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Waterfox

Waterfox

Open Source & Free Software AlternativesWeb BrowsersPrivacy & Security
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A customizable open-source browser focused on privacy by default.

Waterfox is an open-source web browser aimed at users who want strong privacy defaults without giving up advanced interface controls. It includes native ad blocking, uBlock Origin-compatible filter lists, private DNS features, private tabs, container-style isolation, vertical tree tabs, and local-only translation instead of AI browsing assistants.

Why it stands out

  • Combines privacy protections and power-user tab management without requiring a stack of extensions.
  • Supports uBlock Origin-style filter lists inside the browser’s own ad-blocking engine.
  • Uses Oblivious DNS by default, separating DNS privacy from user identity more than standard encrypted DNS alone.
  • Explicitly avoids telemetry, remote feature experiments, and AI page-processing features.
  • Tree-style tabs are built in with parent-child relationships and keyboard controls.

Good to know

  • Users looking for built-in AI summarization, chat, or assistant features will not find them here.
  • The positioning is power-user oriented, so some features may require more setup or adjustment than mainstream browsers.
  • The page emphasizes the browser’s own privacy choices, but users still need to evaluate website-level tracking, extensions, and account logins separately.

Under the radar: If you use the tree tabs heavily, open related links in new tabs from the parent page so Waterfox builds the hierarchy automatically instead of leaving you to organize tabs afterward.

Photos

Illustration for Waterfox