Discussion
So what's a good alternative to Firefox (I'm using it when I'm not on my Mac). I don't want their new "AI Window" stuff and I don't want to support it.
It has to work on Windows and an iOS version as well, and can sync passwords between those.
Please only suggest things you personally use and like.
I'm ruling out Chrome (spyware) and Brave (homophobic owner).
(Wish Apple would still make Safari for Windows.)
@thomasfuchs To make it easier to switch between browsers I've been using Bitwarden for passwords.
For bookmarks I've been using Raindrop.io with a single link from the browser to https://app.raindrop.io for access to all my bookmarks.
These have made it simple to switch or simultaneously use different browsers.
I've been using #Floorp #Browser. Not seen AI feature active by default. I only see a single AI entry for "Use AI to suggest tabs and a name for tab groups" which is unselected by default.
Floorp is an open-source browser project derived from Firefox that started in Japan in 2021. Under the philosophy of 'user-centered', it achieves higher customizability and privacy protection, pursuing new possibilities in web browsing.
@thomasfuchs Just to point out to folks, the original post mentioned it was needed on iOS as well. Neither Waterfox nor Librewolf are available for the iPhone.
@thomasfuchs Watching this thread because I’m in exactly the same predicament. Worse still, I don’t want to use ANY Chromium-based browser (though if you’re okay with doing so, Vivaldi is great…)
@thomasfuchs I moved to LibreWolf because it's still Firefox but with the bad bits taken out, but you have to mess with config settings if you want to sync it through the standard Firefox system so it may not be your preferred choice.
@thomasfuchs I'm using Librewolf
@thomasfuchs Vivaldi browser. They made a statement on not using AI and also they respect privacy.
@thomasfuchs Another happy Vivaldi user here. I've tried a bunch, including Firefox, and Vivaldi suits my values and workflow. The tab management and workspaces are things I can't live without now.
Only partially helpful
@thomasfuchs
I would recommend Librewolf and IronFox, but they're desktop and Android only respectively.
@thomasfuchs i went with waterfox (https://www.waterfox.net/). it's another firefox fork, privacy focused, and they have kept the ai stuff either out or disabled. crucially, it's multiplatform, and uses mozilla's sync infrastructure (same account as for firefox sync).
@thomasfuchs I use LibreWolf, which is a firefox dervative with all the AI / Pocket crap ripped out and a sprinkling of privacy focused extras.
As it is firefox under the hood I think syncing works like it does before but I haven't used it.
Downside is not notarised on Mac and because canvas is disabled by default to help prevent fingerprinting, a tiny minority of sites don't work (more require "allowing it")
@thomasfuchs I use LibreWolf, which is a firefox dervative with all the AI / Pocket crap ripped out and a sprinkling of privacy focused extras.
As it is firefox under the hood I think syncing works like it does before but I haven't used it.
Downside is not notarised on Mac and because canvas is disabled by default to help prevent fingerprinting, a tiny minority of sites don't work (more require "allowing it")
@thomasfuchs I use https://librewolf.net which is based on FF but without all the bloat
@thomasfuchs Vivaldi for sure. Great product, great company values.
@thomasfuchs I was you about three days ago.
As far as I can tell, Vivaldi will likely edge out for features/ease.
I've been testing the tool out today/yesterday and so far its done as well or better than firefox outside of windows environments.
The interface is a tad unique but it's livable.
For what its worth.
@thomasfuchs I'm looking at the LibreWolf browser - it's basically Firefox without the AI crap. Just getting my toes wet but so far it's OK. https://librewolf.net
@thomasfuchs I use LibreWolf for a lot of day-to-day. I use Vivaldi with pinned tabs for some persistent web apps.
@thomasfuchs Vivaldi. Chromium-based. Built-in ad blocker. Anti-AI/LLM. Anti-Crypto. Pro-fediverse. Like, really pro-fediverse. From the folks that originally build Opera back in the day. It's my personal daily driver on Windows, Mac, Linux, and iOS.
@thomasfuchs I'm a big fan of Vivaldi. Checks all the boxes.
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