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FREE Browser

github.com

Free plan Open source Android
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Spec score 8.0 #79 of 154 in Web browsers

What it is

FREE Browser is a free, open-source Android web browser focused on privacy controls. The project describes it as having no trackers and no unnecessary permissions. Its built-in blocker uses the StevenBlack host list; users can choose a list and add domains. Fingerprinting protection can be switched on or off. A cookie-banner blocker applies Mozilla Cookie Banner Rules, requiring JavaScript and not handling rules in child windows. Site controls let users set JavaScript, cookies, and DOM storage by domain or bookmark, and change ad blocking, fingerprinting protection, and desktop mode per tab. The browser supports simple Greasemonkey-style scripts, with @match required; @run-at and @name work, while @include, @exclude, and @grant do not. Navigation includes unlimited tabs, in-page search, selected-text web search, PDF saving, and opening links in other apps. It can back up and restore databases, bookmarks, and preferences to Documents/browser_backup. F-Droid lists version 3.5.0.159 for Android 10 or newer.

Spec sheet

What it does
FREE Browser is an Android privacy-focused web browser.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Purpose
FREE Browser is a privacy-oriented web browser for Android.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported platforms
mobileRead 19 Sep 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · github.com
Integrations
The blocker supports Mozilla's Cookie Banner Rules, and the app can open links in other apps such as YouTube.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The application is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Ad blocking
The browser uses the StevenBlack hosts list for ad blocking.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Android dependency
The F-Droid listing says the app depends on the device's built-in Android WebView, which should be kept updated.Read 15 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Backup
Browser data, bookmarks, and preferences can be backed up and restored from Documents/browser_backup.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Browser engine
otherRead 19 Sep 2026 · github.com
Built-in ad blocking
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · github.com
Cookie banner blocking
Its cookie-banner blocker uses Mozilla Firefox Cookie Banner Rules and attempts automatic opt-out.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Cookie banners
Its cookie banner blocker uses Mozilla Cookie Banner Rules to opt out of unnecessary cookies and attempt to dismiss banners; it requires JavaScript and does not work for rules in child windows.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Cookie controls
Cookie permissions can be configured globally and for selected domains.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Developer build note
A GitHub issue reports that an external contributor built the app after upgrading Android Studio, Gradle, and JDK settings, while the maintainer said upgrades would wait until compilation breaks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Distribution and device requirement
The maker's repository provides source code and releases; F-Droid lists version 3.5.0.159, requiring Android 10 or newer.Read 9 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Distribution build
F-Droid builds and signs the APK and states that it corresponds to the published source tarball.Read 15 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
DOM storage controls
DOM-storage permissions can be controlled globally, by domain, and by bookmark.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Download limitation
F-Droid warns that direct APK installation does not provide update notifications and is less secure than using the F-Droid client.Read 15 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Extension support
noneRead 19 Sep 2026 · github.com
External app links
Links can be opened in other applications, including YouTube.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Fingerprint protection
It includes measures intended to reduce browser fingerprinting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Fingerprinting protection
The browser includes measures against browser fingerprinting that users can toggle.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
JavaScript controls
Users can set JavaScript permissions globally, per domain, and per bookmark.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: cookie blocker
Cookie-banner blocking requires JavaScript and does not handle banners in child windows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: reproducibility
F-Droid's verification page marks version 3.5 as not reproducible, while versions 3.4 and earlier listed there are reproducible.Read 15 Oct 2026 · verification.f-droid.org
Limit: third-party cookies
Third-party cookies are generally unsupported.Read 15 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Maker identity
The repository and F-Droid metadata identify the author as woheller69.Read 15 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Maker support
The README asks users to support development by sending a coffee to the maintainer's email address or donation link.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Navigation
Features include bottom-toolbar one-hand handling, unlimited tabs, in-page search, web search from selected text, saving as PDF and opening links in other apps.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Navigation design
The toolbar is positioned at the bottom for one-handed use.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Open source
The app is fully open source and licensed under GPLv3.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
PDF export
Pages can be saved as PDF files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Permissions
The listing includes foreground approximate and precise location, camera, microphone, shared-storage, network, and full-network-access permissions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Platform caveat
The project warns that the app will stop working on certified Android devices after Google begins requiring developers to submit personal identity details in 2026/2027.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Praise: cookie blocking
The same Reddit announcement says applicable rules inject opt-out cookies and click the deny-all control.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: privacy focus
A Fossdroid Reddit announcement describes the project as privacy-oriented and open source, highlighting its cookie-banner blocker.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Project categorization
GitHub's cookiebanner topic lists the repository as an Android Java privacy browser with Greasemonkey, adblock, and cookie-banner tags.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Recent version changes
F-Droid lists version 3.5 changes as improved bookmark search and FingerprintJS blocking.Read 15 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Script limitation
The documented script engine does not support @include, @exclude, @grant, or @require.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Scripts
It supports simple Greasemonkey-style scripts with @match required and @run-at and @name supported; tags such as @include, @exclude and @grant are unsupported.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Search tools
It can search within the current page and search the web from selected text through the context menu.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Site controls
Users can configure JavaScript, cookies and DOM storage by domain or bookmark, and can toggle ad blocking, fingerprinting protection and desktop mode per tab.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
System requirement
Version 3.5 requires Android 10 or newer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org
Tab management
The app supports opening, closing, switching, and unlimited tabs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Tracking and permissions
The project describes the browser as having no trackers and no unnecessary permissions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Translation coverage
Toolate reports the app component as 97% translated, with 5,586 of 5,730 strings translated.Read 15 Oct 2026 · toolate.othing.xyz
User scripts
Greasemonkey-style scripts support @match, @run-at, and @name metadata.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free GPLv3 open-source Android browser Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
FREE Browser Free Android 10 or newer · 5.2 MiB APK Read 15 Oct 2026 · f-droid.org

Every FREE Browser plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free GPLv3 open-source Android browser
  • No trackers or unnecessary permissions
  • Configurable ad blocking and fingerprinting protection
  • Unlimited tabs and PDF saving
  • Backs up databases, bookmarks, and preferences

Limits

  • Android 10 or newer required
  • No browser extension support
  • Cookie rules require JavaScript
  • Project warns of a future certified-device limitation

Who it suits

It suits Android users seeking privacy controls, configurable site behavior, and built-in ad and cookie-banner blocking. It also fits users who want open-source software and script support.

Verdict

FREE Browser provides extensive privacy and per-site controls at no charge. Its Android-only focus, lack of extensions, and stated future device caveat are important constraints.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to FREE BrowserAll alternatives →