This slick Linux browser is like a tricked-out Opera - and it's faster than Firefox

ZDNET

There isn’t a scarcity of internet browsers. However what makes FireDragon a browser you must attempt?

First off, FireDragon was initially a fork of LibreWolf, however the improvement crew (which is similar crew behind Garuda Linux) determined to modify to the Floorp browser as its base.

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FireDragon jogs my memory of a tricked-out model of Opera (with out the built-in AI or Workspaces). There’s even a built-in Workspaces possibility, just like that of Opera. As for the UI, I might have appreciated to not less than see a vertical tabs possibility, however that may at all times be added through an extension (akin to Sidebery). My solely want is that, when utilizing extensions akin to Sidebery, the horizontal tab bar could possibly be hidden.

What makes FireDragon particular?

The Garuda crew is aware of its manner round a UI, and it creates a number of the coolest trying themes in the marketplace. I am not an enormous fan of darkish themes, however I can admit that every little thing the Garuda builders contact seems lovely.

However past the sweetness, why must you contemplate FireDragon?

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Earlier than we get too deep into this, know that FireDragon is just obtainable for Linux and may be put in on Arch-based distributions from throughout the AUR repository and on different distributions through Flathub, AppImage, or binary tarballs.

Options

With that stated, FireDragon is a privacy-focused internet browser that features:

Searx and Whoogle engines like google (the default being SearxNG), which may even be run domestically (if crucial)
Darkish Reader
Workspaces for improved tab administration
dr460nized branding
Firefox account help
Presets for each profile-sync-daemon and Firejail (for much more safety)
Quick webpage loading thanks to personalised settings, FastFox tweaks, and the disabling of media autoplay
Hidden navigation buttons (as a substitute of grayed-out buttons when inactive)
PBMode Safety (for safety/monitoring safety that blocks HTTP hundreds on the community degree)
Newest Fingerprinting is an possibility in firedragon.cfg
Ships with uBlock Origin pre-installed
A customized self-hosted sync server for Firefox accounts, which can present further privateness in comparison with normal Firefox sync
Mouse gestures, due to Gesturefy

The factor about FireDragon that appeals to me is that it is virtually just like the love-child of Firefox and Opera. It seems like Firefox however appears like Opera, and (to me) that is a superb factor. And since it is privacy-focused, you possibly can guess it is protected to make use of.

For instance, out of the field, FireDragon makes use of Resist Fingerprinting (RFP) as a substitute of the common FireDragon fingerprinting safety settings. From inside Settings > Privateness & Safety > “Resist Fingerprinting & IP handle leaks” part, you possibly can allow robust safety in opposition to fingerprinting, which is the added safety from Firefox that features pressured mild mode, some API disabling, and extra. The one factor about this setting is that it’s going to more than likely break some websites you go to.

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The excellent news is that the default safety is stable, so that you in all probability will not must allow the robust safety in opposition to fingerprinting possibility. All the bits and items present in FireDragon come collectively to create a pleasant and safe expertise.

How does FireDragon carry out?

I used to be pleasantly shocked to search out that FireDragon outperforms Firefox in each startup and web page load occasions. It isn’t as quick as Chrome or Opera, which lands it someplace within the center floor of browser efficiency.

I will take that as a result of the added safety makes the shortage of blazing pace price it.

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Aside from that, FireDragon performs very effectively, with the soundness of a way more mature browser.

Though I am set with Zen Browser being my default, I’ll preserve FireDragon put in for these moments after I want a bit extra privateness (however do not wish to hassle with Tor).

Is FireDragon best for you?

First off, it’s a must to be a Linux consumer so as to add FireDragon to your present secure of internet browsers.

Second, you may wish to be a fan of the sidebar as a result of FireDragon leans into that characteristic, permitting you so as to add internet panels to get fast entry to sure websites that may operate effectively as a panel. As an illustration, I added Perplexity.ai as an internet panel so I might entry the AI search with out leaving the present web page I am viewing.

The Perplexity.ai site open on FireDragon as a web panel. — Since Perplexity is my default search engine on Zen Browser, I added it as an internet panel in FireDragon.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

I discover FireDragon to have simply the right combination of options, together with a stupendous (dr460nized) UI. Will it develop into my default? Most likely not, however that does not imply you will not discover it interesting sufficient to make the change.

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You’ll be able to set up FireDragon on Arch-based distributions with the command: