The NetSurf Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about NetSurf 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.
NetSurf
The Insider’s Guide
Lightweight open-source browser with its own layout engine
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among browsers, read from NetSurf’s own pages.
Made by The NetSurf Developers · 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 NetSurf’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on NetSurf’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
3.0
GPA, above 34 of the 60 other browsers we grade
NetSurf is a small, free web browser written in C with its own layout engine. It runs on RISC OS, Linux and other Unix-like systems, Haiku, AmigaOS, Windows and Atari, and is licensed under GPL version 2. It is built to work on old and low-powered computers, so its web standards support is narrower than mainstream browsers.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about NetSurf, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Its web standards support is narrower than mainstream browsers, and some features are RISC OS only.
- 1
Best for browsing on old or low-powered computers
NetSurf is a small, free browser with its own layout engine, made for old and low-powered machines.
- 2
It is free
NetSurf has no paid plan at all. Free and open source under GPL version 2, with no paid plans.
- 3
It runs on 2 platforms
Linux and Windows.
- 4
Own layout engine
Written in C with its own rendering engine, aimed at speed and low resource use.
- 5
Runs on small systems
The site says it keeps working from a modern PC down to a 30MHz ARM 6 computer with 16MB of RAM.
- 6
Many platforms
Downloads are listed for RISC OS, GTK on Linux and Unix-likes, Haiku and BeOS, AmigaOS, Windows and Atari.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 34 of 60
That is against the other browsers we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
NetSurf is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
NetSurf at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows, Linux
- Made by
- The NetSurf Developers
- Category
- Browsers
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for browsing on old or low-powered computers
NetSurf is a small, free browser with its own layout engine, made for old and low-powered machines. Its web standards support is narrower than mainstream browsers, and some features are RISC OS only.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free under GPL v2 with no paid plans, so under 60% of this category's cheapest quarter. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole browser downloads at no charge, with no paid tier or caps. |
| Features | C | A browser with history and page tools on its own engine, but the site says it only strives for standards compliance. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating on record. It installs as a small program, built for small systems. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Many systems on the site, but our listing counts Linux and Windows, and the downloads page lists no Mac build. |
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 NetSurf is for
- Fits if you have an old or low-powered computer
- Makes sense if you want a small program on RISC OS, Haiku or Linux
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you rely on modern web apps, since standards support is narrower than mainstream browsers
- Not for you if you want a Mac build: the overview names Mac OS X but the downloads page lists none
- Watch out: Drawfile export and ArtWorks images are RISC OS only
- Too light for phones: no mobile version is listed
- Tight if you need a settled engine: its own engine is still in active development
Good to know
Good for
- Old or low-powered computers
- RISC OS, Haiku and AmigaOS users
- Anyone wanting a small, independent browser engine
Worth knowing
- The site says NetSurf only strives for standards compliance, and its own engine is still in active development.
- Some features such as Drawfile export and ArtWorks images are RISC OS only.
- The overview page names Mac OS X, but the downloads page lists no Mac build.
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
NetSurf is free to use.
The whole browser downloads at no charge, with no paid tier or caps.
Free
$0
The full browser, free to download under GPL version 2.
The free plan
Free and open source under GPL version 2, with no paid plans.
Read from netsurf-browser.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
2
Places it runs: Windows and Linux
Lightweight open-source browser with its own layout engine. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, bookmarks, web browser.
A browser with history and page tools on its own engine, but the site says it only strives for standards compliance.
- Own layout engine
- Written in C with its own rendering engine, aimed at speed and low resource use.
- Runs on small systems
- The site says it keeps working from a modern PC down to a 30MHz ARM 6 computer with 16MB of RAM.
- Many platforms
- Downloads are listed for RISC OS, GTK on Linux and Unix-likes, Haiku and BeOS, AmigaOS, Windows and Atari.
- History and page tools
- Includes web page thumbnailing, local and global history, a hotlist for bookmarks, a cookie manager and search-as-you-type.
Where it runs
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
NetSurf is made by The NetSurf Developers.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
34/60
Other browsers it is graded above
NetSurf's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 34 of the 60 other browsers we grade, and level with 9.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 22 of 60) and worst on features (C, above 2).
NetSurf has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 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. NetSurf’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
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 4 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. NetSurf 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
NetSurf 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
- Bookmarks: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A web browser.
- A real app for Windows and Linux. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. NetSurf’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
Falkon, Min, Pale Moon, Otter Browser and Qutebrowser
The 5 tools NetSurf is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Falkon
Free
Lightweight KDE web browser with a built-in ad blocker.
- Only NetSurf lists a Windows app.
- NetSurf also covers bookmarks.
- Falkon also covers password manager and ad and tracker blocking.
- 3.2GPA
Min
Free
Free, open-source minimal browser with tasks and history search.
- Only Min lists a macOS app.
- NetSurf also covers bookmarks.
- Min also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 3.0GPA
Pale Moon
Free
Free open-source browser on its own Goanna engine, with legacy add-ons.
- Only Pale Moon lists a macOS app.
- NetSurf also covers bookmarks.
- 3.0GPA
Otter Browser
Free
Open-source Qt browser that revives the classic Opera 12 interface.
- NetSurf also covers bookmarks.
- 2.6GPA
Qutebrowser
Free
Keyboard-driven browser with a minimal interface.
- Only Qutebrowser lists a macOS app.
- NetSurf also covers bookmarks.
- Qutebrowser also covers ad and tracker blocking.
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 NetSurf free?
Yes. NetSurf is free to use.
How much does NetSurf cost?
NetSurf lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does NetSurf work on?
NetSurf is available on Linux and Windows.
Does NetSurf have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. NetSurf is listed for Linux and Windows.
Does NetSurf have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. NetSurf is listed for Linux and Windows.
Is NetSurf open source?
Yes. NetSurf is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes NetSurf?
NetSurf is made by The NetSurf Developers.
What are the alternatives to NetSurf?
The closest alternatives to NetSurf in our directory are Falkon, Min, Pale Moon, Otter Browser and Qutebrowser.
How does NetSurf compare with other browsers?
NetSurf's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 34 of the 60 other browsers we grade, and level with 9.
Is NetSurf good value for money?
ToolGPA grades NetSurf A for value for money. NetSurf has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of NetSurf?
NetSurf 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 NetSurf’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 The NetSurf Developers'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 The NetSurf Developers. Prices change, so check netsurf-browser.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
- NetSurf, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/netsurf
- 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, "NetSurf: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/netsurf
Know someone choosing between browsers?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/netsurf/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded browsers after NetSurf, 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 NetSurf’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. NetSurf is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by The NetSurf Developers. Prices and plans change: check netsurf-browser.org before you buy.