# Load Less - Eco Mode for Video Streaming

> Applies data-saving video settings across YouTube, Netflix & more, and blocks unnecessary loading to help reduce CO₂ emissions.

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

## Overview

- **ID:** `load-less`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Load Less
- **Category:** photos-music-videos
- **Daily users:** 1
- **Weekly downloads:** 1
- **Version:** 1.0.4
- **Last updated:** 2026-08-26
- **First published:** 2026-07-02
- **Size:** 180 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-07
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/load-less/)
- **Website:** [https://loadless.org](https://loadless.org/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/load-less/privacy/](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/load-less/privacy/)

## Description

The web is getting heavier, especially with video streaming: higher resolutions, autoplaying players, and platforms that often default to higher quality than we really need.

This increases the amount of data traveling across networks. At scale, this growth pushes network operators to install more equipment that then uses electricity continuously. That matters because, as of 2025, one third of the world’s electricity still comes from coal, the fossil fuel that emits the most CO₂.

Load Less helps counter that trend.

The goal: help lower the digital carbon footprint.

FEATURES

➤ Applies data-saving video settings:
Load Less automatically applies and maintains these settings when possible, or guides you when a change requires your action. Works with YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Twitch, and Vimeo.

➤ Lowers YouTube quality while you’re on another tab:
A YouTube video playing in a background tab can still load at high quality, even when you're mainly listening to the audio. Load Less lowers its quality when that can save data and bandwidth. Quality is restored when you return to the tab.

➤ Stops some video players from loading until you press play:
Many websites load YouTube or Vimeo players as soon as the page opens. Load Less replaces them with a thumbnail, so pages stay lighter. The player only loads when you start the video.

You can turn Load Less on or off anytime from the extension popup.

No tracking. No analytics. No personal data collection.

## Rankings

- #96,615 — Overall
- #244 — loading

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `storage`
- `declarativeNetRequestWithHostAccess`
- `webRequest`

### Host permissions

- `https://www.youtube.com/*`
- `https://youtube.com/*`
- `https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/*`
- `https://youtube-nocookie.com/*`
- `https://player.vimeo.com/*`

### Content script matches

- `www.youtube.com`
- `youtube.com`
- `www.youtube-nocookie.com`
- `youtube-nocookie.com`
- `*`
- `vimeo.com`
- `www.twitch.tv`
- `www.primevideo.com`
- `www.amazon.fr`
- `www.netflix.com`
- `www.disneyplus.com`

## Safety

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

### Analysis details

- Allows access to all websites, posing a significant security risk as it can monitor and modify data from any visited site.
- This extension was recently updated in the past month. New updates may not be stable or safe.

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

## Similar extensions and apps

- [low—web](https://chrome-stats.com/d/low-web-extension) — 71 users, 4.33 / 5
- [Coolant — Tab Thermal Optimizer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/coolant-tab-thermal-optimizer) — 1 users
- [GreenVids](https://chrome-stats.com/d/greenvids) — 1 users, 1.00 / 5
- [YouTube Audio Mode](https://chrome-stats.com/d/youtube-audio-mode) — 204 users, 4.11 / 5
- [Efficient Video Loader](https://chrome-stats.com/d/efficient-video-loader) — 8 users
- [AudioSaver-Pro](https://chrome-stats.com/d/audiosaver-pro) — 3 users
- [Web Optimizer DOS](https://chrome-stats.com/d/web-optimizer-dos) — 3 users
- [SpeedUp: Netflix, Prime, FB videos](https://chrome-stats.com/d/speedup2-netflix-prime-videos) — 1,999 users, 4.25 / 5
- [Video Stream Enhancer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/video-stream-enhancer) — 4 users
- [Effortless Load](https://chrome-stats.com/d/effortless-load) — 1 users
- [YouTube Bloat Remover Toggle](https://chrome-stats.com/d/youtube-bloat-remover-toggle) — 4 users
- [Stream Audio Only](https://chrome-stats.com/d/stream-audio-only) — 132 users, 3.40 / 5

---

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