# Open in Private Mode

> Open the active tab in a private window via toolbar button or context-menu.

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

## Overview

- **ID:** `open-in-private-mode`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Glin
- **Category:** privacy-security,tabs
- **Daily users:** 843
- **Weekly downloads:** 10
- **Rating:** 3.85 / 5 (27 ratings)
- **Version:** 0.1.4
- **Last updated:** 2026-01-07
- **First published:** 2017-12-10
- **Size:** 30 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-13
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/open-in-private-mode/)
- **Website:** [https://mybrowseraddon.com/open-in-private-mode.html](https://mybrowseraddon.com/open-in-private-mode.html)

## Description

Open in Private Mode is a handy Chrome extension designed to open your current active tab in a private or incognito window effortlessly. With simple access via a toolbar button, right-click context menu, or keyboard shortcut (Alt + Shift + S), you can instantly browse privately without manually opening a new incognito window.

Additionally, the extension allows configuring a custom URL to open in private mode from the toolbar button, giving you flexibility. Users must enable the "Run in Private Windows" setting post-installation to ensure full functionality. The extension streamlines private browsing and protects your privacy seamlessly. For any issues, users can report bugs via the addon's homepage.

## Rankings

- #3,708 — Overall
- #355 — Tabs
- #43 — openvpn
- #48 — open ai
- #48 — open vpn
- #51 — openclaw

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `storage`
- `activeTab`
- `contextMenus`

## Safety

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

### Analysis details

- 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

Reviews mostly agree the extension works for desktop users if you enable it to run in Private Windows. Common complaints: it appears broken without that permission, tab/context-menu functionality is missing or unreliable, and behavior can be inconsistent across Firefox versions.

### Pros

- Opens links in a private window reliably for users who enable the extension to run in Private Windows.
- Simple and convenient to use — toolbar/button works for many users.
- Lightweight and does what it promises on desktop for several reviewers.

### Cons

- Users must explicitly allow the add-on to run in Private Windows; otherwise it appears to do nothing (this requirement is not obvious).
- Tab/context-menu support is missing or broken — users want an "Open in Private Mode" option for tab context menus and report the context menu not working.
- Inconsistent behavior across Firefox versions and installs; multiple reports that it 'stops working' or 'nothing happens' for some users.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Reopen in Private](https://chrome-stats.com/d/reopen-in-private) — 205 users, 3.93 / 5
- [Incognito This Tab](https://chrome-stats.com/d/incognito-this-tab) — 1,455 users, 2.63 / 5
- [Open Page in Private Window](https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-page-in-private-window) — 431 users, 4.72 / 5
- [Click To Private](https://chrome-stats.com/d/click-to-private) — 15 users, 3.00 / 5
- [Open in Private Window](https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-in-private-window) — 38 users, 4.33 / 5
- [Open in Incognito](https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-link-in-incognito) — 22 users, 4.00 / 5
- [Open Incognito](https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-incognito) — 69 users, 4.50 / 5
- [Switch to Incognito](https://chrome-stats.com/d/switch-to-incognito) — 14 users
- [Open in chosen Private window](https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-in-chosen-private-window) — 200 users, 4.50 / 5
- [Open in Incognito](https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-in-incognito-mode) — 216 users, 4.50 / 5
- [Move To Private Window](https://chrome-stats.com/d/move-to-private) — 196 users, 4.50 / 5
- [Open Not in New Tab](https://chrome-stats.com/d/open-not-in-new-tab) — 195 users, 3.70 / 5

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