ChatGPTBox vs Dark Reader
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A browser extension that adds a ChatGPT-style chat box to web pages and search results.
Open source · MIT
Browser extension that automatically darkens web pages to reduce eyestrain.
The short answer
Choose ChatGPTBox if you need…
- People who want an AI chat panel available while browsing
- Readers who often summarize articles or videos
- Users who want to connect their own API endpoint in Custom Model mode
- Developers who want to use AI help on code pages such as GitHub
Choose Dark Reader if you need…
- People who browse a lot in low light and want darker pages without changing each site themselves
- Users of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari or Thunderbird who want one tool across browsers
- Web developers who want to offer a dark mode on their own site using the npm package or CDN build
- Users who want fine control over brightness, contrast and sepia on pages
Side-by-side
| ChatGPTBox | Dark Reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | App | App |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 10.8k | 22.6k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| How you get it | Use it in the browser (or self-host) | Use it in the browser (or self-host) |
| Main language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 5 days ago | 5 days ago |
What each one is
ChatGPTBox
ChatGPTBox is a browser extension that lets you call up an AI chat window on almost any web page with a keyboard shortcut. It can summarize pages, work on selected text (such as translating or explaining code), and appear beside search results or sites like GitHub and YouTube. It can connect to several AI services, including custom or self-hosted APIs.
Dark Reader
Dark Reader is a free, open-source browser extension that analyzes web pages and generates a dark color scheme for them. People use it to reduce eyestrain when browsing at night or in dim rooms. It is customizable through its interface and is also available as a JavaScript library for websites.
Best for
ChatGPTBox
- People who want an AI chat panel available while browsing
- Readers who often summarize articles or videos
- Users who want to connect their own API endpoint in Custom Model mode
- Developers who want to use AI help on code pages such as GitHub
Dark Reader
- People who browse a lot in low light and want darker pages without changing each site themselves
- Users of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari or Thunderbird who want one tool across browsers
- Web developers who want to offer a dark mode on their own site using the npm package or CDN build
- Users who want fine control over brightness, contrast and sepia on pages
Strengths
ChatGPTBox
- Works across Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari, per the README install links
- Many built-in integrations with sites and search engines, and features can be switched off
- The README states it does not transmit prompts or page content unless an AI feature is triggered, and points to code search for verifying network calls
Dark Reader
- Free, MIT-licensed and open source, with a large public following (about 22,500 stars on GitHub)
- Available across several browsers and as an npm package for websites
- Highly customizable and has a documented API for developers
Not ideal for
ChatGPTBox
- People who want a fully offline tool, since it sends prompts to a configured AI service when an AI feature is used
- Users who need guaranteed free access, because the README mentions a free Web API option but does not explain its limits
- Anyone needing a standalone desktop chat app rather than a browser add-on
Dark Reader
- People who need a guaranteed perfect dark theme on every site: the README describes it as aiming to reduce eyestrain, and site fixes are not automatically synced by default
- Firefox users who want it on restricted pages without lowering browser security settings, since the README asks them to change about:config and warns of a security risk
- Users looking for a system-wide dark mode for their whole operating system; the README only describes browser use
Trade-offs
ChatGPTBox
- Depends on an external AI service, so results and privacy depend on the service you configure
- The README is truncated and does not fully document setup for every AI provider
- Some listed features depend on which API you choose, such as Web API for free users
Dark Reader
- Some pages may not look right, and fixing them can require manual site-fix steps described in the README
- On some Firefox restricted pages, it needs extra browser settings changes that carry a security risk
- Automatic site-fix syncing is disabled by default, so users must enable it manually
Getting started
ChatGPTBox
Install from Chrome Web Store (link from README)
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chatgptbox/eobbhoofkanlmddnplfhnmkfbnlhpbboInstall from Firefox Add-ons (link from README)
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/chatgptbox/Dark Reader
Clone the repository to build from source
git clone https://github.com/darkreader/darkreaderFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between ChatGPTBox and Dark Reader?
ChatGPTBox: A browser extension that adds a ChatGPT-style chat box to web pages and search results. Dark Reader: Browser extension that automatically darkens web pages to reduce eyestrain. ChatGPTBox suits people who want an ai chat panel available while browsing, while Dark Reader suits people who browse a lot in low light and want darker pages without changing each site themselves.
Are ChatGPTBox and Dark Reader free?
ChatGPTBox: Free and open source. Dark Reader: Free and open source.
Is ChatGPTBox or Dark Reader more popular?
Dark Reader has more GitHub stars (22.6k) than ChatGPTBox (10.8k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to ChatGPTBox and Dark Reader?
Other options people compare them with include Refined GitHub, Saladict, Stylus.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.