Private and open-source alternatives to Safari
15 browsers rated against the same public privacy criteria as Safari, with our picks first.
Why look for an alternative?
- Open source: partial. The WebKit engine is open source. Safari itself is not.
- No trackers or telemetry: partial. No third-party trackers in the app, and sharing device analytics with Apple is opt-in. Apple web pages load Apple's own analytics (ac-analytics, sent to metrics.apple.com) by default.
- Independent audit: no. No independent audit is published.
- Blocks trackers by default: partial. Intelligent Tracking Prevention limits cross-site tracking by default but does not block tracker requests.
- No calls to big-tech services: partial. Fraudulent Website Warning sends data to Google Safe Browsing and Apple, and can be turned off. Safari is built into Apple's operating systems and services.
The alternatives
Mullvad Browser Grade A Our pick
Firefox-based browser developed by the Tor Project and Mullvad for use without the Tor network. Uses Tor Browser's anti-fingerprinting defenses, has no telemetry and includes uBlock Origin.
Why it is our pick: Tor Browser's protections without the Tor network: fingerprinting resistance that makes users look alike, uBlock Origin built in, no telemetry, and fast security updates. Built by the Tor Project and Mullvad, free, and works with any VPN.
Based in Sweden (Fourteen Eyes). Mullvad Browser scores 90 out of 100 (grade A) on the browsers criteria. It meets 7 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection, no calls to big-tech services and timely security updates.
Ungoogled Chromium Grade C Our pick
Chromium with all Google web services, background requests and Google-specific code removed, while keeping the familiar Chromium experience.
Why it is our pick: The speed and site compatibility of Chromium without the constant connections to Google. Pair it with uBlock Origin for tracker blocking.
Ungoogled Chromium scores 63 out of 100 (grade C) on the browsers criteria. It meets 4 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and no calls to big-tech services.
Tor Browser Grade A
Firefox-based browser that routes traffic through the Tor network to hide the user's IP address and location. Isolates each site and makes users look alike to resist tracking and fingerprinting.
Based in the United States (Five Eyes). Tor Browser scores 93 out of 100 (grade A) on the browsers criteria. It meets 7 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, independent audit, fingerprinting protection, no calls to big-tech services and timely security updates.
Helium Grade A
Chromium-based desktop browser from imput built on ungoogled-chromium, with uBlock Origin built in, Google services removed and no telemetry.
Helium scores 90 out of 100 (grade A) on the browsers criteria. It meets 7 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection, no calls to big-tech services and timely security updates.
Vanadium Grade A
Hardened Chromium-based browser and system WebView from GrapheneOS, with JIT disabled by default, built-in content filtering and remote services removed. Only available on GrapheneOS.
Based in Canada (Five Eyes). Vanadium scores 90 out of 100 (grade A) on the browsers criteria. It meets 7 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection, no calls to big-tech services and timely security updates.
IronFox Grade B
Firefox-based browser for Android, a fork of Mull, with telemetry removed, uBlock Origin preinstalled, Strict tracking protection and hardened privacy settings.
IronFox scores 85 out of 100 (grade B) on the browsers criteria. It meets 6 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection and timely security updates.
WaterFox Grade B
Firefox-based browser with telemetry, studies and sponsored content removed, and a built-in ad and tracker blocker. Available for desktop and Android.
Based in the United Kingdom (Five Eyes). WaterFox scores 85 out of 100 (grade B) on the browsers criteria. It meets 6 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, blocks trackers by default, no calls to big-tech services and timely security updates.
IceCat Grade B
GNU's build of Firefox ESR containing only free software. Removes non-free components such as DRM and bundles LibreJS and JShelter to restrict JavaScript and fingerprinting.
IceCat scores 83 out of 100 (grade B) on the browsers criteria. It meets 6 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection and no calls to big-tech services.
LibreWolf Grade B
Independent fork of Firefox with telemetry removed, uBlock Origin included and Resist Fingerprinting enabled by default.
LibreWolf scores 83 out of 100 (grade B) on the browsers criteria. It meets 6 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection and no calls to big-tech services.
Cromite Grade B
Chromium fork and successor of Bromite for Android, Windows and Linux. Adds built-in ad blocking, removes Google service integrations and adds fingerprinting mitigations.
Cromite scores 75 out of 100 (grade B) on the browsers criteria. It meets 6 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection and no calls to big-tech services.
Brave Browser Grade C
Chromium-based browser with built-in ad, tracker and fingerprinting protection through Brave Shields.
Based in the United States (Five Eyes). Brave Browser scores 73 out of 100 (grade C) on the browsers criteria. It meets 4 of 8 criteria: open source, blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection and timely security updates.
Zen Browser Grade C
Firefox-based desktop browser with vertical tabs, workspaces, split view and a compact interface. Mozilla telemetry is removed.
Zen Browser scores 73 out of 100 (grade C) on the browsers criteria. It meets 4 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and timely security updates.
DuckDuckGo Browser Grade C
Browser from DuckDuckGo that uses the system web engine, blocks third-party trackers, and includes a one-tap Fire Button for clearing data, email protection and DuckDuckGo search by default.
Based in the United States (Five Eyes). DuckDuckGo Browser scores 70 out of 100 (grade C) on the browsers criteria. It meets 4 of 8 criteria: blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection, no calls to big-tech services and timely security updates.
GNOME Web Grade C
Web browser for the GNOME desktop, also called Epiphany, built on WebKitGTK, with ad blocking and Intelligent Tracking Prevention on by default.
GNOME Web scores 68 out of 100 (grade C) on the browsers criteria. It meets 4 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and blocks trackers by default.
Orion Browser Grade C
WebKit-based browser from Kagi for macOS and iOS that blocks ads and trackers by default, has no telemetry, and supports many Chrome and Firefox extensions.
Based in the United States (Five Eyes). Orion Browser scores 65 out of 100 (grade C) on the browsers criteria. It meets 5 of 8 criteria: no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, blocks trackers by default, no calls to big-tech services and timely security updates.