Comparison of some Firefox forks

TL;DR

• Floorp emphasises customisation and productivity. Since version 12 it relies on Firefox’s native vertical tabs and adds useful extras like mouse gestures, workspaces and Notes.
• LibreWolf pushes privacy to the maximum by default: telemetry disabled, uBlock Origin built in, Enhanced Tracking Protection in strict mode, Pocket removed at build time. Expect some sites that require adjusting the settings.
• Zen offers a modern Arc‑inspired experience that’s open source and based on Firefox, with workspaces, Split View and Zen Mods to adapt the interface to your way of working.
• Waterfox aims for a balance of speed and privacy, regained its independence in 2023 and allows you to install extensions from the Chrome Web Store – handy when coming from a Chromium ecosystem.

Why Firefox forks exist

A fork is a browser that reuses Firefox’s engine but changes settings, the interface or adds features. The main appeal is keeping Firefox’s solid foundations (Gecko engine, extensions, security) while removing what you don’t want or adding very targeted tools.

Important note in 2025: Pocket closed on 8 July 2025. Forks that “remove Pocket” therefore respond to a historical sensitivity, but this component is no longer part of the equation on Mozilla’s side.

Floorp: customisation and productivity, without the hassle

For whom: profiles who like to shape their browser and save time day-to-day.

What’s different in practice

• Vertical tabs: since Floorp 12 the browser aligns with Firefox’s native implementation rather than maintaining its own. The result: less friction and better compatibility. Floorp Docs
• Built‑in mouse gestures: navigate by drawing simple movements to go back, forward, close a tab and more. Floorp Docs
• Workspaces to organise your projects in silos, and Floorp Notes to quickly capture ideas — the Notes UI was recently revamped to be smoother. Floorp Docs Floorp Blog

Good to know

• The team has switched to a more recent Firefox base and closely follows new features, making life easier in terms of compatibility with recent websites. Ablaze Blog

In a nutshell: the Vivaldi spirit but on Firefox’s side. If you like tinkering with the interface and optimising your routines, it’s a good candidate.

2) LibreWolf: privacy first, by default

For whom: organisations and individuals with a high privacy goal.

What’s different in practice

• Zero telemetry, uBlock Origin pre-installed, Enhanced Tracking Protection in strict mode, removal of Pocket and other elements deemed “noisy”. Anti-fingerprinting (RFP) settings enabled by default. LibreWolf

Good to know

• These choices can break sites or certain integrations until you finely relax the settings. That’s normal for this level of protection. Linux Mint Forums
• Updates follow Firefox quickly — often within a few days — but there is no built-in auto-update, so you need to plan a deployment mechanism. LibreWolf

In a nutshell: ideal if your priority is reducing the attack surface and controlling data leaks, with the awareness that “stricter” sometimes means “more adjustments.”

3) Zen: refined aesthetics, context-driven work

For whom: teams that want a modern, calming browser with clear workspaces.

What’s different in practice

• Workspaces, Split View to compare two pages side by side, and Glance to quickly return to important tabs. Zen Browser
• Zen Mods: themes and community mini-plugins to adjust the interface without coding. Zen Browser
• Open and active project on GitHub: a guarantee of transparency and a steady development pace. GitHub

Good to know

• Zen is moving fast on UX. If you’re looking for an “Arc-like” alternative but within the Firefox ecosystem, it’s the right spirit.

In a nutshell: a serene visual atmosphere and well-thought-out tools for managing tab overload.

4) Waterfox: balance, extensions and independence

For whom: those who want to stay close to Firefox while broadening their choice of extensions.

What’s different in practice

• Independent since 2023: run by BrowserWorks, with a clear stance on privacy. Waterfox
• Extensions from the Chrome Web Store: Waterfox lets you browse and install WebExtensions from the Chrome store — handy if you’re coming from Edge/Chrome and looking for your essentials. Compatibility varies by add-on, but the feature exists and is maintained. Waterfox +2 Waterfox +2
• No telemetry by default and advanced customisation on the menu. Waterfox +1

In a nutshell: a “stripped-down” Firefox that lets the Chromium extension ecosystem in when it’s useful.

How your organisation can benefit

Security and updates

• Firefox 136 introduced vertical tabs and a richer sidebar, reducing the need to patch forks for this feature. That counts for maintenance surface. Firefox
• LibreWolf follows Firefox quickly but without auto-update: plan a client-side or MDM strategy to keep the fleet up to date. LibreWolf

Extensions and compatibility

• Waterfox can make up for a lack of extensions in the company if your stack depends on Chrome modules. However, test each critical extension before wide deployment. Waterfox
• LibreWolf may require fine-grained exceptions in uBO or a relaxation of certain protections for internal apps. LibreWolf

Privacy and compliance

• By default, LibreWolf offers the strictest profile. Floorp and Zen are more “ergonomics-productivity” while still being leaner than stock Firefox in terms of “noise.” Waterfox takes a middle ground with a privacy policy that end users can read. Waterfox

Quick recommendations

• You want to shape the tool to your liking: go for Floorp.
• Your priority is privacy and minimising footprints: LibreWolf.
• You’re looking for a modern, visually gentle experience with spaces for each project: Zen.
• You are migrating from Chrome/Edge and depend on certain extensions from the Chrome Web Store: Waterfox.

Smooth deployment tips

• Start with a pilot on a volunteer group.
• List your critical extensions and validate them on the chosen fork.
• Document three useful actions for your teams: enabling vertical tabs (if Firefox), managing workspaces, and properly unblocking a site that suffers from settings that are too strict. Mozilla Support
• Plan updates: MDM or update scripts for LibreWolf, regular channels otherwise. LibreWolf

Key sources

• Firefox 136 — vertical tabs and sidebar documentation. Firefox Mozilla Support
• Floorp — vertical tabs v12, mouse gestures, Notes. Floorp Docs +1 Floorp Blog
• LibreWolf — default features, privacy position, FAQ updates. LibreWolf +1
• Zen — website, features, Mods, GitHub. Zen Browser +1 GitHub
• Waterfox — independence, Chrome Web Store, “no telemetry” policy. Waterfox +3 Waterfox +3 Waterfox +3
• Pocket — closure and timeline. Mozilla Support blog.mozilla.org

Blue Fox’s take

At Blue Fox, we help organisations choose consciously: productivity, security, respect for privacy. There’s no “best” browser for everyone, there’s the right browser for you. If you need a step-by-step guide to choosing or a turnkey deployment plan, we’re here for you.