Cleaning a URL can remove parameters a website relies on for a particular action.
Mozilla reviews report site-specific issues. Users may need to disable the extension temporarily when a workflow fails.
Evidence source ↗
ClearURLs
ClearURLs is an open-source browser extension that removes known tracking elements from URLs and provides tools for cleaning and sharing links.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
The feature assessment reflects documented URL cleaning and related tracking controls. Mozilla reviews show a positive aggregate rating, alongside reports of site-specific breakage. The latest listed extension release is dated February 5, 2025.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
ClearURLs Decision Snapshot
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Best suited to
Individuals who want automatic removal of known tracking parameters in Firefox, including Firefox for Android.
Look elsewhere if
Users who need a maintained Manifest V3 extension for Chrome-based browsers or reliable per-site exceptions, and should evaluate alternatives such as uBlock Origin instead.
Platforms
Android, Chrome, Firefox
TechZella assessment
7.8/10
Overview
ClearURLs is an open-source browser extension for removing known tracking elements from URLs. It applies a maintained rule catalog while users browse.
The project documents support for Firefox and Chrome-based browsers. Its documentation warns that the Manifest V2 extension may be disabled in Chrome-based browsers. Mozilla lists Firefox for Android availability.
ClearURLs — What Sets It Apart?
These are the product-specific differences that may matter when deciding whether the software fits your workflow. They are based on documented evidence rather than a universal ranking.
- Its rule catalog targets URL cleaning and can be used alongside features such as clean-link copying and redirect cleanup.
- The project says the extension collects no usage data and has no analytics hooks.
6 key claims verifiedOur editorial team checked this profile against product documentation, vendor documentation. Supported by 4 documented sources.
ClearURLs Pros & Cons
Pros
- Automatically cleans known tracking elements from URLs.
- Provides multi-link cleaning and clean-link copying tools.
- The project says it collects no usage data and includes no analytics hooks.
- Mozilla lists Firefox for Android availability.
Cons
- The project warns that Chrome-based browsers may disable the Manifest V2 extension.
- Mozilla reviews report that URL cleaning can interfere with some website workflows.
- The latest listed extension release is dated February 5, 2025.
ClearURLs Gotchas & Operational Limits
These are documented constraints or practical friction points that may matter before you adopt the product.
The official Chrome-oriented build is based on Manifest V2.
The project warns that Chrome-based browsers may disable it until an official Manifest V3 version is available.
Evidence source ↗Security & Privacy
For security-sensitive software, TechZella focuses on documented architecture, authentication, data handling, deployment and privacy details that can affect a buying decision. This is product research, not an independent security audit.
Security posture at a glance
| Hosting | Browser extension; no hosted service is documented |
|---|---|
| Data collection | Project states it collects no usage data and includes no analytics hooks |
Security claims are presented only when supported by documented sources. The presence of this section does not constitute a penetration test, certification or independent security audit.
ClearURLs Pricing & Plans
Free
$0
one-time
Free browser extension. The project accepts voluntary donations; no paid plans or trial are listed.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
ClearURLs Features
URL cleaning
- Automatically removes known tracking elements from URLs
- Uses a catalog of URL-cleaning rules
- Includes a tool to clean multiple URLs
Link handling
- Provides a context-menu option to copy cleaned links
- Can redirect to destinations without some tracking services as intermediaries
Additional tracking controls
- Optional blocking of some common ad domains
- Blocks hyperlink auditing
- Lists controls for ETag tracking and history API tracking injection
Alternatives
uBlock Origin is a possible alternative for users already managing browser privacy through filter lists. Its documentation describes URL query-parameter removal through filter syntax, while ClearURLs provides a dedicated extension focused on cleaning URLs.
ClearURLs Specifications
| License | GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only |
|---|---|
| Platform | Firefox; Firefox for Android; Chrome-based browser compatibility is documented with a Manifest V2 warning |
| Hosting | Browser extension; no hosted service is documented |
| Data collection | Project states it collects no usage data and includes no analytics hooks |
| Remote connections | Rule and associated hash-file updates; default update address can be changed in settings |
| API | No public product API documented |
| Integrations | No native third-party integrations documented |
| Free trial | Not applicable; the extension is free |
Deployment & System Footprint
Verified installation, hosting, administration, or environment details that can affect implementation.
| Installation or hosting | Browser extension installed in Firefox or compatible browsers; it is not described as a hosted service. Source ↗ |
|---|---|
| Rules updates | The extension downloads its rule and associated hash files from project-configured remote addresses. The project says users can replace the default update address in settings. Source ↗ |
Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
7.8/10Moderate confidence
The feature assessment reflects documented URL cleaning and related tracking controls. Mozilla reviews show a positive aggregate rating, alongside reports of site-specific breakage. The latest listed extension release is dated February 5, 2025.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Editorial transparency
Our Review Methodology
Key claims are linked to the sources used to verify them. This evidence record is separate from third-party user ratings.
TechZella evaluates software using documented product capabilities, pricing information, usability and value considerations, independent user evidence where available, and competitive context. The assessment is an editorial review, not a hands-on test unless one is explicitly identified. Our editorial assessment is based on 4 documented sources.
What TechZella adds
- Its rule catalog targets URL cleaning and can be used alongside features such as clean-link copying and redirect cleanup.
- The project says the extension collects no usage data and has no analytics hooks.
Important limitations
- The official documentation warns that the Manifest V2 extension may be disabled in Chrome-based browsers as browser support changes.
- Mozilla's current review pages include reports of site-specific problems, including issues with some Google and Amazon workflows.
- The latest listed extension release is version 1.27.3, dated February 5, 2025.
Evidence-backed claimsClearURLs automatically removes known tracking elements from URLs. The extension includes a multi-URL cleaning tool and clean-link copying. The project says ClearURLs does not collect usage data or include analytics hooks. Mozilla lists ClearURLs as available for Firefox for Android. The latest listed extension version is 1.27.3, released February 5, 2025. The project warns that its Manifest V2 extension may be disabled in Chrome-based browsers.
The project documentation describes background URL cleaning using a catalog of rules.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05The official feature list describes a tool for cleaning multiple URLs and a context-menu entry for copying links cleanly.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05The repository privacy statement says it collects no usage data and has no home server or analytics hooks.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05The Mozilla Add-ons product listing identifies Firefox for Android availability.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05The Mozilla version history and GitHub release page identify version 1.27.3 and its release date.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05The official documentation notes the Manifest V2 dependency and says Firefox is not affected by the stated browser transition.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05Community feedback
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FAQ
Is ClearURLs free? Yes. It is available without a subscription, and the project accepts donations.
Does ClearURLs have a public API? The reviewed official materials do not document a public API for the extension.
Which platforms are listed? Mozilla lists Firefox and Firefox for Android. The project also describes compatibility with Chrome-based browsers, but warns that its Manifest V2 build may be disabled there.
Does it collect browsing or usage data? The project says it does not collect usage data and does not include analytics hooks. It says it connects remotely to update rule and hash files.
Is there a free trial? No trial is listed. The extension is free to use.