Is Reader Mode Safe? — Extension Safety Profile
Quick verdict: Reader Mode earns a safety grade B, 70.4 out of 100, based on 5 of 5 dimensions.
70.4/100
Grade B · 5 of 5 checks
What we found
Automated safety profile from public signals (the extension's manifest & permissions, store listing, publisher, privacy policy). A full review hasn't been published yet.
What this safety grade means
Reader Mode earns a safety grade of B (70.4/100), measured across 5 of 5 dimensions. Its strongest area is Data & Privacy (100%). The weakest is Permissions & Access (52%) — what holds its grade back the most.
On the public records we can check, Reader Mode looks broadly trustworthy. 100,000 active users/installs reported on the store. Store rating 3.1/5 from 186 user ratings. Last updated on the store 2025-11-29. This is an automated profile, not a hands-on review — so treat the grade as a starting point: open Reader Mode's own store listing and privacy policy before installing, and weigh it against the other reading mode & display extensions we track below.
Safety Signals
Based on 5 of 5 safety dimensions
| Dimension | Score | Bar | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publisher & Identity | 60% · 4.8/8 pts 2 of 5 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Permissions & Access | 52% · 12.9/25 pts 3 of 3 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Data & Privacy | 100% · 16/16 pts 4 of 5 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Maintenance & Ownership | 85% · 6.4/7.5 pts 1 of 2 checks verified | Automated signals | |
| Community Reputation | 68% · 6.8/10 pts 2 of 4 checks verified | Automated signals |
In-depth safety analysis
The extension requests far-reaching permissions: host access, scripting, and tabs, which together allow it to read and modify any website you visit, track your browsing across pages, and inject code without a direct click each time. While a reading mode tool may need to reformat page content to strip clutter, this scope is broader than extensions that limit themselves to activeTab activation, and it can technically see all your browsing content. The low Permissions & Access score (52%) reflects this expansive access.
Reading mode and display tools often alter how sites render, which can affect ad displays, affiliate links, or page functionality. A careful user should check whether such an extension might inject its own ads, collect browsing history, or share data. The developer’s declared privacy practices are positive — stating data is not sold or used for unrelated purposes — earning the highest Data & Privacy dimension score. However, these declarations rely on trust and can’t be independently verified by the store listing.
The fact sheet shows a strong Data & Privacy dimension and a low community rating (3.1/5), while the Permissions & Access dimension remains the weakest point. Considering alternatives that restrict access to only the active tab on click could reduce exposure, but the current permission set is something a user should accept only if they trust the publisher fully.
AI-assisted analysis of the documented signals above (permissions, store data, privacy practices) — explains what they mean and the risks typical for this category. Not a hands-on test.
What the store listing shows
Who's Behind Reader Mode?
- Publisher readermode.io
Public records identify the publisher, but no individual founders or a separate registered company are named — which is what holds the Publisher & Identity score back. Less public information about who operates an extension means less you can verify about their long-term accountability.
How it compares
Among the 6 Reading Mode & Display extensions we track, Reader Mode scores higher on safety than 33% of them.
Computed from our own database of assessed Reading Mode & Display extensions — updated as we track more.
Evidence on File (12)
Reader Mode FAQ
- Is Reader Mode safe?
- Reader Mode earns a safety grade of B (70.4/100) on our evidence-based assessment, based on 5 of 5 safety dimensions we could verify from public records. This is an automated profile built from public records, not a hands-on review.
- Who is behind Reader Mode?
- Reader Mode is operated by readermode.io.
Alternatives we track
Browse all browser extensions we've checked → · Best Reading Mode & Display extensions