The Falkon Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Falkon in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Falkon
The Insider’s Guide
Lightweight KDE web browser with a built-in ad blocker
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among browsers, read from Falkon’s own pages.
Made by KDE · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Falkon’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Falkon’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 23 of the 60 other browsers we grade
Falkon is a free, open-source web browser made by KDE and built on the QtWebEngine rendering engine. It was formerly known as QupZilla. It ships with an ad blocker turned on and a password manager, supports theming and extensions, and follows Plasma theme settings on KDE desktops. The download page lists Linux packages.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Falkon, taken from its own pages and our grades.
The download page lists Linux packages only, and it follows QtWebEngine for web compatibility.
- 1
Best for a light KDE browser on Linux
Falkon is KDE's free, open-source browser with an ad blocker on by default and a password manager.
- 2
It is free
Falkon has no paid plan at all. Falkon is free and open source. KDE accepts donations but the site lists no paid plan.
- 3
It runs on Linux
Linux.
- 4
Ad blocker on by default
A built-in AdBlock plugin is enabled by default, and the 25.04 release notes mention fixes and new features for it.
- 5
Password manager
Falkon ships with a password manager and lets you tighten privacy and security settings further.
- 6
Theming and extensions
Themes change how the browser looks, and the site has an extensions page, including a Greasemonkey-style plugin mentioned in release notes.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 23 of 60
That is against the other browsers we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Falkon is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Falkon at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Linux
- Made by
- KDE, since 2010
- Category
- Browsers
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for a light KDE browser on Linux
Falkon is KDE's free, open-source browser with an ad blocker on by default and a password manager. The download page lists Linux packages only, and it follows QtWebEngine for web compatibility.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source, with no paid plan. KDE takes donations. That is below this category's $7 cheapest quarter. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole browser, ad blocker and password manager included, installs from distribution packages, Snap or Flatpak at no cost. |
| Features | C | Ad blocker, password manager, themes, extensions, bookmarks and history. Web compatibility follows QtWebEngine rather than Chrome or Firefox releases. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating on record. You install it from your distribution and use it, with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | The download page lists Linux only. No Windows or macOS installer is shown, and no phone version. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Falkon is for
- Fits if you run a KDE Plasma desktop and want a browser that follows its theme
- Makes sense if you want an ad blocker on from the first launch
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you use Windows or macOS, since the download page lists only Linux
- Not for you if you want the newest web features at once: it follows QtWebEngine, not Chrome or Firefox
- Tight if you want frequent updates: releases arrive with KDE Gear about three times a year
- Too light for phones: no mobile version is listed
Good to know
Good for
- KDE Plasma users who want a browser that matches the desktop
- Linux users who want a light browser with ad blocking built in
- People who prefer open-source software from a large community project
Worth knowing
- The download page lists Linux only (distribution packages, Snap and Flatpak); no Windows or macOS installer is shown there.
- It uses QtWebEngine, so web compatibility follows that engine rather than Firefox or Chrome releases.
- Falkon releases arrive with KDE Gear, about three times a year.
- The about page says the project was started for educational purposes.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Falkon is free to use.
Free and open source, with no paid plan.
Free
$0
The full browser, with its ad blocker and password manager, installed from distribution packages, Snap or Flatpak.
The free plan
Falkon is free and open source. KDE accepts donations but the site lists no paid plan.
Read from falkon.org on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Linux
Lightweight KDE web browser with a built-in ad blocker. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, password manager, web browser, ad and tracker blocking.
Ad blocker, password manager, themes, extensions, bookmarks and history.
- Ad blocker on by default
- A built-in AdBlock plugin is enabled by default, and the 25.04 release notes mention fixes and new features for it.
- Password manager
- Falkon ships with a password manager and lets you tighten privacy and security settings further.
- Theming and extensions
- Themes change how the browser looks, and the site has an extensions page, including a Greasemonkey-style plugin mentioned in release notes.
- Plasma integration
- The site says Falkon integrates inside Plasma and follows Plasma theming preferences.
- Standard browser features
- Bookmarks, history and tabs are included, with bookmarks and history also shown in the sidebar.
Where it runs
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Falkon is made by KDE, and has been around since 2010.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
23/60
Other browsers it is graded above
Falkon's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 23 of the 60 other browsers we grade, and level with 10.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 22 of 60) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Falkon has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 61 browsers we grade, cut by the letter each got. Falkon’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 22 of 60
- AFree plan and trialAbove 21 of 60
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 60
- BEase of useAbove 28 of 60
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 60
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 54 browsers. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Falkon is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Falkon is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could make
- Ad and tracker blocking: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A web browser.
- A password vault, the last thing anyone should make for themselves.
- A real app for Linux. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. Falkon’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Firefox, Min, Otter Browser, Qutebrowser and LibreWolf
The 5 tools Falkon is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.8GPA
Firefox
Free
Free, open-source browser from Mozilla with tracker blocking built in.
- Only Firefox lists Windows, macOS, Android and iOS apps.
- Firefox is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Falkon also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 3.2GPA
Min
Free
Free, open-source minimal browser with tasks and history search.
- Only Min lists Windows and macOS apps.
- Falkon also covers password manager.
- 3.0GPA
Otter Browser
Free
Open-source Qt browser that revives the classic Opera 12 interface.
- Only Otter Browser lists a Windows app.
- Falkon also covers password manager and ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.6GPA
Qutebrowser
Free
Keyboard-driven browser with a minimal interface.
- Only Qutebrowser lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Falkon also covers password manager.
- 2.8GPA
LibreWolf
Free
Free, privacy-hardened browser built on Firefox.
- Only LibreWolf lists Windows and macOS apps.
- Falkon also covers password manager.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Falkon free?
Yes. Falkon is free to use.
How much does Falkon cost?
Falkon lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Falkon work on?
Falkon is available on Linux.
Does Falkon have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Falkon is listed for Linux.
Does Falkon have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Falkon is listed for Linux.
Is Falkon open source?
Yes. Falkon is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes Falkon?
Falkon is made by KDE. It dates from 2010.
What are the alternatives to Falkon?
The closest alternatives to Falkon in our directory are Firefox, Min, Otter Browser, Qutebrowser and LibreWolf.
How does Falkon compare with other browsers?
Falkon's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 23 of the 60 other browsers we grade, and level with 10.
Is Falkon good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Falkon A for value for money. Falkon has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Falkon?
Falkon is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Falkon’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from KDE's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by KDE. Prices change, so check falkon.org before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Falkon, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/falkon
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Falkon: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/falkon
Know someone choosing between browsers?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/falkon/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded browsers after Falkon, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Browsers Insider's GuideEvery one of the 61 browsers we grade, compared
- Brave Insider's GuideOpen-source browser that blocks ads and trackers by default3.8 GPA
- Firefox Insider's GuideFree, open-source browser from Mozilla with tracker blocking built in3.8 GPA
- Vivaldi Insider's GuideCustomizable browser with built-in mail, calendar and feed reader3.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Falkon’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Falkon is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by KDE. Prices and plans change: check falkon.org before you buy.