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Open-source browsers

24 browsers whose code is public under an OSI-approved license, rated for privacy with evidence. Picks first, then by score.

  1. 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.

    MPL-2.0, built by the Tor Project on Firefox ESR. Source code

  2. 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.

    Source code

  3. 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.

    MPL-2.0, built on Firefox ESR. Source releases are published at dist.torproject.org. The Tor GitLab now requires sign-in to view files. Source code

  4. Helium Grade A

    Chromium-based desktop browser from imput built on ungoogled-chromium, with uBlock Origin built in, Google services removed and no telemetry.

    GPL-3.0. Source code

  5. 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.

    Patches are GPL-2.0, on top of the BSD-licensed Chromium code. Source code

  6. 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.

    Build scripts are AGPL-3.0, and patches are MPL-2.0 or Apache-2.0. Source code

  7. 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.

    MPL-2.0 and other Mozilla licenses. Source code

  8. 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.

    Build scripts under GPL-3.0; the browser code is MPL-2.0 from Firefox. Source code

  9. LibreWolf Grade B

    Independent fork of Firefox with telemetry removed, uBlock Origin included and Resist Fingerprinting enabled by default.

    MPL-2.0. Source code

  10. 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.

    GPL-3.0. Source code

  11. Brave Browser Grade C

    Chromium-based browser with built-in ad, tracker and fingerprinting protection through Brave Shields.

    MPL-2.0. Source code

  12. Zen Browser Grade C

    Firefox-based desktop browser with vertical tabs, workspaces, split view and a compact interface. Mozilla telemetry is removed.

    MPL-2.0. Source code

  13. 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.

    GPL-3.0. Source code

  14. qutebrowser Grade C

    Keyboard-driven browser with a minimal interface and Vim-style key bindings, built on Python and QtWebEngine.

    GPL-3.0. Source code

  15. Ladybird Grade D

    Independent web browser with a new engine written from scratch, developed by a US non-profit. Still in development with no stable release; it can be built from source on Linux and macOS.

    BSD-2-Clause. Source code

  16. Falkon Grade D

    KDE web browser built on QtWebEngine, with a built-in ad blocker, session management, and integration with the Plasma desktop.

    GPL-3.0. Source code

  17. Fennec F-Droid Grade D

    Build of Firefox for Android published by F-Droid, with proprietary components and telemetry removed. It still connects to some Mozilla services.

    Build scripts are AGPL-3.0, and Firefox code is MPL-2.0. Source code

  18. Firefox Focus Grade D

    Browser from Mozilla for Android and iOS that blocks trackers by default and erases history, cookies and passwords with one tap. Sold as Firefox Klar in some countries.

    MPL-2.0. Source code

  19. Basilisk Browser Grade D

    Desktop browser built on the Unified XUL Platform (UXP) and Goanna engine, a fork of Mozilla's older code base. Keeps support for NPAPI plugins and XUL extensions.

    MPL-2.0. Source code

  20. PaleMoon Grade D

    Independent desktop browser built on the Unified XUL Platform (UXP) and Goanna engine, forked from older Mozilla code. Collects no telemetry and supports legacy XUL extensions.

    Source under MPL-2.0 and other Mozilla licenses. Official branding and binaries carry a redistribution license. Source code

  21. Firefox Grade D

    Mozilla's open-source browser, built on its own Gecko engine rather than Chromium. Supports a wide range of extensions and extensive customization.

    MPL-2.0. Source code

  22. Floorp Grade D

    Firefox-based browser from Japan with workspaces, split view, web panels, mouse gestures and a customizable interface. Mozilla telemetry is off by default.

    MPL-2.0. Source code

  23. Iridium Grade D

    Chromium fork that disables or makes opt-in the transmission of queries, keywords and metrics to Google and other services. Distributed as source code tarballs only.

    Uses the same open-source licenses as Chromium. Source is published as tarballs and in a Git repository. Source code

  24. SeaMonkey Grade D

    Internet suite with a browser, mail and news client, IRC chat and HTML editor, continuing the Mozilla Application Suite. Built on an older Mozilla platform with backported fixes.

    MPL-2.0. Source code

Compare all 32 browsers, open source or not.