Palemoon
palemoon.org
Pale Moon is a free, open-source web browser that branched off from Firefox back in 2009. It takes a very different path from mainstream browsers — instead of chasing the latest trends, it sticks to a more traditional approach.
The browser uses its own Goanna engine, which is derived from Gecko, and it keeps a single-process architecture. The team behind it argues this actually makes it more secure and lighter on memory. The interface will feel familiar to anyone who used Firefox years ago, with its classic layout and customizable toolbars.
What really sets Pale Moon apart is its support for old-school XUL extensions and full themes. These can change the browser in ways modern extensions simply can't. It also has no telemetry, no ads, and no data collection — everything stays on your machine.
The catch is compatibility. Some modern websites may not work perfectly, and it doesn't support the latest web standards as quickly as Chrome or Firefox. But for users who value control, privacy, and a browser that respects their choices, Pale Moon is a solid option.
The browser uses its own Goanna engine, which is derived from Gecko, and it keeps a single-process architecture. The team behind it argues this actually makes it more secure and lighter on memory. The interface will feel familiar to anyone who used Firefox years ago, with its classic layout and customizable toolbars.
What really sets Pale Moon apart is its support for old-school XUL extensions and full themes. These can change the browser in ways modern extensions simply can't. It also has no telemetry, no ads, and no data collection — everything stays on your machine.
The catch is compatibility. Some modern websites may not work perfectly, and it doesn't support the latest web standards as quickly as Chrome or Firefox. But for users who value control, privacy, and a browser that respects their choices, Pale Moon is a solid option.
