5 Free Chrome Tools Making Millions—And You’re Missing Out!

No, not the stuff you put in your tea.

Honey is a browser extension that automatically applies coupon codes when you're shopping online. It’s like your personal discount detective. But how do they make money?

Honey earns a commission from retailers when you buy something using one of their coupon codes. That’s right, every time you save a few bucks, Honey earns a few too.

I have written a full breakdown of Honey’s success story. Check it

2. Grammarly

If you're like me and often second-guess whether it's "affect" or "effect," Grammarly has probably saved your life (and your emails). Grammarly offers a free version, but it also has a premium plan that includes more advanced writing suggestions.

Their real revenue comes from converting free users to premium subscribers, and let’s be honest who doesn’t want their emails to sound a bit more professional?

Also, they’ve partnered with businesses for enterprise versions, which adds to the profit pie.

3. LastPass

Passwords. We all have too many of them, and they’re all impossible to remember. LastPass solves this by saving and managing your passwords for you

The basic version is free, but if you want the luxury of syncing your passwords across devices or family accounts, you’ll need to pay for the premium version. LastPass makes money by offering premium and business plans that give users more flexibility and features.

You’ve probably seen Taboola without even realizing it—those "recommended for you" articles at the bottom of websites? Yep, that’s Taboola. The extension tracks your interests and suggests articles or ads based on them.

Companies pay Taboola for every click you make on those recommendations. So while you’re catching up on the “10 Things You Didn’t Know About Tesla,” Taboola’s cash register is ringing.

5. Rakuten

This extension gives you cash back for shopping at certain online stores. How? Rakuten partners with retailers and gets paid a commission for sending shoppers their way.

In return, Rakuten shares a portion of that commission with you as cashback. It’s like getting paid to shop—well, sort of. Rakuten earns millions through its partnerships with big-name retailers like Walmart and Amazon.

Their business model is kind of similar to Honey.

Most of these extensions use a combination of affiliate marketing, subscriptions, and advertising to bring in the big bucks. Whether it’s collecting a commission for driving sales, offering premium features, or displaying ads, the money flows in surprising ways. They don’t just offer value to us; they’re making bank behind the scenes.

And there you have it! Next time you install an extension thinking it’s just a helpful little tool, remember—there’s a good chance someone’s making serious cash from it. You’re not just adding convenience to your browsing experience; you're contributing to a business that’s thriving on those free downloads.

See you next Friday!!

Important Disclaimer: This newsletter is for information and educational purposes only, the above are not financial advice. We are not associated with any of the listings from above (unless mentioned otherwise). Do your own due diligence.