Brave browser has introduced custom scriptlets in version 1.75, revolutionizing how users customize, control, and interact with websites. This built-in feature allows users to inject personalized JavaScript directly into web pages, providing a level of control previously available only through third-party extensions like Tampermonkey and Greasemonkey.
Originally developed for debugging Brave’s ad-blocking capabilities, the scriptlets feature proved too valuable to remain internal and has now been released for all users.
What Can Brave’s Custom Scriptlets Do?
Brave’s scriptlets unlock powerful customization options, allowing users to:
🔒 Enhance Privacy
✅ Block JavaScript-based trackers
✅ Randomize fingerprinting APIs to improve anonymity
✅ Replace Google Analytics scripts with dummy versions
🎨 Customize User Interfaces
✅ Hide sidebars, pop-ups, and floating ads
✅ Enforce dark mode on sites that lack native support
✅ Enable infinite scrolling and auto-expand hidden content
✅ Adjust text colors, font sizes, and layout spacing
For instance, users can eliminate distracting sidebars, leading to a cleaner, more focused browsing experience.
How Does It Compare to Tampermonkey and Greasemonkey?
For years, Tampermonkey and Greasemonkey have been the go-to browser extensions for users wanting to tweak web pages with custom scripts. They offer vast script repositories and robust management tools.
However, Brave’s native implementation provides several advantages:
⚡ Performance & Integration
Being an integral part of the browser, Brave’s scriptlets run more efficiently, with reduced overhead compared to third-party extensions. This ensures faster execution and seamless integration.
🛡️ Security
Brave’s scriptlets operate within the browser’s secure environment, reducing security risks posed by third-party extensions. Users can trust that their scripts adhere to Brave’s stringent privacy standards.
🚀 Simplicity
For users already using Brave, scriptlets eliminate the need for extra extensions, streamlining the customization process. Unlike Tampermonkey, where users need to download additional scripts, Brave offers a built-in solution.
Will Brave Build a Community Like Tampermonkey & Greasemonkey?
One area where Tampermonkey and Greasemonkey excel is their thriving user communities, with thousands of pre-written scripts and ongoing developer contributions.
For Brave’s scriptlets to reach their full potential, a strong user-driven community must emerge, sharing custom scripts that expand the feature’s capabilities.
If user adoption grows, Brave could develop a repository of shared scriptlets, creating a collaborative ecosystem similar to Tampermonkey’s script-sharing platform.
The Future of Web Customization is Here
Brave’s custom scriptlets represent a significant shift in how users interact with websites. By allowing deep, personalized customization without extensions, Brave is pushing the boundaries of privacy-first browsing.
As the feature evolves, it could redefine how users navigate, customize, and control their digital experiences—making the open web more user-centric than ever before. 🚀
