extension.js vs chrome-extension-boilerplate-react-vite
Browser extension development projects compared
extension.js provides a framework and CLI for developing extensions across several browser families, while chrome-extension-boilerplate-react-vite is a React, TypeScript, and Vite starter focused on Chrome and Firefox. The main distinction is a configurable cross-browser workflow versus a structured, multi-package starter project; the latter repository is archived.
extension.js: Build Cross-Browser Browser Extensions
Extension.js is a TypeScript framework for building browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. It provides a zero-config CLI with hot reload and production builds for multiple browsers.
chrome-extension-boilerplate-react-vite: Build Browser Extensions with React
A TypeScript starter for building Chrome and Firefox extensions with React and Vite. It provides a modular setup for extension pages, shared packages, development reloads, and browser testing, but is archived and read-only.
| extension.js | chrome-extension-boilerplate-react-vite | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Stars | 5.2k | 4.9k |
| Forks | 144 | 666 |
| Last analyzed | Nov 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 |
Key differences
- extension.js targets Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari, while chrome-extension-boilerplate-react-vite documents Chrome and Firefox workflows.
- extension.js supports multiple frontend frameworks and vanilla JavaScript; chrome-extension-boilerplate-react-vite is built around React and TypeScript.
- extension.js provides a development server with hot updates and targeted script reloads, while chrome-extension-boilerplate-react-vite uses Vite, Rollup, Turborepo, and custom hot module reload tooling.
- chrome-extension-boilerplate-react-vite includes starting points for surfaces such as side panels and DevTools, plus shared workspace packages; extension.js focuses on a shared build and development workflow.
- extension.js is not archived, while chrome-extension-boilerplate-react-vite is archived.
- Both projects use TypeScript and have an MIT license.
Choose extension.js if you…
- need a shared development and build workflow across several browser families, including Safari and Edge.
- want to use a frontend framework other than React, or vanilla JavaScript.
- need a tool to add to an existing extension project or run public GitHub extension samples.
Choose chrome-extension-boilerplate-react-vite if you…
- want a React and TypeScript starter organized as a multi-package workspace.
- need ready-made starting points for several extension surfaces and shared packages.
- are targeting Chrome and Firefox and are prepared to assess the implications of using an archived project.
Compare the numbers side by side, or add more projects
This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.