What Do These Extensions Do?
Both UltraWideo and Zoom Video aim to remove black bars from videos on ultrawide monitors. They adjust the video to fill your screen for a better viewing experience.
But one of these extensions has a clean track record, and the other has been flagged on a known malicious extensions list.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Store
| Attribute | UltraWideo | Zoom Video |
|---|---|---|
| Active Users | 80,000+ | ~400,000 |
| Average Rating | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| Chrome | ||
| Firefox | ||
| Last Updated (Chrome) | 4 months ago | 5 months ago |
| Pricing | Freemium | Free |
Functionality
| Attribute | UltraWideo | Zoom Video |
|---|---|---|
| Fill / Stretch / Custom Modes | ||
| Scale & Pan Controls | ||
| Works Everywhere | ||
| Works in Fullscreen | ||
| Works Inline | ||
| Per-Host Settings | Pro | |
| Per-Path Settings | Pro | |
| Letterbox Crop (baked-in black bars) | Pro | |
| Ambient Light Effect | Pro | |
| Video Sharpening (Enhance) | Pro | |
| AI Voice Control | Pro | |
| Mode Manager | Pro | |
| Auto-Hide Trigger | Pro | |
| X/Y Mirror Controls | ||
| Cross-Browser Sync | Pro | |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | ||
| Scroll & Pinch Gestures |
Interface
| Attribute | UltraWideo | Zoom Video |
|---|---|---|
| Floating In-Page Panel | ||
| Draggable Panel Position | ||
| Clean, Minimal Design | ||
| Dark & Light Mode | ||
| Accent Color Customization | 16 colors | |
| Smooth Animations |
Accessibility
| Attribute | UltraWideo | Zoom Video |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard Navigation | ||
| Screen Reader Support | ||
| Multiple Languages | 40+ languages | 33 languages |
| Instant Language Switching | ||
| Customizable Shortcuts |
Trust & Security
This is the most important section of this comparison.
Zoom Video appears on a known malicious extensions list maintained by security researchers. Users have reported that the developer's website redirects to scam and phishing pages.
UltraWideo has a clean security record – no malware flags, no phishing reports, and minimal permissions. Your browsing data stays private.
If you currently have Zoom Video installed, we'd recommend reviewing its permissions and considering a switch.
The Interface
UltraWideo features a floating in-page panel that you can drag anywhere on screen. It supports dark and light mode, 16 accent colors, and is fully accessible with keyboard navigation and screen reader support. You can switch between 40+ languages instantly.
Zoom Video uses a basic browser popup with preset buttons. There's no in-page panel, no theming, no accessibility features, and no language options beyond English.
Reliability
UltraWideo works everywhere – every website, every video, every streaming platform.
Zoom Video users report the extension stopping without warning, controls disappearing after extended use, and certain videos not being recognized. Users have reported these issues across multiple versions.
What's New in 4.0
The latest UltraWideo release adds modern features Zoom Video doesn't offer:
- Letterbox detection with a Measure tool that crops baked-in black bars even on protected streams
- AI Voice Control – speak a setting and the extension applies it
- Mode Manager to hide modes you never use
- Auto-hide trigger that fades the floating button during playback
- X/Y Mirror controls – adjust one axis and the other follows
- Adaptive Enhance sharpening that scales with source resolution
What Makes Each One Stand Out
UltraWideo
- Clean security record – no malware flags
- Beautiful, accessible interface anyone can use
- Works everywhere – every site, every video
- Chrome and Firefox support
- Gesture controls (scroll wheel, trackpad pinch, touchscreen)
- Letterbox detection with Measure tool for protected streams (Pro)
- AI voice control – speak a setting and it applies (Pro)
- Ambient light and adaptive video sharpening (Pro)
- Mode Manager and auto-hide trigger for a tidier panel (Pro)
- Settings sync across browsers (Pro)
- 40+ languages with instant switching – no browser restart needed
Nothing to report
Zoom Video
- Completely free
- Large user base (~400,000)
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts
- Flagged on a known malicious extensions list
- Developer website redirects to scam/phishing pages
- Chrome only – no Firefox support
- Reports of instability and controls disappearing
- No per-site settings, voice control, or mode manager
- No letterbox detection for baked-in black bars
- No gesture, scroll, or pinch support
- No ambient light or adaptive sharpening
- No settings sync
- No instant language switching
- No accessibility features
Who Should Pick What?
Pick UltraWideo if you want a safe, reliable extension you can trust. It has a clean security record, works on Chrome and Firefox, and the free tier covers everything most people need. Pro adds ambient light, per-host settings, and sync.
We'd recommend caution with Zoom Video. Despite its large user base, the security flags and lack of updates are concerning. If you're currently using it, consider reviewing its permissions.
The Verdict
UltraWideo is the safe, reliable choice. No malware flags, no phishing reports – just a polished extension that works. Try it free and make the switch.