Website Technology Lookup: 5 Free Ways to Check Any Site's Tech Stack
Want to know if a site runs WordPress, uses HubSpot, or has Shopify installed? Here are 5 free ways to look it up.
Fastest method (30 seconds)
- Install the Wappalyzer extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge (free)
- Visit any website
- Click the Wappalyzer icon in your toolbar
You'll see a full breakdown of CMS, analytics, frameworks, hosting, payment tools, and more. That's it.
Need more options or a bulk approach? Keep reading.
All 5 methods compared
| Tool | Type | Free Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wappalyzer | Browser extension + web | Free extension, 50 lookups/mo | Quick individual site lookups |
| BuiltWith | Web tool + API | Free for single lookups | Bulk lookups and lead lists |
| Chrome DevTools | Built into Chrome | Fully free | Manual deep inspection |
| SimilarTech | Web tool | Limited free lookups | Technology market share data |
| WhatRuns | Browser extension | Free | Simple, lightweight detection |
1. Wappalyzer
Best for: Quick, accurate detection on any site you visit
The most popular technology lookup tool. Install the browser extension, visit any website, click the icon. CMS, e-commerce platform, analytics, marketing tools, frameworks, CDN, hosting, all listed instantly.
- Detects 1,700+ technologies across 90+ categories
- Browser extension is free
- Web lookup tool and API available for bulk queries
- Paid plans start at $99/mo for lead lists and alerts
2. BuiltWith
Best for: Finding all websites that use a specific technology
BuiltWith works both ways: look up what tech a site uses, or search for all sites using a specific technology. The second use case is powerful for prospecting. Want to find all Shopify stores in the US with over 10,000 monthly visits? BuiltWith can do that.
- Individual site lookups are free
- Technology market share data and trends
- Export lead lists of sites using specific technologies
- Paid plans from $295/mo for full data access
3. Chrome DevTools
Best for: Manual deep inspection (fully free, no install needed)
Right-click any page, select "Inspect", and you can identify technologies manually. This is free and requires no extensions, but takes more time and knowledge.
Where to look:
- Sources tab: JavaScript libraries and frameworks loaded on the page
- Network tab: Third-party services called (analytics, CDN, payment processors)
- Elements tab: Meta tags, generator tags (e.g.,
<meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.5">) - Console: Type
window.Shopify,window.ga, orwindow.__NEXT_DATA__to detect specific platforms
You found a prospect's website. You want to check their CMS before pitching a guest post. What's the fastest free approach?
Right! For single-site lookups while browsing, Wappalyzer's extension is the fastest. One click and you see everything.
All three work, but for speed on a single site, Wappalyzer's browser extension wins. You're already on the site, just click the icon. No extra tabs or manual inspection needed.
4. SimilarTech
Best for: Technology market share data and competitive analysis
SimilarTech focuses on technology trends and market share: which technologies are growing, which are declining, and how adoption compares across industries.
- Technology adoption trends over time
- Market share comparisons
- Limited free lookups per month
- API available for integration
5. WhatRuns
Best for: Lightweight, simple alternative to Wappalyzer
WhatRuns is a browser extension that does one thing well: shows you the technologies on any site you visit. Not as thorough as Wappalyzer, but lighter and faster if you just need quick checks.
- Free browser extension (Chrome, Firefox)
- Clean, simple interface
- Detects CMS, frameworks, analytics, CDN, fonts
- No account required
You want to find all websites in the US that use Shopify and have significant traffic. Which tool lets you do that?
Correct! BuiltWith's reverse lookup lets you find all websites using a specific technology and filter by country, traffic, and other criteria.
BuiltWith is the right choice here. While Wappalyzer and DevTools check individual sites, BuiltWith lets you search for all sites using a specific technology and export the results as a lead list.
Why technology lookup matters for outreach
Technology data (also called technographics) is one of the most useful filters for outreach targeting.
| Use case | How it helps | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Qualify prospects | WordPress sites are more likely to have active blogs worth pitching | Filter for WordPress before link insertion outreach |
| Personalize outreach | Reference tools they use to show you've done your research | "I noticed you use HubSpot for marketing..." |
| Build competitor lists | Find all sites using a competitor's product | All Mailchimp users if you sell email software |
| Prioritize targets | Sites with analytics and marketing tools care more about SEO | GA + HubSpot = likely receptive to backlink pitches |
You want to check what CMS a single website uses, right now, without installing anything. What's the fastest method?
Right! Chrome DevTools is already built in. Check the Elements tab for <meta name="generator"> tags, or type window.Shopify or window.wp in the Console.
Chrome DevTools requires no installation. Right-click the page, select Inspect, and look for technology fingerprints in the HTML or try known JavaScript objects in the Console.
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Start Getting Mentioned For $99/moFrequently asked questions
How can I find out what technology a website uses?
The easiest way is Wappalyzer's free browser extension. Install it, visit any website, and click the icon for a full tech breakdown. For no-install checks, use Chrome DevTools to inspect meta tags and JavaScript objects.
Is Wappalyzer free?
Yes. The browser extension is free and detects technologies on any site you visit. Paid plans ($99/mo+) add bulk lookups, lead lists, and API access.
What is technographic data?
Technographic data is information about the technologies a company uses: CMS, analytics, email tools, payment processors, hosting, etc. Sales and marketing teams use it to qualify and target prospects.
Can I look up technologies in bulk?
Yes. BuiltWith, Wappalyzer, and SimilarTech all offer bulk lookups on paid plans. BuiltWith also lets you search for all websites using a specific technology and export the results.