--- title: Waterfox canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/waterfox/ category: Web Browsers points: 65 rank: 6 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Waterfox Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with a built-in ad blocker, vertical and tree tabs, local page translation and no telemetry. 65 points out of 100. #6 of 12 web browsers. Vendor: BrowserWorks Ltd. Website: https://www.waterfox.com/ - Waterfox is free and open source, with no premium tier or payment required [1]. - Downloads exist for Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.15 or later, Linux and Android; iOS is not listed [2]. - A built-in ad and tracker blocker is on by default, and Enhanced Tracking Protection is on by default [6][8]. - Sync works through a Mozilla account, and the privacy policy says synced data is end-to-end encrypted [5]. - Vertical tabs, tree tabs, local page translation and several profiles are built in [9][10][11][12]. Verdict: Waterfox suits people who like Firefox but want telemetry removed and extras such as tree tabs and a built-in ad blocker [1][5][8][10]. It costs nothing and covers Windows, macOS, Linux and Android [2]. The catch: no Safe Browsing check [5], no documented Chrome Web Store support [1][13], and no Waterfox bug bounty listed [4]. Best for: People who want Firefox with no telemetry, tree tabs and an ad blocker already built in. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Other systems | macOS, Linux, Android | 6/8 | Download page lists official macOS, Linux and Android (Google Play) builds; no iOS download [2]. | | Privacy and security | Blocks trackers by default | Yes | 8/8 | Help page: Enhanced Tracking Protection is on by default, in Standard level, and blocks cross-site tracking cookies in some modes [6]. | | Privacy and security | Built-in ad blocker | Yes | 5/5 | Help page: a built-in blocker for ads, trackers and pop-ups is enabled by default and is not an extension [8]. | | Privacy and security | Fingerprinting protection | Yes | 7/7 | Help page documents Resist Fingerprinting, which standardises values; Enhanced Tracking Protection can also block known fingerprinters [6][7]. | | Privacy and security | Built-in VPN or proxy | Not published | 0/3 | Not published on the vendor's privacy policy, release notes or help centre list; it describes only encrypted DNS and a search proxy [5][13]. | | Privacy and security | Open source | Yes | 5/5 | Homepage says free and open source; the official source repository on GitHub holds the Waterfox product code [1][3]. | | Privacy and security | Public bug bounty | Not published | 0/4 | The repository's security policy only points to Mozilla's Firefox bounty, an upstream programme [4]. | | Privacy and security | Phishing and malware warnings | No | 0/5 | The privacy policy says Waterfox does not check sites or downloads against Google Safe Browsing; no other warning is documented [5]. | | Sync and sign-in | Free sync across devices | Yes | 6/6 | Sync works with a Mozilla account and is off until you sign in. Android help lists bookmarks, history, logins and open tabs [5][14]. | | Sync and sign-in | End-to-end encrypted sync | Yes | 8/8 | Privacy policy: data shared with Mozilla through a Mozilla account is end-to-end encrypted [5]. | | Sync and sign-in | Built-in password manager | Yes | 3/3 | Help page: Waterfox saves the login as you submit a form; a Primary Password can protect stored logins [15]. | | Sync and sign-in | Saves passkeys | Not published | 0/5 | Release notes add passkey support on macOS only; Windows is not documented [13]. | | Extensions | Chrome Web Store extensions | Not published | 0/6 | The homepage says Firefox WebExtensions are supported and Chrome-only extensions do not transfer automatically [1]. | | Extensions | Manifest V2 extensions still work | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's release notes, homepage or extensions help page [1][13][16]. | | Tabs and tools | Vertical tabs | Yes | 4/4 | Settings under Browser layout offer Vertical tabs; tree tabs also turn on vertical tabs [9][10]. | | Tabs and tools | Tab groups | Not published | 0/4 | Help pages describe only automatic tab grouping, off by default; naming and collapsing are not documented [13]. | | Tabs and tools | Built-in page translation | Yes | 4/4 | Help page: full-page translation runs on the device, with language models downloaded on demand [11]. | | Tabs and tools | Separate profiles | Yes | 4/4 | Help page: each profile keeps its own bookmarks, passwords and settings, created from the toolbar account icon [12]. | | Price | Cost to use | $0 | 5/5 | Free, with no premium tier or payment required [1]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Waterfox | Free [1] | $0 | ## Strengths - Free, open source, with no premium tier [1]. - The privacy policy says Waterfox has no telemetry; telemetry modules are disabled when the browser is built [5]. - A built-in blocker for ads, trackers and pop-ups is enabled by default, and it is not an extension [8]. - Vertical tabs and collapsible tree tabs are in Settings under Browser layout [9][10]. - Translation runs on your device, and language models download only when needed [5][11]. ## Limits - The privacy policy says Waterfox does not check sites or downloads against Google's Safe Browsing service [5]. - Resist Fingerprinting is a preference you set in about:config, and the help page calls it more disruptive than Enhanced Tracking Protection [7]. - Its security policy points to Mozilla's Firefox bounty, and no Waterfox programme is listed [4]. - The help centre does not document Chrome Web Store installs, and the site says Chrome-only extensions do not transfer automatically when importing [1][13]. - Passkey support was announced for macOS; no Windows passkey storage is documented [13]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - Waterfox says it does not collect or sell personal data [1]. - Waterfox says filtering by its blocker happens entirely on your machine [5]. ## Sources 1. [Waterfox](https://www.waterfox.com/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Download Waterfox](https://www.waterfox.com/download/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [BrowserWorks/Waterfox](https://github.com/BrowserWorks/Waterfox), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [SECURITY.md](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/BrowserWorks/Waterfox/current/SECURITY.md), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Privacy policy](https://www.waterfox.com/docs/policies/privacy/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Enhanced Tracking Protection in Waterfox for desktop](https://www.waterfox.com/support/enhanced-tracking-protection/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Resist Fingerprinting in Waterfox](https://www.waterfox.com/support/resist-fingerprinting/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [Waterfox ad blocking](https://www.waterfox.com/support/waterfox-ad-blocking/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [Change the tab and toolbar layout in Waterfox](https://www.waterfox.com/support/waterfox-tab-and-toolbar-layout/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 10. [Use tree tabs in Waterfox](https://www.waterfox.com/support/waterfox-tree-tabs/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 11. [Website translation in Waterfox](https://www.waterfox.com/support/website-translation/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 12. [Profile management](https://www.waterfox.com/support/profile-management/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 13. [Waterfox release notes](https://www.waterfox.com/releases/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 14. [How to set up Sync in Waterfox for Android](https://www.waterfox.com/support/android/how-set-sync-waterfox-android/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 15. [Generate a secure password in Waterfox](https://www.waterfox.com/support/how-generate-secure-password-firefox/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08 16. [Mozilla's Recommended Extensions program](https://www.waterfox.com/support/recommended-extensions-program/), Waterfox, accessed 2026-10-08