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Comparison with Other Tools

Several tools overlap with RedirectWeb. It is meant to work alongside them, and this page compares it with each one.

note

These comparisons are based on the state as of October 2025. Please contact us if you find any outdated information or mistakes. Thank you! 🙏

Redirector​

Redirector is a great browser extension for redirection. It's completely free and open source, and it works on non-Apple platforms, too. But RedirectWeb has some extra features you might like:

  • Rules can have multiple exclude patterns and multiple process matches, and the string replacement features are available only in RedirectWeb.
  • On Mac, you can choose which native app opens the target URL. RedirectWeb calls the open command directly (not deep linking).
  • It supports DNR, which makes redirection faster.
  • You manage the rules for all browsers in one place, the native app.
  • It uses Manifest V3 on Chromium-based browsers and V2 on Firefox, where it can use the same API as Redirector.
  • It supports Safari on iOS and macOS. Redirector does not.

We highly respect Redirector, and RedirectWeb can import and export redirection rules in a format Redirector also handles, so you can switch between the two. See Export or import rules for details.

Userscript managers like Tampermonkey or Greasemonkey​

Userscript managers are very powerful and flexible. You can do so many things with them, including redirection. However, they have some drawbacks compared to RedirectWeb:

  • Writing and maintaining scripts takes time, especially if you are not familiar with programming. RedirectWeb lets you create and manage rules without coding.
  • Scripts might add performance overhead, especially if they are complex or not optimized, and a carelessly written one may cause an infinite redirect loop. RedirectWeb is designed to be efficient and safe.
  • Some userscript managers may not have access to the Declarative Net Request (DNR) API, which can redirect faster and more efficiently. RedirectWeb supports DNR.

Apple's Shortcuts​

Shortcuts is Apple's automation tool for iOS and macOS. You can create shortcuts for many tasks, including opening URLs. However, you have to trigger a shortcut manually, and Shortcuts is not designed to redirect pages as you browse.

OpenIn or Velja​

OpenIn and Velja are both browser picker apps, and they also have browser extensions that let you open links in another app from a browser. RedirectWeb can redirect from a browser to an app too, but it differs in two ways:

  • With OpenIn and Velja, you select their toolbar icon to open a link in another app. RedirectWeb redirects URLs automatically based on your rules.
  • OpenIn and Velja are designed for Mac. RedirectWeb supports all major browsers on Mac, and Safari on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro.

StopTheMadness​

StopTheMadness is a browser extension with many features for improving web browsing, including redirection. However, it has some limitations compared to RedirectWeb:

  • Its rule configuration options are limited. RedirectWeb has more detailed rule settings, including multiple exclude patterns and capturing group processing.
  • It includes many features you may not need if you only want redirection. RedirectWeb does redirection only.
  • It costs 12-15 USD and has no free trial or free plan. RedirectWeb has a free plan with basic features, a subscription with a free trial of all features, and a one-time purchase option for the price of a coffee.

Lastly...​

These tools are great in their own ways, and one of them might suit you better than RedirectWeb. Use whichever fits best! 😊