7 Chrome Extensions that Automate Boring Browsing Tasks

Working in today’s fast-paced world can be daunting. There is so much to do with so little time available. Thankfully, automation is fast becoming a solution available to everyone. Activities such as filling out forms and job registrations are no longer tedious. Complex activities like scouring the Internet for information are now automated, thanks to browser automation extensions!

If you are looking for ways to automate your daily repetitive browsing tasks, these Google Chrome extensions will automate your Web experience.

Also read: 9 Useful Automator Workflow to Improve Your Productivity in macOS

1. UI.Vision RPA – Multi-Purpose Desktop and Browser Automation

Formerly called Kantu, UI.Vision RPA combines the best of Kantu’s browser automation capabilities with the ability to automate desktop apps as well. This makes it one of the most powerful extensions for automating boring browsing tasks.

It is capable of interacting with almost all websites for better website automation. It supports sites with complex features like dialog boxes and frames. It also supports AJAX, JavaScript, and Flash. It can even do simple data mining! However, it does so much more by using three automation tools in one extension:

• Visual browser automation and UI testing – This is ideal for designers and developers. From testing layouts on different devices to recognizing various site elements, it’s perfect for automating browser testing.
• Visual desktop automation for Windows, Linux, and Mac – Much like website automation, use this tool to automate repetitive desktop tasks. Or, if you just need basic desktop automation for Windows, try AutoHotKey.
• Selenium IDE++ – This tool is often called the Swiss army knife of general purpose web automation. Run macros, automate filling out forms, and take screenshots.

It does have a learning curve if you’re new to browser automation, but it’s so useful that you’ll still love it.

Also read: The Truth Behind Private Browsing or Incognito Mode

2. ProKeys

Tired of typing out everything? What if you could create quick shortcuts to type an email address or entire phrase you use commonly? ProKeys lets you do just that. While it may take a little time to get everything set up, this browser automation and website automation extension helps reduce repetitive typing and annoying copy and paste.

Set up entire emails that populate by typing a single snippet. Or let Chrome handle math for you instantly. It’s a powerful extension that you’ll use again and again.

The best part is it’s completely free and you don’t have to even sign up. Once you get used to creating snippets, your fingers, wrist, and brain will thank you for giving them a much needed break from the mundane repetition.

Also read: 5 Mind Map Apps to Capture and Share Your Ideas

3. Chromium Browser Automation (CBA)

The Chromium Browser Automation is a simple extension for Chrome. It’s a full-featured automation tool that helps you avoid repetitive activities.

It helps you automate simple activities like filling out forms while still being complex enough to support scripting and injection.

Some of its major functions:

• Record: you can record activities you are currently carrying out on your web browser. Record in this sense does not mean a screen recording. It means that the extension stores all your interactions with the web page.
• Play: this feature allows you to “play” your recorded interactions. This means you will be able to fill out a form again, re-access your email or delete a bookmark with a simple click of a button!
• Injection: this is for the more advanced users – web developers. You can inject your scripts into a web page to see how it affects site performance. This is useful for debugging and app testing.

Due to its simple interface, the CBA is easy to use with little or no prior browser automation experience. If this is your first time attempting automation, you are good to go!

4. Universal Automation for Job Search

Unlike other browser automation tools that attempt to do everything, Universal Automation [no longer available] does one task and does it to perfection. The Universal Automation tool is a job-search tool designed to search for and apply to jobs.

It does this by searching through a difficult job board for available positions. It matches these jobs to your specialty and sends the application.

After sending these applications, it sends you the application ID and codes. This is to provide proof of your application to the job.

Once installed, click on the button located on your browser toolbar.

This brings you to a page that grants you the option to configure the extension for your use. Click on “Options.”

The next page contains a form that you only need to fill out once. Once you have completed the form, click “Save,” and you are good to go!

This is a job search and application tool, so tailor your expectations appropriately. It is an effective tool nonetheless and can save you tons of time and stress with job applications. The tool hasn’t been updated in a while, but it still works well for what it does.

Also read: 7 of the Best Chrome Extensions You Need to Try

5. iMacros

While not quite as popular as it once was, iMacros is still one of the top Chrome extensions for website automation. All you have to do is record a repetitious task, save it, and then play it whenever you need to redo the task. For instance, if you fill out lengthy forms on a regular basis, set up a macro, and then enjoy all your extra free time as iMacros takes care of it for you.

There are numerous uses for this browser automation extension. It can take some getting used to when you first start setting things up, but overall, it’s fairly easy to use. Try it on a few tasks to see just how useful it can be for work, school, and even casual browsing.

The free version is limited to 50 commands. The pro version (for Windows only) starts at $99 for a single license.

Also read: 11 Chrome Flags to Boost Your Browsing

6. Wildfire AI

Wildfire AI has become a popular alternative to iMacros (mentioned later in this post). It’s a seemingly simple website automation extension, but it’s great for beginners and experts alike.

All you have to do is start recording your actions and then press Stop when you’re done. Once a simulation is recorded, use the Workflow feature to quickly edit it the way you want. You’ll be able to run the simulation whenever you want.

The colorful workflow map makes it much easier to edit than many other similar extensions. It’s not quite as feature-rich as others, but if you just want to automate boring browsing tasks, this is a great place to start.

7. Katalon Recorder

The Katalon Recorder is an updated version for the obsolete Selenium IDE. It is a powerful automation tool focused on testing.

It also supports many popular programming languages, such as Java, C#, Ruby, Python, etc. It is useful for recording, replaying, debugging and displaying test results for Chrome.

Using this tool, you can interact with web elements. You can also record all the actions you have performed on a web app.

Creating and managing test cases are a breeze, and playing automated test cases takes a few simple clicks. It is also one of the fastest tools available for web automation.

Also read: How to Enable/Disable Google Chrome Print Preview Feature

Conclusion

Automating web activities is a necessary part of all web app development. Regardless of what you do online, there’s something these automation extensions can do for you.

Want to make your browsing experience even better? Pin extensions to the Chrome toolbar, fix scrolling issues, and get rid of those annoying ReCAPTCHA images too. You can also speed up your browsing experience.

Also read: 7 Microsoft To-Do Tips to Help You Get More Done