The Pale Moon Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Pale Moon 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.
Pale Moon
The Insider’s Guide
Free open-source browser on its own Goanna engine, with legacy add-ons
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among browsers, read from Pale Moon’s own pages.
Made by Moonchild Productions · 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 Pale Moon’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Pale Moon’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
Pale Moon is a free, open-source browser built on its own Goanna rendering engine and a hard fork of Mozilla code called UXP. It focuses on customization, with full theming and XUL add-ons, and says it has no ads, telemetry or data gathering. Official builds cover Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Pale Moon, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It leaves out WebRTC, a PDF reader and DRM on purpose, so some sites and video services may not work.
- 1
Best for a customizable browser with legacy add-ons
Pale Moon is a free browser on its own Goanna engine that still runs XUL add-ons and old plugins.
- 2
It is free
Pale Moon has no paid plan at all. Pale Moon is free and open source; the site accepts donations and lists no paid plan.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux.
- 4
Goanna engine
Rendering runs on Goanna, a derivative of Gecko, on the UXP platform; the site calls it a true fork and an independent product.
- 5
XUL add-ons and themes
Add-ons and complete themes can change core browser functions and appearance, and many legacy Firefox extensions are compatible.
- 6
No telemetry
The site says the browser contains no ads, telemetry or data gathering.
- 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
Pale Moon is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Pale Moon at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Moonchild Productions, since 2009
- Category
- Browsers
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for a customizable browser with legacy add-ons
Pale Moon is a free browser on its own Goanna engine that still runs XUL add-ons and old plugins. It leaves out WebRTC, a PDF reader and DRM on purpose, so some sites and video services may not work.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source, with donations accepted and no paid plan, which is under 60% of this category's cheapest quarter. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The full browser for Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD costs nothing, with portable and 7-Zip Windows versions. |
| Features | C | XUL add-ons, themes and NPAPI plugins, but WebRTC, an integrated PDF reader, DRM and parental controls are deliberately off in the main build. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating on record. You install it and go, though official binaries need a CPU with AVX, except the 32-bit Windows build. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD, with no iOS or Android edition on the download page. |
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 Pale Moon is for
- Fits if you rely on legacy Firefox-style add-ons and full theming
- Makes sense if you want a browser with no telemetry, as the site states
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you need video calls in the browser, since WebRTC is disabled
- Not for you if you stream DRM video, as there is no in-browser DRM
- Too light for phones: no iOS or Android edition is listed
- Watch out: official binaries need AVX, except the 32-bit Windows build
- Tight if you want current web standards: it follows its own engine, not Firefox or Chrome
Good to know
Good for
- People who want deep add-on and theme customization
- Users who want a browser with no telemetry and a non-commercial project
- Those running older or unusual systems with a build-from-source option
Worth knowing
- Official binaries need a CPU with AVX support, except the 32-bit Windows build.
- It has no WebRTC, built-in PDF reader or DRM, so some sites and video services may not work.
- Compatibility with current web standards follows its own engine, not Firefox or Chrome.
- Windows download is also offered on the Microsoft Store, and there is no iOS or Android edition on the download page.
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
Pale Moon is free to use.
Free
$0
The full browser for Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD, with portable and 7-Zip Windows versions.
The free plan
Pale Moon is free and open source; the site accepts donations and lists no paid plan.
Read from palemoon.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
3
Places it runs: macOS, Windows and Linux
Free open-source browser on its own Goanna engine, with legacy add-ons. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, web browser.
Windows, macOS, Linux and FreeBSD, with no iOS or Android edition on the download page.
- Goanna engine
- Rendering runs on Goanna, a derivative of Gecko, on the UXP platform; the site calls it a true fork and an independent product.
- XUL add-ons and themes
- Add-ons and complete themes can change core browser functions and appearance, and many legacy Firefox extensions are compatible.
- No telemetry
- The site says the browser contains no ads, telemetry or data gathering.
- Plugin support
- It supports legacy NPAPI plugins such as Java, Flash and Silverlight, which most browsers have dropped.
- Features left out
- WebRTC, an integrated PDF reader, in-browser DRM and parental controls are deliberately disabled in the main build.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Pale Moon is made by Moonchild Productions, and has been around since 2009.
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
Pale Moon'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).
Pale Moon 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. Pale Moon’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. Pale Moon 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
Pale Moon is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could not
- A web browser.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Pale Moon’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, Waterfox, LibreWolf, Floorp and SeaMonkey
The 5 tools Pale Moon 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 Android and iOS apps.
- Firefox is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Firefox also covers password manager.
- 3.2GPA
Waterfox
Free
Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with a built-in ad blocker.
- Only Waterfox lists an Android app.
- Waterfox also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.8GPA
LibreWolf
Free
Free, privacy-hardened browser built on Firefox.
- LibreWolf also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 3.2GPA
Floorp
Free
Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with workspaces and split view.
- 3.0GPA
SeaMonkey
Free
All-in-one internet suite with browser, mail, chat and HTML editor.
- SeaMonkey also covers email client and rSS reader.
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 Pale Moon free?
Yes. Pale Moon is free to use.
How much does Pale Moon cost?
Pale Moon lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Pale Moon work on?
Pale Moon is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Pale Moon have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Pale Moon is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Pale Moon have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Pale Moon is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Pale Moon open source?
Yes. Pale Moon is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes Pale Moon?
Pale Moon is made by Moonchild Productions. It dates from 2009.
What are the alternatives to Pale Moon?
The closest alternatives to Pale Moon in our directory are Firefox, Waterfox, LibreWolf, Floorp and SeaMonkey.
How does Pale Moon compare with other browsers?
Pale Moon's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 34 of the 60 other browsers we grade, and level with 9.
Is Pale Moon good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Pale Moon A for value for money. Pale Moon has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Pale Moon?
Pale Moon 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 Pale Moon’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 Moonchild Productions'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 Moonchild Productions. Prices change, so check palemoon.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
- Pale Moon, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/pale-moon
- 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, "Pale Moon: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/pale-moon
Know someone choosing between browsers?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/pale-moon/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded browsers after Pale Moon, 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 Pale Moon’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. Pale Moon is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Moonchild Productions. Prices and plans change: check palemoon.org before you buy.