Video Speed Controller
An open-source extension that lets you speed up or slow down any web video or audio.
Why it's a strong pick
Video Speed Controller works on any site that plays video or audio with a standard HTML5 player, not on one service only. It is open source under the MIT license, and its code is public on GitHub. It uses Manifest V3, Chrome's current extension format. The repo's latest release, v0.11.1, is dated 15 August 2026.
What it does
The README describes "fine-grained control over any HTML5 video or audio element, on any site." A small overlay sits on the player. You use it, or keyboard shortcuts, to change speed. The extension remembers your last speed, and can keep a default speed for each site.
Key features
- Wide speed range. From 0.07x to 16x, in set steps.
- Per-site settings. Set a default speed for a site, or turn the extension off there.
- Speed fightback. It re-applies your speed when a player resets it.
- Shortcuts you can change. Defaults include S slower, D faster, R reset, Z back 10 seconds and X forward 10 seconds.
- Markers. Set a marker with M and jump back to it with J.
- Draggable overlay. Move the controller, show or hide it with V, and style it with custom CSS.
Who it's for
Video Speed Controller is for people who learn from lectures, watch talks, or follow podcasts and want to move faster or slower. It suits anyone who is tired of each site having its own speed menu, or none at all. It does not edit or save video. It only changes how fast the page plays it.
What permissions does Video Speed Controller ask for?
Its manifest asks for one API permission, storage, which holds your settings. It also runs content scripts on http, https and file pages, and it injects into the page's main world. We could not read the developer's privacy policy when we checked; read it before installing.
Does it work on every video site?
No. It controls HTML5 video and audio elements. A player that does not use one will not respond. Test it on the site you care about. After you change the shortcut settings, refresh pages that are already open, as the README says.
Can I set a different speed for each site?
Yes. The README lists a default speed for each site, and a way to turn the extension off on chosen sites. It also remembers the last speed you used. Set a slower speed for hard lectures and a faster one for talks you know well.
FAQ
Is Video Speed Controller open source? Yes, under the MIT license.
Can it play video faster than 2x? Yes. The README gives a range of 0.07x to 16x.
Does it work on local files? Its manifest lists file pages among the places it runs, so it is built to reach them.
Good to know
Fast audio can be hard to follow. Try small steps first, and use the reset key (R) when you lose the thread. If a site fights your speed, the extension re-applies it, but a player without a standard video element will not obey. Open its settings to see or change your shortcuts.
Other media tools to compare
Video Speed Controller is one of 4 picks in our media tools guide:
- Umbra EQ: give each tab its own 11-band equalizer and bass boost.
- Volume Booster Tab: boost a tab's volume up to 600% with a limiter.
- Ruffle: play old Flash content with an open-source Flash Player emulator.
This is a third-party extension, not built or maintained by Xplorekit. We link to the official Chrome Web Store listing — install and permissions are entirely between you and the extension's own publisher.