Firefox Download

Firefox is a web browser created and maintained by the Mozilla Foundation, a software developer dedicated to a free and open Internet. The browser has been available since 2002 and has gone through many changes in that time, but it has maintained a prominent place in the web browsing world throughout that time. Here’s a look at how its current version holds up to scrutiny.

Functionality

Firefox’s primary functionality is to let you visit online websites. Its secondary functions include helpful browsing additions like bookmarking websites, remembering your browsing history, enhancing your online safety, and automatically filling out forms.

User Interface

The basic Firefox interface is clean and intuitive. There is little clutter, and large buttons with mouse over tooltips that make it easy to navigate. The address bar doubles as a search bar using your selected default search engine. The drop-down menu that hosts the advanced functions cleanly presents the options. When you have multiple tabs opened, you can scroll along the top or use a unified drop-down menu to navigate them.

If you sign up for a Firefox Sync profile, you can quickly install Firefox on a new device, get your saved bookmarks and add-ons, then send pages to it that you’re browsing on another device.

Pricing

Mozilla offers a fully functional Firefox download for free, including the Enterprise version meant for business use. The only paid service currently offered by Mozilla is their Firefox Virtual Private Network (VPN), but other add-ons from third-parties may have an associated charge.

Performance

Firefox is a relatively lightweight program, although a web browser can still use a large portion of system resources when playing multimedia and running multiple tabs and windows. It works well on both desktop and mobile devices with versions for Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, Android, and iOS. The browser is built on Mozilla’s own Quantum engine, and it’s less RAM intensive than other browsers, especially with multiple tabs and windows running. Any device that can run one of the operating systems that Firefox needs shouldn’t have issues installing and running Firefox for normal browsing activity.

Security and Privacy

Firefox has integrated security and privacy measures that limit your exposure to threats. By default, the browser stops tracking cookies used by social media sites, crypto-mining scripts that run while you browse, and any third-party cookies.

The optional Firefox Monitor service notifies users of breached passwords. When security issues are identified, Mozilla is efficient at announcing them and supplying an update to fix them.

Customization

Firefox supports add-ons that provide customization options. You’ll find a number of these extensions on the Mozilla website and around the web. Many are free, but some will have an associated one-time or monthly charge. Third-party add-ons can also present a security risk, so be sure of their safety before installing them.

Themes alter the visual appearance of the browser. You can alter UI functionality, such as changing how Firefox displays excessive tabs. Security-enhancing add-ons include the ability to lock your bookmarks with a password, a digital container to keep Facebook from tracking your web activity, or overloading commercial trackers with false data.