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ActiveGecko engine 30/30 documented

LibreWolf

A Firefox derivative with privacy-hardening defaults and reduced Mozilla service integration.

Published by LibreWolf contributors (International) Verified

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Runs on

  • macOSmacOS: Available
  • WindowsWindows: Available
  • LinuxLinux: Available
  • AndroidAndroid: Unavailable
  • iOSiOS: Unavailable

Choose it when

Choose LibreWolf when privacy-hardening defaults and reduced vendor services matter more than maximum site compatibility and convenience.

Avoid it when

Avoid it for users who need frictionless media, payment, enterprise, or extension compatibility without occasional exceptions.

Quick answers

Read straight off the verified record - every one of these is expanded with its source below.

Which platforms does LibreWolf run on?
Which platforms does LibreWolf run on?
Documented on macOS, Windows, and Linux. Not available on Android and iOS.
Can I install Chrome extensions?
Can I install Chrome extensions?
No - the Chrome Web Store is not supported.
Does it block trackers out of the box?
Does it block trackers out of the box?
Yes - tracker or ad blocking is on by default. uBlock Origin and hardened blocking configurations are included by default.
Does it have built-in AI features?
Does it have built-in AI features?
No AI capability in this record is documented as built in.
Is it open source?
Open source Firefox derivative under MPL-compatible licensing
Is it still being developed?
Is it still being developed?
Active - Actively maintained by a community project; releases follow upstream Firefox work.

What LibreWolf does

Open any row for the wording and the source behind it

Privacy and tracking

2 built in · 2 not available

  • Blocks trackers by defaultBlocks trackers by default: Built in

    uBlock Origin and hardened blocking configurations are included by default.

  • Anti-fingerprintingAnti-fingerprinting: Built in

    LibreWolf applies anti-fingerprinting hardening with compatibility trade-offs.

  • Telemetry postureTelemetry posture: Unavailable

    LibreWolf removes Firefox telemetry, crash reporting, and studies; the project states it collects no user data.

  • Built-in VPN or proxyBuilt-in VPN or proxy: Unavailable

    No general browser VPN is included.

  • Private windowsPrivate windows add local-data protections to an already hardened profile but do not provide anonymity.

    Private windows add local-data protections to an already hardened profile but do not provide anonymity.

  • Default search engineDuckDuckGo

Extensions and blocking

4 built in · 1 not available

  • Chrome Web StoreChrome Web Store: Unsupported
  • Firefox Add-onsFirefox Add-ons: Supported
  • Native content blockingNative content blocking: Built in

    uBlock Origin is shipped as a native default extension configuration.

  • Manifest V3Manifest V3: Built in

    Firefox-derived Manifest V3 support is available.

  • Manifest V2Manifest V2: Built in

    Firefox WebExtensions compatibility is used.

  • Known limitationsHardening can make some sites and extensions require exceptions or tuning.

    Hardening can make some sites and extensions require exceptions or tuning.

Workflow

6 built in · 2 partial · 3 not available

  • Vertical tabsVertical tabs: Built in

    LibreWolf tracks current Firefox and inherits its native vertical tabs.

  • Tab treesTab trees: Unavailable
  • Workspaces or spacesWorkspaces or spaces: Unavailable
  • ProfilesProfiles: Built in

    Profiles or equivalent browser identities are available.

  • Split viewSplit view: Built in

    Firefox's native Split View is inherited from the current base.

  • SidebarSidebar: Built in

    Firefox sidebar functionality remains available.

  • Reader modeReader mode: Built in

    Firefox Reader View is built in.

  • Command paletteCommand palette: Unavailable
  • Sync across devicesSync across devices: Minimal or opt-in

    Firefox Sync is compiled in but disabled by default; it must be enabled in settings.

  • TranslationTranslation: Built in

    Firefox-derived translation is available where supported.

  • Progressive web appsProgressive web apps: Minimal or opt-in

    Native web-app install is Windows-only in current Firefox; other platforms need an extension.

AI features

9 not available

  • Built-in assistantBuilt-in assistant: Unavailable

    LibreWolf documents that generative AI features are removed from its Firefox base.

  • Page summarisationPage summarisation: Unavailable
  • Acts on pages for youActs on pages for you: Unavailable
  • AI answer engineAI answer engine: Unavailable
  • Works across open tabsWorks across open tabs: Unavailable
  • Text or image generationText or image generation: Unavailable
  • Choice of modelChoice of model: Unavailable
  • Retention or training controlsRetention or training controls: Unavailable
  • Voice or image inputVoice or image input: Unavailable

On a phone

10 undocumented

Undocumented is not the same as absent - it means the publisher does not state it.

  • Extensions on mobileExtensions on mobile: Unknown

    Extension support on mobile is not documented.

  • Can be the phone defaultCan be the phone default: Unknown

    Default-browser capability is not documented.

  • Biometric lockBiometric lock: Unknown

    Biometric locking is not documented.

  • Offline readingOffline reading: Unknown

    Offline reading is not documented.

  • Desktop-site modeDesktop-site mode: Unknown

    Desktop-site mode is not documented.

  • Download managerDownload manager: Unknown

    A built-in download manager is not documented.

  • Background playbackBackground playback: Unknown

    Background or picture-in-picture playback is not documented.

  • Web pushWeb push: Unknown

    Web push support is not documented.

  • Data saverData saver: Unknown
  • Address-bar placementAddress-bar placement: Unknown

    Address-bar placement is not documented.

Under the hood

Rendering engine
Gecko
JavaScript engine
SpiderMonkey
Upstream project
Mozilla Firefox
Release channel
stable
Code and licence
Open source Firefox derivative under MPL-compatible licensing
Install method
Project packages, community repositories, or official releases.
Hardware support
Use the project's current package guidance for supported architectures.
Source repository

Active. Actively maintained by a community project; releases follow upstream Firefox work.

Editorial view

LibreWolf is Firefox with the vendor relationship surgically removed and the privacy dials turned up before first launch. Nothing about its posture requires configuration, which is the entire pitch.

What is different out of the box

  • Telemetry, crash reporting, and studies stripped at build time; the project states it collects no user data at all
  • uBlock Origin preinstalled and enabled
  • resistFingerprinting-style hardening on, with Enhanced Tracking Protection running strict
  • DuckDuckGo as the default engine

The product around it

A community project tracking current Firefox releases, with official builds for Windows, Linux, and macOS, including Apple silicon DMGs and a Homebrew cask. There is no Android or iOS app. Because it rebases on modern Firefox, the workflow features carry straight over: native vertical tabs, split view, sidebar, Reader View, and translation. Firefox Sync is compiled in but disabled until you turn it on, which is consistent with the philosophy and mildly annoying the first time you go looking for it. Native web-app installs remain Windows-only upstream, so count on an extension elsewhere. Firefox Add-ons work normally, Manifest V2 included.

The cost, taken seriously

Anti-fingerprinting breaks things by design: timezone weirdness, canvas prompts, sites that misrender or refuse logins, streaming DRM that needs an exception. Every exception you carve weakens the posture you installed the browser for, and a user who ends up with a dozen of them has quietly rebuilt vanilla Firefox with extra steps. LibreWolf suits people who accept that trade knowingly, not people who want privacy to be free.

Update delivery is the other consideration. Releases follow Firefox closely but come from a small community pipeline, not Mozilla's own channel, so freshness depends on the packagers, and you should pick an install path with working updates rather than a one-off download.

The verdict

Choose LibreWolf when hardened defaults and zero vendor data collection matter more than frictionless compatibility, and you are comfortable managing exceptions. Choose stock Firefox when you want most of the protection with mainstream support and mobile apps. Tor Browser remains the answer when the threat model is anonymity rather than data hygiene, which is a different problem than the one LibreWolf solves.

Where these facts come from

Every capability above is read from a primary source and dated. 0 of 30 fields stay recorded as unknown rather than assumed.

If this is not it

Alternatives to LibreWolf

Head to head

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