# Waterfox review (2026): is it any good? > Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with a built-in ad blocker Checked Nov 12, 2026 ยท graded Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA. 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. - **Category:** Browsers - **Made by:** BrowserWorks Ltd (since 2011) - **Website:** https://www.waterfox.com - **Runs on:** Windows, macOS, Linux, Android - **Who should skip it:** Watch out: the site says it's funded partly through search partnerships, so partner search ads are there unless you block them. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 12, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 12, 2026, Waterfox is free to use. - **Pricing model:** 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 https://www.waterfox.com/ on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Waterfox before buying. ## 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. ## Good for - Firefox users who want an ad blocker built in - People who want to change the look of the browser, including vertical tabs - Those who want a browser 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. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 3.2 out of 4**, graded Nov 12, 2026. 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. - **Value for money: A.** Free and open source, and a program anyone can download and run. - **Free plan and trial: A.** The whole browser is free on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android, including the ad blocker on desktop. - **Features: C.** Ad 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. - **Ease of use: B.** No store rating on record. You install it and use it, with the blocker already running. - **Platforms and integrations: B.** Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. The download page lists no iOS version. These are ToolGPA's own grades. 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. ## Where it 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. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/browsers ## Keep it, 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. - 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, Linux and Android 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, Ad and tracker blocking ## Alternatives - [Firefox](https://toolgpa.com/tools/firefox): Free, open-source browser from Mozilla with tracker blocking built in. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/firefox-vs-waterfox) - [LibreWolf](https://toolgpa.com/tools/librewolf): Free, privacy-hardened browser built on Firefox. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/librewolf-vs-waterfox) - [Floorp](https://toolgpa.com/tools/floorp): Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with workspaces and split view. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/floorp-vs-waterfox) - [Zen Browser](https://toolgpa.com/tools/zen-browser): Free, open-source desktop browser built around vertical tabs. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/waterfox-vs-zen-browser) - [Brave](https://toolgpa.com/tools/brave): Open-source browser that blocks ads and trackers by default. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/brave-vs-waterfox) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026: - https://www.waterfox.com/ - https://www.waterfox.com/download/ Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/waterfox Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).