Otter Browser vs Qutebrowser (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Otter Browser grades higher than Qutebrowser: 3.0 against 2.6 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Otter Browser grades higher on ease of use. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, features and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Otter Browser
Open-source Qt browser that revives the classic Opera 12 interface
Which one is for you
Pick Otter Browser if
- Fits if you miss the classic Opera 12 layout
- Makes sense if you want a light, tweakable desktop browser
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use a Mac or a phone, as macOS is not named
- Not for you if you want quick fixes: recent weekly reports show about seven commits by one author
- Watch out: the weekly reports show 254 open issues, including 7 bugs
- Too light for modern web apps if you rely on the newest standards
Pick Qutebrowser if
- Fits if you like Vim-style keys and a minimal window
- Makes sense if you are comfortable installing Python and Qt
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want to point and click: it is built around the keyboard
- Not for you if installing Python and Qt sounds like a chore
- Watch out: on Linux, stable distributions may ship an older QtWebEngine on an old Chromium version
- Tight if you want fast fixes: the main maintainer works part-time, funded by donations
How we grade them
| 3.0GPAOtter BrowserVery good | 2.6GPAQutebrowserGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree software under GPL v3 with no paid plan, so under 60% of this category's cheapest quarter. | AFree software under the GPL, supported by donations, so under 60% of this category's cheapest quarter. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe whole browser is free and open source, with no caps or paid tier. | AThe whole browser is free, with Windows and macOS builds on GitHub Releases. |
| Features | CA customizable, lightweight browser for power users, with the basics but a small team behind it. | CA keyboard-focused browser with optional ad blocking and built-in help. It does the browsing job on QtWebEngine. |
| Ease of use | BNo rating on record. You install a binary or AppImage and use it, with options to tune if you want. | DNo rating on record. It needs Python 3.10 or newer and Qt 6.2 or newer, or Qt 5.15, and is run from the keyboard. |
| Platforms and integrations | CWindows and Linux are listed. The project's site does not name macOS or any phone version. | CLinux, macOS and Windows, desktop only, with no phone version. |
| Best for | a customizable browser in the Opera 12 style | keyboard-driven browsing for Vim-style users |
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: Otter Browser and Qutebrowser. How we grade
Price against what you get
Otter Browser has no paid plan and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Qutebrowser has no paid plan and scores 1.7.
Otter Browser scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other browsers on the chart, none scores higher than Otter Browser for less, and none scores higher than Qutebrowser 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
- Qutebrowser also covers ad and tracker blocking.
At a glance
| Otter Browser | Qutebrowser | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Free and open source under the GPL v3, with no paid plans. | Free software under the GPL, supported by donations. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | Otter Browser project | qutebrowser project |
| Price read from | github.com | qutebrowser.org |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Otter Browser
- The project's own site lists official binaries, with an AppImage for Linux and downloads for Windows on SourceForge; macOS is not named there.
- Development is slow: its recent weekly reports show about seven commits by one author each week.
- The weekly reports show 254 open issues, including 7 bugs.
Qutebrowser
- It needs Python 3.10 or newer and Qt 6.2 or newer, or Qt 5.15; Windows and macOS builds are on the GitHub Releases page.
- On Linux, stable distributions may ship an older QtWebEngine based on an old Chromium version.
- The primary maintainer works part-time on it, funded by donations.
Key features
Otter Browser
- Opera 12 style interface
- The project says it aims to recreate the best aspects of the classic Opera 12.x user interface and keep its spirit alive.
- Built with Qt
- The browser is written primarily in C++ and uses the Qt framework.
- Power-user focus
- The project says it focuses on features power users want while staying fast and lightweight.
- Free software
- Released under the GNU GPL v3, so anyone can read the code and contribute.
Qutebrowser
- Keyboard-driven
- Described as a keyboard-focused browser with a minimal GUI, inspired by dwb and Vimperator/Pentadactyl.
- QtWebEngine backend
- Uses the Chromium-based QtWebEngine by default, with an older QtWebKit backend that the project does not recommend because of security issues.
- Optional ad blocking
- Improved ad blocking with Adblock Plus syntax is available when the optional adblock library is installed.
- Built-in help and reporting
- A :report command and crash dialog send bug reports, and a :help command shows documentation.
Plans
Otter Browser
Free$0
The full browser, free software under GPL v3.
Qutebrowser
Free$0
The full browser, free software under the GPL.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Otter Browser or Qutebrowser?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Otter Browser and Qutebrowser are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Otter Browser or Qutebrowser?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Otter Browser and Qutebrowser have a free plan.
Which platforms do Otter Browser and Qutebrowser run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Qutebrowser lists a macOS app. Both list 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.