10 Browser Extensions Every Developer Needs Right Now

I install very few browser extensions because most of them are bloat.

These ten are the ones that survived multiple browser cleanups because I actually use them every day.

1. JSON Formatter

Transforms raw JSON responses in the browser into formatted, collapsible, syntax-highlighted JSON. When you hit an API endpoint directly in the browser, instead of seeing a wall of unformatted text, you see properly indented JSON with clickable nested objects.

Before this extension, I was copying API responses into a separate tool to read them. Now I just open the URL and the response is instantly readable. It sounds minor until you realize how often you check API responses during development.

You can find it here: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/json-formatter/bcjindcccaagfpapjjmafapmmgkkhgoa?hl=en

2. React Developer Tools (or Vue DevTools)

If you work with React or Vue, the framework-specific dev tools are essential. They let you inspect the component tree, see props and state for each component, and track re-renders.

The regular browser inspector shows you the DOM. The React DevTools show you the components. The difference is like looking…