Add-on to expand the range of functions

With an add-on, every browser can be expanded in terms of its range of functions. Browsers can thus be tailored to personal needs and "optimised" with regard to missing functions. Add Ons are thus small programmes for expanding the range of functions.

Popular add-ons include social media tools such as Pinterest or Instagram, password managers such as LastPass, video downloaders or language helpers such as Grammarly and Google Translator. Furthermore, ad blockers such as uBlock origin or AdBlock Plus and online conference applications such as Skype, Google, Cisco Webex or Hangouts can also be used.

Depending on the browser, browser add-ons are also called "extensions". These come from independent developers and can be found in browser-specific web stores.

In Chrome, the add-ons are called "extensions". You can display the installed add-ons by entering "chrome:/ /extensions" in the address bar. New extensions can be installed with the help of the Chrome Web Store. For Firefox, the add-ons can be found in the Mozilla Store. You can call up the installed add-ons via the address line "about:addons". Add-ons are also available for Opera, Microsoft Edge and Safari (Mac).

Strictly speaking, add-ons are subsets of plug-ins and thus programmes that add further functions to the main programme. In the case of browsers, however, a distinction is made between add-ons and plug-ins. A plug-in is a compiled programme that is connected to the respective browser through the interface. Examples are Java Plug-In or Adobe Flash Player. Many browsers only allow extensions or add-ons that are programmed according to detailed standards, comply with strict security rules and work with a standardised interface.