RedirectWeb: Smart URL Router

I originally found this app as a way to use Kagi as my default search engine within Safari. That alone was worth the price (it’s far more flexible than Kagi’s version) I quickly discovered this app is far more useful than merely changing Safari’s default search options. If you’re reading these reviews wondering if it will accomplish a particular redirect, it most likely will but you can try it before buying it. It has far more functionality than you would expect. The Library of rules is very helpful and is continuously growing with well vetted user submissions. The developer is extremely responsive and helpful if you are having trouble writing or using a rule. The rule writing relies on Regex which is very powerful (but tricky for the uninitiated), however the developer is responsive to assist you. In fact, user submissions are frequently added to the library (with permission and credit due), including a few from me. The Library contains rules for really neat tricks you didn’t know you needed including the ability to read archived articles that might otherwise would require subscriptions. These rules alone make the app pay for itself many times over. Also don’t let the in app “subscription” option turn you off. It’s really a way to allow for an inexpensive fully functional trial if you’re not ready to purchase an inexpensive lifetime subscription. Without a purchase you can have multiple rules but you’re limited to just one active rule. This makes it easy to try as many rules as you want without costing anything but your time. I haven’t tried the recently added feature that allows this extension to work with browsers other than Safari, but I imagine they work fine.

I’ve tried many solutions, ranging from privacy-focused apps to product-specific extensions, but this is the only one that handles redirections before the original page even starts loading. For those of us who value privacy and prefer using custom search engines, this is crucial—not only do I get results from my chosen engine, but my searches also aren’t sent to the default options supported by Safari. The same goes for my self-hosted services like Invidious and Redlib. Lastly, the iCloud sync works perfectly and it is very convenient. Highly recommended!

This app removes a minor but constant annoyance in my life and I LOVE IT. My work requires me to click on Google Meet links that are sent to me in Mail and Slack but they don't have a great experience in Safari - my default browser - so I have to right click, copy, open Chrome, paste, then go. Except when I forget and then it's a whole different pain. Not any more, though. One quick rule setup to grab any matching URL and open it in Chrome and boom, now I can just click and not have to remember. I'm sure there will be more to come, what with places like my bank and some airlines having sites that don't work well in Safari. I'd rather just use Safari all the time but I can't control what those places do. Now I can at least control how much headache they cause me. Hooray for this app!