Add to Chrome
SafariHow they compare
Hover-on-element info is one capability inside Design Mode (the inspector overlay). The broader product adds editing, exports, and MCP.
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Design Mode | Hover Inspector |
|---|---|---|
| Visual editing on a scriptable webpage | Yes — typography, colour, layout, spacing, motion and effects on localhost, staging or production pages the extension can script. Browser-protected pages are excluded. | Hover info only |
| MCP (Model Context Protocol) handoff to AI agents | Yes — Cloud, Local, and Self-hosted modes; eight common session tools, plus Local feedback rounds | No |
| Persistent change history (Changes tab) | Yes — searchable, filterable, exportable | None |
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | Proprietary |
| Price | Free MIT-licensed extension | Free |
| Markdown / JSON export of the diff | Yes | None |
| Best fit for | Designers, developers, QA, PMs, content, indie hackers, agencies, vibe coders | Casual inspection |
When to pick Design Mode
- You need to make changes, not just see info.
When to pick Hover Inspector
- You only need a hover tooltip and nothing else.
Honest take
If hover info is all you need, the small footprint of those extensions wins. Otherwise, Design Mode includes that capability among many.