Firefox
The independent original.
Mozilla's flagship and the only major browser whose engine isn't controlled by Google or Apple. Deep customization (userChrome, about:config), containers, and real extensions on Android.
- Engine
- Gecko
- License
- Open source
- Runs on
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
- Top marks
- Extension ecosystem, Cross-device sync, Site compatibility, Low maintenance, Open source, Independence
- Popularity
- #4 worldwide · 2.98% of page views (August 2026)
- Updated
- September 2026
Why it shines
- Huge extension ecosystem — uBlock Origin runs at full power
- Multi-Account Containers keep identities apart
- Native vertical tabs, tab groups and local (offline) page translation
- Extensions on Android too
Worth knowing
- Mozilla's ad-tech experiments irritate purists
- A few sloppy sites only test against Chrome
Origins
Firefox belongs to The Mozilla family — descended from Mozilla.
Does well
Ranked in
- #10 · Best browsers for privacy
- #1 (tied) · Best Chrome alternatives
- #2 · Best browsers for Linux
- #1 (tied) · Best browsers for Windows
- #3 (tied) · Best browsers for Mac
- #2 · Best browsers for Android
- #2 (tied) · Best browsers for iPhone and iPad
- #4 (tied) · Best browsers for web developers
- #6 · Most customizable browsers
- #2 · Best open-source browsers
Head to head
Scorecard
- Tracking protection2/3
- Fingerprinting resistance1/3
- Anonymity0/3
- Built-in ad blocking1/3
- Customization2/3
- Keyboard control0/3
- Built-in tools1/3
- Minimal interface1/3
- Fresh design1/3
- Classic interface0/3
- Light on resources1/3
- Raw speed2/3
- Battery efficiency1/3
- Extension ecosystem3/3
- Cross-device sync3/3
- Site compatibility3/3
- Low maintenance3/3
- Open source3/3
- Independence3/3
- Built-in AI0/3
- Gaming features0/3
- Dev tooling2/3
0–3 on each of the 22 criteria the quiz and the guides rank by. How we score.
