Best free open-source alternatives to Mozilla Firefox
Updated · FPTWaze editors
Looking for a Firefox alternative? Compare LibreWolf, Zen Browser, Brave, DuckDuckGo Browser and Google Chrome by license, systems and privacy features.
Quick answer: The best alternatives to Mozilla Firefox are LibreWolf (open source, Win, Mac, Linux), Zen Browser (open source, Win, Mac, Linux), Brave (open source, Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS), DuckDuckGo Browser (free, Win, Mac, Android, iOS) and Google Chrome (free, Win, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS).
The best alternatives to Mozilla Firefox are LibreWolf, Zen Browser, Brave, DuckDuckGo Browser and Google Chrome. Firefox is an open-source web browser from the non-profit Mozilla. It uses its own Gecko engine, blocks many trackers by default and can sync bookmarks, history and passwords between devices. People look for another browser when they want a different engine, more built-in privacy options, a different interface, or a browser for another system.
Firefox fork tuned for privacy, with telemetry removed.
LibreWolf is a Firefox fork with strict privacy settings on by default, telemetry removed and cookies cleared on exit. It is open source under MPL-2.0 and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. It suits users who want Firefox with privacy tuned further, but it does not run on Android or iOS.
Calm, Firefox-based browser with vertical tabs and split view.
Zen Browser is built on Firefox and is open source under MPL-2.0. It suits people who want a quiet interface with vertical tabs, workspaces, split view and a compact mode that hides the toolbars. Firefox add-ons work as usual. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux only.
Chromium-based browser that blocks ads and trackers by default.
Brave is an open-source, Chromium-based browser under MPL-2.0 that runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Brave Shields blocks ads, trackers and fingerprinting without an add-on. It suits people who want blocking on by default and Chrome extension support, and who can switch off the optional VPN, search and AI extras.
Simple private browser with tracker blocking and a "fire" button.
DuckDuckGo Browser is a simple private browser that blocks trackers, upgrades connections to HTTPS and handles cookie pop-ups automatically. Its Fire Button clears tabs and data in one tap. It suits people who want a plain browser on a phone. It is freeware with proprietary code and runs on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, but not Linux.
The most widely used web browser, built on the open-source Chromium project.
Google Chrome is the most widely used browser, built on the open-source Chromium project. It runs on the same systems as Firefox, including Android and iOS. It suits people who want a large catalog of extensions from the Chrome Web Store and sync through a Google account. It is freeware, not open source.
To choose, start with what you need. If you want a free, open-source browser with privacy settings already tuned, pick LibreWolf. If you want an open-source browser that keeps Firefox add-ons, pick Zen Browser. For Android or iOS, Brave, DuckDuckGo Browser or Google Chrome are the options. Check the license and the systems each browser runs on before you install.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mozilla Firefox open source?
Yes. Mozilla Firefox is open-source software released under the MPL-2.0 license and developed by the non-profit Mozilla. It uses its own Gecko engine rather than Chromium.
Which browser is a privacy-focused alternative to Firefox?
LibreWolf is a Firefox fork that turns on strict privacy settings by default, removes telemetry and clears cookies on exit. Brave also blocks ads and trackers by default without an add-on.
Does Zen Browser support Firefox add-ons?
Yes. Zen Browser is built on Firefox, and Firefox add-ons work as usual in Zen Browser. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Still prefer Mozilla Firefox? Independent open-source browser with strong privacy protection by default.
How this guide was made: written with AI assistance from the facts in our catalog (license, platforms, what each program does) and checked by an editor before publication.
