Poll What is the Best Firefox-based Web Browser?

[lokamoka820]

I'm looking for a Firefox-based web browser to try, but I don't know what to choose, what do you recommend and why?

 

[Marko :)]

You should only use fork that's regularly updated (Zen). Waterfox and Pale Moon aren't regularly updates hence they are massive security risk. If I remember correctly, both still haven't applied Mozilla's important security update for Firefox released on 27/03/2025.

Librewolf, on the other hand, isn't meant for daily surfing as it breaks too many websites due to its privacy protecting measures. It also disables security features of the browser leaving you without browser phishing and malware protection.

I can't comment on Floorp as I'm unfamiliar with it.

 

[oldschool]

Sorry, I don't find any Firefox fork to be a reliable alternative, not even Zen. Use FF and modify it if you must. It's the most secure, non-invasive of all the gecko browsers.

Edit: Maybe Zen is a viable alternative. I simply don't know enough about it, and who's behind it. It looks like Zen Twilight is current with FF stable version.

 

[KnownStormChaser]

It depends on what you are looking for specifically. LibreWolf and Mullvad Browser are more for privacy-focused users, some websites might not function properly. Zen and Floorp offer a lot more in customization, kind of like Vivaldi. Waterfox is the most conventional browser among these, so will be easiest to switch to if you are used to normal Firefox. I prefer Waterfox the most.

 

[simmerskool]

It depends on what you are looking for specifically. LibreWolf and Mullvad Browser are more for privacy-focused users, some websites might not function properly. Zen and Floorp offer a lot more in customization, kind of like Vivaldi. Waterfox is the most conventional browser among these, so will be easiest to switch to if you are used to normal Firefox. I prefer Waterfox the most.

I have not tried Zen, but I have used the others. I'm using Firefox most of the time, and Waterfox is my 2d choice. (fwiw sometimes I run Brave -- Chrome is not installed). Why? feels right.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Mullvad browser. Librewolf. As other said the rest are pretty garbage or not updated regular or quick enough to combat exploits.

 

[misterman2100]

Sorry, I don't find any Firefox fork to be a reliable alternative, not even Zen. Use FF and modify it if you must. It's the most secure, non-invasive of all the gecko browsers.

Edit: Maybe Zen is a viable alternative. I simply don't know enough about it, and who's behind it. It looks like Zen Twilight is current with FF stable version.

I agree with oldschool. You can't do better than the original. I've been using Firefox for 20+ years - even during the dark times.

And, to play devil's advocate, there is also Seamonkey if you want to be adventurous.

 

[oldschool]

And, to play devil's advocate, there is also Seamonkey if you want to be adventurous.

That's real @oldschool. @cruelsister still uses it.

 

[lokamoka820]

I noticed that Floorp is based on Firefox ESR, not the normal release, while I used to see Linux distros use Firefox ESR because it doesn't need to update in short period it is the first time I see this on Windows, is this better for stability or what exactly?

 

[jamey910111]

You should only use fork that's regularly updated (Zen). Waterfox and Pale Moon aren't regularly updates hence they are massive security risk. If I remember correctly, both still haven't applied Mozilla's important security update for Firefox released on 27/03/2025.

Librewolf, on the other hand, isn't meant for daily surfing as it breaks too many websites due to its privacy protecting measures. It also disables security features of the browser leaving you without browser phishing and malware protection.

I can't comment on Floorp as I'm unfamiliar with it.

I have yet to have a site break by librewolf - its also update more or less as soon as fifefox is updated - its also nore privscy oriented than others, i suggsst u try it and then dispose if dosnt work for u

 

[oldschool]

I noticed that Floorp is based on Firefox ESR, not the normal release, while I used to see Linux distros use Firefox ESR because it doesn't need to update in short period it is the first time I see this on Windows, is this better for stability or what exactly?

I don't know, and can't say.

@jamey910111 makes a valid point based on his experience. YMMV. Mine did.

 

[Marko :)]

I have yet to have a site break by librewolf - its also update more or less as soon as fifefox is updated - its also nore privscy oriented than others, i suggsst u try it and then dispose if dosnt work for u

I did try it. It just isn't for me. I remember it broke quite a few websites I use and I abandoned it after a few minutes of trying. Beside, it doesn't have option for auto-updating which means I'd need to look for new releases constantly and update it manually. Password manager also doesn't exist, and I need it because I use a browser one.

So far, 3 votes for Waterfox. Considering this is a forum about security, still too much.

 

[simmerskool]

I have yet to have a site break by librewolf - its also update more or less as soon as fifefox is updated - its also nore privscy oriented than others, i suggsst u try it and then dispose if dosnt work for u

I used librewolf and liked it ok, but then drifted away from it -- not currently installed. I need to look at my notes and maybe try it again.

 

[simmerskool]

I did try it. It just isn't for me. I remember it broke quite a few websites I use and I abandoned it after a few minutes of trying. Beside, it doesn't have option for auto-updating which means I'd need to look for new releases constantly and update it manually. Password manager also doesn't exist, and I need it because I use a browser one.

So far, 3 votes for Waterfox. Considering this is a forum about security, still too much.

just for clarity as my memory is deprecating & don't want to re-read posts: waterfox is not secure because it doesn't update quickly enough or what else...

 

[n8chavez]

It's definitely Zen. It uses the latest version of Firefox and has the customization of Vivaldi.

 

[Marko :)]

just for clarity as my memory is deprecating & don't want to re-read posts: waterfox is not secure because it doesn't update quickly enough or what else...

Yes. Mozilla issued emergency security update on 27/03/2025 for an exploit that was being actively exploited in the wild. If browser doesn't get the update in reasonable time, its users are vulnerable to exploit. Waterfox still isn't patched to this day. Pale Moon literally says on its website that they don't implement every Mozilla's security update.

Librewolf, even though it's great for privacy, has Google Safe Browsing disabled meaning you're left without malware and phishing protection by default.

It's definitely Zen. It uses the latest version of Firefox and has the customization of Vivaldi.

Zen reminds me of Arc, but based on Gecko.

 

[n8chavez]

Sorry, I don't find any Firefox fork to be a reliable alternative, not even Zen. Use FF and modify it if you must. It's the most secure, non-invasive of all the gecko browsers.

Edit: Maybe Zen is a viable alternative. I simply don't know enough about it, and who's behind it. It looks like Zen Twilight is current with FF stable version.

Zen stable uses FF stable (137.0.1). Zen Twilight is just a beta version of Zen. Think of Vivaldi stable versus snapshot; they both use the same engine build but the feature set is often updated in the snapshot version first.

 

[Sorrento]

I use Wolf most of the time it works for me on 95% of sites so I have a foray occasionally into Edge for the odd site usually MS Outlook which I rarely have to use - Tried Mullvad which comes a close second - I actually like the lack of Google watching my every move anyway.

 

[Marko :)]

I actually like the lack of Google watching my every move anyway.

Except... Google still follows you around. You actually can't block Google entirely as more than half of the web would suddenly become unusable. But what you can do is pretend you're not using anything from Google.

No matter how much you tried, Google will always follow you around. You might be able to block tracking scripts, but most of websites use dependencies that are hosted at Google's CDN. All of these pretty fonts on websites? Yes, Google Fonts.

It's like saying you're blocking Amazon, but at the same time that would make entire internet unusable. Russia tried blocking Telegram and they successfully blocked it though by doing that, they also blocked literally entire web because it uses Amazon AWS servers.

 

[SpiderWeb]

Tor. If it's too slow for you and you don't care about privacy you can reduce the countries that are used for relay. Only browser that allows you to shake off trackers.