Waterfox

One of the most powerful web browsers forked using the open-source Firefox code, Waterfox promises a fast browsing experience and better privacy by stripping off some features from the native browser.

Pros

• Supports most Firefox extensions
• Light on system resources
• Stripped off telemetry
• Chrome extension support
• Regular updates
• No phoning home
• Available for multiple platforms

Cons

• Taken over by an advertising company
• Needs more work on privacy
• Mobile support does not exist

One of the first browsers to support x64 systems, Waterfox is a free and open-source internet browser introduced to focus on speed and privacy. The most impressive thing about this fork is its continued support for legacy plugins no longer available on Firefox. The browser is currently available for Windows, Linux, and macOS and is easy to install and get started, though it is mainly geared towards power users already well-versed with Firefox.

Waterfox takes care of user privacy with the uBlock Origin available by default, which you can find in the Chrome store and Firefox add-on library. It is a powerful tracker blocker known to be a ‘gold standard’ for privacy improvement in browsers. Another outstanding feature of Waterfox is that it is stripped off the telemetry from Firefox code.

The browser also promises that it collects no user data or phones home like most other privacy-focused browsers. Waterfox has an automatic update service that keeps the browser up-to-date all the time. It offers fast rendering as it is based on the Gecko engine. It has also added support for Chrome extensions.

Final Verdict

Overall, the Waterfox browser is a nice alternative for any Firefox user looking to enjoy a fast browsing experience. Its Classic version is a favorite among those who like to use NPAPI plugins and legacy add-ons. It is one of the most maintained forks of Firefox with regular updates and support. While it poses some issues like lack of support for mobile devices and acquisition by an advertising company, it still suits power users who can take care of their security and privacy.