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LibreWolf VS GNU IceCat

Compare LibreWolf VS GNU IceCat and see what are their differences

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LibreWolf logo LibreWolf

LibreWolf, the community-maintained fork of Librefox: a privacy and security-focused browser.

GNU IceCat logo GNU IceCat

Gnuzilla is the GNU version of the Mozilla suite, and GNU IceCat is the GNU version of the ...
  • LibreWolf Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-07-16
  • GNU IceCat Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-11-01

LibreWolf features and specs

  • Privacy-Focused
    LibreWolf is designed with privacy in mind, removing telemetry and tracking features found in standard Firefox releases.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, it ensures transparency and the ability for the community to inspect and contribute to the codebase.
  • Customizable
    LibreWolf allows extensive customization, enabling users to modify settings according to their specific privacy and usability preferences.
  • Enhanced Security
    Additional security features such as hardened settings, built-in uBlock Origin, and strict firewall rules provide a more secure browsing experience.
  • Ad and Tracker Blocking
    By default, LibreWolf includes tools to block ads and trackers, which can lead to a faster and less intrusive browsing experience.

Possible disadvantages of LibreWolf

  • Compatibility Issues
    Some websites may not function correctly due to the enhanced security and privacy settings, requiring manual adjustments.
  • Performance Overhead
    The additional security and privacy features can sometimes lead to a slight decrease in performance compared to other browsers.
  • Limited Support
    Being a community-driven project, LibreWolf may have less comprehensive support and slower updates compared to mainstream browsers.
  • Learning Curve
    Users unfamiliar with advanced browser customization may find it challenging to adjust settings to their liking.
  • Extension Compatibility
    Some add-ons and extensions available for Firefox might not be fully compatible or require additional configuration to work correctly with LibreWolf.

GNU IceCat features and specs

  • Privacy-Focused
    GNU IceCat includes a number of privacy-oriented features such as resistance against fingerprinting and built-in ad blocking, which enhance user privacy.
  • Free Software
    Being part of the GNU Project, IceCat is free software and respects users' freedom, providing full transparency and control over the source code.
  • LibreJS
    IceCat comes with LibreJS, which blocks non-free JavaScript, helping to ensure that all JavaScript executed by the browser is free software.
  • Enhanced Security
    Regular security updates and a philosophy aligned with free software make IceCat a secure option for users who prioritize safety and transparency.
  • Customizable
    As a derivative of Firefox, IceCat supports a range of customization options, allowing users to tailor their browsing experience to their needs.

Possible disadvantages of GNU IceCat

  • Limited Add-ons
    Due to its restrictive stance on non-free software, some popular Firefox add-ons might not work with IceCat, limiting the browser's extensibility.
  • Performance Issues
    Compared to mainstream browsers, IceCat may experience slower performance or compatibility issues with certain websites.
  • Less Support
    Being a niche browser, IceCat has less community support and fewer resources available for troubleshooting compared to more popular browsers.
  • User Interface
    The user interface might not be as polished or intuitive as more mainstream browsers, which can result in a less user-friendly experience.
  • Compatibility
    Due to its focus on free software, some web features or services that rely on proprietary technologies might not function properly.

Analysis of LibreWolf

Overall verdict

  • If user privacy and security are your top priorities, then LibreWolf is a strong choice. It improves upon Firefox's already extensive privacy features, making it particularly appealing for privacy-conscious users.

Why this product is good

  • LibreWolf is considered a good browser by many because it focuses on privacy and security. It is a fork of Firefox, which means it benefits from the robust features and support of the Mozilla ecosystem while being stripped of telemetry and other features that may compromise user privacy. LibreWolf also comes with enhanced default settings for privacy, ad/tracker blocking, and other security features.

Recommended for

  • Users who are concerned about online privacy and data security.
  • Individuals who are looking for a Firefox-based browser without telemetry.
  • Users who appreciate the open-source software community and want to support it.
  • Advanced users who prefer a browser with customizable privacy and security settings.

Analysis of GNU IceCat

Overall verdict

  • GNU IceCat is considered a good browser for users who value privacy, security, and open-source software. While it might not have the same level of polish or feature-set as some mainstream browsers, its dedication to user rights and privacy sets it apart.

Why this product is good

  • GNU IceCat is a free and open-source browser developed by the Free Software Foundation. It focuses on user privacy and freedom, offering features that block non-free software, prevent tracking, and provide HTTPS by default. Its commitment to user privacy makes it a strong choice for those who prioritize security and ethical software usage.

Recommended for

    Users who prioritize privacy and free software principles. It's ideal for those who want a browsing experience that minimizes tracking, avoids proprietary software, and prefers open-source solutions.

LibreWolf videos

+ Add

LibreWolf Review - The Privacy Respecting FireFox Alternative!

More videos:

  • Review - LibreWolf: like Firefox, but better! - Linux app pick
  • Review - Librewolf Review
  • Review - Wait, LibreWolf got even BETTER? (LibreWolf Review)
  • Review - LibreWolf & Brave - Web Browsers in 2023

GNU IceCat videos

+ Add

GNU Icecat Installation & Review

More videos:

  • Review - Aaron Jones: Intro to GNU IceCat

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to LibreWolf and GNU IceCat)

LibreWolf

GNU IceCat

Web Browsers
58 58%
Web Browsers
42% 42
Security & Privacy
100 100%
Security & Privacy
0% 0
Customisable Web Browser
57 57%
Customisable Web Browser
43% 43
Web Development Tools
0 0%
Web Development Tools
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using LibreWolf and GNU IceCat. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare LibreWolf and GNU IceCat

LibreWolf Reviews

  1. Lamprosphotes
    Absolutely amazing!

    LibreWolf just makes my work easier and faster, it only needs some configuration and you're done. To be honest uBlock-Origin is the best Ad-Block in my opinion, it's the only one I can trust for privacy!

    🏁 Competitors: Brave, Vivaldi, Opera, Whale, Microsoft Edge
    👍 Pros:    Privacy
Brave Alternative - 8 Privacy-Focused and Reliable Options
Unlike Brave, LibreWolf doesn’t collect telemetry data for maximum privacy. I also experienced that it has a lighter impact on system resources due to the minimum background process compared to Brave.
Source: mspoweruser.com
5 Most Privacy Focused Web Browsers
Of course, with specially tailored browsers like Tor Browser, LibreWolf, and Mullvad, you lose the flexibility of accessing it on mobile devices. So, you can choose a separate browser for your smartphone, or pick one that supports all your devices.
Source: itsfoss.com
The 11 Best Web Browsers Not Based on Chromium
One of LibreWolf's main attractions is its staunch commitment to user privacy. It ships with a no-telemetry policy out-of-the-box, ensuring that your browsing habits stay your business. This places it a cut above many counterparts, including Firefox, which requires users to manually opt-out of telemetry and data collection.
Source: stackdiary.com
Avoid The Hack: 6 Best Privacy Browser Picks for Windows
LibreWolf appears to keep up with the latest stable Firefox source code. Despite the developers' impressive speed of releasing new versions, note that Librewolf is not affiliated with Mozilla.
Source: avoidthehack.com

GNU IceCat Reviews

We have no reviews of GNU IceCat yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, LibreWolf seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 28 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

LibreWolf mentions (28)

  • uBlock Origin in Chrome: Navigating the New Manifest V3 Landscape
    Privacy vs. Functionality Debate: uBlock Origin’s full power is available on browsers like Firefox and LibreWolf, which continue to support a broader range of extension APIs. Users may choose to switch browsers if they require the full ad blocking capabilities. - Source: dev.to / 12 days ago
  • Ask HN: Would you fund Mozilla to become independent of Google?
    Seems like a lot of people here have never heard of Libre Wolfe. Check it out at https://librewolf.net/ I could see this becoming a fully independent open-source project, and then supporting that. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • An Update on Mozilla's Terms of Use for Firefox
    Don't care, already moved on and happy with Librewolf (https://librewolf.net/). - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Microsoft begins turning off uBlock Origin and other extensions in Edge
    Independent FOSS forks of firefox without Mozilla services / tracking exist https://librewolf.net/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Mozilla owns information "you input through Firefox"
    > Does curl need a license to send HTTP requests for me? No, but if they had one and it was phrased like this one, the license itself would be limited to these activities. If you want something to decry from Mozilla's terms, pay attention to this part: > Every once in a while, Mozilla may decide to update these Terms. We will post the updated Terms online. We will take your continued use of Firefox as acceptance... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
View more

GNU IceCat mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of GNU IceCat yet. Tracking of GNU IceCat recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing LibreWolf and GNU IceCat, you can also consider the following products

Mozilla Firefox - Get the browsers that put your privacy first — and always have

Brave - Fast and secure, ad and tracker blocking browser.

Pale Moon - Pale Moon is an Open Source, Mozilla-derived web browser available for Microsoft Windows and Linux, focusing on efficiency and ease of use.

Tor Browser - Tor is free software for enabling anonymous communication.

Vivaldi - Vivaldi is a free, fast web browser designed for power-users. You decide how you browse. Download Vivaldi's fully customisable browser now and browse your way.

qutebrowser - An actively developped, keyboard-focused browser with a minimal GUI, inspired by other...

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