Waterfox

Waterfox is a free, open-source web browser based on Mozilla Firefox and its Gecko engine. It is independently maintained by BrowserWorks Ltd, the company wholly owned by founder Alex Kontos. The official project describes privacy by default, removal of browser telemetry and extensive interface customization. No account is required to browse.

Privacy and browsing

The desktop browser includes an ad and tracker blocker enabled by default, configurable filter lists and site exceptions. Private tabs can sit alongside regular tabs; private site data is cleared after the last private tab closes. Encrypted DNS through an Oblivious HTTP relay separates the requesting identity from the DNS query. Search provider choices and partner-search ad controls remain configurable.

Interface and feeds

Horizontal, vertical and tree-style tabs offer different ways to organize browsing. A persistent status bar displays link destinations and loading information. The recorded 6.7.5 release introduces a built-in feed manager and reader: organize Live Bookmark subscriptions, search articles, filter unread posts, save articles and preview supported feeds. Settings include feed discovery, article-opening preferences and image loading, plus OPML import and export.

Compatibility and Mac installation

Firefox WebExtensions are supported, and common browser data can be imported depending on the originating browser and version. Chrome-only extensions do not transfer automatically. Waterfox incorporates Mozilla security updates following the Firefox ESR model. Homebrew records a universal Intel/Apple-silicon 6.7.5 DMG that installs Waterfox.app and a command wrapper. The three latest backend-recorded versions examined are 6.7.5, 6.7.4 and 6.7.3, not an assertion about every upstream release.

Sources

• https://www.waterfox.com/
• https://github.com/BrowserWorks/Waterfox
• https://www.waterfox.com/releases/6.7.5/
• https://github.com/Homebrew/homebrew-cask/blob/HEAD/Casks/w/waterfox.rb