Jay from Canada, Mar 11, 2008
Very impressive post. I've tried 5 from the list and while I ended up unloading one, there are a few gems here. Very impressed by Hyperwords & Tabscope in particular.
#14 by Ricardo M., Mar 11, 2008
I'll like to add the Firebug and the web developer for work.
#15 by Thom, Mar 11, 2008
You should really state whether it's Windows-only on those that apply. For example, Tab Effect.
#16 by mrBURNOUTworld, Mar 11, 2008
What about FoxyTunes?

And the smallest (and often the most practical) URLink..

for those times when people write www.blah.com and it doesn't automatically hyperlink it, URLink add the option on right click to open it or open it in a new tab...
#17 by Hans, Mar 11, 2008
Tab Effect... requires DirectX 8.0...

There are still web developers who use Windows???
#18 by uh, Mar 11, 2008
PicLens doesn't work on Linux.
#19 by DforDummy, Mar 11, 2008
Somebody slap Jesse from comment number 3.
#20 by Itch, Mar 11, 2008
Nice article hey!

Not to sound like an internet fag, but i'm finding them all useful heh.
#21 by Angie, Mar 11, 2008
My aunt has firefox and enjoys it.
#22 by Aunt, Mar 11, 2008
Yeah, this list is good for all the aunts. Nice article to get digged. But been there, done that kinda list.

Go here for a better list! http://xploreweb.blogspot.com/
#23 by MaxX, Mar 11, 2008
Real nice article. Yeah, Firefox extensions are really cool. I love the one that helps me download cool videos online. :)
#24 by Albert, Mar 11, 2008
another killer extension that most don't know about is called Unlinker. http://twinturbo.org/unlinker/
#25 by Chris Grooms, Mar 11, 2008
Cooliris is nothing short of annoying.
#26 by Uncle, Mar 11, 2008
The link is http://xploreweb.blogspot.com/2008/03/50-best-firefox-extensions-for-power.html
#27 by Janusz, Mar 11, 2008
Good extension is also Link diagnosis - http://www.linkdiagnosis.com. You can get lots of information about pages and links to it. Including you can find out how old the page is.
#28 by HostBarracks.com, Mar 11, 2008
SCORE! Some good stuff here! I'd also recommend the Woot.com plug-in and the color tabs.

I'm going to check out the bookmark plug in and see if there's an easy way to export them - currently I keep everything on http://RutoMail.com and it's been a pretty popular site for visitors (unexpectedly). Check it if you want.

Peace out.
#29 by Darlene McFarlanle, Mar 11, 2008
I was browsing through the Firefox extensions a few days ago and came across the ones you have listed here. I wasn't sure what some of them were for but, after reading your article I know which ones I want to use.

Great article!
#30 by Shawn, Mar 11, 2008
I love Firefox but it uses so much memory. Does anyone else have this problem?
#31 by Has the world become a cooliris advert?, Mar 11, 2008
I know nothing of their stuff, maybe great.. but am I the only one feeling like they're being stabbed in the eye with a PicLens boost every time I visit a new blog?

Or maybe I'm just late getting to this meme? Yay plugins.. best plugin ever (for me) would have to be the firebug plugin. Every day it makes my life a little easier. And OK, I'm going to try out this PicLens thing.. but if it doesn't increase my joy at least 15%.. ooh.. /me waves finger ominously.

Cheers


#32 by redx, Mar 11, 2008
What version of firefox are you running?

No script and the various firefox betas do an awful lot to decrease the memory footprint. No script is also pretty great if you care about your privacy and are lazy(like me).

#33 by Rusty Coonce, Mar 11, 2008
If anybody crosses paths with Jesse (comment #3)
Please give him a swift kick in the balls.
-Thank You
#34 by corncob, Mar 11, 2008
I like cheese.
#35 by Sweeeet, Mar 11, 2008
Thanks!
#36 by Torley, Mar 11, 2008
Great compilation, well-illustrated with screenshots! I discovered PicLens recently and I agree, what a fun and rewarding way to visually browse the web!
#37 by ff user, Mar 11, 2008
you really use all of these shit?
#38 by Dragos, Mar 11, 2008
I used download status bar and i am very satisfied with it.
After i read your post i installed tab scope+tab effect, just from pure curiosity.
_____________________________
http://websitetools.110mb.com
#39 by Louis, Mar 11, 2008
StumbleUpon and Hyperwords are practically useless, strictly only for those who think the web isn't cluttered enough. The world would be better if they were wiped.
#40 by Popple, Mar 11, 2008
What about an extension that stops FF from crashing on my Mac?
I've had to go back to Safari because FF crashes so much!
#41 by Jjames, Mar 11, 2008
great article
#42 by Peter, Mar 11, 2008
Are you serious that you didn't know there were extension for firefox. ffs
#43 by mr tips, Mar 11, 2008
meh.
#44 by contempozine, Mar 11, 2008
Thank you! What a great article. I am glad Digg is around so that I could find this post. I have seen others, but the seem to focus on more technical fare.

CONTEMPOZINE - cool gifts for men
#45 by Austin, Mar 11, 2008
For bookmarks (and other stuff as well), I use Google Browser Sync. It's pretty nice. Just throwing another one into the fray.
#46 by Bob, Mar 11, 2008
I really like Jeteye as a bookmarking service. The extension for Firefox is great and I much prefer all my stuff on their server than worry about syncing bookmarks to each of my computers. It does more than just links, you can save mark images as well as drag and drop snippets of text.
#47 by Paul, Mar 11, 2008
IE tab is nice
#48 by Phil, Mar 11, 2008
What about "Save Image In Folder 1.2"

Speeds up photo saving!!!!
#49 by skylights, Mar 11, 2008
Actually, I do know about these, and so do most other people. Many of them are among the most popular extensions for Firefox:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browse/type:1/cat:all/sort:popular
#50 by The Dude, Mar 11, 2008
Awesome list of firefox extension! I like the tab effect and the PicLens!

http://www.dudeindebt.com
#51 by Josh, Mar 11, 2008
One extensions that I have yet to see is something that can save a whole web browsing session tabs and everything.. Similar to when firefox crashes and asks to "Restore Session" and all the webpages (tabs) that were previously loaded reloads. If there is such a thing, please let me know.. If not.. I hope a developer reads this.... Cheers!
#52 by joshisgay, Mar 11, 2008
greasmonkey is good too
#53 by Cody, Mar 11, 2008
PicLens and Snap Links are brand new to me... good stuff! StumbleUpon is cool too, you can never get bored with that.

Check out http://www.joyfuldigesting.com/ for digestive health tips/news/info!
#54 by WebDev, Mar 11, 2008
Meh, Color Picker and Firebug are all you need.
#55 by Shualiko, Mar 11, 2008
Super DragAndGo

The best one of them all
#56 by meh, Mar 11, 2008
#52, here are two addons that can do that for you, I personally use Session Manager

Tab Mix Plus https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1122
Session Manager https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2324
#57 by Nelson Doyle, Mar 11, 2008
Excellent article with loads of useful FireFox tips. I'll pass this along to my friends' networks.

Nelson Doyle
#58 by Earle, Mar 11, 2008
here are some little known FF security extensions that I use daily

FIREFOX SECURITY EXTENSIONS

Dr.Web anti-virus link checker :: Firefox Add-ons -
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/938

LinkChecker :: Firefox Add-ons -
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/532

Finjan
http://securebrowsing.finjan.com/

BlockSite :: Firefox Add-ons
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3145
#59 by Lazer, Mar 11, 2008
I already have about 10-15 add-ons, they're a joy, yet I only had one of these.
That's about to change.
Excellent compilation.
#60 by overflow:hidden, Mar 11, 2008
StumbleUpon,Foxmarks, Bookmark Synchronizer, Cooliris Previews & Download Statusbar are all on the mozilla recommended add-on page.

So they're hardly Extensions That You Probably Dont Know About
#61 by Beeyo, Mar 11, 2008
Opera has some of that stuff built into it. I prefer Opera's interface too. It has better features.
#62 by Beeyo, Mar 11, 2008
Opera has some of that stuff built into it. I prefer Opera's interface too. It has better features.
#63 by Pat, Mar 11, 2008
Very Helpful I downloaded a lot of them because I had no idea there were so many crazy extensions. great article.
#64 by Jim, Mar 11, 2008
Hyperwords is useless? That's possibly the most ignorant statement I've ever seen.

Adblock plus, tab mix plus, mr. tech's local install and hyperwords are the 4 extensions I would not do without.
#65 by JQ, Mar 11, 2008
I assume many of you have already seen Zotero. If not, and if you do anything that requires organizing information and references (for instance, if you're a student or a professor), then get it.
#66 by learoid, Mar 12, 2008
dahh where have you all been
#67 by opshuninger, Mar 12, 2008
for the occasional browser using firefox, the recommended are adblock, flashblock, noscript, and speed dial.

the rest are toys.
#68 by Susan, Mar 12, 2008
Worse than useless - it gets me interested in using something that would help, but doesn't give a link to get to it.
#69 by Paul, Mar 12, 2008
Try clicking the picture my brother, the link is embedded in the pic
cheers
#70 by Joe Smith, Mar 12, 2008
This is actually a legitimate list, thanks for compiling these :)
#71 by Andy, Mar 12, 2008
Some of the add-ons don't work for FF 2.0.0.12, others don't have any FF3 versions in beta.
Otherwise, not a bad list. BTW, download status bar is included in FF3.
Tab Scope, don't really see the point in that one really.
#72 by Jim, Mar 12, 2008
Here's one I like Session manager (message #51 Josh should check it out to). Other than that a good list although some do become a bit of a pain in the butt after a while namely Cooliris, even so i,ve still had it installed for months.
#73 by Double Up, Mar 12, 2008
Once again Firefox Raises the bar of internet surfing.
#74 by Avyaya, Mar 12, 2008
A must have list of tools.

Thanks for composing such an awesome list of tools.

Thanks.
http://avyaya.wordpress.com
#75 by debsalmi, Mar 12, 2008
I would like to mention another free Firefox extension: Web of Trust. WOT is an online community for reputation rating that lets Internet users share their knowledge of websites. The ratings are based on standards of trustworthiness, vendor reliability, privacy and child safety. So far WOT has information on 17 million websites, and its continually growing.

A tiny traffic light style icon appears next to the link after you search on Google, Yahoo!, Wikipedia, etc, so it alerts you about that site. What I like about it is that it’s people-driven, so I benefit from other people’s experience and knowledge–plus I can add my two cents in there too!

Check it out. I think you’ll find it useful. (http://www.mywot.com)
#76 by keegan, Mar 12, 2008
i have a red bike
#77 by dean, Mar 12, 2008
yeah opera has a better interface adn is less cpu intensive, adn has alot of this built in to liek speed dial, th emagic wand for pass words, but it dotn have pic lens sad to say.
#78 by John Ridley, Mar 12, 2008
LiveJournal put something almost exactly like Cooliris on their site; it bugs the heck out of me and I took some extra time to figure out how to turn it off.

Some of these are good though, nice review of some of the lesser-known extensions. I've been using Download Statusbar for a while and like that. I may try some of these others once they get updated for Firefox 3, which I'm now running.
#79 by Eamon Costello, Mar 12, 2008
An extension for Moodle and Firefox

http://www.relearn.ie/2007/08/30/remoodle-firefox-extension/
#80 by Frank, Mar 12, 2008
Wow, these are the most useLESS extensions I ever saw!

I have Delicious bookmarks, PDF Download and iMacros - these 3 make me REALLY more productive!
#81 by Paul, Mar 12, 2008
Hi
Try i.EOS extension http://i.eos.pl/
#82 by z0mbie, Mar 12, 2008
My pick: AdBlock Plus, Firebug, SEO For Firefox, del.icio.us Bookmarks
#83 by UncleDannie, Mar 12, 2008
Bummer. Almost all of them are incompatible with v3 Beta of Firefox. I could never understand why Mozilla would work on an upgrade, yet it was just backward compatible with other add-ons.
#84 by phuckin'digger, Mar 12, 2008
DO NOT!! I MEAN DO NOT INSTALL STUMBLE application


p.s. I havent sleep in 40 hours

so dont do it 4 real
#85 by CHAN LEE PENG, Mar 12, 2008
Good post, thanks!
#86 by Pierre, Mar 12, 2008
yo dis is mad sick i love usin it
#87 by ephraim turujaun, Mar 13, 2008
I am actually using Firefox all day with Stumble Upon and that was so, so, so great.... More POWER your all Great Guys!!!
#88 by joequincy, Mar 13, 2008
StumbleUpon?

You must be really in the dark. Shiteloads of people use SU, and most of them do it thru Firefox.
#89 by Abhisek, Mar 13, 2008
Dude i thank you a lot for letting me know all there extentions.... i never knew... the piclens thing was the best...
#90 by Baxter, Mar 13, 2008
I use Adblock Plus, Adblock Filterset G Updater, Foxmarks Bookmarks Synchronizer, IE Tab, Map+, No Script, Statusbar Clock, StumbleUpon, Talkback, Update Notifier.

StumbleUpon. I've found some awesome sites using it. Its fun!
Update Notifier. Lets me know about updates on ALL my add-ons.

I found Cooliris annoying too and got rid of it.



#91 by Marie Culver, Mar 14, 2008
I am surprised by so few comments about NoScript. While there may be users that never run across issues with scripts, NoScript does noticeably reduce the number of browser errors resulting from problem scripts and has reduced the number of security alerts I receive from Norton.

Another great add-on is the StopAutoplay. I hate when I'm doing browsing and suddenly get blasted by what somebody calls "music" but sounds like junk noise to me. Stop Autoplay makes it so I can choose whether or not media should play.

Between NoScript and StopAutoplay, my browsing experience is at least 80% more pleasant.
#92 by Manojr Tiwari, Mar 15, 2008
Its great thanks a lot but most of not compatible with Firefox 3b4.
plz provide a list that for 3b4.

thanks
http://mannuforall.blogspot.com
#93 by david irvine, Mar 15, 2008
loving the 3d tabs effect and tab scope. Nice action.
#94 by Ryan, Mar 17, 2008
Thanks. I agree, Adblock is great and many people do not use it.


Ryan

http://www.mofata.com
#95 by huj, Mar 18, 2008
ale hujostwo
#96 by Zia, Mar 19, 2008
Thanks for this

Check out my suggestions

http://zia.blogspot.com/2007/11/my-3-most-critical-firefox-extensions.html

http://zia.blogspot.com/2007/07/7-months-later-15-firefox-extensions-i.html

Worth also checking what the Firefox community at large reckons is their best add-ons:

http://zia.blogspot.com/2007/11/love-your-firefox-extensions-here-are.html
#97 by reg, Mar 19, 2008
Great finds! Have been using Download Statusbar for sometime now and I love it. Will add several of these listed.
#98 by james, Mar 20, 2008
great extentions and great article
#99 by rupok93, Mar 20, 2008
this is one of the best guides i have ever seen. Dude your awsome.
thx for the knowledge.
#100 by Mac, Mar 20, 2008
Here is mine... http://www.craigstoolbox.com
#101 by Kamilion, Mar 21, 2008
For all of us using firefox 3, here's a real neat trick...

NO EXTENSION NEEDED!
Highlight some text so it turns blue, then drag the highlighted text to the address bar or google search. If the text starts with http:// you will be taken there automatically. No need for URLink anymore with FF3!
#102 by Ken Evans, Mar 21, 2008
This is a great article but you didn't add my favourite Firefox add on. Video DownloadHelper lets you download all the web links you are looking at to a file of your choice but the best thing of all is the ability to download videos from sites including youtube and many more. If theres a video on the web page, this programme will download it to your computer.
#103 by Ken Evans, Mar 21, 2008
Forgot to place the link for DownloadHelper:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3006

It really is the coolest thing ever ;0)
#104 by Meg & The Cooliris Team, Mar 24, 2008
Hey Sean and readers,

Thanks so much for including PicLens - we're so glad you all decided to try it out! :)

It’s hard to really capture the awesomeness of PicLens in words (after all…ONE picture is worth a thousand, and we have a whole wall of them!), so here are links to two videos demos that give you an idea of what all the PicLens excitement is about. The first is by our team and the other by a PicLens fan.

http://www.piclens.com/demo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uRG40tqC8dM

Thanks, again.
Meg & The Cooliris Team
#105 by Dwayne Charrington, Mar 24, 2008
I think everyone knows about StumbleUpon. It's how I found your site.

Dwayne Charrington.
http://www.dwaynecharrington.com
#106 by Steven, Apr 2, 2008
That is very kool, i didnt know those things,
gotta try um out!

----------------------------------------------

-check out www.alternativesolutions.ky for
all your web and graphic design needs!
#107 by Zoe, Apr 3, 2008
I'm gonna try out Snap Links. Great post!
#108 by Ken, Apr 8, 2008
For a moment I thought you said, "It basically feels like the first time you got high on speed internet."
#109 by Pawprint, Apr 9, 2008
Thanks for someone who is'nt all that computer literate this really helps to know that there is helppers out there.
#110 by Jeorge, Apr 13, 2008
Another useful extension I stumbled upon is Open IT Online (http://www.openitonline.com). This FF extension gives the possibility to open online many types of documents and images without needing to download them. It allows to choose which online service to use among Google Docs, Zoho, ThinkFree for documents and Snipshot and Bilder Editieren for images.
Another good addon that make Firefox the best browser out there.
#111 by jhenz, Apr 17, 2008
Uhm, did someone mention Firefox's IE Tab Add-On? You can access IE7 on a Firefox browser by opening a new tab and on the lower right corner, click the Firefox icon to change it to an IE7 icon (that means, you have now an IE7 browser/page). It works just the same as if you opened the IE7 browser. :) Isn't that great? Two in One! ;)
http://www.webupon.com/Browsers/In-the-Eyes-of-a-Web-Tester-The-Difference-Between-Internet-Explorer-Seven-and-Firefox.106839
#112 by saamy, May 4, 2008
I was browsing through the Firefox extensions a few days ago and came across the ones you have listed here. I wasn't sure what some of them were for but, after reading your article I know which ones I want to use.
#113 by CM, May 5, 2008
When I middle-click a click (open it in a new tab), the tab opens quicker than when I actually open a new blank tab with Ctrl+T. IE6 (Windows Live Toolbar) seems to be better although IE6 isn't a tabbed-browsing enabled browser. Safari and Opera are the winners. :)

By the way, we also have Speed Dial for Firefox. Just Google for it. Thanks for telling us about the thumbnail tab preview, which is built-in in Opera 9. What else extensions will be there that utilize Opera integrated functions? ;)
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