FREE Browser vs Waterfox

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.

Waterfox is a free, open-source web browser built around privacy and customisation. It uses the Gecko engine and is listed for Android, browser extensions, Linux, macOS and Windows. On desktop, it blocks ads, trackers, pop-ups and overlays by default; filter lists and site exceptions can be adjusted. Private tabs use their own container, and Waterfox removes that container’s site data when the final private tab closes. DNS requests are encrypted and passed through an Oblivious HTTP relay; users can change or disable the default Fastly-operated relay and Cloudflare-operated resolver. Tree tabs nest pages under the page that opened them, with branches that can be collapsed or moved together. Firefox WebExtensions work, but Chrome-only extensions do not transfer automatically. Regular updates incorporate Mozilla security fixes using the Firefox ESR model. Waterfox says telemetry, health reports and crash reports are disabled at build time. Sync is off until Mozilla-account sign-in, and synced data is end-to-end encrypted. The browser plan is free, with no premium tier or required payment.