Maxthon review (2026): is the free plan enough?
Chromium-based browser with notes, password manager and AI chat
Black Friday: is there a Maxthon sale?
Maxthon report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for a browser with notes, a password manager and a VPN built in
Maxthon is a free Chromium-based browser with split screen, notes, a password manager, a free VPN and AI chat. The membership price isn't shown to anyone who isn't logged in, and on desktop the ad blocker is an optional extension.
Who Maxthon is for
- Fits if you want notes and a password manager inside the browser itself
- Works for people who use a browser on both a computer and a phone
Who Maxthon is not for
- Watch out: the membership price isn't shown unless you log in, so we can't tell you what it costs
- Skip it if you want a built-in ad blocker on desktop, as it's an optional extension there
- Not for you if you use Linux, as the download page has no Linux version
- Watch out: the iOS version is listed through TestFlight on the download page
Why Maxthon gets a 3.2
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyThe browser is free to download and use on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, with sync and the built-in VPN. A paid membership exists, but its price wasn't readable.
- AFree plan and trialThe browser, sync, split screen and the VPN from Bright Data are free.
- CFeaturesPrivacy tools, notes, a password manager, media tools and AI chat. The ad blocker is built into the mobile versions only, and on desktop it's an optional extension.
- BEase of useNo store rating on record. You install it and browse, with the extra tools a click away.
- BPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac, Android and iOS, with sync between them. The iOS version is listed through TestFlight, and there's no Linux version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Maxthon's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
Make Maxthon? Put this grade on your site
Paste this where you want the badge. It links here and follows the grade if it changes. About badges
<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/maxthon#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/maxthon.svg" alt="Maxthon: 3.2 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Maxthon stands among browsers
Maxthon's GPA of 3.2 is higher than 12 of the 25 other browsers we grade, and level with 5.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 10 of 25) and worst on features (C, above 0).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 26 browsers we grade, cut by the letter each got. Maxthon’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 10 of 25, level with 15
- AFree plan and trialAbove 8 of 25, level with 17
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 25, level with 13
- BEase of useAbove 8 of 25, level with 11
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 13 of 25, level with 9
Keep Maxthon, or make your own?
Keep it
To replace Maxthon you would be making a web browser. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
What you could make
- Ad and tracker blocking and notes: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- A web browser.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
What this rests on. Maxthon’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.
What is Maxthon?
Maxthon is a Chromium-based browser for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. It bundles a note tool called Maxnote, a password manager called Passkeeper, split screen, reading mode, mouse gestures, cross-device sync and a built-in free VPN from Bright Data. An optional paid membership adds early access to new features and extra video download privileges.
Worth knowing
- The membership price is not shown to visitors who are not logged in, so it is not recorded here.
- The ad blocker is built into the mobile versions; on desktop it is an optional extension.
- The iOS version is listed through TestFlight on the download page.
- There is no Linux version on the download page.
Key features
- Privacy tools
- Anti-tracking, incognito mode, automatic data cleaning on exit and a free VPN provided by Bright Data.
- Maxnote and Passkeeper
- Maxnote organizes notes and URLs, and Passkeeper fills passwords, addresses and payment details and syncs them across devices.
- Browsing tools
- Split screen, reading mode, read aloud, mouse gestures, super drag and tab search.
- Media tools
- A video float bar, video download, screen capture and a resource sniffer.
- AI chat
- The homepage describes a multi-model AI chat built into the browser.
Maxthon pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, Maxthon has a free plan.
- Starts at
- Not published
- Free plan
- The browser is free to download. A paid Maxthon membership exists, but its price could not be read without logging in.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free browser | $0 | The browser for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, with sync, split screen and the built-in free VPN. |
Read from maxthon.com on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Maxthon before you buy.
How people rate the Maxthon app
4.5
out of 5 for the iPhone and iPad app
- 5 stars76%
- 4 stars12%
- 3 stars4%
- 2 stars2%
- 1 star6%
702 ratings on the App Store in the United States, read Nov 13, 2026. It rates the app, not everything the product does. See the listing
Works with
- Bright Data
Maxthon alternatives
- Maxthon vs Opera
Free plan · from $4/mo
- Maxthon vs Brave
Free plan · from $3.00/mo
Common questions
Does Maxthon have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Maxthon is listed for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.
Is Maxthon open source?
Maxthon is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026. What people say is linked where it appears.