Name: Firefox
Rating: 4.6 (5700000 reviews)

Trust Report

Independently checked by Altapp where possible; developer-reported data is labeled as such. Last full review: Jul 17, 2026.

Verified Source

Mozilla publishes cryptographically verifiable builds for every release.

GPG-signed SHA256/SHA512 checksums (SHA256SUMS.asc + KEY) published for every release on ftp.mozilla.org
Windows installers are Authenticode-signed; macOS builds are signed and notarized
Full source code publicly available under MPL-2.0 (mozilla/gecko-dev on GitHub)
Distributed through official channels: firefox.com, Microsoft Store, App Store, and Google Play

Data & Permissions

Strong anti-tracking defaults, with some first-party telemetry to be aware of.

Android app requests 33 permissions (εxodus Privacy static analysis, v149.0.2)
εxodus flags 3 tracker signatures in the Android build, tied to install analytics and telemetry
Telemetry (Glean) is enabled by default but can be fully disabled in Settings
Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks third-party trackers, cryptominers, and fingerprinters by default

Known Risks

A large attack surface, offset by fast patching and full transparency.

CVEs are disclosed regularly via Mozilla Foundation Security Advisories and patched on a 4-week release cycle
Rapid point releases in practice: 152.0.5 shipped July 7 and 152.0.6 on July 14, 2026
Long-running public bug bounty program rewards responsibly disclosed vulnerabilities
Fully open-source development with very high commit activity and public issue tracking

Verification reflects the version listed above. Practices may change between releases. How we verify ›

Our verdict: the most credible independent browser — open source, cryptographically signed releases, and decades of security discipline make Firefox the default choice outside the Chromium monoculture.

Firefox is the only major browser not built on Google's Chromium engine, developed by Mozilla under the open-source Mozilla Public License. Its own Gecko engine keeps genuine engine diversity alive on the web, while Enhanced Tracking Protection blocks known third-party trackers, cryptominers, and fingerprinting scripts by default — without requiring any configuration.

Beyond privacy defaults, Firefox offers a mature ecosystem: full extension support on desktop and Android, cross-device sync with end-to-end encrypted credentials, container tabs for isolating identities, and a predictable four-week release cadence that ships security fixes quickly. Every release is published with GPG-signed checksums, and the entire source code is open for public inspection.