The Waterfox Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Waterfox 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.
Waterfox
The Insider’s Guide
Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with a built-in ad blocker
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among browsers, read from Waterfox’s own pages.
Made by BrowserWorks Ltd · checked Nov 12, 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 Waterfox’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Waterfox’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.2
GPA, above 12 of the 25 other browsers we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Waterfox, taken from its own pages and our grades.
The blocker is described for desktop only, and it's funded partly by search partnerships.
- 1
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.
- 2
It is free
Waterfox has no paid plan at all. Waterfox is free and open source. The site says it is funded by search partnerships, optional Waterfox Private Search subscriptions and donations.
- 3
It runs on 4 platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
A 3.2 GPA, above 12 of 25
That is against the other browsers we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Waterfox is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Waterfox at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux, Android
- Made by
- BrowserWorks Ltd, since 2011
- Category
- Browsers
- Our grade
- 3.2 GPA, very good
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
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 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 it 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
Good to know
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.
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
Waterfox is free to use.
Free and open source, and a program anyone can download and run.
Free
$0
The full browser for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, including the built-in ad blocker.
The free plan
Waterfox is free and open source. The site says it is funded by search partnerships, optional Waterfox Private Search subscriptions and donations.
Read from waterfox.com on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
4
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, Linux and Android
Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with a built-in ad blocker. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, web browser, ad and tracker blocking.
Ad blocking, private tabs in a normal window, DNS over Oblivious HTTP and interface options.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Waterfox is made by BrowserWorks Ltd, and has been around since 2011.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
12/25
Other browsers it is graded above
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
- AFree plan and trialAbove 8 of 25
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 25
- BEase of useAbove 8 of 25
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 13 of 25
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 24 browsers. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Waterfox 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
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Firefox, LibreWolf, Floorp, Zen Browser and Brave
The 5 tools Waterfox 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 an iOS app.
- Firefox is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Waterfox also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.8GPA
LibreWolf
Free
Free, privacy-hardened browser built on Firefox.
- Only Waterfox lists an Android app.
- 3.2GPA
Floorp
Free
Free, open-source Firefox-based browser with workspaces and split view.
- Only Waterfox lists an Android app.
- Waterfox also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 2.8GPA
Zen Browser
Free
Free, open-source desktop browser built around vertical tabs.
- Only Waterfox lists an Android app.
- Waterfox also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- 3.8GPA
Brave
Free plan · from $3.00/mo
Open-source browser that blocks ads and trackers by default.
- Only Brave lists an iOS app.
- Waterfox also covers ad and tracker blocking.
- Brave also covers password manager and video calls.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
10
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 Waterfox free?
Yes. Waterfox is free to use.
How much does Waterfox cost?
Waterfox lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Waterfox work on?
Waterfox is available on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
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.
Who makes Waterfox?
Waterfox is made by BrowserWorks Ltd. It dates from 2011.
What are the alternatives to Waterfox?
The closest alternatives to Waterfox in our directory are Firefox, LibreWolf, Floorp, Zen Browser and Brave.
How does Waterfox compare with other browsers?
Waterfox's GPA of 3.2 is higher than 12 of the 25 other browsers we grade, and level with 5.
Is Waterfox good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Waterfox A for value for money. Waterfox has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Waterfox?
Waterfox 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 Waterfox’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. 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.
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 BrowserWorks Ltd. Prices change, so check waterfox.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
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.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Waterfox, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/waterfox
- 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, "Waterfox: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/waterfox
Know someone choosing between browsers?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/waterfox/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded browsers after Waterfox, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Browsers Insider's GuideEvery one of the 26 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 Waterfox’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. Waterfox is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by BrowserWorks Ltd. Prices and plans change: check waterfox.com before you buy.