# Open in Browser

> Offers the possibility to display documents in the browser window.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-in-browser](https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-in-browser)

## Overview

- **ID:** `open-in-browser`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Rob W
- **Category:** download-management,other
- **Daily users:** 1,663
- **Weekly downloads:** 18
- **Rating:** 4.31 / 5 (45 ratings)
- **Version:** 2.11
- **Last updated:** 2020-01-08
- **First published:** 2008-07-20
- **Size:** 1.19 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-13
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/open-in-browser/)
- **Website:** [https://github.com/Rob--W/open-in-browser/issues](https://github.com/Rob--W/open-in-browser/issues)

## Description

Open in Browser is a powerful Chrome extension designed to enhance your browsing experience by allowing you to open documents directly within your browser window. Avoid the hassle of download popups and external application prompts when viewing files. This extension streamlines access by displaying supported documents instantly.

Version 2.0 and later leverages the modern WebExtensions API for improved compatibility and performance. While it may face limitations detecting file types without explicit Content-Type headers, you can manually force the open-in-browser dialog via the "Tools > Open in Browser" menu. Customize the behavior to reduce save-file confirmation prompts through easy preference adjustments. Open in Browser is an essential tool for anyone who frequently accesses documents online and wants seamless, within-browser viewing.

## Rankings

- #2,507 — Overall
- #218 — Download Management
- #9 — browser
- #13 — openvpn
- #16 — openclaw
- #20 — open ai

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `history`
- `menus`
- `sessions`
- `storage`
- `tabs`
- `webNavigation`
- `webRequest`
- `webRequestBlocking`
- `<all_urls>`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** High risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** 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 has low user count. Unpopular extensions 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).

## Review summary

Users overwhelmingly appreciate the add-on for viewing many file types directly in Firefox (saving time and avoiding downloads). The main recurring problem is inconsistent behavior on certain sites or MIME types (e.g., RSS feeds, Gmail PDF previews) where the add-on fails to open files reliably.

### Pros

- Opens files directly in the browser so you don’t have to download them (many users praise avoiding unnecessary downloads).
- Supports a wide range of file types (XML, audio, video, YAML, PDF, DOCX and others) — multiple reviewers call it handy or a must-have for inspecting files inline.
- Saves time and simplifies workflows (useful for GitLab artifacts and quickly viewing files without switching apps).

### Cons

- Inconsistent behavior / compatibility issues with some sites and MIME types — reviewers report failures to open certain feeds or Gmail PDFs, falling back to the save dialog or looping the preview.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Popup Download Manager](https://chrome-stats.com/d/popup-download-manager) — 14 users, 3.11 / 5
- [Browser PDF Opener](https://chrome-stats.com/d/browser-pdf-opener)
- [No PDF Download](https://chrome-stats.com/d/no-pdf-download) — 3,151 users, 4.29 / 5
- [Open in Popup](https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-in-popup) — 22 users, 3.86 / 5
- [Browser PDF Opener Plus](https://chrome-stats.com/d/browser-pdf-opener-plus)
- [PDF Browser Opener](https://chrome-stats.com/d/pdf-browser-opener)
- [OpenDownload3](https://chrome-stats.com/d/opendownload3) — 10 users
- [Open Link in Browser As...](https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-link-in-browser-as) — 27 users, 3.67 / 5
- [No PDF Download - Improved](https://chrome-stats.com/d/no-pdf-download-improved) — 25 users
- [PDF BrowserEase](https://chrome-stats.com/d/pdf-browserease) — 2 users
- [Open in UDM (uGet Download Manager)](https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-in-uget-download-manager) — 112 users, 1.00 / 5
- [BrowserPDF Viewer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/browserpdf-viewer) — 5 users

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