5 free Safari extensions I rely on for better security, privacy, and productivity online

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Safari on MacOS offers a good experience. It includes great tab management, is well-optimized for Apple Silicon (so it won't drain your battery, as some browsers might), and is fairly secure out of the box.

With the help of a handful of extensions, you can improve that experience with better security, privacy, and productivity. The extensions I have chosen are free, although some have in-app purchases for premium features, and are easily installed from within the MacOS App Store.

Also: What's new in MacOS Sonoma? Here's everything you need to know

With that said, let's get right to the extensions.

1. Adguard

Although I allow ads for certain sites, some websites go a bit far -- so much so that the sites in question bring my browser to a crawl or make the pages impossible to read. When that problem occurs, I lean into an ad blocker -- and one of the best on the market is Adguard. 

Adguard works in the background to block intrusive ads and allows you to assign the tool to a specific profile. That latter feature is great. I can create a new Safari profile, assign Adguard to it, and know that every site I visit will not display ads. I can then switch to my default profile and those sites will be allowed to display ads. Adguard also allows you to conveniently update filters from the menu bar dropdown and export logs and system info, so you can glean more information about what's happening. 

Also: The best VPN services (and how to choose the right one for you)

One other feature that sets Adguard apart is that it allows you to block annoying web elements, so if there's a component of a website preventing you from experiencing the site as you'd prefer, you can disable the element. You can even adjust the size of the blocking frame to select multiple elements at once. 

Adguard does have a free version but the feature set is limited. The paid version gives you access to features such as DNS protection, firewall, statistics, app management, and more. The personal paid version is $55 for a lifetime license or $1.49/month.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

2. DuckDuckGo

For me, DuckDuckGo is an essential add-on for any browser. With this extension, you get third-party tracker blocking, private searches, tracking ad blocking, cookie popup blocking, email tracker blocking, YouTube videos without targeted ads, data burning, per-site privacy grades, and global privacy control. DuckDuckGo does offer its own web browser, but for those who prefer to stick with Safari, the browser extension does a great job. 

Also: 5 ways to improve your Chrome browser's security (and why you should)

You'll want to switch your default search engine from Google to DuckDuckGo to get the most out of the extension. I prefer the DuckDuckGo search engine because it's not nearly as cluttered as Google, doesn't force AI results, and is more secure. The DuckDuckGo browser extension is free to use.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

3. Grammarly

Everyone could use a bit of help with their grammar. It doesn't matter if you're writing a paper, an email, or posting to social media, bad grammar doesn't place you in the best light. I've been a professional writer for 30 years and gladly accept the help. This is my tenth year using Grammarly and it rarely lets me down. Every writer has their blind spots and Grammarly is there to give you a hand. 

The Grammarly browser extension features text checking, writing suggestions, definitions and synonyms, auto spell checking, phrasal predictions, emoji-detected tones, and quick language selection. 

Also: How to save a webpage as a PDF in Safari (without the ads)

The Grammarly browser extension only works within the web browser. If you need help checking things in other apps, you'll want to opt for the Grammarly desktop app. Grammarly can be used for free but you can upgrade to Premium to get even more features. The free version will work for most users.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

4. Momentum

I like a good browser Start page. However, the Safari version doesn't top my list of favorites. Fortunately, there's Momentum, which not only greets you by name when you open a new start page, but also displays the weather, asks you what your goal is for the day, gives you an inspirational quote and wallpaper, allows you to add custom links, and offers a focus mode to block specific sites, set goals, and even play white noise in the background. 

Of all the start page replacements I've used, Momentum is by far the best. The focus mode feature alone makes it worth using this extension. Once you enable it, you can set a goal and a timer. 

I will say, however, that some of the focus sounds are a bit distracting. The ocean sound isn't just waves crashing but the creaking of boats, seagulls, and more. You can, however, customize the sounds. For example, with the Ocean sound, you can disable birds and boats for a more calming effect. 

Also: Firefox vs Opera: Which web browser is best for you?

Momentum is free but a paid version adds deep work sessions, to-do integrations, habit tracking, work/fitness app integrations, and custom to-do lists. The Premium version is $3.33/month.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET

5. Bitwarden

Look, I'm not saying you have to use the Bitwarden password manager extension, but you should be using some form of dedicated password manager (not the built-in browser option), be it Bitwarden, 1Password, or just about any other option. A password manager ensures you use strong, unique passwords and protects those passwords within an encrypted vault. But why the browser extension? 

For some password managers, such as Bitwarden, the browser extension not only adds features like autofill when using the web browser but also prevents you from having to open your password manager, locate the password, copy the password, and then paste it into the login field for the site in question. 

That approach is more efficient and secure because you don't have to worry about anyone spying you typing your vault unlock password or viewing the entries within. 

Also: The best VPN services for iPhone and iPad (yes, you need to use one)

The Bitwarden browser extension is one of the best on the market and can be used with any valid Bitwarden account.

Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET