UnloadTabs

Name: UnloadTabs
Rating: 4.4 (75 reviews)
Author: NiklasG

By: NiklasG

Unload your tabs to free resources and prevents them from loading unintentionally

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Features & Capabilities

UnloadTabs is a powerful Chrome extension designed to help users manage browser tabs efficiently by unloading inactive tabs to free system resources and prevent them from loading unintentionally. It integrates context menu entries to unload the current tab or all but the current tab, along with keyboard shortcuts to jump between loaded tabs. The extension is compatible with popular add-ons like Tree Style Tab and Container Tabs, maintaining tab organization while optimizing performance.

UnloadTabs visually distinguishes unloaded tabs by graying them out (with manual setup), ensures unloaded tabs remain in correct containers, and provides a clean uninstall feature that leaves no residual tabs closed. While the extension handles tab unloading seamlessly, some Firefox-specific bugs related to tab icons and loading status exist, which are being addressed by Mozilla. Users are encouraged to report other issues via the developer's GitHub repository. Permissions are limited to displaying error notifications and accessing browser tabs, ensuring transparency and privacy.

User Growth & Download Statistics

Add-on Developer Tools

By:

NiklasG

Daily users:

3,069 9

Rating:

4.40

(75)

Version:

0.8.5 Last updated: 2019-09-06

Version code:

4853235

Creation date:

2016-06-10

Risk:

Permissions:

Size:

90.40KB

URLs:

Website

Full description:

Source:

Firefox Add-ons Store

Data ingested on:

2026-06-18

Compare stats and ranking:

Ranking

# 1,623 ▲ 10

Other rankings

#131 in Tabs

#250 in Other extensions ▲ 5

#15 in new tabs keyword 42

#24 in restore tabs keyword 36

#30 in tabellenkalkulation keyword 16

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For Developers

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Contact the developer

Chrome-Stats does not own this Firefox add-on. Please use these information below to contact the Firefox add-on developer.

Developed by:

NiklasG

Firefox Add-ons Store

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/unload-tabs/

Website:

https://github.com/NiklasGollenstede/unload-tabs/issues

User Reviews

UnloadTabs helps reduce browser resource usage by unloading pages while keeping tabs visible for quick reloads. It supports hotkeys to unload the current or other tabs and is praised for its simple, exact functionality. However, users note missing timing control (no unload-delay), per-tab only unloading (no bulk/window options), occasional stability and focus issues, and a missing default action when no loaded tab is available. Overall, it’s handy for managing many tabs and low RAM, with some reliability caveats.

Pros

Frees up memory and CPU by unloading the page while keeping the tab in the tab list, helping with many tabs or limited RAM.
Hotkeys allow unloading the current tab and unloading other tabs (except the current) for quick control.
Simple, focused functionality that does exactly what users want; works as advertised.
Unloaded tabs stay visible in the list for easy reloading.

Cons

No option to set a delay before unload, limiting timing control.
Only per-tab unload; no batch/bulk unload or window-wide unload support.
Stability issues reported (some reviews mention features breaking or browser problems).
Unloading may cause focus issues; Firefox might not reliably focus unloaded tabs afterward.
Edge-case behavior: when there is no loaded tab to switch to, the extension lacks a default action such as opening a new tab.

Recent reviews

Lets me set a keyboard shortcut to unload a Tab, like Alt+W, and switches to an active tab when doing so and when an active tab is closed it moves to active tabs only. Perfect!! I also added a dot indicator and desaturation+low opacity in my userChrome.css file for unloaded tabs. Love it!

by Sp*****, 2026-05-06

No way to set the delay time before the tab unloads. At least none that I could find.

by Fi*****, 2026-02-07

This is the exact functionality I was wanting! Nothing more, nothing less - does the job perfectly.

by No*****, 2025-08-18

View all user reviews ›

Is UnloadTabs Safe?

Risk impact

Risk impact measures the level of extra permissions an extension has access to. A low risk impact extension cannot do much harms, whereas a high risk impact extension can do a lot of damage like stealing your password, bypassing your security settings, and accessing your personal data. High risk impact extensions are not necessarily malicious. However, if they do turn malicious, they can be very harmful.

UnloadTabs requires a few sensitive permissions. Exercise caution before installing.

Risk impact analysis details

Critical Grants access to browser tabs, which can be used to track user browsing habits and history, presenting a privacy concern.
Medium ******* ******* ************* ***** *** ** ******* *** **** ******* ****** ******** *******

Risk likelihood

Risk likelihood measures the probability that a Firefox add-on may turn malicious. This is determined by the publisher and the Firefox add-on reputation on Firefox Add-ons Store, the amount of time the Firefox add-on has been around, and other signals about the Firefox add-on. Our algorithms are not perfect, and are subject to change as we discover new ways to detect malicious extensions. We recommend that you always exercise caution when installing a Firefox add-on.

UnloadTabs has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

Risk likelihood analysis details

High This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.
Low **** ********* *** ******* **** **** * ****** **** ***** ******** *** **** ****** ** ** ****** *** *****
Low **** ********* *** ***** **** **** * ****** **** ***** ********** *** **** ****** ** ** ****** *** *****
Good **** ********* *** **** **** *******