Floorp vs Waterfox (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Floorp and Waterfox share a 3.2 GPA, both are free, so the choice depends on whether you care more about features, where Floorp grades higher, or platforms, where Waterfox does.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Floorp
Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with workspaces and split view
Waterfox
Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with a built-in ad blocker
Which one is for you
Pick Floorp if
- Fits if you like Firefox but want tabs grouped by task
- Works for anyone who wants up to four pages side by side in one window
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you want it on your phone: there's no stable mobile version and iOS is only in TestFlight
- Watch out: it's a Firefox derivative, so it follows Firefox's engine and release timing
- Watch out: downloading it means agreeing to the project's Terms of Service
Pick Waterfox if
- Fits if you want Firefox with the ad blocker already installed
- Works for people who want private tabs sitting beside normal ones
Look elsewhere if
- Watch out: the site says it's funded partly through search partnerships, so partner search ads are there unless you block them
- Skip it if you want the built-in blocker on your phone, as it's described for desktop
- Not for you if you use an iPhone, as there's no iOS version
- Watch out: it's run by one company, BrowserWorks Ltd, which the site says is wholly owned by its founder
How we grade them
| 3.2GPAFloorpVery good | 3.2GPAWaterfoxVery good | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree and open source, and a program anyone can download and run. | AFree and open source, and a program anyone can download and run. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe whole browser is free, with no account needed to start. | AThe whole browser is free on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android, including the ad blocker on desktop. |
| Features | BWorkspaces, split view, web panels and a customizable interface cover the browser's job. The listing shows no gap in the core work. | CAd blocking, private tabs in a normal window, DNS over Oblivious HTTP and interface options. The built-in blocker is described for the desktop browser only. |
| Ease of use | BNo store rating on record. You install it and use it, with several install options on each system. | BNo store rating on record. You install it and use it, with the blocker already running. |
| Platforms and integrations | CDesktop only: Windows, Mac and Linux. iOS is in TestFlight testing and no Android version is listed. | BWindows, Mac, Linux and Android. The download page lists no iOS version. |
| Best for | Firefox with workspaces and split view | Firefox with an ad blocker built in |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Floorp and Waterfox. How we grade
Price against what you get
Floorp has no paid plan and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Waterfox has no paid plan and scores 2.7.
On this chart the two sit in the same place: the same score for the same starting price. Of the other browsers on the chart, none scores higher than Floorp for less, and none scores higher than Waterfox for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- Waterfox also covers ad and tracker blocking.
At a glance
| Floorp | Waterfox | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Floorp is a free, open-source desktop browser and needs no account to start. | Waterfox is free and open source. The site says it is funded by search partnerships, optional Waterfox Private Search subscriptions and donations. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Android | ||
| Made by | Floorp Projects | BrowserWorks Ltd |
| Price read from | floorp.app | waterfox.com |
| Checked | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Floorp
- There is no stable mobile version: iOS is in TestFlight testing, and no Android version is listed.
- It is a Firefox derivative, so it follows Firefox's engine and release timing.
- Downloading it means agreeing to the project's Terms of Service.
Waterfox
- The site says it is funded partly through search partnerships, with an option to change the search provider or block partner search ads.
- The built-in blocker is described for the desktop browser only.
- It is run by one company, BrowserWorks Ltd, which the site says is wholly owned by its founder.
- There is no iOS version on the download page.
Key features
Floorp
- Workspaces
- Tabs are grouped by task, and Firefox containers can be assigned to a workspace so cookies and sign-ins stay separate.
- Split view
- Up to four pages can sit in one window, with each panel adjustable in width.
- Web panels
- Frequently used sites can be pinned to the sidebar and opened without leaving the current page.
- Customization
- The home page lists interface customization, mouse gestures and sites that open in their own windows as web apps.
- Several install options
- Windows has online, offline, winget and portable options; macOS has a DMG and Homebrew; Linux has tarball, DEB, Flatpak and PPA.
Waterfox
- Built-in ad blocking
- The desktop blocker stops ads, trackers, pop-ups and overlays before they load. You can manage filter lists, site exceptions and search partner ads.
- Private tabs in a normal window
- Private tabs sit next to regular ones in a separate container, and site data is cleared when the last private tab closes.
- DNS over Oblivious HTTP
- DNS lookups go through an Oblivious HTTP relay, so the relay knows who connected and the resolver knows the query, but neither knows both.
- Interface options
- The site shows a choice of interface styles, color palettes, light or dark mode, and horizontal or vertical tabs.
- No telemetry
- The site says Waterfox has no telemetry and does not collect or sell personal data.
Plans
Floorp
Free$0
The full desktop browser for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Waterfox
Free$0
The full browser for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, including the built-in ad blocker.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Floorp or Waterfox?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Floorp and Waterfox are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Floorp or Waterfox?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Floorp and Waterfox have a free plan.
Which platforms do Floorp and Waterfox run on?
As of Nov 12, 2026, only Waterfox lists an Android app. Both list macOS, Windows and Linux apps. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.