this post was submitted on 26 Mar 2026

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Quick post about AI-free FireFox Based Browsers (Keep your Addons and avoid the Bloat) (slrpnk.net)

submitted 6 days ago by wolfyvegan@slrpnk.net to c/firefox@lemmy.world

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cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/47572739

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/40834339

Just pick one - All the Fox functionality without bloatware

Librewolf - https://librewolf.net/

Waterfox - https://www.waterfox.com/

Zen Browser - https://zen-browser.app/

More browsers here - https://alternativeto.net/category/browsers/firefox-based/

You can also use this add to disable the ~~shitload~~ ai function in many search engines in one go

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/disable-ai/

GitHub page - https://github.com/jruns/disable-ai

You can find all the links on Mastodon<

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[–] XLE@piefed.social 32 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

Waterfox is the most conventional alternative. If you want to be up and running in as few steps as possible, this is the best choice.

Zen is the most unique. If you're looking for a cutting edge and somewhat experimental browser, this one's pretty great too.

LibreWolf is the most private. It's a halfway point between Firefox and Tor, but if you think it's settings are too extreme, you can dial them down on your own pretty easily (it's much easier than disenshittifying Firefox).

[–] FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago (3 children)

Thanks for the rundown. I was putting in time to make Librewolf work with some sites it was struggling with (purely entertainment/WebGL, mind you). I gave up in the end. Might try Waterfox or Zen next time I feel like making an attempt. That said, I'd be happier with a plugin that simply disables the AI stuff in Firefox.

[–] Vincent@feddit.nl 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Just toggle "Block AI enhancements" in the Firefox settings - way easier than a plugin, and safer too (not potentially dodgy third party).

[–] FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago

I'll do that, thank you very much - I appreciate it!

[–] XLE@piefed.social 4 points 6 days ago (2 children)

All I know from memory is you may need to disable LibreWolf's canvas obfuscation, hopefully Waterfox is better. I know DRM licensing can be difficult, depending on what entertainment you're trying to access.

[–] PancakesCantKillMe@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Yes, uploading images won’t work without allowing the canvas function. This bit me once or twice.

Edit: Images will appear grey/blue when uploaded.

[–] FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Thanks. I tried many of those methods, but for one particular site I was interested in they just weren't enough. I should probably still consider LibreWolf for serious stuff.

[–] XLE@piefed.social 2 points 5 days ago

I think DRM content should work out of the box in WaterFox.

https://www.waterfox.com/support/drm-content/

LibreWolf and DRM seems really messy. I see threads about having to do multiple workarounds... LibreWolf is great, but it might be overkill for you. Waterfox is already very private and debloated.

[–] PancakesCantKillMe@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

I have multiple systems and installed WF, LW and FF (w/UO & disabled AI) on most of them. High use systems have all three. For browsing sessions wrt privacy, I use FF if I don’t care, WF if I care a little and still want some conveniences, and LW if I just want to be as“nobody” as I can be without whatever other extreme measures one might do. Have not tried Zen yet.

[–] PixelatedCleric@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 6 days ago (4 children)

What do you guys use for mobile?

[–] XLE@piefed.social 9 points 6 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Edit: Waterfox is probably the best for average users

Ironfox, Fennec, and IceRaven are all mobile FF forks. I can't speak on the positives and negatives of them, unfortunately

[–] WhiteOakBayou@lemmy.world 8 points 6 days ago

I've been on ironfox for a few months. My browsing is mainly "small web" sites and news sites. I've really liked it but rarely I need to dial down security on some e commerce sites. Banking sites and my local municipal bill pay work.

[–] NightFantom@slrpnk.net 4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Waterfox with ublock origin, working well

[–] XLE@piefed.social 3 points 5 days ago

I second this recommendation. No sponsored stuff, no telemetry, no setup screens, the search engines include the fan-favorite Startpage but not the sponsored Perplexity. The only thing they could have done to make this easier for me would be to install uBO out of the box, but that's a super minor complaint.

[–] Morphite88@thelemmy.club 3 points 6 days ago

Ironfox or Cromite

[–] IndigoGollum@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago

[–] peacefulpixel@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

i'll probably fall even deeper into the rabbithole and end up on ironfox but for rn, waterfox is pretty good. although, i'm not exactly a browser power user, for example i'm confused by how bookmarks are organized. just for reference. good for ppl who want a simpler security focused GenAI-free browsing experience.

[–] XLE@piefed.social 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

I'd recommend a desktop browser for bookmark arrangement (and for experimenting with, and making sense of, how they work). ~~I believe~~ you can use Firefox Sync even with Waterfox (and most other forks), to put mobile bookmarks on your desktop Waterfox.

Edit: Waterfox supports FF sync without any extra friction. Awesome.