Waterfox Browser stands as a premier choice for power users and privacy advocates who demand the flexibility of the Firefox engine without the associated data collection or bloat. By stripping away telemetry, Pocket integration, and intrusive tracking mechanisms, this browser delivers a cleaner, faster internet experience tailored for modern Windows systems. It combines the reliability of the Gecko engine with unique built-in tools, offering a level of customization that typically requires third-party add-ons in other browsers.
Key Features
- Zero Telemetry Architecture: The browser disables all tracking, profiling, and data collection by default, ensuring your browsing habits remain strictly on your device rather than being sent to remote servers.
- Tree Vertical Tabs: Users can manage massive numbers of open pages with a built-in vertical tab sidebar that organizes content hierarchically, making it easy to track research trails without cluttering the top bar.
- Oblivious DNS: Waterfox integrates Oblivious DNS over HTTPS by default, which encrypts your DNS queries and hides your IP address from the resolver, significantly enhancing anonymity.
- Private Tabs: Instead of opening a separate window for private browsing, you can launch isolated "Private Tabs" within your main session that automatically wipe their history and cookies upon closing.
- Broad Extension Compatibility: While built on the Firefox platform, Waterfox supports the vast library of Mozilla add-ons and maintains compatibility with select Chrome and Opera extensions, giving you access to the widest range of tools.
- Status Bar Customization: The browser restores the classic status bar functionality, allowing you to view page loading details and access quick settings directly from the bottom of the window.
Use Cases
This software is ideal for privacy-conscious individuals who want to escape corporate surveillance while maintaining a modern web experience on Windows 10 and Windows 11. It also serves developers and researchers exceptionally well, as the vertical tab structure allows for organizing hundreds of active pages into logical groups for efficient multitasking.
With its commitment to user sovereignty and speed, Waterfox offers a sophisticated alternative that puts control back in your hands.
Version 6.6.8 — January 2026
- Restored the ability to import browser data from Firefox on Windows systems.
- Resolved an issue where HDR playback was broken on YouTube for Linux users.
- Achieved verified publisher status on Flathub, ensuring trusted provenance for Flatpak installations.
