What People Love About Regex101
Before we get into where Start Page HQ goes further, credit where it's due.
- Multi-flavor support across PCRE2, PCRE, ECMAScript, Python, Golang, Java, .NET, and Rust — match the engine you actually ship to.
- A regex debugger that steps through how each part of the pattern is evaluated, character by character.
- A community library of saved regex patterns you can search and learn from.
- Quiz mode and an extensive cheatsheet that have helped a generation of developers learn regex.
- Free to use without an account, with optional sign-in to save patterns to your library.
Where Start Page HQ Goes Further
Specific differences, not vague claims.
Lives on Every New Tab
Regex101 is a separate site you have to open. Start Page HQ ships a Regex Tester widget that's already there every time you open a new tab — paste, test, move on without context-switching.
Sits Alongside 50+ Other Widgets
Regex101 is a single-purpose tool. Start Page HQ pairs the Regex Tester with JSON Formatter, Text Diff, Base64, QR Codes, Image Compression, and 45+ more — all on the same dashboard.
Custom Pages for Your Dev Workflow
Build a "Dev Tools" page with regex, JSON, diff, and base64 in a single grid. Build a separate "Personal" page with notes, todos, and weather. Switch between them with a click.
No Ads, Ever
Regex101 runs ads on the free site (Premium hides them). Start Page HQ is paid software — never ad-supported, on any plan.
Cross-Device Sync Built In
Patterns and dashboard layout sync across every browser and device automatically. Sign in once and your work setup follows you to a new laptop or phone.
Native Browser Extensions
Install on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge to make Start Page HQ — and the Regex Tester — open with every new tab. Or use the hosted web app at startpagehq.com on any browser.
Side-by-Side Comparison
An honest line-by-line look at how the two stack up.
| Feature | Regex101 | Start Page HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free, or $24/yr Premium | $25/yr or $49 lifetime |
| Free tier | Yes (with ads) | Free demo only |
| Regex flavors | PCRE2, PCRE, JS, Python, Go, Java, .NET, Rust | JavaScript |
| Regex debugger | Yes | No |
| Community pattern library | Yes | No |
| Regex quiz / cheatsheet | Yes | No |
| Code generator (export to language) | Yes | No |
| Lives on every new tab | No | Yes |
| Chrome | Web only | Yes |
| Firefox | Web only | Yes |
| Safari | Web only | Yes |
| Edge | Web only | Yes |
| Hosted web app | Yes | Yes |
| No ads | Premium only | Yes |
| Cross-device sync | With account | Included |
| Multi-page dashboards | No | Yes |
| JSON / Diff / Base64 / QR tools | No | Yes |
| Notes, todos, RSS, weather | No | Yes |
| AI tools (answers, translate, image) | No | Yes |
Widgets That Replace Regex101
Drop these onto your dashboard and you've covered Regex101's core features — plus a lot more.
Frequently Asked Questions
For everyday pattern writing — "does this regex match what I think it matches?" — yes. If you live in the regex debugger, target a non-JavaScript engine, or rely on the community pattern library, keep Regex101 for those jobs and use Start Page HQ's Regex Tester for the 80% case that lives on your dashboard.
JavaScript regex, since the widget runs in your browser. If you're writing patterns for a Python or .NET service, double-check edge cases on Regex101 — but the syntax matches for the vast majority of patterns you'll write day to day.
There is a free public demo at startpagehq.com/demo where you can use the Regex Tester and every other widget without signing up. Full access requires a paid plan: $25/year or $49 one-time. Both plans include all 50+ widgets, cross-device sync, and AI credits.
Regex101 Premium is around $24/year and unlocks ad-free + advanced flavor features. Start Page HQ Annual is $25/year and the Lifetime plan is $49 once — both cover the full Regex Tester plus 49 other widgets, never ad-supported.
Yes. Sign in once and your Regex Tester widgets — patterns, test strings, and the rest of your dashboard — sync across every browser and device automatically.
Yes. Start Page HQ has native extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, plus a hosted web app at startpagehq.com that works in any modern browser — the same as Regex101 itself.