Safari is the preferred browser for many Apple users as it improves their device's performance. However, compared to Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, Safari feels a bit bare-bones in terms of features. Fortunately, third-party extensions can add a lot of functionality to the browser.

These extensions allow you to customize Safari, and the ones we're looking at are powerful tools that can help you increase your productivity. You can use them to save time, automate tasks, and increase efficiency.

1. Notion Web Clipper

Notion, one of the best productivity apps for Mac, also has a browser extension called "Web Clipper." Its operation is similar to Safari's Reading List, but it saves the web page to Notion instead of in the browser.

After installing, you can click Notion's icon (N) in the top-right corner, and a dialog will ask you for details to save the page. You can change the title, select the location to which you want to save it, and even create a new database for all your important links.

Once you save the link, you can launch Notion from the extension and view the page in the app. You can organize all your links from here and save them into pre-existing folders. This is a must-have if you regularly use Notion to conduct research and need to reference different articles.

Download: Notion Web Clipper (Free)

2. Master for YouTube

Google often likes to add and remove features, as is evident with its redesign of the YouTube app in 2022. The Master for Youtube Safari extension solves this issue by bringing back certain features. For example, you can't sort videos by "oldest" anymore, but this extension adds that option to the site.

It also hides videos and content in a better way, considering they never appear on your homepage again. The extension also allows you to darken the background, expand the video player, block ads, or even hide comments. Another interesting feature is that it allows you to control the volume using the mouse's scroll wheel.

Download: Master for Youtube (Free)

3. Awesome Screenshot & Recorder

Awesome Screenshot & Recorder takes taking screenshots in macOS to the next level and helps you manage your team better. It does so by not only letting you take regular screenshots but also allowing you to record your screen, with the option to record yourself with the webcam as well.

The screenshots or screen recordings you take can instantly be uploaded to the cloud or saved locally on your Mac. You can also select what section of the screen you want to capture, screenshot the entire screen, and access all images/videos from the Safari extension itself.

Awesome Screenshot also features helpful annotation tools and allows you to batch-edit multiple screenshots in one go. You can view these screenshots and recordings through the extension and share them via third-party apps such as Slack, Google Drive, Dropbox, and more.

Download: Awesome Screenshot & Recorder (Free)

4. 1Password

1Password is a password manager that can generate and store all your passwords in one place. It is available on almost every browser, and you can even download it to your iPhone or iPad. You can sync your passwords across your devices, making it easy to log in wherever you are.

Apart from storing and creating unique passwords, it also allows you to share login information with others, sign in via Touch ID or Face ID, and enable two-factor authentication on accounts that support it. It even allows you to store your crypto credentials.

In the case of a data leak, the extension will notify you if your information is compromised. 1Password will also soon add support for passkeys. It's an excellent extension that integrates with Safari and saves you a lot of time by auto-filling your login information on various sites.

Download: 1Password (Subscription required, free trial available)

5. DuckDuckGo Privacy

DuckDuckGo Privacy might be the best Safari extension for protecting your privacy and making sure your online experience is secure. This extension integrates with Safari across all of your Apple devices while keeping the settings in sync.

It is packed with privacy and security tools that can block cookies, track third-party requests and remove unnecessary pop-ups from almost every website on the web. The extension's simple interface will let you know if the connection is encrypted, and if any trackers or third-party requests were found.

On top of that, the DuckDuckGo Privacy extension grades every website you visit, and you can click the extension to see an explanation for this score. It tells you if a website uses poor privacy practices and also explains why it may not be safe for you. So, you can quickly bounce off sites that are a threat to you, saving lots of time as a result.

The extension is also available for the mobile version of Safari on iPhones. Since the settings are synced across devices, it makes sure that you are getting the same features on every platform.

Download: DuckDuckGo Privacy (Free, subscription available)

6. Grammarly

Grammarly is a professional proofreading and spell-checking tool. It helps you monitor grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and cohesiveness. Besides checking simple typing mistakes, Grammarly will often suggest rephrasing sentences for better readability. All of this makes editing content faster and saves you the time spent on proofreading, in turn making you more productive.

Another great feature is that it can show you definitions and synonyms for a word if you double-click it. There's a premium version of the extension that helps you improve your vocabulary, detect plagiarism, and even cite sources where needed.

The best part is that while the premium features are great, the free tools do enough to help you write better. Grammarly also tells you what sort of tone you are writing in, and that feature is free as well.

The tool is available as an extension for Safari and works with WordPress, Google Docs, and other online writing tools. You can also use Grammarly on your iPhone or iPad.

Download: Grammarly (Free, subscription available)

7. Instapaper Save

Instapaper is one of the best read-it-later apps that allows you to save any content on the web and view it later. This could include podcasts, videos, or simple articles on the web like the one you're reading right now. You can categorize any content you save into different folders, making it easy to compile several reading lists.

Instapaper is available for Safari and other browsers and even works on mobile devices. It's a better alternative to Apple's Reading Lists since you also get Android and Windows support. The reading interface is simple and blocks out any ads you would see on a traditional web page.

This extension also provides a curated list of suggested reading material based on your saves. It's an excellent tool for anyone who spends a lot of time researching stuff online.

Download: Instapaper Save (Free, subscription available)

Turn Safari Into a Productivity Powerhouse With These Extensions

While Safari is a decent browser in its own right, using these extensions will allow you to turn it into something much more powerful. There's no need to sit around and wait for Apple to add new features, as these extensions do that on their own.

These extensions show us exactly why software is important. As you can see, they help you collaborate with a team, capture screenshots, or organize your daily tasks in the form of a digital to-do list.