If you're switching from Chrome to Firefox, the biggest practical difference is the extension ecosystem. Here's what carries over, what doesn't, and how to set up a comparable or better environment.
Extensions That Work in Both
Most major extensions publish for both Chrome Web Store and Firefox AMO:
| Extension | Firefox | Chrome |
|---|---|---|
| uBlock Origin | ✅ Full MV2 | ⚠️ MV3 limited (Chrome 127+) |
| Bitwarden | ✅ | ✅ |
| 1Password | ✅ | ✅ |
| React DevTools | ✅ | ✅ |
| Vue DevTools | ✅ | ✅ |
| Redux DevTools | ✅ | ✅ |
| Axe DevTools | ✅ | ✅ |
| ColorZilla | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dark Reader | ✅ | ✅ |
| Vimium | ✅ (Vimium-FF) | ✅ |
The MV2 vs MV3 Difference
This is the biggest practical extension difference between Firefox and Chrome right now.
Chrome switched to Manifest Version 3 (MV3) which limits how extensions can intercept network requests. uBlock Origin on Chrome MV3 is less capable than on Firefox MV2.
Firefox maintains MV2 support. uBlock Origin on Firefox is full-featured — the same engine that has been working for years. On Chrome, blocking capabilities have been reduced.
For privacy-focused users, this is a real reason to choose Firefox.
Extensions Available on Firefox but Not Chrome
Some Firefox extensions don't exist or are much weaker on Chrome:
- Multi-Account Containers — no equivalent in Chrome (you use profiles instead)
- Tree Style Tab — no equivalent in Chrome (Tab Groups are different)
- Tab Manager & Session Saver — session-saving functionality Chrome handles via profile sync instead
Extensions Available on Chrome but Not Firefox
Some Chrome extensions don't exist on Firefox:
- Google Chrome extensions in the Chrome Web Store — Firefox can't install these directly
- Some enterprise/corporate extensions built specifically for Chrome
Finding Firefox Extensions
The Firefox AMO (addons.mozilla.org) hosts all reviewed Firefox extensions. Extensions go through a code review before being listed.
For any extension you used in Chrome, search AMO:
- Go to addons.mozilla.org
- Search by name
- Most major extensions list compatible Firefox versions
Tab Groups: Chrome vs Firefox
One area Chrome has been ahead: Tab Groups.
Chrome Tab Groups let you name and color-code groups of tabs. Firefox added basic Tab Groups support in 2024, accessible via the sidebar tabs feature.
Firefox alternatives that predate the native feature:
- Tree Style Tab — hierarchical/nested tabs, very powerful
- Tab Manager & Session Saver — saves named session snapshots (different approach: save context, close, restore)
The native Firefox tab groups in the sidebar are simpler than Chrome's but cover most use cases.
Migration Steps
- Install Firefox
- Bookmarks: Chrome exports to HTML → Firefox imports
- Passwords: Chrome exports to CSV → Firefox imports at about:logins
- Extensions: search AMO for your Chrome extensions
- Set up Firefox Sync if you use multiple devices
Most of the migration is a one-time 30-60 minute process. After that, the browsing experience is comparable with the advantages of MV2 extensions and Multi-Account Containers.
