Free alternatives to Mozilla Firefox

5 web browsers programs worth considering instead of — or alongside — Mozilla Firefox.

Alternatives to Mozilla Firefox

by Google

The most widely used browser in the world.

  • Broadest website compatibility
  • Largest extension catalogue
  • Sync across all your devices
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

Brave

Open Source
by Brave Software

Chromium-based browser that blocks ads and trackers by default.

  • Ad and tracker blocking built in
  • Runs Chrome extensions
  • Faster page loads on ad-heavy sites
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

Opera

Free
by Opera Software

Feature-packed browser with a free built-in VPN.

  • Free built-in VPN
  • Integrated ad blocker
  • Sidebar messengers and workspaces
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

Vivaldi

Free
by Vivaldi Technologies

The power-user browser — customise almost everything.

  • Tab stacking, tiling and hibernation
  • Built-in mail, calendar and feed reader
  • Deep interface customisation
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

Tor Browser

Open Source
by The Tor Project

Anonymous browsing through the Tor network.

  • Multi-hop traffic anonymisation
  • Circumvents network censorship
  • Blocks browser fingerprinting
WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

About Mozilla Firefox

Firefox is the last major browser not built on Google's Chromium engine, developed by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation. It offers strong tracking protection on by default, deep customisation, and genuinely excellent built-in developer tools.

It is open source and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS. Below are 5 web browsers programs that cover the same ground — some open-source, some cross-platform, each free to use.

Mozilla Firefox alternatives compared

ProgramLicencePlatformsBest known for
Google ChromeFreeWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOSBroadest website compatibility
BraveOpen SourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOSAd and tracker blocking built in
OperaFreeWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOSFree built-in VPN
VivaldiFreeWindows, macOS, Linux, AndroidTab stacking, tiling and hibernation
Tor BrowserOpen SourceWindows, macOS, Linux, AndroidMulti-hop traffic anonymisation

The alternatives in detail

Google Chrome Free

Chrome is the browser most of the web is tested against, which in practice means the fewest compatibility surprises. Notable for broadest website compatibility and largest extension catalogue. Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.

Brave Open Source

Brave is built on Chromium — so Chrome extensions and site compatibility carry over — but ships with aggressive ad and tracker blocking enabled out of the box. Notable for ad and tracker blocking built in and runs chrome extensions. Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.

Opera Free

Opera bundles features that are usually add-ons elsewhere: a free built-in VPN, an ad blocker, a battery saver and integrated messengers in the sidebar. Notable for free built-in vpn and integrated ad blocker. Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.

Vivaldi Free

Vivaldi is aimed squarely at people who want control: tab stacking and tiling, a built-in email client, notes, keyboard shortcuts for everything, and interface customisation far beyond what other browsers expose. Notable for tab stacking, tiling and hibernation and built-in mail, calendar and feed reader. Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.

Tor Browser Open Source

Tor Browser routes your traffic through multiple volunteer-operated relays so no single point can link your identity to what you browse. Notable for multi-hop traffic anonymisation and circumvents network censorship. Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.

How to choose

2 are fully open source (Brave, Tor Browser) — pick one of these if you value auditable code you can self-host. For the widest platform coverage, Google Chrome, Brave, Opera run on three or more operating systems.

All 5 are free to download from the publisher's own website, so installing two or three and testing them on your own files is the fastest way to decide — it costs nothing but a few minutes.

Head-to-head comparisons