Waterfox review (2026): is it any good?
Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with a built-in ad blocker
Waterfox report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 12, 2026
Best for Firefox with an ad blocker built in
Waterfox is a free, open-source Firefox-based browser with a built-in ad blocker, no telemetry and DNS over Oblivious HTTP. The blocker is described for desktop only, and it's funded partly by search partnerships.
Who Waterfox is for
- Fits if you want Firefox with the ad blocker already installed
- Works for people who want private tabs sitting beside normal ones
Who Waterfox is not for
- Watch out: the site says it's funded partly through search partnerships, so partner search ads are there unless you block them
- Skip it if you want the built-in blocker on your phone, as it's described for desktop
- Not for you if you use an iPhone, as there's no iOS version
- Watch out: it's run by one company, BrowserWorks Ltd, which the site says is wholly owned by its founder
Why Waterfox 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 moneyFree and open source, and a program anyone can download and run.
- AFree plan and trialThe whole browser is free on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android, including the ad blocker on desktop.
- CFeaturesAd blocking, private tabs in a normal window, DNS over Oblivious HTTP and interface options. The built-in blocker is described for the desktop browser only.
- BEase of useNo store rating on record. You install it and use it, with the blocker already running.
- BPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac, Linux and Android. The download page lists no iOS version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Waterfox's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/waterfox#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/waterfox.svg" alt="Waterfox: 3.2 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Waterfox stands among browsers
Waterfox'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).
Waterfox has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 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 26 browsers we grade, cut by the letter each got. Waterfox’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
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 24 browsers. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep Waterfox, or make your own?
Keep it
Waterfox 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, Linux and Android that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Waterfox’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 Waterfox?
Waterfox is a free, open-source browser derived from Firefox, made by BrowserWorks Ltd. It has a built-in desktop ad and tracker blocker, private tabs that sit beside regular ones, DNS lookups sent over Oblivious HTTP, and options for interface style and vertical tabs. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
Worth knowing
- The site says it is funded partly through search partnerships, with an option to change the search provider or block partner search ads.
- The built-in blocker is described for the desktop browser only.
- It is run by one company, BrowserWorks Ltd, which the site says is wholly owned by its founder.
- There is no iOS version on the download page.
Key features
- Built-in ad blocking
- The desktop blocker stops ads, trackers, pop-ups and overlays before they load. You can manage filter lists, site exceptions and search partner ads.
- Private tabs in a normal window
- Private tabs sit next to regular ones in a separate container, and site data is cleared when the last private tab closes.
- DNS over Oblivious HTTP
- DNS lookups go through an Oblivious HTTP relay, so the relay knows who connected and the resolver knows the query, but neither knows both.
- Interface options
- The site shows a choice of interface styles, color palettes, light or dark mode, and horizontal or vertical tabs.
- No telemetry
- The site says Waterfox has no telemetry and does not collect or sell personal data.
Waterfox pricing
As of Nov 12, 2026, Waterfox is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Waterfox is free and open source. The site says it is funded by search partnerships, optional Waterfox Private Search subscriptions and donations.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The full browser for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, including the built-in ad blocker. |
Read from waterfox.com on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Waterfox before you buy.
Waterfox alternatives
- Waterfox vs Brave
Free plan · from $3.00/mo
Common questions
Does Waterfox have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Waterfox is listed for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
Is Waterfox open source?
Yes. Waterfox is open source, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026.