These are the best Firefox forks on Android and desktop

Mozilla hasn’t had the smoothest 2025 to date. The corporate behind the Firefox net browser just lately launched updates to its Privateness Notes and Phrases of Use that alarmed privacy-minded customers. Whereas the corporate has clarified that the modifications had been primarily made to take away any exacting statements about its therapy of consumer information, it got here as a blow to a browser constructed on its privateness credentials.

Understandably, some customers are contemplating alternate options to Firefox, however what should you don’t wish to use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Courageous, or the like? What if you wish to persist with Firefox however stay skeptical of the corporate’s information practices? Fortunately, there are many Firefox forks so that you can strive.

Mozilla builds and maintains the first model of Firefox, however as an open-source mission, it additionally permits different builders to construct on or “fork” it in one other path. These variations are known as Firefox forks. They primarily comprise all of the underpinnings that make Firefox work however with a distinct design, structure, set of settings, or aims. Many Firefox forks concentrate on bolstering the browser’s privateness credentials, whereas some intention to make it extra conducive to productiveness or customizable.

Forks additionally provide a viable workaround if you wish to duplicate Firefox in your cell machine. Firefox on Android doesn’t allow you to use a number of profiles, even when it does on Home windows. Nonetheless, utilizing a number of Firefox forks primarily plugs this function hole.

For the lion’s share of customers, there’s no motive to make use of a Firefox fork over the secure model of the browser. Regardless of their potential benefits, forks typically undergo from being barely behind the mainline Firefox growth curve. There’s at all times the chance of a mission being dropped, like Mull, leaving long-term customers chilly and moist in the event that they don’t leap ship. This isn’t one thing that will occur when utilizing the official model of the browser.

Briefly, until a Firefox fork affords that particular one thing you’re on the lookout for and gained’t discover within the mainline browser, simply persist with the latter.

One of the best Firefox forks on Android and desktop

So, which Firefox forks are price making an attempt? I’m not one to advocate a selected fork for you, however I’ll counsel people who provide one thing distinctive.

Fennec foxes are amongst my favourite animals, so I’ve pure, irrational admiration this Firefox fork. Objectively, although, it’s a reasonably good browser. It’s troublesome to inform other than the mainline Firefox construct, however there are clear variations should you look intently.

First off, Fennec affords a far cleaner begin display that’s devoid of sponsored shortcuts (disabled by default) and hyperlinks. It additionally trades Google because the default search engine for DuckDuckGo. Fennec builders have additionally stripped the telemetry and information monitoring instruments from the browser, making it extra privacy-conscious than Firefox itself. Add-on help and even help for Firefox’s hidden about:config tinker menu can be found.

If Fennec has any flaws, one is that you just gained’t discover it on the Google Play Retailer. You’ll have to snag it by way of F-Droid, which makes it just a little difficult for individuals who aren’t aware of third-party app shops on Android. It’s not out there on desktop OSes.

Waterfox is among the few Firefox forks simply discovered on the Google Play Retailer, and one way or the other, I haven’t used it till this month. It’s additionally provided to Home windows customers if the desktop model of Firefox isn’t your cup of tea.

The browser follows Fennec by stripping information assortment and monitoring instruments, however its default search is monetized. You may simply change out Startpage for one thing else, although. Waterfox additionally has Oblivious DNS on by default, which disguises a consumer’s IP deal with from a DNS server throughout requests. It provides one other layer of identification obfuscation to your shopping habits.

Past this, Waterfox additionally helps Firefox Sync, permitting you to simply sync your desktop Firefox (or Waterfox) along with your Android browser. You will want a Mozilla account for this, although. Whereas Waterfox helps extensions, its Android model doesn’t provide about:config entry.

Of the 2 Firefox forks talked about above, I’ve most likely used Iceraven probably the most, however solely as a secondary browser. It’s far much less pointed with its privateness or stability claims than Waterfox and Fennec. One somewhat amusing be aware in its GitHub description reads: “No warranties or ensures of safety or updates and even stability!” Naturally, it’s not out there on the Play Retailer, however it does help Firefox Sync and permits customers entry to the browser’s about:config web page.

Iceraven retains sponsored shortcuts and sponsored tales from Pocket activated on its new tab web page however switches out Google and Startpage for DuckDuckGo as its default search engine. The builders additionally declare the browser affords broader extension help than the mainline Firefox browser.

Whereas not a fork, I felt that Focus ought to be talked about on this listing as a variant of Firefox itself. Developed by Mozilla, Focus affords no tab help, doesn’t save historical past or cookies, and clears shopping information after you shut it. It does embody some consumer information options just like the mainline Firefox browser, however this will also be switched off in its settings tree. Notably, Focus is supposed to be a one-and-done sort of browser for single-tab searches, and it largely works nicely in that function.

Unrelated to Focus, Mozilla has just a few different variations of Firefox on the Play Retailer, together with Nightly, which affords bleeding-edge options that aren’t prepared for prime time, and Beta, which is one step nearer to the secure construct. These two browsers are usually not forks, although, somewhat early previews of the secure model of Firefox.

An rising fork of Firefox for desktop, Zen is primarily centered on enhancing productiveness. It makes a number of divergent design choices, providing a number of tab help inside a single shopping window, a function known as Workspaces that enables separate tab timber throughout sub-browser home windows, and a extra compact design that makes vertical tabs the default. My favourite Zen function is Zen Look, which hundreds net pages in a small popout window, permitting me to analyze a web page with out clicking the hyperlink. This retains me zoned into my authentic process.

Along with Firefox’s broad extension library, Zen additionally has its personal extension system known as Zen Mods. These community-made modifications change varied aspects of the browser, from minor aesthetic updates to extra intricate productiveness enhancements. There are lower than 100 at the moment, however I count on its measurement to develop because the browser features reputation.

Zen does have just a few issues, although. For one, it’s presently in beta, so I wouldn’t advise folks to make use of it for mission-critical work. Secondly, it’s unavailable on Android and appears unlikely to ever land on the cell platform.

With a reputation like that, how may I not point out Floorp? It feels like a joke, however the browser is arguably top-of-the-line Firefox forks on desktop proper now. It’s massively customizable, giving customers 5 distinct interface design selections to swimsuit their explicit wants. Its help for twin sizebars — that may be a left and proper sidebar on both sides of the browser window — is surprisingly nice for multitasking.

Regardless of its concentrate on design, Floorp can be upfront about its privateness focus. It contains no consumer monitoring and guarantees common updates primarily based on Firefox’s Prolonged Assist Launch program.

Basilisk might be one of many extra attention-grabbing Firefox forks on this listing. It might seem like a a lot older model of Firefox, however that’s simply its cowl. It makes use of the older Firefox Australis design that takes me again to the great, previous Home windows 7 days, however it’s nonetheless maintained and affords all the trendy help you’d count on from a browser in 2025. However, its use of an older UX permits it to help older Firefox add-ons hosted by itself website, making it helpful in a really explicit method. It additionally affords an x86 model, permitting it to run on a lot older {hardware}.

The builders are open with their therapy of consumer information, brazenly stating, “We don’t need your information” in its privateness breakdown. Whereas it doesn’t help Firefox Sync, it does provide Pale Moon Sync, a

Past this, Basilisk is maybe higher used as a backup or secondary browser than a major mode of transport.

Lastly, in order for you a Firefox fork for desktop that focuses on bolstering privateness and safety, it’s powerful to advocate something aside from Librewolf. Proper up entrance, the developer of this fork notes the browser’s major focus is defending towards consumer monitoring and identification, with extra safety enhancements thrown in for good measure.

It contains a number of non-public search suppliers, has uBlock Origin preinstalled, and lacks the telemetry instruments you’ll discover in Firefox correct. Attributable to its stricter stance on privateness, Librewolf has been identified to interrupt just a few websites. I wouldn’t think about using it as a day by day driver.

Is there a Firefox fork that you just use day by day? Why do you utilize it? Tell us within the feedback under.