NetSurf icon
NetSurf icon

NetSurf

 40 likes

NetSurf is a free, open source web browser. It is written in C and released under the GNU Public Licence version 2. NetSurf has its own layout and rendering engine entirely written from scratch. It is small and capable.

NetSurf screenshot 1

License model

  • FreeOpen Source

Application type

Country of Origin

  • GB flagUnited Kingdom

Platforms

  • Mac
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • BSD
  • Haiku
  • AmigaOS
  • Xfce
3 / 5 Avg rating (4)
40likes
6comments
0news articles

Features

Suggest and vote on features

Properties

  1.  Lightweight
  2.  Privacy focused

Features

  1.  HTTPS Support
  2.  Non profit
  3.  Activity history
  4.  Bookmarks
  5.  Ad-free
  6.  Tabbed browsing

NetSurf News & Activities

Highlights All activities

Recent News

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Recent activities

  • App icon
    POX added NetSurf as alternative to Kumo Web Browser
    about 1 month ago
  • App icon
    POX added NetSurf as alternative to Fiery
    about 2 months ago
  • kelsonv reviewed NetSurf  
    about 2 months ago

    Extremely fast and light, and good for reading web pages (but not so much for running web apps) on low-spec hardware or virtual machines running Linux or other Unix-like OSes and RISC-OS. Haiku version mostly works but things like settings aren't built yet. A little more capable than Dillo, a little slower, and runs on a slightly different set of platforms.

    Unfortunately it can't access AlternativeTo because of the JavaScript requirements.

  • cthulhux reviewed NetSurf  
    about 2 months ago

    NetSurf is a lightweight alternative to Chrome and other contemporary web browsers, "good enough" for large parts of the web, and it's very portable - it even has a version for Plan 9.

  • cthulhux, Eighty-nine and MCQ333 liked NetSurf
    about 2 months ago
  • kelsonv reviewed NetSurf  
    2 months ago

    Extremely fast and light, and good for reading web pages (but not so much for running web apps) on low-spec hardware or virtual machines running Linux or other Unix-like OSes and RISC-OS. Haiku version mostly works but things like settings aren't built yet. A little more capable than Dillo, a little slower, and runs on a slightly different set of platforms.

    Unfortunately it can't access AlternativeTo because of the JavaScript requirements.

  • kelsonv liked NetSurf
    2 months ago
Show all activities

NetSurf information

  • Developed by

    GB flagThe NetSurf Developers
  • Licensing

    Open Source and Free product.
  • Rating

    Average rating of 3
  • Alternatives

    131 alternatives listed
  • Supported Languages

    • English

AlternativeTo Category

Web Browsers

Our users have written 6 comments and reviews about NetSurf, and it has gotten 40 likes

NetSurf was added to AlternativeTo by dholm on May 29, 2009 and this page was last updated Feb 18, 2024.

Comments and Reviews

   
 Post comment/review
Top Positive Comment
tux0r
Mar 25, 2025
0

NetSurf is a lightweight alternative to Chrome and other contemporary web browsers, "good enough" for large parts of the web, and it's very portable - it even has a version for Plan 9.

Top Negative Comment
TBayAreaPat
Nov 17, 2022
0

Windows download 2023 is a demo. Latest usable is 2020. Appears to use British servers. It feels lightweight, but you will likely struggle w/stripped interface. Way to make bookmark isn't apparent. No Multi-tab.. nope.

Kelson V
Mar 11, 2025
0

Extremely fast and light, and good for reading web pages (but not so much for running web apps) on low-spec hardware or virtual machines running Linux or other Unix-like OSes and RISC-OS. Haiku version mostly works but things like settings aren't built yet. A little more capable than Dillo, a little slower, and runs on a slightly different set of platforms.

Unfortunately it can't access AlternativeTo because of the JavaScript requirements.

MarMi
Sep 27, 2024
1

Too lightweight for me: no tabs, no session restoration (Windows).

CDeath
May 1, 2019
0

When I want to search in google/video popup tab and write: Memory error, free up some memory. I have 2Gb RAM and browser want more..

lunolas
Jul 17, 2017
1

Hopefully better HTML support will come to this small and excellent browser

What is NetSurf?

Small, fast and free.

Whether you want to check your webmail, read the news or post to discussion forums, NetSurf is your lightweight gateway to the world wide web.

Features

Web standards: HTML 4.01 and CSS 2.1 Image formats: PNG, GIF, JPEG, SVG, and BMP HTTPS for secure online transactions Unicode text Web page thumbnailing Local history trees Global history Hotlist manager (bookmarks) Cookie manager URL completion Text selection Scale view Search-as-you-type text search highlighting Save pages complete with images Fast, lightweight layout and rendering engine

RISC OS only

Image formats: Sprite, Drawfile and ArtWorks Drawfile export

Written in C, features its own layout engine. Why choose NetSurf?

Speed Efficiency lies at the heart of the NetSurf engine, allowing it to outwit the heavyweights of the web browser world. The NetSurf team continue to squeeze more speed out of their code. Interface innovation Simple to use and easy to grasp. Lean requirements From a modern monster PC to a humble 30MHz ARM 6 computer with 16MB of RAM, surfing the web whatever your system. Originally written for computer hardware normally found in PDAs, cable TV boxes, mobile phones and other hand-held gadgets, NetSurf is compact and low maintenance by design. Portable NetSurf can be built for a number of modern computer platforms 'out of the box'. Written in C, with portability in mind, NetSurf is developed by programmers from a wide range of computing backgrounds, ensuring it remains available for as many users as possible. Standards compliant Despite a myriad of standards to support, NetSurf is striving for complete standards compliancy. NetSurf aims to stay abreast of new and upcoming web technologies.

See the project goals and progress page for further information on where NetSurf is headed.

Official Links