People searching for the Waterfox browser specifically are usually after a Firefox alternative with different privacy defaults, not just another Chromium-based browser — Waterfox is built directly on Mozilla's Gecko engine and Firefox codebase, but removes telemetry, data collection, and Mozilla/Google service integrations by default. It's open-source and free, available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, and has historically supported some legacy Firefox extensions that Mozilla itself dropped, though current versions focus mainly on standard WebExtensions.
What Changes Versus Stock Firefox
Waterfox ships with telemetry, crash reporting, and Mozilla's built-in recommendation or sponsored content features disabled or removed by default, so the out-of-box experience sends noticeably less data back to any vendor compared to a fresh Firefox install with default settings.
Because it shares Firefox's Gecko engine, it renders pages the same way and supports the same WebExtensions API, so most Firefox add-ons install and work without modification.
Who ends up using Waterfox
Waterfox tends to appeal to former Firefox users who want the same browsing engine with stricter default privacy settings.
- Privacy-focused users who want Firefox's engine without Mozilla's telemetry defaults
- Users of discontinued legacy Firefox extensions seeking continued compatibility
- Linux and Android users wanting a lighter, less data-collecting Gecko browser
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about Waterfox before you request the link: it covers Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, so pick the right build for the machine you're setting up. And on pricing, Waterfox is open source, so the installer is free with no trial timer, feature lock, or upsell screen to click past. It's developed and maintained by Waterfox Limited.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
- macOSa recent macOS release — check the download page for the current minimum version, since Apple Silicon vs Intel builds sometimes differ
- Linuxmost current 64-bit distributions; look for a native .deb/.rpm/AppImage or a package in your distro's own repository
- Androida recent Android build installed from the Play Store or the developer's own APK
It's a lightweight tool, so there's no serious CPU/RAM/storage requirement beyond what its OS already needs to run comfortably.
Quick steps
- Download the Waterfox installer for your OS from waterfox.net
- Run the installer, or on Linux extract the archive and run the waterfox binary
- Import bookmarks and passwords from an existing browser during first launch if prompted
Waterfox: the honest trade-offs
- Telemetry and data collection are stripped out or disabled by default
- Full compatibility with standard Firefox WebExtensions and add-ons
- Open-source development keeps the browser transparent and auditable
- Smaller development team means slower security patch turnaround than Firefox
- Lacks some of Mozilla's newer built-in features like sponsored suggestion removal tools
This links to Waterfox's official site (waterfox.net), the source maintained by Waterfox Limited.
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Keeping Waterfox up to date
Since Waterfox is open source, most Linux distributions keep it current through their own package manager. On Windows/macOS, re-running the installer from the official site (or an updater built into the app, if it has one) gets you the latest release. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main Waterfox page.
Frequently asked questions
Does Waterfox support the same extensions as Firefox?
Yes, it supports the standard WebExtensions used by current Firefox, so most add-ons from Mozilla's store install and run the same way.
Is Waterfox actually independent of Mozilla?
Yes, it's a separate open-source project, a Firefox fork, maintained by Waterfox Limited, not an official Mozilla product, though it relies on the open-source Firefox codebase.
