Ubuntu Browsers: 7 Great Browsers for the Most Popular Linux OS

Ubuntu is the most popular Linux-powered operating system around, and many users choose it because of the flexibility and security it provides. So, it makes sense to pair it with a web browser that offers the same.

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to Ubuntu-compatible browsers. That said, it can be a little overwhelming to weigh all of the pros and cons. To make things easier, we’ve compared the top browsers based on speed, usability, and the level of privacy and control they offer.

Most Popular Ubuntu Browsers at a Glance

The table below offers a quick side-by-side comparison of the most popular browsers for Ubuntu, so you can see at a glance how they measure up in basic terms. 

Browser	Good for	Open source	Extension support	Installation
Firefox	Overall Ubuntu	✅ Yes	✅ Full	Pre-installed on Ubuntu
Brave	Privacy	✅ Yes	✅ Full	Terminal
Vivaldi	Customization	⚠️Partially	✅ Full	.deb package or terminal
Tor Browser	Anonymity	✅ Yes	⚠️ Limited	Terminal or manual
Falkon	Lightweight browsing	✅ Yes	⚠️ Limited	Ubuntu Software Center
LibreWolf	Speed and security	✅ Yes	✅ Full	Terminal
Chrome	Google ecosystem compatibility	❌ No	✅ Full	.deb package or terminal

1. Firefox: Great Overall Browser for Ubuntu

Firefox comes pre-installed as the default browser for Ubuntu. It’s a popular choice among users on /r/Ubuntu and other forums for good reason. It’s open-source, privacy-focused, and outside of the Google ecosystem, which is a big plus if you’re conscious of online tracking and tracing. 

Firefox is based on the Gecko rendering engine and the SpiderMonkey JavaScript engine and comes with built-in tracker blocking, fingerprinting protection, and support for encrypted DNS. It’s highly customizable with excellent extension support, making it easy to add extra functionality and modify the browser’s appearance.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Open-source and community-driven	Not as lightweight as some other browsers
Built-in privacy tools	VPNs are a paid add-on
Not part of the Google ecosystem	Not as tightly integrated with Google services

How to Install Firefox on Ubuntu

Firefox comes pre-installed as the default browser on most Ubuntu systems. If it’s been removed, you can easily reinstall it by running the following commands in Terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install firefox

Once you install it, you’ll see it in your applications menu. Ubuntu’s system updates will then keep it up-to-date.

2. Brave: Private Ubuntu Browsing

Brave is a Chromium-based browser like Chrome, but it collects far less browsing data. It’s fast and has excellent compatibility with most modern websites and extensions: you can also use PIA’s Chrome extension with Brave if you want VPN protection.

At the same time, it offers aggressive tracker and ad blocking, its own private search engine, and a native Tor mode for more private browsing.

There’s also Leo, Brave’s AI assistant that can help you summarize pages, generate content, and answer questions. This puts Brave in the same category as Edge and other AI-integrated browsers, but because Leo runs locally, it does a far better job at keeping your data private.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Chromium-based for excellent compatibility	Not fully open-source
Fast performance even with privacy features enabled	May break site layouts due to aggressive ad blocking
Native Tor integration	Syncing across devices isn’t always seamless

How to Install Brave on Ubuntu

To install Brave on Ubuntu, just open Terminal and paste the following command:

curl -fsS https://dl.brave.com/install.sh | sh

3. Vivaldi: Customizable Ubuntu Browser

Vivaldi is a Chromium-based browser that’s a great pick if you want to make your browser your own. It combines reliable Chromium performance with a massive range of features, from built-in tab tiling and notes to email, RSS, and even calendar tools.

Although it doesn’t get quite the same spotlight as Firefox or Brave, Vivaldi offers a high level of customization, built-in productivity tools, and user-focused design. It has great built-in ad and tracking blockers, and it doesn’t store or sell user data.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Customizable interface and controls	Can feel overwhelming for casual users
Chromium-based with full extension support	Uses more memory than simpler browsers
Blocks ads and trackers without add-ons	Not completely open-source

How to Install Vivaldi on Ubuntu

To install Vivaldi, start by downloading the .deb installer from the official Vivaldi website. Or, if you prefer using the terminal, copy and paste these commands:

Wget
https://downloads.vivaldi.com/stable/vivaldi-stable_amd64.deb

sudo apt install ./vivaldi-stable_amd64.deb

4. Tor Browser: Anonymous Ubuntu Browsing

Tor is a good option if you need anonymity and secure communication. It routes your traffic through a network of independently operated servers, which makes it much more difficult for anyone to track your online activity or pinpoint your location. 

It’s built on Firefox ESR (Extended Support Release), so it feels familiar while offering extra layers of protection. Tor also disables many types of scripts and trackers by default and doesn’t store browsing history. However, it can be slow, making it unsuitable for some tasks, and may not work with some sites due to its strict privacy rules.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Provides strong anonymity via the Tor network	Slower browsing speeds due to multi-hop routing
Based on Firefox ESR for stability and familiarity	Some websites may not load correctly
Doesn’t store history or cookies	No built-in extension store

How to Install Tor Browser on Ubuntu

The easiest way to install Tor Browser is by adding the official Tor Project repository and installing it through Ubuntu’s package manager. Open the terminal and copy and paste each of the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:micahflee/ppa

sudo apt update

sudo apt install torbrowser-launcher

5. Falkon: Lightweight Ubuntu Browser

Falkon is a resource-friendly browser, making it a great choice if you’re running Ubuntu on older hardware or just prefer a no-frills browsing experience. It’s built on the QtWebEngine (based on Chromium) but runs with far fewer background processes and a noticeably lighter system footprint. 

While it doesn’t offer the extensive feature set of Firefox or Brave, Falkon loads quickly, handles everyday sites well, and includes basic privacy tools like ad blocking and script control. It also has a built-in RSS reader and supports custom user scripts, though extension support is limited. 

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Extremely lightweight	Not suitable for heavy multitasking or web apps
Uses QtWebEngine for broad compatibility	Limited extension support
Built-in ad blocker and privacy tools	Fewer updates and slower development pace

How to Install Falkon on Ubuntu

Falkon is available in the Ubuntu Software Center, so you can install it in a few clicks. If you prefer the command line, you can just use this command:

sudo apt install falkon

6. LibreWolf: Great for Secure Ubuntu Browsing

LibreWolf is a privacy-focused fork of Firefox that strips out telemetry, hardens security settings, and disables resource-intensive features. It’s great for Ubuntu users who want the benefits of Firefox without the extra bloat or background connections.

Under the hood, LibreWolf is built on Firefox ESR, so you’ll get a familiar interface and strong performance, just with stricter privacy defaults out of the box. It blocks trackers, forces HTTPS connections, and comes preconfigured with uBlock Origin. The downside is there’s no sync feature, and updates are managed independently from Firefox.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Fully open-source and telemetry-free	Not many customization options out of the box
Firefox ESR base makes LibreWolf feel familiar	May break sites that rely on third-party scripts
Comes with uBlock Origin preinstalled	Not available in Ubuntu’s default repositories

How to Install LibreWolf on Ubuntu

While LibreWolf isn’t available via the default Ubuntu repositories, it’s easy enough to add the official LibreWolf PPA. In the terminal, run:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:librewolf-community/ppa

sudo apt update

sudo apt install librewolf

7. Chrome: Compatible with the Google Ecosystem

The perennially popular Google Chrome runs smoothly on Ubuntu, with full support for modern web apps and an enormous library of extensions. It’s especially useful if you’re already invested in the Google ecosystem and use services like Gmail, Drive, Docs, and more.

However, it can be resource-heavy, and it’s not necessarily great for privacy. Chrome collects browsing data, device information, and usage patterns, which can be linked to your Google account and shared with advertisers or third parties. That said, it’s still a pretty popular option.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Fast, stable, and highly optimized	Sends user data to Google by default
Massive extension library via Chrome Web Store	Heavier on system resources than other browsers
Reliable updates and cross-platform support	Not open-source

How to Install Chrome on Ubuntu

Chrome isn’t available in the Ubuntu Software Center, but you can download the .deb package directly from Google’s website or install it via the terminal with these commands:

wget
https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

sudo apt install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

Other Web Browsers for Ubuntu

Ubuntu supports a wide range of browsers beyond the major players. Many of these are built on Firefox or Chromium infrastructure, offering varying levels of performance, customization, and privacy. 

• Chromium: The open-source base behind Chrome, Chromium offers the same speed and compatibility but without the tracking. Great for users who want performance without the extra data collection.
• Microsoft Edge: Based on Chromium, Edge offers solid performance and deep Microsoft service integration. It’s surprisingly fast on Ubuntu but comes with telemetry and automatically syncs certain data when you’re logged in to a Microsoft account.
• Opera: A feature-rich, Chromium-based browser with a sleek interface and built-in ad blocker that also supports VPN extensions. This makes it popular with privacy-conscious users, but it can be heavy on resources.
• Slimjet: Chromium-based, lightweight, and comes with built-in ad blocking. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for speed and security without needing to install a bunch of add-ons to get going.
• Nyxt: Calling itself “the hacker’s browser,” this keyboard-driven, Lisp-based browser is designed for power users and developers. It’s best for advanced users who want total control over their browsing experience.
• Midori: Focusing on speed and low resource usage, this minimalist browser is built to be super fast and lightweight while offering private browsing capabilities. It’s a good option if you’re using an older or low-powered computer.
• Pale Moon: A fork of Firefox with an old-school aesthetic. This open-source browser is extremely lightweight and works well on older computers but unfortunately has limited modern web compatibility.
• Gnome Web: Also known as Epiphany, this is the WebKit-based default browser for the GNOME desktop. It’s clean and simple with decent performance, though extension support is minimal.
• Floorp: A Firefox ESR–based browser from Japan that balances privacy and flexibility. It offers strong tracking and fingerprinting protection out of the box, plus features like vertical tabs, split‑view mode, and custom themes.
• Ladybird: An independent browser built from scratch as part of the SerenityOS project. It’s still in early development but is impressively lightweight and fully open-source, making it ideal for Linux tinkerers.

How to Choose the Best Ubuntu Browser for You

There’s no shortage of browsers that technically work on Ubuntu, but that doesn’t mean they all deliver a great experience. 

To choose a good option, it’s best to look at what the Ubuntu community recommends, what real users are saying, and how each browser stacks up in terms of performance, privacy, and everyday usability. 

Here’s a quick overview of the qualities worth looking for, which the options on this list include:

Open-source foundations	Ubuntu is open-source at its core, and most users prefer browsers that follow the same philosophy. Transparency, auditability, and community trust are key factors to consider.
Lightweight performance	Look for software that’s fast without hogging memory. This is especially important if you’re running Ubuntu on older hardware or your internet connection isn’t the fastest.
Privacy and security features	Look for browsers with built-in privacy protections, like tracker blocking or encrypted DNS, and consider whether browsers support VPN extensions.
Community feedback	Check forums like Reddit and other community-driven platforms to understand which browsers are actually well-loved in day-to-day use.
Official Ubuntu compatibility	Use the Ubuntu Community Help Wiki as a reference point for stable, recommended options that install cleanly and run smoothly on the operating system.

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