The browser that answers to no one,except you.
Waterfox is a free, open-source web browser that has had its data collection and telemetry features disabled. It has built-in ad blocking, private and anonymised DNS, and you can customise the browser to your liking.
Interactive Waterfox browser demo
Use the browser style, colour palette, light or dark, and tab layout controls to update this visual preview.
New Tab
New Tab
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Ad blocking
Stop unwanted ads and trackers from loading.
Waterfox's built-in desktop blocker prevents unwanted adverts, trackers, pop-ups and overlays from loading. This feature is enabled by default, and you can manage filter lists, site exceptions and search partner ads.
Private tab
One private tab. Not a whole separate window.
Keep your private tabs alongside your regular ones. These tabs share a separate private container and Waterfox clears its site data when you close your last private tab. Your regular session continues.
DNS over Oblivious HTTP
Private DNS without your identity attached.
Waterfox encrypts DNS lookups and sends them via an Oblivious HTTP relay. The relay knows who connected, but not what the query was. Similarly, the resolver knows the query, but not who sent it. This keeps your identity and your DNS queries separate.
Tree tabs
Browsing happens in branches. Now your tabs do too.
Tree tabs nestle every page under the one that opened it. Collapse a finished branch, drag an entire subtree and reorganise an afternoon's worth of research with a single action.
Status bar
The status bar, back where it belongs.
Hover over a link to see exactly where it leads. The full URL remains visible without any pop-up overlays. The loading progress bar and keyboard shortcuts are located there too, just as they were in the past.
Questions
Straight answers.
Yes. Waterfox is free and open source with no premium tier or payment required. You don't need an account to browse. Download it, keep it and share it!
Waterfox uses the same Gecko engine as Firefox, so most sites and extensions work as expected. Browser telemetry is stripped out, and it adds built-in ad blocking, private and anonymised DNS, and more control over the interface. Waterfox is independently maintained.
Yes. Waterfox incorporates Mozilla security fixes into its regular updates, following the Firefox ESR model.
Waterfox can import common browser data, but which data is transferred depends on your current browser and its version. Firefox WebExtensions are supported. However, Chrome-only extensions do not transfer automatically.
Waterfox is funded through search partnerships, optional Waterfox Private Search subscriptions, and donations. You can change your search provider or block partner search ads at any time. Waterfox does not collect or sell personal data.
Alex Kontos founded Waterfox in 2011. After returning to independent ownership in 2023, it is now developed and operated by BrowserWorks Ltd, a holding company that is wholly owned by Alex.
The web, on your terms.
Free and open source.
- Windows · macOS · Linux
- Android