The world of open-source software is glorious and exciting, and brings out the programmer at the heart of every tech enthusiast everywhere, and possibly even some who wouldn’t go so far as “enthusiast.” Open-source is an invitation, an exciting approach, and a great example of how collaboration creates some of the best, most powerful tools out there. But what does it mean in the world of browsers?
Most of us are using open-source software in some aspects of our lives whether we realize it or not! Ever opened GIMP, VLC, or LibreOffice? Well, you’ve benefited from open-source! And if you’ve ever checked out data-powered open-source BI tools at work, you’ll have seen just how powerful this kind of software can be. Often, we’re not even aware we’re utilizing open-source, despite the fact it’s right in front of us… and that’s true in the world of browsers as well as writers and image editors.
Now, a lot of us are die-hard when it comes to our browsers. We love them. Our bookmarks are there. Our histories, passwords, pockets, tabs, and so much more. In fact, browsers are one of the most heavily used kinds of software around, and there are absolutely tons of options – you don’t have to stop at Chrome and feel stuck if it’s not currently working for you. You can explore and have fun, and many will even let you migrate your stuff over so you don’t have to do it manually. Some people also opt to use multiple browsers, bouncing between to meet their needs at any given moment.
In a world with so much choice, you don’t have to limit yourself and you don’t have to stick with the closed-source options. Open-source offers so much versatility, so many forks, and a wealth of richness you can utilize! So, which browsers are open-source? Well, the answers might surprise you.
Firefox
Yes, the mighty and well-established Firefox is open-source, and this is where we’re starting our list. Launched back in ‘04, Firefox may not be the most used browser on the web, but it’s pretty much a household name, and is the go-to for many who value privacy and want to avoid Google’s ubiquity as much as they can. Firefox is, like many browsers, free to use and offers an open-source approach to its software, meaning that pretty much anyone can tinker with it if they’ve got the know-how and the mind to.
Firefox has won the hearts of many because of its functionality; no browser seems to be perfect, but with lots of useful features, syncing, smooth operating, and superb reliability, it’s definitely up for some awards. And it deserves its position in first place on this list, because it started the whole “open-source browser” concept in the first place, taking on the seemingly all-powerful Internet Explorer (yes, we’re talking a good few years ago now) and gaining traction that it has managed to maintain in spite of many other browsers coming and going! Plus, one of the co-founders was only 19 when Firefox spread its wings… pretty impressive stuff!
Other related browsers like Waterfox, which is a fork of Firefox, also offer the open-source approach, which has drawn users to them. You can find other options, like Pale Moon – originally a fork of Firefox that has since diverged, and which focuses on its motto, “your browser, your way.” Sound appealing? Well, it’s things like this that have drawn us to trying out new options and, in a lot of cases, triggered the interest in open-source in the first place!
Chromium
We want to stress right away that this isn’t Chrome, as in the famous Google Chrome, which is most definitely not open-source. This is Chromium, which you may not have heard of, but which has mostly been developed by Google. This provides a codebase that many people use, and it actually powers a bunch of the other browsers, including – believe it or not – Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. Anyone can use the code here, with certain limitations, as long as the browser contains the Chromium name and logo – so you might see this in a range of places. However, the logo could easily pass you by; it’s very similar to the Chrome logo, but done all in blue, making it less distinctive and less noticeable in many ways.
You’re pretty likely to see Chromium’s code popping up in a bunch of places, even if you never use this browser yourself. And if you’re interested in coding, it’s well worth checking this out as the basis that a whole load of browsers use, just because it’s interesting to see what’s what in the “behind the scenes” as it were.
Brave
The Brave browser is up next, and you may or may not be familiar with this one. It didn’t get launched until 2016, making it relatively late as far as browsers go, so it hasn’t yet penetrated awareness for everybody out there – but if you know it, you might already love it. It’s also got a great logo and is super popular for blocking ads and website trackers automatically, with minimum effort on your side.
Brave has set itself apart with privacy and security and people are using it across the board for those reasons. Compared with popular browsers like Chrome, it manages to hold its own surprisingly well, and in terms of design and features, bears a lot of similarities. That strength, coupled with its open-source approach that appeals to programmers, has helped Brave gain a not insignificant amount of attention in recent years. Not quite a decade old yet, it’s got lots of users and lots of applause. It also boasts speeds 3 times faster than Chrome’s, in part thanks to its ferocious approach to blocking… and that’s quite an appetizing proposition if you’re constantly on the web.
Safari
Surprised to see this one here? Yes, Safari is open-source! It works best on iOS and macOS, since the Windows version isn’t supported anymore (and we wouldn’t recommend using it). On the right devices, Safari’s got a lot of attractions, including nippy operating speeds and fast loading. It’s also got some decent privacy approaches, especially compared with some browsers, although it might not be a top pick for the super privacy-conscious user.
Some people also like Safari for its ability to integrate with other Apple programs like Apple Pay, although you might find it more challenging if you’re predominantly using other developers’ software.
Tor Browser
The best friend of those who really put privacy as their top priority, Tor isn’t necessarily for everyone, but it does win top marks for keeping your information locked down and available only to you. It locks down any attempts to watch your connection, preventing anybody from seeing the websites you’re visiting; the only information they’ll get is that you’re using Tor. That’s a major benefit for a lot of people who feel uneasy about having their online activities snooped on.
The open-source element again is a big win from the perspective of programmers who want to make their own adjustments, but overall, Tor’s appeal is its privacy approach, putting anonymity at the forefront. It bounces traffic around and conceals what’s going where from basically everyone who’s looking. Pretty much nothing is infallible if someone is really determined to hack it, but Tor comes about as close as it’s possible to be.
SeaMonkey
Now this is one you may not have heard of, but it’s another open-source option that is based on the Mozilla Application Suite. One of its advantages is that it will run well on older hardware and while yes, you shouldn’t really spend a lot of time on the web with old hardware because of security issues, SeaMonkey is a decent option if this is where you are. It’s pretty lightweight, too, and has a kind of Windows XP feel to it, which some users love. It’s also not bad in terms of speed, maybe a little surprisingly!
We’ve also got a few nice extra features, like an integrated email client, and you can use it across platforms; it’ll run fine on Linux as well as Windows and macOS. Because it’s been around a long time, it’s got some truly dedicated users who will stick with it no matter what!
Floorp
Keen to get away from the Chromium build and try something different? Floorp might appeal, and tends to be liked by Firefox users in particular. It’s got a great approach to customization, and brings in more features than a lot of other browsers do, which might appeal if you’re a tech whizz or love learning new things. Vertical tabs are one key function that has some users raving, plus things like side panels – which you’ll have met if you’ve ever used Vivaldi. Pin your top sites there and they’re always available.
There are also a bunch of customization options that let you adjust the look and feel of the browser, which some users love. Now, Floorp has only been around since 2021, so with just 3 years under its belt, it’s not surprising that some people are finding teething problems… but even so, this is a great option if you want to strike out, learn something new, and browse in a quirkier way!
Conclusion
Open-source is an element of browsers that we don’t always think about, but it’s surprisingly common, and even developers whose famous browsers aren’t open-source might offer open-source code, like Google does. For budding programmers curious about source code or those pros who want to tinker around in the files, this is a playground just waiting to be explored, and just one more way that open-source software is making digital tech better for everyone!
