web browser · BrowserWorks Ltd

Waterfox

Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with a built-in ad blocker, vertical and tree tabs, local page translation and no telemetry.

65/100

#6 of 12 web browsers
Facts checked 8 Oct 2026

In short

Waterfox is free and open source, with no premium tier or payment required¹.
Downloads exist for Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.15 or later, Linux and Android; iOS is not listed².
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 encrypted⁵.
Vertical tabs, tree tabs, local page translation and several profiles are built in^9,10,11,12.

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 Android². The catch: no Safe Browsing check⁵, no documented Chrome Web Store support^1,13, and no Waterfox bug bounty listed⁴.

Best for: People who want Firefox with no telemetry, tree tabs and an ad blocker already built in.

Where the points come from

Systems6 of 8

Privacy and security25 of 37

Sync and sign-in17 of 22

Extensions0 of 12

Tabs and tools12 of 16

Price5 of 5

Systems 6 of 8 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Other systems	macOS, Linux, AndroidDownload page lists official macOS, Linux and Android (Google Play) builds; no iOS download².	6 / 8

Privacy and security 25 of 37 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Blocks trackers by default	YesHelp page: Enhanced Tracking Protection is on by default, in Standard level, and blocks cross-site tracking cookies in some modes⁶.	8 / 8
Built-in ad blocker	YesHelp page: a built-in blocker for ads, trackers and pop-ups is enabled by default and is not an extension⁸.	5 / 5
Fingerprinting protection	YesHelp page documents Resist Fingerprinting, which standardises values; Enhanced Tracking Protection can also block known fingerprinters^6,7.	7 / 7
Built-in VPN or proxy	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's privacy policy, release notes or help centre list; it describes only encrypted DNS and a search proxy^5,13.	0 / 3
Open source	YesHomepage says free and open source; the official source repository on GitHub holds the Waterfox product code^1,3.	5 / 5
Public bug bounty	Not publishedThe repository's security policy only points to Mozilla's Firefox bounty, an upstream programme⁴.	0 / 4
Phishing and malware warnings	NoThe privacy policy says Waterfox does not check sites or downloads against Google Safe Browsing; no other warning is documented⁵.	0 / 5

Sync and sign-in 17 of 22 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Free sync across devices	YesSync works with a Mozilla account and is off until you sign in. Android help lists bookmarks, history, logins and open tabs^5,14.	6 / 6
End-to-end encrypted sync	YesPrivacy policy: data shared with Mozilla through a Mozilla account is end-to-end encrypted⁵.	8 / 8
Built-in password manager	YesHelp page: Waterfox saves the login as you submit a form; a Primary Password can protect stored logins¹⁵.	3 / 3
Saves passkeys	Not publishedRelease notes add passkey support on macOS only; Windows is not documented¹³.	0 / 5

Extensions 0 of 12 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Chrome Web Store extensions	Not publishedThe homepage says Firefox WebExtensions are supported and Chrome-only extensions do not transfer automatically¹.	0 / 6
Manifest V2 extensions still work	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's release notes, homepage or extensions help page^1,13,16.	0 / 6

Tabs and tools 12 of 16 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Vertical tabs	YesSettings under Browser layout offer Vertical tabs; tree tabs also turn on vertical tabs^9,10.	4 / 4
Tab groups	Not publishedHelp pages describe only automatic tab grouping, off by default; naming and collapsing are not documented¹³.	0 / 4
Built-in page translation	YesHelp page: full-page translation runs on the device, with language models downloaded on demand¹¹.	4 / 4
Separate profiles	YesHelp page: each profile keeps its own bookmarks, passwords and settings, created from the toolbar account icon¹².	4 / 4

Price 5 of 5 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Cost to use	$0Free, with no premium tier or payment required¹.	5 / 5

The rule behind each line: how we score web browsers.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

Plan	Price as listed	Per month	Notes
Waterfox1 person	Free¹	$0	Free and open source, no premium tier

Strengths

Free, open source, with no premium tier¹.
The privacy policy says Waterfox has no telemetry; telemetry modules are disabled when the browser is built⁵.
A built-in blocker for ads, trackers and pop-ups is enabled by default, and it is not an extension⁸.
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 service⁵.
Resist Fingerprinting is a preference you set in about:config, and the help page calls it more disruptive than Enhanced Tracking Protection⁷.
Its security policy points to Mozilla's Firefox bounty, and no Waterfox programme is listed⁴.
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 documented¹³.

What BrowserWorks Ltd says

Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.

Waterfox says it does not collect or sell personal data¹.
Waterfox says filtering by its blocker happens entirely on your machine⁵.

Other web browsers

1
BravePeople who want privacy protections on from the first launch
84/100
$0cost to use
2
Mozilla FirefoxPeople who want open-source code, tracker blocking and sync that Mozilla cannot read
80/100
$0cost to use
3
Microsoft EdgeWindows users who want tracker blocking by default and Chrome extensions
73/100
Not publishedcost to use
4
Google ChromePeople who want the Chrome Web Store and sync across Windows, Mac, Linux and phones
66/100
$0cost to use

All 12 web browsers

Sources

Waterfox, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Download Waterfox, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
BrowserWorks/Waterfox, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
SECURITY.md, GitHub. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Privacy policy, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Enhanced Tracking Protection in Waterfox for desktop, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Resist Fingerprinting in Waterfox, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Waterfox ad blocking, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Change the tab and toolbar layout in Waterfox, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Use tree tabs in Waterfox, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Website translation in Waterfox, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Profile management, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Waterfox release notes, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
How to set up Sync in Waterfox for Android, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Generate a secure password in Waterfox, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.
Mozilla's Recommended Extensions program, Waterfox. Accessed 8 Oct 2026.

Website: www.waterfox.com · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with BrowserWorks Ltd.