ClearURLs review
A free, open-source extension for cleaning tracking elements from links.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ClearURLs is a free, open-source browser extension for people who want known tracking elements removed from URLs as they browse. It is aimed at individuals and small teams who prefer a focused link-cleaning tool over a broader privacy suite. The extension also offers a context-menu option to copy cleaned links, a built-in tool for processing multiple URLs, and support for Firefox for Android.
Its feature set extends beyond trimming query parameters. ClearURLs can skip known tracking redirects when possible, block hyperlink auditing (ping tracking), and prevent tracking parameters from being injected through the History API. It can optionally block some common advertising domains. For search links, it prevents Google and Yandex from rewriting result URLs with tracking elements. This makes it useful for people who regularly share or inspect links, though the redirect and domain-blocking capabilities are specifically scoped rather than a promise to stop all tracking.
ClearURLs is free and open source, with community support. It is available for Firefox, including Firefox for Android, and the project describes support for some Chrome-based browsers; browser coverage is therefore narrower than a broadly verified multi-browser offering. Choose it if URL cleanup and link handling are the main priorities and its browser support matches your setup. If you need wider confirmed browser coverage, direct support, or a more comprehensive blocker, another extension may be a better fit.
ClearURLs pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Automatically removes known tracking parameters while browsing
- Can skip known tracking redirects and block hyperlink auditing
- Includes batch URL cleaning and search-link rewriting
- Where it doesn't
- Verified browser coverage is limited to Firefox and some Chrome-based browsers
- Some tracking redirects may not be skipped
- Community support may not suit users needing direct assistance
ClearURLs fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update