Additionally, Firefox has the recommended extensions program where they take the most popular/functional subset of extensios in a given category and manually vet the code for security and privacy issues.
I recently found out that on Firefox Android you can install an extension from file by activating developer options. This allows you to install Bypass Paywalls Clean even though Mozilla sadly pulled it from the extension store.
Seems less sketchy to use uBlock Origin with bypass-paywalls-clean-filters... at least then you're not directly adding executable code, though I'm not sure if uBO filter lists can be exploited.
> Extensions are great for adding a tiny bit of functionality to a browsing experience without dedicating an entire app to run in the background.
And a great way to give permission to read and modify all websites you visit to something that should really better be an isolated application.
I would really not consider web extensions an alternative to standalone apps. In my security model, they inhabit the opposite corner.
> some users like to use VPNs securely tied in from the browser itself rather than running the full-scale app
This might be a mistake, for example. A VPN app runs sandboxed on mobile OSes (and many VPN types are supported by OSes natively so there's no need for an app in the first place), so it can't get access to website data (if HTTPS is used), whereas a web extension usually can.
Manifest V2 doesn't even support fine-grained permissions like that (they have to statically declare all sites they ever want to access at build time, and users have to accept all of them at install time).
Manifest V3 is better and offers a dynamic API to request more permissions on a per-site basis, but it's still not perfect – for example, Chrome presents the "proxy" permission as "read and change data on all websites", so as a user, I have no idea if a VPN extension just wants the proxy permission, or write permissions to every site I visit.
No adblockers though. Edge for mobile does have a built-in adblocker, but there is no customizable blocklists or transparency on what is being blocked, so Microsoft could give blocklist exemptions to their own ad service while blocking Google's, for example.
Technically Mozilla is advertising company, they made a few acquisitions and have usual mission statement on website: "Mozilla is redefining digital advertising..."
But you could argue they can make more money by selling information you upload through Firefox. They have permission to sell EVERYTHING!!!
Holy hell. I just opened one because I got a bug report about a page I maintain, and it was absolutely staggering.
Had I not needed to specifically test Edge on Windows 11, I'd have just pressed and held the power button, then wiped the disk and installed something else if I'd encountered that experience on something I purchased to use for some non-browser-testing productive purpose.
The funny thing is Chrome is actually made by an advertising company, and it's significantly less aggravating, somehow.
I am using Edge. I don't see any discount coupons. I must have clicked a "no ads pls" buttons somewhere, but now it's good.
Speaking of adware and spyware, doesn't Firefox still have Google as its default search website? They are not Google, but literally selling you to Google, that's like even worse?
It takes more than one click just to get to the right settings page, and there are numerous anti-features scattered across several settings pages. Cleaning up Edge is way more than one click.
Fair enough, but only ~5% of Microsoft revenue comes from ad dollars. It's not clear to me why I should switch to a browser which is funded primarily with ad money vs. just turning off the Edge features I don't like. (FWIW, I used Firefox for many years, and my daily driver is currently Chrome.)
Thought it would be good to reply to all the subs-comments from the least useful comment.
I find it ironic that most of those defending edge's default ad infested config as ok because you can turn it off are likely the same people who'd lambast Firefox for having a lot less stuff turned on my default. I control everything in Firefox, no way anyone can say the say for edge, chrome or even safari.
But Firefox Nightly (has tabbed interface on tablet) + ublock origin is the best experience on an Android phone/tablet IMO. Not as fast as Chromium based browsers, but it is worth it for adblocking, block autoplay, extensions for youtube etc.
It's like being an unwitting member of a death cult, but your moment of clarity comes when the refreshments table doesn't have blueberry-flavored punch. So you flee... right into the welcoming tentacles of the more appealing death cult next door.
Personally I’ve used a Magsafe Pop Socket style grip for the last 5 years so my thumb naturally hovers over the center of the screen. Ergonomics of phones sucked in general for me as screens got bigger and bigger until I started using it.
Glad Kiwi is still available. The other has said the project is abandoned and there will be no further update. I'm going to keep using it as long as I can and hope something better comes along.
Firefox for Android also supports extensions, including uBlock Origin: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin...
Additionally, Firefox has the recommended extensions program where they take the most popular/functional subset of extensios in a given category and manually vet the code for security and privacy issues.
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/recommended-extensions-...
I built my own extension to subscibe to Hacker News comments and get automatic updates when they are updated.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/android/addon/please-at-me/
It works perfectly on Firefox for Android and desktop Android.
Firefox is so awesome, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
And uBlock Origin works best on Firefox.
https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/wiki/uBlock-Origin-works-b...
I really wish it would support them for iOS as well.
It’s very hard given the constraints, but apparently not impossible, since Orion manages to run at least some web extensions.
Kagi browser on iOS somehow supports both Firefox and Chrome extensions
Orion is Kagi's browser :)
Yes, I'm very impressed by their extension support!
I recently found out that on Firefox Android you can install an extension from file by activating developer options. This allows you to install Bypass Paywalls Clean even though Mozilla sadly pulled it from the extension store.
Seems less sketchy to use uBlock Origin with bypass-paywalls-clean-filters... at least then you're not directly adding executable code, though I'm not sure if uBO filter lists can be exploited.
> uBlock Origin with bypass-paywalls-clean-filters
Cool! I didn't know that was an option.
That's nice, but everybody already knew that and no one cares about Firefox, terrible browser
> Extensions are great for adding a tiny bit of functionality to a browsing experience without dedicating an entire app to run in the background.
And a great way to give permission to read and modify all websites you visit to something that should really better be an isolated application.
I would really not consider web extensions an alternative to standalone apps. In my security model, they inhabit the opposite corner.
> some users like to use VPNs securely tied in from the browser itself rather than running the full-scale app
This might be a mistake, for example. A VPN app runs sandboxed on mobile OSes (and many VPN types are supported by OSes natively so there's no need for an app in the first place), so it can't get access to website data (if HTTPS is used), whereas a web extension usually can.
> And a great way to give permission to read and modify all websites you visit to something that should really better be an isolated application.
Then don't do that. Give them permission to only read specific sites, or even no access if they don't need it.
If only that were possible!
Manifest V2 doesn't even support fine-grained permissions like that (they have to statically declare all sites they ever want to access at build time, and users have to accept all of them at install time).
Manifest V3 is better and offers a dynamic API to request more permissions on a per-site basis, but it's still not perfect – for example, Chrome presents the "proxy" permission as "read and change data on all websites", so as a user, I have no idea if a VPN extension just wants the proxy permission, or write permissions to every site I visit.
No adblockers though. Edge for mobile does have a built-in adblocker, but there is no customizable blocklists or transparency on what is being blocked, so Microsoft could give blocklist exemptions to their own ad service while blocking Google's, for example.
I'll be sticking with Firefox, it has extensions and is not owned by an advertising company.
Technically Mozilla is advertising company, they made a few acquisitions and have usual mission statement on website: "Mozilla is redefining digital advertising..."
But you could argue they can make more money by selling information you upload through Firefox. They have permission to sell EVERYTHING!!!
~75% of Mozilla revenue comes from Google. Edge would be a much safer bet if you don't want a browser funded primarily with ad dollars.
Ever opened a default install of Edge? Shows MSN news, ads, ads posing as news articles, built-in shopping discount coupons etc.
Yes you can turn all this off, but in default mode it is maddening.
Holy hell. I just opened one because I got a bug report about a page I maintain, and it was absolutely staggering.
Had I not needed to specifically test Edge on Windows 11, I'd have just pressed and held the power button, then wiped the disk and installed something else if I'd encountered that experience on something I purchased to use for some non-browser-testing productive purpose.
The funny thing is Chrome is actually made by an advertising company, and it's significantly less aggravating, somehow.
The productivity loss alone is staggering.
Have you used Edge? It had clippable discount coupons built-in the last time I did. No thanks.
I am using Edge. I don't see any discount coupons. I must have clicked a "no ads pls" buttons somewhere, but now it's good.
Speaking of adware and spyware, doesn't Firefox still have Google as its default search website? They are not Google, but literally selling you to Google, that's like even worse?
You can disable that with a single button press.
It takes more than one click just to get to the right settings page, and there are numerous anti-features scattered across several settings pages. Cleaning up Edge is way more than one click.
That's insane. Edge is one big ad. Have you even ever opened it? Their home page is a tabloid.
It is configurable, my Edge home page is just a search bar + the weather.
Fair enough, but only ~5% of Microsoft revenue comes from ad dollars. It's not clear to me why I should switch to a browser which is funded primarily with ad money vs. just turning off the Edge features I don't like. (FWIW, I used Firefox for many years, and my daily driver is currently Chrome.)
Don't insult tabloids like that. The information content of your average tabloid is much higher.
mozilla is an advertising company
LMAO!!!
Thought it would be good to reply to all the subs-comments from the least useful comment.
I find it ironic that most of those defending edge's default ad infested config as ok because you can turn it off are likely the same people who'd lambast Firefox for having a lot less stuff turned on my default. I control everything in Firefox, no way anyone can say the say for edge, chrome or even safari.
Good for work with Office 365 and all.
But Firefox Nightly (has tabbed interface on tablet) + ublock origin is the best experience on an Android phone/tablet IMO. Not as fast as Chromium based browsers, but it is worth it for adblocking, block autoplay, extensions for youtube etc.
The moment that I see Edge in F-Droid, I will install it.
That would require a submission of all of the source code, so I assume this will never happen.
I would consider Edge if it showed up in FFUpdater. I don't see it there either.
Eh, so what's the point of the comment?
To stress that an open browser is more important than extensions on a closed browser.
More important to you
...and to most everybody else.
When Firefox misbehaves and claims it owns data from users, Firefox can be forked.
Unless Microsoft intends to similarly abuse its users, Edge could be completely opened.
I would only ride a fork of Edge should this not prove true.
For all the people worried about when chasil will adopt Edge.
Ok
I briefly installed it, and see a list of 22 extensions, not much of a "store" right now.
It's like being an unwitting member of a death cult, but your moment of clarity comes when the refreshments table doesn't have blueberry-flavored punch. So you flee... right into the welcoming tentacles of the more appealing death cult next door.
how the hell does anyone use a browser on their phone without a bottom address bar (a la firefox)? do i just have tiny hands??
Personally I’ve used a Magsafe Pop Socket style grip for the last 5 years so my thumb naturally hovers over the center of the screen. Ergonomics of phones sucked in general for me as screens got bigger and bigger until I started using it.
You're not alone. Boggles my mind. I'm on GrapheneOS and they still won't bring it to Vanadium so petty me sticks with Firefox.
Yeah that part is maddenning. I've been using a side-swippable cursor thing to reach the bar at the top.
Went to kiwi browser on my android phone and tablets, never looked back.
Apparently it got discontinued, because extension support got merged to edge?
https://old.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/1i86ybn/kiwi_brows...
I looked up kiwi browser on Play Store...they do not want you to do that. Kiwi is buried down the list below Edge, and they try to sell you Firefox.
Because it's been shelved.
Not sure what I just installed, then.
Glad Kiwi is still available. The other has said the project is abandoned and there will be no further update. I'm going to keep using it as long as I can and hope something better comes along.
Isn’t it unmaintained?
Vivaldi here
on Desktop as well
No one in his right mind will voluntarily ever install and use Edge on any device (desktop or mobile)...
Are they also banning uBlock v2 though?
They don't want us to block ads? Shocking.