WhatRuns

What WhatRuns is

WhatRuns is a free browser extension that identifies technologies used on websites. It can show website apps, CDNs, visitor tracking, WordPress plugins and fonts. The extension is available for Firefox and Chrome, alongside a web platform. WhatRuns says its proprietary pattern recognition can detect newer technologies and that it adds between 50 and 100 web apps each day. Users can follow websites and get notifications when a technology starts or stops being used. The maker describes competitor analysis, sales intelligence and website profiling as possible uses. The extension costs nothing and does not require sign-up. Its privacy policy says detection may involve public source code snippets and resources, as well as timestamps and diagnostic information. The maker says extension data is anonymised and aggregated before analysis or sharing, and is not linked to identifiable users or personal browsing histories. Listed security measures include SSL/TLS encryption, access controls, secure authentication, monitoring and vulnerability assessments. Detection can produce false positives or negatives, so the maker says results should be treated as a reference rather than definitive proof.

Who it suits

WhatRuns may suit people profiling websites or looking at technologies for competitor analysis and sales intelligence. It is available to Firefox and Chrome users, with a web platform also listed.

Limits

The extension is free, with no sign-up required. Historical technology data is not available, and detection may be inaccurate, so results are a reference rather than definitive proof.

Getting started

1. Visit the WhatRuns website.
2. Choose the Firefox or Chrome extension from the downloads page.
3. Install the extension in your browser.
4. Use the web platform if you prefer that option.
5. Follow websites to receive technology-change notifications.

Verdict

WhatRuns can help identify technologies on a website and alert users to changes. Treat its findings as a reference, since detection is not definitive.