Feature |
Firefox (Official) |
Waterfox |
Floorp |
LibreWolf |
Primary Focus |
General-purpose Browse. Aims to provide a fast, secure, and user-friendly experience for all users, balancing features with privacy. |
Privacy and user choice. Provides a modern Browse experience with enhanced privacy features and minimal data collection. |
Extreme customization and productivity. Designed for power users who want to deeply personalize their browser's UI and workflow. |
Privacy and security. A "hardened" version of Firefox with all telemetry, data collection, and sponsored content removed by default. |
Core Engine |
Gecko (latest stable release) |
Gecko (based on the latest Firefox ESR) |
Gecko (based on the latest Firefox ESR) |
Gecko (based on the latest Firefox stable) |
User Interface |
Modern, clean "Photon" UI. Customizable via built-in options for themes, density, and toolbar layouts. |
Modern Firefox-like interface with some minor tweaks. |
Highly customizable, with five different design presets and extensive options for vertical tabs, sidebars, and more. |
A clean, minimalistic UI that removes sponsored shortcuts and distractions. |
Privacy Features |
Strong built-in Enhanced Tracking Protection (ETP) that blocks third-party trackers, cryptominers, and fingerprinting scripts. Collects some telemetry and usage data by default to improve the browser, which can be disabled. |
Blocks analytics and telemetry, removes closed-source integrations, and includes features like Oblivious DNS on by default. Minimal data collection. |
Upholds privacy with a built-in tracking blocker and fingerprinting protection. Removes telemetry by default. |
Maximum privacy out of the box. No telemetry, no experiments, no sponsored content. Deletes cookies and history on close by default. |
Add-on Compatibility |
Full compatibility with all Firefox extensions from the official Mozilla Add-ons store. |
Full compatibility with all Firefox extensions. |
Full compatibility with all Firefox extensions. |
Full compatibility with all Firefox extensions. |
Unique Selling Points |
- Developed by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation.- Regularly updated with the latest web standards and security patches.- Offers services like Firefox Sync, Firefox Relay, and a built-in VPN. |
- Provides a very similar experience to Firefox but with a stronger out-of-the-box privacy posture.- Offers a "desktop-class" private Browse experience on mobile.- Actively maintained and updated. |
- Unmatched UI customization, including multi-row tabs and dual sidebars.- Workspaces feature for organizing tab groups. |
- "Hardened" security settings are enabled by default, so no user configuration is needed for a private experience.- Built-in uBlock Origin is pre-configured. |
Drawbacks/Considerations |
- Collects some telemetry by default, which some privacy-conscious users find undesirable, even though it's opt-out.- Occasional UI and feature changes can be controversial with users. |
- Monetization via affiliate links for search results. |
- Originally developed in Japan, so some documentation is limited in English. |
- Can break some websites due to its aggressive security and privacy settings.- Manual updates are required as it disables auto-updates. |
Ideal User |
The average user who wants a secure, fast, and feature-rich browser from a trusted organization. |
The privacy-conscious user who wants a familiar experience but without Mozilla's data collection. |
The power user who wants total control over their browser's look and feel, and wants built-in productivity tools. |
The privacy purist who wants a "no-compromise" secure and private Browse experience from the moment they install it. |