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10 completely free Chrome hacks that will change the way you use the Internet

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 9:09PM EST
Best Chrome Extensions
Image: Google

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Last week, we told you about 10 free Chrome extensions that hack your browser in ways that could be game-changers for many users. We covered all sorts of functionality, from protecting your web browsing with a completely free VPN service to watching YouTube videos in a tiny picture-in-picture box above whatever you’re browsing. The response to that article was terrific, and many people emailed us with recommendations for more Chrome extensions that can hack the web browsing experience.

Part of the beauty of Google’s Chrome browser is that it’s so flexible thanks to a great third-party extension ecosystem, but finding good extensions isn’t always easy. In this post, we’ll show you another 10 free Chrome hacks that will change the way you surf the web. Of course, don’t forget to check out our earlier post for 10 more great Chrome extensions you need to check out.

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Criptext for Gmail

Criptext is a comprehensive Gmail enhancement that adds a wide range of crucial features to the Gmail experience. Everyone uses Gmail these days, so extensions like this are hugely useful.

With Criptext, users can unsend emails before or after they’ve been read with the click of a button, send self-destructing emails and attachments, send encrypted messages, attach secure files up to 100MB in size, and know exactly when emails are opened and when attachments are downloaded.

Download Criptext for Gmail for free

NEnhancer

You use Netflix all the time and you love the experience the company’s site provides, but there’s always room for improvement. NEnhancer is a free Chrome extension that adds tons of key info to Netflix’s site for TV shows and movies, including trailers, Rotten Tomato ratings, IMDb info and more.

Download NEnhancer for free

Showgoers

Sticking with Netflix for a moment, Showgoers is a fun free way to watch movies with your friends and family even if they’re halfway across the world. The extension syncs viewing sessions across browsers remotely, so you and anyone else you want to watch with see the exact same thing at the exact same time.

Download Showgoers for free

WorkFlowy

WorkFlowy is the ultimate list extension for Chrome. According to its creator, WorkFlowy is “simple enough for a shopping list, and powerful enough to run a company.”

Here are the key features:

  • Infinitely nested lists
  • Zoom in on any sub-list
  • Tag and filter list items
  • Works on phones and tablets, with live syncing between devices
  • Full offline functionality
  • Automatic syncing between your phone, tablet and computer
  • Collaborate with others, with live syncing
  • Add notes to any list item
  • Simply click to edit, like a text document
  • Quick expand and collapse lists
  • Mark items as complete
  • Instant full text search

Download WorkFlowy for free

Sunrise Calendar

Google Calendar is free and wonderfully powerful, but it’s not much to look at and it’s missing some pretty important features. Sunrise Calendar addresses both of those issues and it has a mobile companion app for iOS and Android devices that might be even better than the Chrome extension.

Download Sunrise Calendar for free

Reditr

Everyone knows Reddit, but you’ve never seen Reddit quite like this. Reditr is a terrific free Chrome-based client that helps whisk you away to the magical world of Reddit. Browse, post and comment on Reddit with this lightning-fast Chrome extension that works online and offline.

Download Reditr for free

Calculator

A Chrome extension doesn’t always have to be complicated in order to be useful, and Calculator for Chrome is about as useful as they come. Stop whipping out your smartphone or opening a separate calculator app on your desktop every time you need to make a calculation.

Download Calculator for free

Inbox by Gmail

This is a big one. Inbox is Google’s complete reimagining of how email should work, and it’s a big departure from the norm. From notifications, to organization and everything in between, Inbox aims to simplify your life by ensuring that emails occupies less of your time.

Download Inbox by Gmail for free

WhatsChrome

This unofficial client lets you use WhatsApp on your Windows or Mac computer courtesy of Chrome. It includes many core WhatsApp features such as text, photo, video and voice messaging, and it’s lightning-fast.

Download WhatsChrome for free

Videostream for Google Chromecast

Google’s Chromecast is already one of the most popular media streaming devices that has ever existed thanks to its low price point and ease of use. Of course, there’s always room for improvement and this free Chrome extension makes it ridiculously easy to cast content from your computer to your TV.

Download Videostream for Google Chromecast for free

Now that you’re done with these Chrome hacks, be sure to check out our earlier post for 10 more free Chrome extensions that will change the way you browse.

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.