How to Monetize Firefox and Edge Extensions: Complete Guide 2025

💰 How to Monetize Firefox and Edge Extensions in 2025

Looking to monetize your Firefox or Microsoft Edge extension? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about generating sustainable income from your browser extensions.

🎯 Why Firefox and Edge Extensions?

Firefox has 200+ million active users
Edge has 200+ million active users
Less competition than Chrome Web Store
Higher user retention rates
Growing markets with opportunities

💡 Monetization Methods for Browser Extensions

Mellowtel offers a unique monetization approach:

Users opt-in to share unused bandwidth
Transparent and open-source
No user data collection
Users are always in control and can opt-in and out at any time
Steady passive income
Easy implementation

Implementation Steps:

import Mellowtel from "mellowtel";

let mellowtel = new Mellowtel("<PUBLIC_KEY>");

(async function() {
  await mellowtel.initBackground();
})();

// Show a disclaimer/message to the end-user and if they
// agree to join the network, call these methods:
await mellowtel.optIn();
await mellowtel.start();

// You need to call these methods just the first time.
// After the user has agreed to join, Mellowtel will
// automatically start at every browser session unless
// you explicitly decide not to (or the user opts out)

2. Freemium Model

Offer basic features free
Premium features for subscribers
Implementation examples for both browsers
Pricing strategies

3. Donations and Open Source

GitHub Sponsors integration
Open Collective setup
Transparent funding model
Community building

🔧 Technical Implementation Guide

Firefox Extension Setup

First, install Mellowtel:

npm install mellowtel

Manifest V2 Configuration:

{
  "manifest_version": 2,
  "permissions": [
    "storage",
    "<all_urls>",
    "declarativeNetRequestWithHostAccess"
  ],
  "background": {
    "scripts": ["background.js"],
    "persistent": true
  },
  "content_scripts": [
    {
      "matches": ["<all_urls>"],
      "js": ["content_start_mellowtel.js"],
      "run_at": "document_start",
      "all_frames": true
    }
  ],
  "browser_action": {
    "default_popup": "popup.html"
  }
}

Manifest V3 Configuration:

{
  "manifest_version": 3,
  "permissions": [
    "storage",
    "declarativeNetRequestWithHostAccess"
  ],
  "host_permissions": [
    "<all_urls>"
  ],
  "background": {
    "scripts": ["background.js"],
    "type": "module"
  },
  "content_scripts": [
    {
      "matches": ["<all_urls>"],
      "js": ["content_start_mellowtel.js"],
      "run_at": "document_start",
      "all_frames": true
    }
  ],
  "action": {
    "default_popup": "popup.html"
  }
}

Background Script (background.js):

import Mellowtel from "mellowtel";

let mellowtel;

(async () => {
    mellowtel = new Mellowtel("<your_configuration_key>");
    await mellowtel.initBackground();
})();

browser.runtime.onInstalled.addListener(async function(details) {
    console.log("Extension Installed or Updated");
    await mellowtel.generateAndOpenOptInLink();
});

Content Script (content_start_mellowtel.js):

import Mellowtel from "mellowtel";

(async () => {
    const mellowtel = new Mellowtel("<your_configuration_key>");
    await mellowtel.initContentScript();
})();

Create popup.html:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>Mellowtel Settings</title>
</head>
<body>
  <h1>Mellowtel Settings</h1>
  <button id="openSettings">Open Mellowtel Settings</button>
  <script src="popup.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

Create popup.js:

import Mellowtel from "mellowtel";

const mellowtel = new Mellowtel("<your_configuration_key>");

async function openSettings() {
    try {
        const settingsLink = await mellowtel.generateSettingsLink();
        browser.tabs.create({ url: settingsLink });
    } catch (error) {
        console.error("Error generating settings link:", error);
    }
}

document.getElementById('openSettings').addEventListener('click', openSettings);

Edge Extension Setup

For Edge extensions, follow the official Mellowtel quickstart guide. Here's what you'll need:

First, install Mellowtel:

npm install mellowtel

Manifest Setup:

{
  "permissions": [
    "storage",
    "declarativeNetRequest"
  ],
  "host_permissions": [
    "<all_urls>"
  ]
}

Service Worker Setup (background.js):

import Mellowtel from "mellowtel";

let mellowtel;

(async () => {
    mellowtel = new Mellowtel("<configuration_key>"); // Replace with your configuration key
    await mellowtel.initBackground();
})();

// Handle installation and updates
chrome.runtime.onInstalled.addListener(async function(details) {
    console.log("Extension Installed or Updated");
    await mellowtel.generateAndOpenOptInLink();
});

Content Script Setup:

Create a new content script (e.g., content_start_mellowtel.js):

import Mellowtel from "mellowtel";

(async () => {
    const mellowtel = new Mellowtel("<configuration_key>"); // Replace with your configuration key
    await mellowtel.initContentScript();
})();

Add to your manifest.json:

{
  "content_scripts": [
    {
      "matches": ["<all_urls>"],
      "js": ["content_start_mellowtel.js"],
      "run_at": "document_start",
      "all_frames": true
    }
  ]
}

Settings Integration:

Add a settings button to your extension's popup or options page:

async function openSettings() {
    try {
        const settingsLink = await mellowtel.generateSettingsLink();
        chrome.tabs.create({ url: settingsLink });
    } catch (error) {
        console.error("Error generating settings link:", error);
    }
}

⚠️ Important Notes:

Your extension must use Manifest V3
Your code should be organized using a bundler (Webpack, Rollup, etc.)
Users must explicitly opt-in to the service
Always provide easy access to settings for opt-in/opt-out control

For detailed implementation steps and best practices, visit the Mellowtel Documentation.

📊 Income Potential

Real examples from our developers:

Firefox extension with 5,000 users: $250/month
Edge extension with 10,000 users: $500/month
Combined with premium features: $1,000+/month

🎯 Marketing Your Extension

Firefox Add-ons Marketplace
- Optimization tips
- Featured listings
- User reviews
Microsoft Edge Add-ons
- Store optimization
- Microsoft rewards integration
- Enterprise distribution

⚖️ Legal Considerations

Privacy policies
Terms of service
GDPR compliance
Data handling

🔒 Security Best Practices

Code signing
API security
User data protection
Regular security audits

📈 Growth Strategies

Cross-browser Development
- Code sharing
- Feature parity
- Maintenance tips
User Acquisition
- Store optimization
- Content marketing
- Social media presence
User Retention
- Regular updates
- Community engagement
- Support channels

❓ FAQs

Q: Is bandwidth sharing safe for users? A: Yes, Mellowtel's bandwidth sharing is completely opt-in, transparent, and uses minimal resources. Users can disable or opt-out at anytime.

Q: How does payment work? A: Developers receive earning for all requests handled by users that want to support them. THey can withdraw at any moment with no minimum threshold. Payments are made via PayPal or bank transfer.

Q: What's the minimum user base needed? A: You can start monetizing with any number of user. Usually you start seeing meaningful income with a 1000+ active users

🎯 Next Steps

Sign up for Mellowtel
Implement the SDK
Test thoroughly
Deploy to stores
Monitor and optimize

🔗 Useful Resources

💡 Final Thoughts

The Firefox and Edge extension markets offer excellent opportunities for developers. With the right monetization strategy and tools like Mellowtel, you can build a sustainable income stream while providing value to users.

Ready to start monetizing your extension? Sign up for Mellowtel today!