Top 10 web browsers not based on Chromium

Non-Chromium browsers are web browsers that do not rely on the Chromium open-source project for their development. These browsers offer alternatives to the popular Chromium-based browsers like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.

These browsers provide users with a diverse range of options that prioritize privacy, security, customization, and unique features, catering to individuals looking for alternatives to Chromium-based browsing experiences.

  • Safari: It is known for its remarkable speed and user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice among Apple users Safari utilizes the WebKit rendering engine, which contributes to its fast page loading times.

  • Mozilla Firefox: ation. It uses the Gecko rendering engine to display web pages and is known for its focus on privacy, customization, and security features. It offers a range of features like Enhanced Tracking Protection, extensive add-on support, and a commitment to user privacy.

  • LibreWolf: A fork of Mozilla Firefox. It is designed to increase protection against tracking and fingerprinting techniques through its privacy and security oriented settings and patches, inclusion of privacy-focused search providers like DuckDuckGo, Searx, and Qwant.

  • Pale Moon: A fork of Mozilla Firefox, it aims to provide a customizable browsing experience with a focus on performance, while retaining compatibility with legacy Firefox add-ons and the classic Firefox look and feel.

  • Mullvad Browser: A privacy-focused web browser developed in collaboration between Mullvad VPN and the Tor Project. Its primary goal is to minimize tracking and fingerprinting while providing an alternative to browsing the internet with more privacy.

  • GNOME Web: Also known as Epiphany, developed by the GNOME project for Unix-like systems. It is the default and official web browser of GNOME, offering a simple, clean, and beautiful view of the web with first-class GNOME and Pantheon desktop integration.

  • Waterfox: Originally created by Alex Kontos in 2011 as a 64-bit version of Firefox for Windows. Over time, it has evolved into an independent browser that is compatible with Chrome, Firefox and Opera extensions.

  • SeaMonkey: Compared to Firefox, SeaMonkey retains a more traditional-looking interface similar to Netscape and the Mozilla Application Suite. It allows users to extend the browser by modifying add-ons compatible with Thunderbird or older Firefox versions.

  • Midori: A free and open-source web browser that was initially developed as a lightweight browser using the WebKitGTK rendering engine and the GTK widget toolkit.

  • Otter Browser: It has been well-received for its aim to recreate classic Opera features, modularity, lightweight nature, and navigable user interface.

Common features

Many prioritize user privacy and security, often including features like:

  • Enhanced tracking prevention and blocking of third-party trackers
  • Removal of telemetry and other privacy-invading features
  • Private browsing modes

Browsers like Firefox and Pale Moon offer extensive customization options, allowing users to personalize the interface and modify behavior through settings and add-ons:

  • Themes to change the browser’s appearance
  • Rearranging interface elements
  • Modifying behavior through about:config settings
  • Support for a wide range of extensions and add-ons

Pale Moon continues to support older technologies that are no longer maintained in other browsers, such as NPAPI plugins like Flash.

While not exhaustive, these features highlight how non-Chromium browsers often differentiate themselves by prioritizing privacy, customization, legacy support, efficiency or platform integration over the dominant Chromium-based browsers.