Firefox 149 will offer a free built-in VPN, split views, tab notes and optional AI windows
Mozilla has announced several major updates coming to Firefox. Starting with Firefox 149, releasing March 24, users in the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom will be able to access a free built-in virtual private network (VPN) with a 50-gigabyte monthly data limit. The VPN will route browser traffic through a proxy, masking users’ IP addresses and locations for increased privacy without needing extra downloads.
Alongside the VPN, Firefox 149 will introduce split view, allowing two webpages to be displayed side by side in a single window. This enables easier comparison, copying, and multitasking without constantly switching tabs. Also in this release, the Smart Window feature (formerly AI Window) will offer an optional browsing assistant. Using artificial intelligence, it will provide quick definitions, article summaries, or product comparisons directly within the browser interface. Users can choose to enable or disable this feature.
Firefox 149 will also introduce Tab Notes, letting users attach notes to any tab to aid with multitasking and organization. These updates are complemented by broader usability improvements. The redesigned settings section now offers clearer navigation and an improved search function, making customization simpler. Additionally, Firefox is debuting refreshed themes, icons, and visual refinements throughout its interface. Users may also notice the appearance of Firefox’s new mascot, Kit 🦊.
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Related news
External links
- More reasons to love Firefox: What’s new now, and what’s coming soonMozilla • Official source
- Mozilla Details New Features Coming in Firefox 149, 150, and BeyondThurrott
- Firefox Update Brings Built-In VPN, Split View, and More User ControlsgHacks
- I tried Firefox's new AI 'Smart Window' in a beta buildOMG! Ubuntu
- Mozilla Firefox is getting a free built-in VPN, with a catchXDA
- Mozilla is launching a free built-in VPN on Firefox 149 — but with some conditionsTechRadar
Comments
Makes sense. They have been trying to generate revenue and become more independent from Google, but have failed each time. A free VPN will aid discoverability and should lead to an increase in paying customers. ProtonVPN has a free tier and it works as marketing, being one of the select few non-sketchy free VPN services. The timing is also very good, given recent developments toward identity or age verification in many places. Lastly, the use of a VPN can be quite valuable for accessing region-locked or banned content and while also providing some protection in countries where people are being arrested for online speech. Hopefully they can expand to other nations later. Almost forgot to say: everybody loves mascots and Kit is cute.
It's interesting that this free VPN is made by Mozilla, when the paid (and already existing) ones are through Mullvad. Maybe Mozilla wants to create its paid VPN to bigger margin (since AI doesn't pay at all, how surprising it could be).
Also, "Kit foxes" are foxes, but "Fire foxes" are (red) pandas. So Kit is a fox, and the Firefox on browser icon is not? Mozilla has spent many millions in its rebranding and made thing even more confusing.
confused in Ukrainian (kit - кіт - cat... but it's a fox!) /j