Several reasons:
1- It's really quite picky to get VT running correctly with the proper version of Java and permissions, etc. It's not just "plug and play" unless the planets are aligned correctly, and even still, if you're not technical, it can be quite a challenge to get (and keep) running.
2- VT is a stand-alone app that needs to be running all the time, consuming system resources. And the Java VM is a memory/resource HOG, even before any apps load.
3- This chome extension is always there, simple to install, and mimics the Tesla mobile app. It doesn't do a lot of what VT does-- they're really very different apps.
4- With the browser based apps, you're still passing your MyTesla credentials to the app owner (website) and trust they won't do anything with it. While the chrome plug-in *could* transmit your credentials, it doesn't need to, and it only talks directly to the Tesla servers with no middleman. Much more secure.
5- All I need to do is log into chrome with my google account, and it automatically installs all my bookmarks and plugins. Log out, and they're inaccessible to anyone else.
6- The chrome extension is always there in my browser bar. One click to open the app in the browser and make whatever changes I want to make. No need to start up VT, or have it running all the time in the background.
Sorry, I still don't understand.
1- I downloaded and ran the app, that's all there was to it, it wasn't rocket science
2- it has no need to run all the time, unless you want the advanced logging features, everything else works instantly when you start it
3-VT is also always there, simple to install, and not only mimics the Tesla mobile app, but also does more, I don't see a downside
4-VT also talks directly to the Tesla servers, so is no worse than the chrome plug-in so is also more secure.
5-you still have to install something, this is not something you can do on all computers, and if you can, why wouldn't you want the more advanced VT, you can always log out of it too.
6-opening a browser app is no easier than opening an app from elsewhere on the machine, if you find it hard to open VT, put it on your start bar (or equivalent depending on your OS)
I just can't see any advantage to the chrome plugin vs Visible Tesla, it does less, but requires all the same permissions and work, and both have similar limitations to what devices they'll run on. You get all of the downsides of VT with none of the upsides.
The two apps really aren't in the same class or serve the same functions.
That's the one place I'll agree. VT is lightyears ahead. It's like saying the Tesla isn't in the same class as a hyundai accent, it's completely true, but for the same price who would chose the Accent?
Meanwhile I CAN see a use case for a web based app, sure there's the security risk, but there are times you might want to use it where you can't install an app, or on a device that doesn't support an app. It's up to you to decide if you trust the person running the website.
Honestly what I really want is a visible tesla, but running on my web server instead of my home machine, the web server is on 24/7 whereas I don't leave my home machine on. Unfortunately running Java over the internet isn't as easy as it's supposed to be.