LibreWolf
Firefox privacy taken to the limit
Overview
LibreWolf is a community fork of Mozilla Firefox that removes telemetry, data collection, and sponsors, applying privacy-maximizing defaults while keeping Firefox features and extension compatibility.
uBlock Origin is bundled, so no separate ad blocker is needed. RFP (Resist Fingerprinting), strict cookie/referrer controls, and removal of built-in Google/Bing search engines are all applied by default.
Desktop only (Windows/macOS/Linux)—no mobile build. Best for advanced users who want maximum privacy without manual hardening or any telemetry at all.
Scores
Google Chrome — comparison
Removes Chrome’s data collection paths entirely. Default settings alone beat Chrome plus manual extension hardening. Extension ecosystem remains Firefox-compatible; Chromium compatibility is similar to Firefox.
Pros
- ✓ Zero telemetry and data collection
- ✓ uBlock Origin bundled
- ✓ Strict privacy defaults out of the box
- ✓ Firefox extension compatible
- ✓ Fully open source
Cons & caveats
- − No mobile version
- − Slightly delayed Firefox update cadence
- − RFP can break some sites
- − No Firefox Account Sync
Best for
- Desktop users who want maximum privacy
- People who require zero telemetry
- Users who want strict privacy without tweaking settings
Not ideal for
- People who want one browser on mobile and desktop
- Firefox Sync users
- Anyone who prioritizes site compatibility above all
Specs
- Pricing
- Free — Completely free. Community project with no paid tiers.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Data location
- Fully local. No telemetry or cloud sync—local storage only.
- Platforms
- Windows · macOS · Linux
Migration from Google Chrome
- 1 Install LibreWolf (can run alongside Firefox)
- 2 Export bookmarks as HTML from Chrome/Firefox and import
- 3 Move passwords through an external password manager like Bitwarden
- 4 Switch daily browsing to LibreWolf
Setup steps
- 1 Install from https://librewolf.net/ for your OS
- 2 Import bookmarks: export HTML from another browser and import
- 3 Manually add DuckDuckGo or similar as the search engine
- 4 Confirm bundled uBlock Origin and keep extra extensions minimal
Related on Amazon
Books and devices that may help your migration. Verify specs and price before buying.
- Books
Permanent Record — Edward Snowden
Essential reading on surveillance and personal privacy—the “why” behind de-Googling.
View on Amazon ↗