{"id":48136,"date":"2023-04-12T16:33:47","date_gmt":"2023-04-12T16:33:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/glosario-digital\/add-on"},"modified":"2026-09-27T00:04:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T00:04:08","slug":"add-on","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/add-on","title":{"rendered":"Add-On"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-80663 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/add-on-glosario-600.jpg\" alt=\"Add-on that extends the features of a software application\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/add-on-glosario-600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/add-on-glosario-600-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/add-on-glosario-600-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/add-on-glosario-600-360x360.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><strong>Definition:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An <strong>add-on<\/strong> is a software component that extends the features of a main application without replacing it. It is installed or enabled within a compatible program to provide a capability that is not part of the basic setup. The forms addon and add on also appear in searches and product catalogues, although add-on is the standard spelling when the term functions as a noun or modifier.<\/p>\n<p>The component <strong>depends on its host program<\/strong> to run. For example, a browser add-on may block ads, manage passwords or capture content, but it does not operate as an independent application. Its usefulness, compatibility and permissions are determined by the platform with which it integrates.<\/p>\n\n<h2>How an add-on works<\/h2>\n<p>An add-on connects to an application through the mechanisms that the application provides for extending its behaviour. The integration may use an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/api\">API<\/a>, an extension system or vendor-specific interfaces. This allows the component to access selected functions or data without directly modifying the program&#8217;s core.<\/p>\n<p>The usual process includes several steps:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Installation:<\/strong> the user obtains the add-on from an official store, a repository or the developer&#8217;s website.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Authorisation:<\/strong> the application displays the permissions that the component needs in order to work.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Integration:<\/strong> the host program loads the add-on and makes its options available in the interface.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Updates:<\/strong> the component receives new versions to maintain compatibility, fix errors or add features.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>An add-on may stop working if the architecture of the host application changes or if its developer ends maintenance. Therefore, <strong>compatibility with the installed version<\/strong> is an essential consideration before using it.<\/p>\n<h2>Add-ons, extensions and plugins<\/h2>\n<p>The terms add-on, extension and plugin are often used interchangeably, but <strong>their precise meaning depends on the ecosystem<\/strong>. Add-on is a general name for an added component; extension often refers to an enhancement distributed through an application&#8217;s official system; and plugin is frequently used for a module that connects to a specific architecture.<\/p>\n<p>These words do not define universal, mutually exclusive categories. The same product may be called an add-on in general documentation, an extension in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/browser\">web browser<\/a> store and a plugin on another platform. The important points are <strong>which application runs it, what it adds and which permissions it requires<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Types of add-ons<\/h2>\n<p>Add-ons can be grouped by the need they address and the program with which they integrate. Common types include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Productivity:<\/strong> task managers, templates, shortcuts or writing tools.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Privacy and security:<\/strong> components that block trackers, manage credentials or warn about potentially dangerous sites.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Design and editing:<\/strong> filters, graphic assets, export formats or automation features.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Development:<\/strong> tools for debugging, version control, testing or code analysis.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Communication:<\/strong> integrations that connect calendars, email, video calls or messaging services with other applications.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accessibility:<\/strong> screen reading, visual adjustments, dictation or other interaction aids.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Browser components are among the best-known examples, but add-ons also exist for office suites, editors, content management systems and many other tools. Every add-on needs a <strong>compatible host environment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Examples of add-ons<\/h2>\n<p>A common example is an ad blocker installed in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/google-chrome\">Google Chrome<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/firefox\">Firefox<\/a>. Reference managers for word processors, connectors that import data into a spreadsheet and modules that add file formats to a media editor are also add-ons.<\/p>\n<p>On an ecommerce platform, a component may integrate a payment method or shipping company. In a development environment, it may add support for a programming language or review tool. These examples follow the same principle: they <strong>extend an existing application to address a specific need<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>Add-on compatibility<\/h2>\n<p>Compatibility depends on the version of the host program, the operating system and the interfaces available. The developer, date of the latest update, documentation and version history indicate <strong>whether the add-on is maintained and which versions it supports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Permissions define the data and functions that a component can access. Some add-ons only change the interface, while others can read visited pages, modify files or access personal information. The relationship between those capabilities and the stated function determines the <strong>effective scope of the add-on<\/strong>. Official catalogues centralise distribution and updates, but they do not remove the need to review permissions.<\/p>\n<p>Every add-on introduces code into the host environment and may consume resources, cause conflicts or increase exposure to vulnerabilities and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/malware\">malware<\/a>. The application may allow it to be enabled, disabled or removed separately, making it possible to <strong>manage components without reinstalling the main program<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What an add-on is, how it works and how it differs from an extension or plugin. Types, examples, compatibility requirements and permissions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":80665,"template":"","encyclopedia-tag":[1277],"class_list":["post-48136","encyclopedia","type-encyclopedia","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","encyclopedia-tag-web-components"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia\/48136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/encyclopedia"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80665"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"encyclopedia-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/encyclopedia-tag?post=48136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}