Our honest take on the best Firefox-based web browsers for top privacy and customization

I’ve been using Firefox-based browsers for years, not because I’m a tech hermit (though I’ve been called worse), but because I like knowing who’s watching me. And no, I don’t mean my old grumpy cat. I mean Google, with its Chrome empire quietly logging every click, scroll, and half-formed search query. Firefox, and its many descendants, offer a quiet rebellion: a way to browse without feeling like you’re being followed by digital paparazzi. Plus, you can install uBlock Origin and feel like a digital ninja, blocking ads, trackers, and pop-ups with surgical precision. It’s not just privacy, it’s power.

The beauty of Firefox’s ecosystem is its open-source DNA. You’re not stuck with one interface or one set of features. Want a browser that looks like it was designed by an architect? Try Zen. I’ve been using it for over a year, and it’s my daily driver. Vertical tabs? Check. Workspaces? Check. Split views, tab groups, compact mode? Double check. It’s like having a Swiss Army knife for browsing, but without the weird scissors. For those who want to try something a bit different, Floorp also offers deep customization without sacrificing performance. Waterfox? Still alive, still fast, still no telemetry. And if you’re on KDE Plasma, FireDragon integrates so smoothly you’ll wonder why you ever used anything else.

Feeling a bit old school? Then, Basilisk (yes, the XUL-based phoenix) can be a good choice. It's fast, customizable, and what “Firefox always was and still should be”, according to some of our users. Too modern for you? Well, then I guess you should go back to Pale Moon, GNU IceCast, or K-Meleon. They may not be the most modern options in terms of user interface and customization options, but they're still running, and they don't include any of Mozilla's bull$it recent AI features and data collection.

For the privacy purists, LibreWolf is your best friend: hardened, stripped of telemetry, and built for those who want to vanish into the digital ether. Mullvad Browser? Perfect if you’re already using their VPN, it’s like a privacy one-two punch. And if you really want to disappear? Tor Browser. It’s not just private, it’s anonymous. It routes your traffic through multiple relays, hides your IP, and lets you access the Tor network. It’s slower, sure, but sometimes, speed is the price of freedom.

On Android? Don’t worry. Mull may be gone, but its spirit lives on in forks like IronFox, Iceraven, and Fennec. They’re not all as polished as Chrome, but they’re far more respectful of your data. And honestly, that’s worth a few extra taps. The point is: you have options. Lots of them. So test a few. See what fits. And if you find your perfect match, tell us about it, because in this browser jungle, we’re all just trying to find the best tree to climb.