How to Find Out What Technology a Website Uses

Wondering about the technology behind a website? You're not alone. The process is simpler than you might think. Here's how to uncover a website's tech stack, from the quickest method to a more detailed approach.

For the fastest answer, simply input the website's URL into a tech stack detector. This tool provides a categorized breakdown of the site's components, including its Content Management System (CMS), frameworks, analytics, Content Delivery Network (CDN), and hosting. The best part? It's free and doesn't require any sign-up.

However, if you want to understand the site's technology on a deeper level, there are additional steps you can take. First, view the page source. Right-click on the page and select "View Page Source" (or press Ctrl+U on Windows or Cmd+Option+U on Mac). Look for specific indicators of popular platforms. WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla leave behind noticeable meta generator tags.

WordPress's scripts are found in the /wp-content/ directory, while Drupal's are in /sites/default/files/. If you encounter calls to cdn.shopify.com, the site is likely using Shopify.

Another method involves using browser Developer Tools. Press F12 to open DevTools. The Network tab is particularly useful. After reloading the page with the Network tab open, watch the requests being made. Any requests to api.stripe.com indicate the use of Stripe, and scripts from cdn.jsdelivr.net suggest the use of open-source libraries.

Additionally, the Console tab allows you to test for specific frameworks directly, such as JavaScript's window.React for React, window.Vue for Vue.js, window.angular for AngularJS, window.jQuery for jQuery, window.__NEXT_DATA__ for Next.js, and window.__NUXT__ for Nuxt. These tools provide a comprehensive view of a website's technology, helping you understand the tools and platforms driving its functionality.