Greasemonkey and Tampermonkey enhance a web browser’s capabilities. These add-ons let you choose from thousands of user scripts that modify web page behavior and appearance. With Greasemonkey and Tampermonkey scripts, you can download Facebook and Instagram albums in one click, revamp Pandora’s look and feel, and more.
Install and Use Greasemonkey
Greasemonkey is only available for Firefox. To download it, visit the Greasemonkey download page on the Mozilla add-ons website.
Browsers don’t vet user scripts the same as most extensions. So, use scripts at your own risk. The scripts featured here have a significant user base and have proven to be relatively safe. However, there’s no guarantee when it comes to overall safety.
After Firefox restarts, a new button in the form of a smiling monkey appears in the browser’s address bar. Select the monkey toggle switch to enable and disable the Greasemonkey extension. Select the down arrow accompanying the toggle to modify the Greasemonkey settings and open the Firefox User Scripts management interface.
Install and Use Tampermonkey
Tampermonkey is available for a range of web browsers. Similar to Greasemonkey, you manage Tampermonkey using a toggle switch on the address bar. This toggle switch turns its functionality off and on, checks for updates, creates your user script, and opens a dashboard where you manage the Tampermonkey settings and the installed scripts.
To install Tampermonkey on Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Opera Next, visit the extension’s official website and follow the instructions specific to your browser.
The Top User Scripts
Here are some of the best scripts, listed in alphabetical order.
- Easy to support charities.
- No learning curve.
- Can hide it in the toolbar.
Anti-Adblock Killer
Many websites either recommend or force you to disable ad-blocking software such as Adblock Plus. This script overrides that restriction in some cases and allows your ad blocker to function as expected. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing.
Fast and light.
No ads.
Easy installation.
Buggy for some users.
Can slow the browser.
May block non-ad pop-ups.
AntiAdware
Many free downloads are coupled with additional applications, extensions, or settings modifications that you may not want. Some downloads include harmless additions such as a branded browser toolbar or a change to your home page. However, some free downloads may install adware and other less-than-reputable software. This script does a good job of removing these unwanted items on some of the most popular websites.
Removes unwanted items.
Works with popular sites.
Responsive upstream.
No recent updates.
Sometimes buggy.
Lack of modifications.
Auto Close YouTube Ads
This configurable script automatically closes YouTube video ads after a time delay that you choose. It also offers an option to mute these advertisements as soon as the ad launches.
Customizable settings.
Support YouTubers with shorter ads.
Three menu options.
Doesn’t have auto skip for banner ads.
Some users report bugs.
Only works on YouTube.
Direct Links Out
Many websites display a warning and require user interaction when you click a link that redirects to another site. This script disables that functionality on many popular domains, including Google, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.
Frequent updates.
Works on popular sites.
Supports subdomains.
Doesn’t work on all sites.
Some buggy subdomains.
No customization options.
Feedly Filtering and Sorting
The Feedly Filtering and Sorting script adds some useful features such as advanced keyword matching, auto-load, filtering, and restricting to the popular news-aggregation site.
Enhances the Feedly website.
Advanced filtering.
Custom sorting.
No recent updates.
Buggy in Firefox.
Can be slow to load.
Google Hit Hider by Domain
Block certain websites or entire domains from appearing in search engine results with this script. The title is a bit misleading, as it supports Bing, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, and other search engines in addition to Google.
Supports multiple search engines.
Filters spam.
Blocks offensive content.
Not functional with some browsers.
Some results aren’t filtered.
Buttons can be buggy.
It works best with Chrome or Firefox.
Google Search Extra Buttons
This script adds useful buttons to Google’s engine. These buttons include tools to search for PDF documents and search for results from user-specified time intervals, including days, weeks, months, years, and hours.
Customized search.
Improved search time.
Option to revert to the old theme.
Can’t change button locations.
Doesn’t work with all browsers.
Only works with Google search.
Instagram Reloaded
View and download full-size images and videos from Instagram by pressing a keyboard shortcut with this script.
View full-size content.
Uses keyboard shortcuts.
Direct image downloads.
Some features only work with Chrome.
Videos download without audio.
Can’t download Stories.
This script works with all browsers, but the direct-download feature only works with Chrome.
Linkify Plus Plus
This script converts text URLs and IP addresses into links to the respective destinations. It makes almost any text link a clickable link.
Supports dynamic content.
Custom allowlist and blocklist.
Embeds images.
Only works with Chrome or Firefox.
Incompatible with some scripts.
Can be buggy.
Manga Loader
If you’re a fan of the Japanese comic genre, this script displays complete chapters on one page in an easy-to-read long-strip format on many of the web’s most popular Manga sites.
Support for over 70 sites.
Long strip format.
Works on mobile through a bookmarklet.
Doesn’t work on all sites.
Some images don’t load.
Mobile can be buggy.
Pinterest Without Registration
This script lets you browse image collections on Pinterest without creating an account on the site. However, it doesn’t work as expected on all pages.
Browse Pinterest without a login or registration.
Removes modal pop-ups.
Unlocks scrolling.
Login may be required after some scrolling.
Only works in the U.S.
No recent updates.
Translate.google Tooltip
Use this script to translate selected text on a web page to the language of your choice with the Alt key and the cursor.
Translates selected text into a tooltip.
Works with Google Translate.
Responds instantly.
May not work with Firefox.
Doesn’t work on all sites.
No recent updates.
Wide GitHub
Programmers find this script useful. It resizes all GitHub repository pages for a better look and feel.
Read lines of code without scrolling.
See more documentation simultaneously.
Easy to toggle.
No GitHub Enterprise support.
Only works with Chrome.
Limited functionality.
Find More Greasemonkey and Tampermonkey User Scripts
When you’re ready to search for scripts, the following sites are the best starting points. Not every script works across all browsers, so verify the corresponding description and notes before installation.
- Greasy Fork: Greasy Fork is a terrific source for user scripts. It offers a rapidly growing compendium of over 10,000 scripts, a well-maintained and easy-to-use interface, and an active forum. The Greasy Fork Bull**** Filter script makes searching the site effortless. It hides scripts for games, social networks, and those with non-English characters in the Greasy Fork description.
- OpenUserJS: OpenUserJS offers a wide range of scripts. It provides a user-friendly repository with a continually expanding selection.
- Userscripts.org (mirror): At one time, Userscripts.org was the only place to find the best scripts. It went offline and is now available as a mirrored site on a different domain. You’ll find thousands of scripts on this mirror site, and many of these are not safe. Use discretion when downloading from the Userscripts.org mirror.
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