These are the best Firefox forks on Android and desktop

Mozilla hasn’t had the smoothest 2025 up to now. The firm behind the Firefox net browser just lately launched updates to its Privacy Notes and Terms of Use that alarmed privacy-minded customers. While the firm has clarified that the modifications have 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 if you happen to don’t wish to use Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Brave, or the like? What if you wish to follow Firefox however stay skeptical of the firm’s information practices? Thankfully, there are loads of Firefox forks so that you can strive.

Mozilla builds and maintains the main model of Firefox, however as an open-source venture, it additionally permits different builders to construct on or “fork” it in one other path. These variations are known as Firefox forks. They primarily include all the underpinnings that make Firefox work however with a unique design, format, set of settings, or targets. Many Firefox forks focus on bolstering the browser’s privateness credentials, whereas some goal to make it extra conducive to productiveness or customizable.

Forks additionally supply a viable workaround if you wish to duplicate Firefox on your cellular machine. Firefox on Android doesn’t allow you to use a number of profiles, even when it does on Windows. However, utilizing a number of Firefox forks primarily plugs this function hole.

For the lion’s share of customers, there’s no purpose to make use of a Firefox fork over the secure model of the browser. Despite their attainable benefits, forks typically undergo from being barely behind the mainline Firefox growth curve. There’s all the time the threat of a venture being dropped, like Mull, leaving long-term customers chilly and moist in the event that they don’t bounce ship. This isn’t one thing that might occur when utilizing the official model of the browser.

In quick, except a Firefox fork provides that particular one thing you’re in search of and gained’t discover in the mainline browser, simply follow the latter.

The best Firefox forks on Android and desktop

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

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

First off, Fennec provides a far cleaner begin display that’s devoid of sponsored shortcuts (disabled by default) and hyperlinks. It additionally trades Google as 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 assist and even assist for Firefox’s hidden about:config tinker menu are accessible.

If Fennec has any flaws, one is that you simply gained’t discover it on the Google Play Store. You’ll have to snag it by way of F-Droid, which makes it slightly difficult for individuals who aren’t acquainted with third-party app shops on Android. It’s not accessible on desktop OSes.

Waterfox is considered one of the few Firefox forks simply discovered on the Google Play Store, and one way or the other, I haven’t used it till this month. It’s additionally supplied to 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 can 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 id obfuscation to your looking habits.

Beyond 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. While Waterfox helps extensions, its Android model doesn’t supply about:config entry.

Of the two Firefox forks talked about above, I’ve in all probability used Iceraven 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 quite amusing observe in its GitHub description reads: “No warranties or guarantees of security or updates or even stability!” Naturally, it’s not accessible on the Play Store, but it surely does assist 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 provides broader extension assist than the mainline Firefox browser.

While not a fork, I felt that Focus must be talked about on this listing as a variant of Firefox itself. Developed by Mozilla, Focus provides no tab assist, doesn’t save historical past or cookies, and clears looking information after you shut it. It does embrace some consumer information options 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 effectively in that position.

Unrelated to Focus, Mozilla has just a few different variations of Firefox on the Play Store, together with Nightly, which provides bleeding-edge options that are not prepared for prime time, and Beta, which is one step nearer to the secure construct. These two browsers are not forks, although, quite 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 selections, providing a number of tab assist inside a single looking window, a function known as Workspaces that permits separate tab bushes throughout sub-browser home windows, and a extra compact design that makes vertical tabs the default. My favourite Zen function is Zen Glance, which masses 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 unique activity.

In addition to 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 right now, however I count on its dimension to develop as the browser good points recognition.

Zen does have just a few issues, although. For one, it’s at present 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 cellular platform.

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

Despite its focus on design, Floorp can be upfront about its privateness focus. It consists of no consumer monitoring and guarantees common updates based mostly on Firefox’s Extended Support Release program.

Basilisk might be considered one of the extra attention-grabbing Firefox forks on this listing. It might appear to be 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 good, outdated Windows 7 days, but it surely’s nonetheless maintained and provides all the trendy assist you’d count on from a browser in 2025. Nevertheless, its use of an older UX permits it to assist older Firefox add-ons hosted on its personal website, making it helpful in a really explicit method. It additionally provides an x86 model, permitting it to run on a lot older {hardware}.

The builders are open with their therapy of consumer information, overtly stating, “We don’t want your data” in its privateness breakdown. While it doesn’t assist Firefox Sync, it does supply Pale Moon Sync, a

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

Finally, in order for you a Firefox fork for desktop that focuses on bolstering privateness and safety, it’s robust to suggest something apart from Librewolf. Right up entrance, the developer of this fork notes the browser’s main focus is defending in opposition to consumer monitoring and identification, with further safety enhancements thrown in for good measure.

It consists of a number of personal search suppliers, has uBlock Origin preinstalled, and lacks the telemetry instruments you’ll discover in Firefox correct. Due to its stricter stance on privateness, Librewolf has been recognized 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 simply use day by day? Why do you utilize it? Let us know in the feedback beneath.