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Source-backed analysis12

Review basis

Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.

12 reference sources

Information updated Nov 10, 2026

How we review
Mozilla Firefox logo

Mozilla Firefox Review

Mozilla's open-source browser with tracker blocking on by default and its own Gecko engine

Editorial Team7.7/10Write the first review

By Official AppDuo editorial team · Updated

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS
Open source · Free
Visit Mozilla Firefox
Compare side by side
On this page

Decide at a glance

Our verdict

Firefox suits people who want a free, open-source browser with tracking protection built in and no dependence on the Chromium engine. The trade-offs are a desktop share of about 6.3%, so sites may be tuned for Chrome first, and the 2025 terms-of-use controversy that dented some users' trust.

Best for: Privacy-minded users who want tracker and cross-site cookie blocking without extra installs

Skip it if: Users embedded in the Google ecosystem, where Chrome integrates more tightly

Pros

  • Free and open source under MPL 2.0, on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS
  • Blocks third-party trackers, cryptominers and fingerprinting, with Total Cookie Protection by default
  • The homepage cites over 30,000 extensions, plus tab groups, reader mode, picture-in-picture and PDF editing

Cons

  • Desktop share of about 6.3% (July 2026) per StatCounter figures cited by Wikipedia, far below its 32.21% peak in November 2009
  • Mozilla relies mainly on search partnerships; its 2023 report ties a revenue drop to non-renewed distribution deals
All pros and cons · Who is it for?

More pros

  • Runs its own Gecko engine, keeping a browser engine alive besides Chromium and WebKit
  • AI features are optional and can be turned off entirely or set feature by feature

More cons

  • Terms of use introduced in early 2025 drew criticism; Mozilla revised them and dropped the "never sell your data" pledge from its FAQ

Best for

  • Linux users and anyone who wants a non-Chromium engine to avoid single-vendor dependence

Skip it if

  • Anyone needing an absolute guarantee that no data is ever shared, since Mozilla dropped that pledge in 2025

Problems it solves

Experience & key features

What Firefox is

Firefox is Mozilla's browser, built on the Gecko engine and licensed under MPL 2.0. Per Wikipedia, version 0.1 under the name Phoenix came out on 23 September 2002, it became Firefox on 9 February 2004 and version 1.0 followed on 9 November 2004. It runs on Windows 10 or later, macOS Catalina or later, Linux, Android Oreo or later, and iOS and iPadOS 15 or later. The Firefox homepage says it is "not owned by shareholders" and credits "Powered by Mozilla"; the Mozilla Manifesto page identifies the Mozilla Foundation as a not-for-profit.

Features and privacy

Per the homepage, Firefox blocks trackers automatically and offers tab groups, reader mode, picture-in-picture, pinned tabs, Firefox View, a customizable sidebar, PDF editing and over 30,000 extensions. The homepage also promotes a free built-in VPN with unlimited data through January 2027 and says AI features are optional. Wikipedia records Total Cookie Protection arriving in Firefox 86 (February 2021), on-device page translation in Firefox 118 (26 September 2023), and the Smart Window AI assistant in Firefox 155 (1 September 2026) for users in the USA, Canada and France.

Price and how Mozilla is funded

The browser has no paid plan listed on the official pages read. Mozilla Foundation's 2024 annual report (covering 2023) says most of Mozilla's revenue has come from commercial search partnerships, and that the Mozilla Corporation's revenue fell because of non-renewed distribution deals. Mozilla says it is pursuing privacy-first advertising and products such as VPN, Relay and Monitor to reduce reliance on search. Wikipedia notes Google is the default search engine in most markets.

More analysis

Compared with Chrome, Edge and others

Firefox's clearest difference is its engine: per Wikipedia, it uses Gecko, with WebKit on iOS and iPadOS. Wikipedia, citing StatCounter, puts Firefox at 6.3% of desktop browsing in July 2026, behind Chrome (72%) and Edge (10%). People who want deep Google or Microsoft account integration are usually better served by Chrome or Edge; those who prioritize tracker blocking and an independent engine may consider Firefox.

Screenshots

Firefox for Android screenshot from its Google Play listing
Firefox for Android screenshot from its Google Play listing
Second screenshot on the Google Play listing
Second screenshot on the Google Play listing
Third screenshot on the Google Play listing
Third screenshot on the Google Play listing

Plans & pricing

Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026

Firefox

Personal

Free

The official pages read list no price or paid plan for the browser. The homepage carries a promotion for a free built-in VPN with unlimited data through January 2027, and the desktop page mentions a free password manager.

Free plan limits
No feature limits apply to the browser.
Free trial
No free trial
Cancellation & refunds

Not applicable; no paid plan is listed for the browser.

Privacy

Firefox's privacy notice (effective 4 May 2026) says browsing data such as history, form data and cookies stays on the device and is not sent to Mozilla's servers unless the notice says otherwise. Mozilla collects technical and settings data plus interaction and system performance data; users can change collection settings at any time, but turning off the technical and interaction data option does not stop the de-identified Daily Usage Ping, which has its own opt-out. Search suggestions are on by default and queries go straight to the search provider as you type. Firefox blocks known third-party trackers, cryptominers and fingerprinting and enables Total Cookie Protection by default. On selling data: the homepage says "We don't sell your personal data and we never will," but Mozilla's 28 February 2025 blog post says it stopped making that blanket claim because the legal meaning of "sell" varies by jurisdiction, and that it shares data stripped of identifying information with partners for New Tab ads and sponsored search suggestions.

Mozilla Firefox alternatives

Google Chrome logoVSMozilla Firefox logoGoogle Chrome vs Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Edge logo7.6/10

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft's Chromium browser, built into Windows with Copilot integration

Free
Google Chrome logo7.6/10

Google Chrome

The world's most-used browser, with data synced through your Google Account

Free
All alternatives

Frequently asked questions

Is Firefox free?

The official pages read list no price or paid plan for the browser. The homepage also promotes a free built-in VPN through January 2027.

Which platforms does Firefox support?

Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and iPadOS. Windows 8.1 and below and macOS 10.14 and below are directed to Firefox ESR, per the homepage.

Does Firefox collect my data?

Per its privacy notice, Mozilla collects technical, settings and interaction data; history, form data and cookies stay on the device. Collection settings are adjustable, with the Daily Usage Ping controlled separately.

Is Firefox based on Chromium?

No. Firefox uses the Gecko engine; the iOS version uses WebKit.

What was the 2025 Firefox terms-of-use issue?

Mozilla introduced new terms of use and was criticized over a clause licensing user-input content. On 28 February 2025 it revised them, saying the license "does not give Mozilla any ownership in that content."

Review evidence & sources12

Scores

Ease of use
8.0
Why this score

The homepage says bookmarks, passwords and history carry over automatically when switching; the interface is familiar, and mobile adds Reader View and picture-in-picture.

Features
8.0
Why this score

Tab groups, a customizable sidebar, PDF editing, sync, a built-in VPN and 30,000+ extensions; integration with other services is lighter than in Chrome and Edge.

Value for money
8.8
Why this score

Free and open source with no paid tier, plus a free built-in VPN through January 2027; on par with Chrome and Edge for value. New Tab carries sponsored ads, but they are optional.

Performance
7.5
Why this score

No sufficiently recent independent benchmark was found to cite; Mozilla rebuilt the engine as Quantum in Firefox 57 (2017), and Google Play says tracker blocking helps pages load faster.

Support
6.0
Why this score

Help comes mainly from the knowledge base and forum at support.mozilla.org; Mozilla's community site says this support is fully volunteer-run, with no email, chat or phone channel for individual users.

Privacy & security
8.0
Why this score

Blocks trackers, cross-site cookies and fingerprinting by default, with browsing data kept on the device; points are lost for interaction data sent to Mozilla, the Daily Usage Ping and the 2025 terms controversy.

What users say

Sources

Specs & compatibility
Developer
Mozilla
Headquarters
United States
Launched
2002
Category
Utilities

Capabilities

  • Open source
  • Mobile app
  • AI features
  • Integrations

Platforms

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Android
  • iOS

Interface languages

  • English
  • Vietnamese
  • French
  • German
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Spanish
  • Chinese
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Thai
  • Indonesian

Integrations

  • Firefox extensions
  • Mozilla account Sync
  • Google Lens (iOS)

Support

  • Community forum
  • Help center

Change history

  1. Feature.Firefox 155 added the Smart Window AI assistant for users in the USA, Canada and France.
  2. Update.Mozilla revised its terms of use after user concerns over the license wording.
  3. Feature.Firefox 86 launched Total Cookie Protection.
Full change history (8)
  1. Feature.Firefox 57 (Quantum) launched, the first version with improvements from the Quantum engine project.
  2. Update.Firefox 13 moved to MPL 2.0, replacing the tri-license.
  3. Launch.Firefox 1.0 released.
  4. Update.Mozilla Firebird was renamed Mozilla Firefox.
  5. Launch.Release of Phoenix 0.1, the precursor of Firefox.
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