# Disconnect

> Block the trackers that feed AI-powered attacks. Disconnect stops thousands of hidden trackers across advertising, analytics, social, and fingerprinting, making pages load up to 44% faster. Trusted to help protect 350M+ users.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/disconnect](https://chrome-stats.com/d/disconnect)

## Overview

- **ID:** `disconnect`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Disconnect
- **Category:** web-development,privacy-security
- **Daily users:** 62,434
- **Weekly downloads:** 969
- **Rating:** 4.12 / 5 (529 ratings)
- **Version:** 20.3.1.2
- **Last updated:** 2024-02-29
- **First published:** 2013-09-14
- **Size:** 1.81 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-06
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/disconnect/)
- **Website:** [https://disconnect.me/disconnect/help](https://disconnect.me/disconnect/help)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/disconnect/privacy/](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/disconnect/privacy/)

## Description

Disconnect is a powerful Chrome extension focused on enhancing your web experience by making it faster, more private, and secure. It visualizes and blocks invisible trackers that follow your search and browsing history across thousands of third-party sites. Recognized as the best privacy tool by the New York Times in 2016 and winner of the Innovation Award for Best Privacy and Security software at SXSW 2015, Disconnect is trusted worldwide.

By using Disconnect, pages can load up to 44% faster and save up to 39% bandwidth. Its open-source, pay-what-you-want software model encourages community contributions and transparency. The extension is compatible with other filtering add-ons like Adblock Plus, although installation order matters to ensure blocking information displays properly. With a simple green check indicating blocked trackers, Disconnect empowers users to take control of their privacy effortlessly.

## Rankings

- #293 — Overall
- #10 — Web Development
- #19 — Privacy & Security
- #1 — connect
- #2 — discord
- #2 — loading

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `tabs`
- `webNavigation`
- `webRequest`
- `webRequestBlocking`
- `http://*/*`
- `https://*/*`

### Content script matches

- `*`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** Very high risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Very low risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
- This extension was updated more than 6 months ago. Older versions are more likely to be stable and safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

Reviews show Disconnect blocks elements (notably hCaptcha) and delivers quick blocking, with some users praising a fast, months-long positive experience. However, several users report site breakage (secure logins, Twitter), plus UX issues like popups and donation prompts. Maintenance concerns (Firefox not updated) and broken bug reporting further color the mixed sentiment. Overall, strong blocking features are offset by reliability and usability problems.

### Pros

- Strong blocking capabilities, including blocking of hCaptcha and other trackers.
- Fast performance with quick blocking results, praised by multiple users.
- Positive, long-term user experience reported by reviewers who have used it for months.

### Cons

- Causes site breakage on some sites (e.g., secure logins and Twitter).
- Annoying prompts such as installation popups and donation requests.
- Lack of Firefox maintenance / updates (Chrome-only updates noted, Firefox version appears stagnant).
- Bug reporting tools are broken or unusable (Submit shows Invalid URL).

## Similar extensions and apps

- [PrivacyPirate - Block Trackers & Fingerprinting](https://chrome-stats.com/d/privacypirate) — 1 users
- [Disconnect](https://chrome-stats.com/d/disconnect-protection) — 26 users
- [AI Clean Web: AI Ad Blocker & Privacy Shield](https://chrome-stats.com/d/aicleanweb-adblock) — 7 users
- [Digital Shield: Tab Suspender & Tracker Blocker](https://chrome-stats.com/d/digital-shield) — 12 users
- [GhostTrack Blocker](https://chrome-stats.com/d/ghosttrack-blocker) — 2 users
- [Privacy Badger](https://chrome-stats.com/d/privacy-badger17) — 1,855,064 users, 4.81 / 5
- [Tracker Blocker](https://chrome-stats.com/d/tracker-blocker-sp) — 33 users
- [Antitracker & Antiredirect](https://chrome-stats.com/d/antitracker-antiredirect) — 9 users
- [Avast AntiTrack](https://chrome-stats.com/d/avast-antitrack) — 46,546 users, 3.81 / 5
- [Bulletproof Adblocker & Privacy](https://chrome-stats.com/d/bulletproof-adblocker-privacy) — 1 users
- [u-Blocker Lite: Fast & Private Ad Blocker](https://chrome-stats.com/d/u-blocker-lite) — 2 users
- [Privacy Atlas](https://chrome-stats.com/d/privacy-atlas)

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/disconnect)