Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Browse like it's 1981

Browse like it's 1981 is a Chrome extension that changes how the web appears in your browser. Launched in 2015, it reimagines modern websites with a retro aesthetic reminiscent of early 1980s computing interfaces. The… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Browse like it's 1981 launched in 2015; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Reflect New Tab for Chrome ▲394

   Open new browser tabs to a dashboard of customizable widgets

   2024 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →

2. 2
   New Google Chrome▲560

   New look and big update for their 10th birthday 🎂

   2018 · blog.google · its alternatives →

3. 3
   I made a Chrome extension to stop mindless browsing▲519

   Build the habit of focus.

   2020 · getintention.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Browsh – A modern, text-based browser▲967

   A fully interactive, realtime and modern browser rendered to TTY

   2018 · brow.sh · its alternatives →

5. 5
   History Search▲409

   Your filesystem for the web

   2018 · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Browservice – Browse the modern web on historical browsers▲193

   [UNMAINTAINED] Browservice: Browse the modern web on historical browsers - ttalvitie/browservice

   2020 · github.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Abstract Browsing▲67

   Chrome extension that transforms websites into geometric art

   2015 · abstractbrowsing.net · its alternatives →

8. 8
   RaterFox for Chrome 2.0▲99

   The must-have Chrome extension for movie hunters

   2018 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Browsee Analytics for Chrome▲78

   Chrome Extension for easy lookup of your website's sessions

   2020 · browsee.io · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Mentionitis▲98

    Read better, research better, browse better

    2023 · mentionitis.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Good Old PH 2017▲157

    Chrome extension going back to the old Product Hunt layout

    2017 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    VisualPing for Chrome▲77

    New Chrome extension to monitor a website/area of a website

    2014 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Chrome Extension to view any files in your browser▲45

    2016 · chrome.google.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Socially Browse Chrome Extension▲88

    Comment and rate any website without leaving the page

    2020 · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Netflix Classic▲114

    A chrome extension to fix the Netflix online experience

    2018 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    #TIL Chrome New Tab▲69

    Learn something new in every tab

    2019 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    A Chrome extension to burst your filter bubble▲26

    2020 · chrome.google.com · its alternatives →

18. 18LR
    Lookmark, read what your friends are reading (for Chrome)▲27

    2012 · lookmark.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Better Browse for Netflix▲133

    Explore secret categories on Netflix

    2018 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →

20. 20WB
    We built a Chrome extension to use J/K to navigate popular sites▲40

    2012 · jknavigator.org · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Tab▲112

    Chrome extension that finds you a date with each new tab

    2015 · ablaze.dating · its alternatives →

22. 22MF
    My first chrome extension based on an HN thread.▲34

    2011 · halfaclick.blogspot.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    SiteSee Chrome Extension▲66

    A wallpaper-like gallery of beautiful websites

    2016 · chromewebstore.google.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    #ChromeSelfie▲74

    Frontback for Chrome. Sort of.

    2015 · chrome.googleblog.com · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →