Testing Waterfox, a Firefox alternative

Browsing Options

Article from Issue 237/2020
Author(s):

Waterfox, a fork of the Mozilla Firefox browser, is designed for greater speed and privacy, as well as compatibility with older add-ons. We consider two versions of the Waterfox browser and what they have to offer.

Mozilla's Firefox web browser has been massively popular in the past. Although for a long time the browser was one of the most frequently used web navigators, Google's Chrome browser and its open source counterpart Chromium have now outpaced it – not least because of faster response times.

Firefox also lost some of its popularity because of changes to the browser. The integration of services such as Pocket, interface changes, and the fact that telemetry data are collected have left many users concerned about their privacy and feeling restricted in terms of usage options. Also consider that for many privacy-conscious users, Chrome or Chromium are not an alternative because of the integration of many Google services with these browsers.

All of this makes Waterfox an interesting alternative. Waterfox is a fork of the Mozilla browser that claims to have removed all unnecessary elements from the software, especially unnecessary data collection [1]. Waterfox also lets you continue using NPAPI plugins that Firefox has not supported for a long time.

[...]

Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Linux Voice

    This month in Linux Voice.

  • Firefox Translations

    While all popular web browsers offer an online translation function, Mozilla Firefox lets you translate your texts offline while protecting your privacy.

  • Pale Moon

    A new browser with familiar technology: The lean Firefox offshoot Pale Moon is compatible with many cherished Firefox extensions.

  • Firefox 54 with Electrolysis

    Developers are praising Firefox 54 as the "best Firefox ever." The revamped web browser adds multiprocessing and promises a significant boost in speed.

  • Mozilla Signs Firefox Add-Ons

    New program will dial up security for the Firefox browser.

comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News