WaterFox is an optimized browser based on open-source Firefox modifications. However, do you know the difference between Firefox and Waterfox, and which one is more suitable for use?
Firefox is an open-source software browser. This means its source code can be edited to create a new browser. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
The open-source feature of Firefox led to the establishment of Waterfox, which is a 64-bit system. It offers great speed, freedom, enhanced privacy, security, and control. Waterfox is compatible with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
1. Waterfox Vs Firefox: Startup
It is faster to start Waterfox as compared to starting Firefox. Waterfox doesn’t show any kind of compatibility issues and starts instantly. This delay in starting up Firefox may be a result of its plugins and extensions.
Waterfox is much faster in starting up than Firefox.
2. Waterfox Vs Firefox: Platform Support
Firefox is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and Apple mobile devices. It runs well on all these platforms.
Waterfox support
However, WaterFox supports only Windows, Mac, and certain versions of Linux. To run Waterfox requires a minimum version of the system.It is compatible with Windows 7 or above, Linux needs Glib 2.28+, and Apple needs MacOS10.10 or above.
Firefox performs better on major platforms than WaterFox.
3. Waterfox Vs Firefox: Language Support
Firefox currently supports more than 90 languages. On the other hand, to use multiple languages on WaterFox. You will need to download the language pack to make it accessible to people in different countries.
On the downside, Waterfox is not fully optimized for a couple of languages and may report errors.Mozilla Firefox is better in language support.
4. Waterfox Vs Firefox: Plugins
WaterFox supports the Chrome Store, Firefox Store, and Opera Online Store with the largest extension support.WaterFox is based on the Firefox ESR version and has excellent support for traditional XUL extensions and the NPAPI Plug-in. This is especially true for plug-ins that have previously been removed from older versions and are no longer supported. Waterfox supports Firefox 56 add-ons.
Firefox has great plugin and extension support. Waterfox is a combination of previous Firefox versions that may be deemed a bit unsafe. However, Waterfox is still strong. If you are looking for the best browser with more stable extensions and plugins, opt for Firefox.
5. Waterfox Vs Firefox: HTML 5 Support
HTML 5 helps to provide a universal experience across devices. It is supported by almost all stable web browsers.
According to HTML5 test scores, Firefox performs better than Waterfox in HTML5 feature support. This is because Firefox is more stable than the recent Waterfox version.
Mozilla Firefox provides better HTML5 Support than Waterfox.
6. Waterfox Vs Firefox: Built-in Search Engine
WaterFox has two search boxes at the top of the main interface. It is worth mentioning that the built-in search engines supported by WaterFox include Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, Qwant, StartPage, Wiki, and Yandex,
Firefox supports Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Baidu, Wiki, and Amazon.When it comes to search engines, Waterfox has more support than Firefox.
Moreover, there is no significant difference between WaterFox and Firefox on the page display. The only difference is that Waterfox features a blue theme while firefox features an orange theme.
Waterfox theme
Firefox Theme
7. Waterfox Vs Firefox: Security
WaterFox disables Pocket by default by turning off the Telemetry function. However, Mozilla Firefox doesn't send telemetry data to it, and the encrypted media extension (EME) required by sites like Netflix is disabled by default. Waterfox’s privacy policy is better than Firefox's.
However, what is not clear, is whether WaterFox, which was acquired by Sysmon (an advertising company), has to access your data to send you ads.
Overall, WaterFox is better than Firefox in terms of the privacy
8. Waterfox Vs Firefox: Memory and CPU Usage
In testing, we opened up the same 20 websites in Mozilla Firefox and Waterfox and viewed them using Windows Task Manager.
Firefox
Waterfox
As you can see, WaterFox uses fewer hardware resources than Firefox. Hence, Firefox uses more memory and CPU than Waterfox.
Waterfox uses less Memory and CPU than Firefox.
We don't recommend that you use only one browser. Each browser has its advantages and disadvantages. Using several major browsers can greatly improve your productivity. You can use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera Mini, and Safari.
This depends on the kind of computer device or mobile device you are using. However, it is important to know the pros and cons to know which is the most secure, high performing, compatible and has great support.
