# Qutebrowser review (2026): is it any good? > Keyboard-driven browser with a minimal interface Checked Nov 13, 2026 ยท graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA. Qutebrowser is a free, keyboard-focused browser with a minimal GUI, written in Python and Qt and licensed under the GPL. It was inspired by dwb and by the Vimperator and Pentadactyl add-ons. Its main developer works on it part-time, funded by donations. - **Category:** Browsers - **Made by:** qutebrowser project - **Website:** https://qutebrowser.org - **Runs on:** Linux, macOS, Windows - **Who should skip it:** Skip it if you want to point and click: it is built around the keyboard. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 13, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 13, 2026, Qutebrowser is free to use. - **Pricing model:** Free - **Free plan:** Free software under the GPL, supported by donations. - **Free trial:** None listed. | Plan | Price | What you get | | --- | --- | --- | | Free | $0 | The full browser, free software under the GPL. | Read from https://qutebrowser.org/ on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Qutebrowser before buying. ## Key features - **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. ## Good for - Vim-style users who want to browse without a mouse - Linux users comfortable installing from their package manager - People who want a minimal browser interface ## Worth knowing - 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. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 2.6 out of 4**, graded Nov 13, 2026. Qutebrowser is a free browser you drive from the keyboard, written in Python and Qt, with a minimal interface. It needs Python and Qt installed, one developer works on it part-time, and distribution packages may ship an old engine. - **Value for money: A.** Free software under the GPL, supported by donations, so under 60% of this category's cheapest quarter. - **Free plan and trial: A.** The whole browser is free, with Windows and macOS builds on GitHub Releases. - **Features: C.** A keyboard-focused browser with optional ad blocking and built-in help. It does the browsing job on QtWebEngine. - **Ease of use: D.** No 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: C.** Linux, macOS and Windows, desktop only, with no phone version. These are ToolGPA's own grades. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from qutebrowser project's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. ## Where it stands among browsers - Qutebrowser's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 20 of the 60 other browsers we grade, and level with 2. - It stands best on value for money (A, above 22 of 60) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0). - Qutebrowser has no paid plan. - On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/browsers ## Keep it, or make your own? **Keep it.** Qutebrowser is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. - You could make: Ad and tracker blocking: an app builder makes this well. - You could not: A web browser. - You could not: Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other. A judgement by ToolGPA from this listing, by rules that are the same for every tool. Nothing was built to test it. **Tags:** Web browser, Open source, Keyboard-first, Ad and tracker blocking ## Alternatives - [Nyxt](https://toolgpa.com/tools/nyxt): Keyboard-first browser customized in Common Lisp. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/nyxt-vs-qutebrowser) - [Min](https://toolgpa.com/tools/min-browser): Free, open-source minimal browser with tasks and history search. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/min-browser-vs-qutebrowser) - [Otter Browser](https://toolgpa.com/tools/otter-browser): Open-source Qt browser that revives the classic Opera 12 interface. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/otter-browser-vs-qutebrowser) - [Falkon](https://toolgpa.com/tools/falkon): Lightweight KDE web browser with a built-in ad blocker. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/falkon-vs-qutebrowser) - [Firefox](https://toolgpa.com/tools/firefox): Free, open-source browser from Mozilla with tracker blocking built in. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/firefox-vs-qutebrowser) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026: - https://qutebrowser.org/ - https://qutebrowser.org/doc/install.html Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/qutebrowser Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).