The Qutebrowser Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Qutebrowser 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.
Qutebrowser
The Insider’s Guide
Keyboard-driven browser with a minimal interface
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among browsers, read from Qutebrowser’s own pages.
Made by qutebrowser project · 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 Qutebrowser’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Qutebrowser’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
2.6
GPA, above 20 of the 60 other browsers we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Qutebrowser, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It needs Python and Qt installed, one developer works on it part-time, and distribution packages may ship an old engine.
- 1
Best for keyboard-driven browsing for Vim-style users
Qutebrowser is a free browser you drive from the keyboard, written in Python and Qt, with a minimal interface.
- 2
It is free
Qutebrowser has no paid plan at all. Free software under the GPL, supported by donations.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
Linux, macOS and Windows.
- 4
Keyboard-driven
Described as a keyboard-focused browser with a minimal GUI, inspired by dwb and Vimperator/Pentadactyl.
- 5
QtWebEngine backend
Uses the Chromium-based QtWebEngine by default, with an older QtWebKit backend that the project does not recommend because of security issues.
- 6
Optional ad blocking
Improved ad blocking with Adblock Plus syntax is available when the optional adblock library is installed.
- 7
A 2.6 GPA, above 20 of 60
That is against the other browsers we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Qutebrowser is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Qutebrowser at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- qutebrowser project
- Category
- Browsers
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for keyboard-driven browsing for Vim-style users
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
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 Qutebrowser is for
- Fits if you like Vim-style keys and a minimal window
- Makes sense if you are comfortable installing Python and Qt
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want to point and click: it is built around the keyboard
- Not for you if installing Python and Qt sounds like a chore
- Watch out: on Linux, stable distributions may ship an older QtWebEngine on an old Chromium version
- Tight if you want fast fixes: the main maintainer works part-time, funded by donations
Good to know
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.
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
Qutebrowser is free to use.
The whole browser is free, with Windows and macOS builds on GitHub Releases.
Free
$0
The full browser, free software under the GPL.
The free plan
Free software under the GPL, supported by donations.
Read from qutebrowser.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
Keyboard-driven browser with a minimal interface. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, keyboard-first, web browser, ad and tracker blocking.
A keyboard-focused browser with optional ad blocking and built-in help.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Qutebrowser is made by qutebrowser project.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
20/60
Other browsers it is graded above
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.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 61 browsers we grade, cut by the letter each got. Qutebrowser’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 22 of 60
- AFree plan and trialAbove 21 of 60
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 60
- DEase of useAbove 0 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. Qutebrowser 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
Qutebrowser 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.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Qutebrowser’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
Nyxt, Min, Otter Browser, Falkon and Firefox
The 5 tools Qutebrowser is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Nyxt
Free
Keyboard-first browser customized in Common Lisp.
- Only Qutebrowser lists a Windows app.
- Qutebrowser is open source, according to its own site.
- Nyxt also covers bookmarks.
- 3.2GPA
Min
Free
Free, open-source minimal browser with tasks and history search.
- 3.0GPA
Otter Browser
Free
Open-source Qt browser that revives the classic Opera 12 interface.
- Only Qutebrowser lists a macOS app.
- Qutebrowser also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.8GPA
Falkon
Free
Lightweight KDE web browser with a built-in ad blocker.
- Only Qutebrowser lists macOS and Windows apps.
- Falkon also covers password manager.
- 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.
- 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 Qutebrowser free?
Yes. Qutebrowser is free to use.
How much does Qutebrowser cost?
Qutebrowser lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Qutebrowser work on?
Qutebrowser is available on Linux, macOS and Windows.
Does Qutebrowser have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Qutebrowser is listed for Linux, macOS and Windows.
Does Qutebrowser have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Qutebrowser is listed for Linux, macOS and Windows.
Is Qutebrowser open source?
Yes. Qutebrowser is open source, according to its own site.
Who makes Qutebrowser?
Qutebrowser is made by qutebrowser project.
What are the alternatives to Qutebrowser?
The closest alternatives to Qutebrowser in our directory are Nyxt, Min, Otter Browser, Falkon and Firefox.
How does Qutebrowser compare with other browsers?
Qutebrowser's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 20 of the 60 other browsers we grade, and level with 2.
Is Qutebrowser good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Qutebrowser A for value for money. Qutebrowser has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Qutebrowser?
Qutebrowser 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 Qutebrowser’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 qutebrowser project'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 qutebrowser project. Prices change, so check qutebrowser.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
- Qutebrowser, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/qutebrowser
- 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, "Qutebrowser: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/qutebrowser
Know someone choosing between browsers?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/qutebrowser/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded browsers after Qutebrowser, 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 Qutebrowser’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. Qutebrowser is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by qutebrowser project. Prices and plans change: check qutebrowser.org before you buy.