Best Internet Browser for Linux: Top Picks for Speed & Privacy

Choosing the best internet browser for Linux sets the right path from the beginning. It is crucial for performance, security, privacy, and compatibility. Unlike other operating systems, such as macOS or Windows, Linux users have diverse distributions, and the choice of browser can greatly impact the experience.  

This is why we have put together a list of all the options that would best suit the Linux operating system. 

Why Choosing the Right Browser Matters for Linux Users?

Choosing the right browser matters for Linux users because:

• Linux is known for its security features, but an extra layer added by the browser secures the deal even more. 
• Some browsers negatively consume the RAM and CPU, which affects system performance, especially on older or lightweight Linux distros. 
• Not all browsers are compatible with websites and web apps that you intend to use. 
• Some browsers are better optimized for certain distributions.

• Firefox is the default for many Linux distros.
• Midori and Falkon are ideal for lightweight systems.
• Tor is recommended for privacy-focused distros like Tails OS.

Best Internet Browser for Linux – Top 6 Picks

We tested some of the most famous Linux browsers, and here are our top picks. 

1. Firefox – Best for Privacy & Customization

Firefox is genuinely the best internet browser for Linux due to its strong privacy controls, customization options, and add-on support. It features enhanced tracking protection and is the default choice for many Linux distros. 

Pros:

• Open-source and privacy-focused
• Highly customizable UI and settings
• Large extension library

Cons:

• Uses more RAM than some lightweight browsers
• Lacks built-in ad-blocking (requires add-ons)
• Performance is slower compared to Chrome

2. Google Chrome – Best for Performance & Extensions

Google Chrome is another best internet browser for Linux, known for fast performance, seamless Google Integration, and for the largest extension library. It is an ideal pick for web apps but collects user data. 

Pros:

• Fastest browser with excellent performance
• Best extension support via Chrome Web Store
• Syncs seamlessly with Google services

Cons:

• Not open-source (Chromium is an alternative)
• High RAM usage
• Privacy concerns due to Google tracking

3. Brave – Best for Ad-Blocking & Security

Brave is a privacy-focused browser with built-in ad blocking and tracking protection. And do you know what made it a contender in this list of best internet browsers for Linux? The fact that it offers crypto rewards. 

Pros:

• Blocks ads and trackers by default
• Faster than Chrome due to fewer background processes
• Built-in Tor mode for anonymous browsing

Cons:

• Limited extension support compared to Chrome
• Crypto rewards (Brave Rewards) may not appeal to all users
• Some sites break due to aggressive blocking

4. Vivaldi – Best for Power Users & Customization

Vivaldi is a feature-rich and highly customizable browser that is built on Chromium. It is perfect for advanced level users who require complete control over the browsing experience. 

Pros:

• Fully customizable UI and workflows
• Tab stacking and tiling for better multitasking
• Built-in tools like Notes, Web Panels, and Screenshot

Cons:

• Can be overwhelming for casual users
• Slightly slower than Chrome and Brave
• Not fully open-source

5. Opera – Best for Built-in VPN & Features

Opera is a fast and feature-packed browser with a built-in and free VPN, ad-blocker, and sidebar integration for messaging apps. 

Pros:

• Free VPN for added privacy
• Sidebar with WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger
• Built-in ad-blocker and battery saver

Cons:

• Owned by a Chinese consortium (raises privacy concerns)
• VPN is limited in speed and region options
• Smaller extension ecosystem than Chrome

6. Tor Browser – Best for Anonymous Browsing

Tor Browser is designed for maximum privacy and anonymity by routing traffic via the Tor network, making it the best browser for Linux for users in restricted regions. 

Pros:

• Ensures complete anonymity and privacy
• Blocks tracking, fingerprinting, and surveillance
• Essential for users in restrictive environments

Cons:

• Slower browsing speed due to Tor routing
• Some websites block Tor connections
• Limited extension support

Best Internet Browser for Linux – Comparison Table

Browser	Best For	Privacy	Performance	Extensions	Unique Features
Firefox	Privacy & Customization	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Open-source, Enhanced Tracking Protection
Google Chrome	Performance & Extensions	⭐⭐☆☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Fast, Google integration, Web apps
Brave	Ad-Blocking & Security	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆	Built-in ad blocker, crypto rewards
Vivaldi	Power Users & Customization	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Tab stacking, custom UI, built-in tools
Opera	Built-in VPN & Features	⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆	Free VPN, integrated messaging apps
Tor Browser	Anonymous Browsing	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐☆☆☆	⭐☆☆☆☆	Onion routing, full privacy mode

Best Linux Distro for Internet Browsing

Here are the top 5 best Linux distros for internet browsing. 

1. Ubuntu – Best for Beginners 

Ubuntu is one of the most user-friendly Linux distros, making it the best for beginners as it comes with Firefox pre-installed and supports all the major browsers, including Chrome, Brave, and Vivaldi. 

Pros:

• Easy to install and use
• Large community support
• Compatible with most browsers

Cons:

• Can be resource-heavy on older machines
• Some pre-installed apps may not be needed

2. Arch Linux – Best for Advanced Users 

Arch Linux is a customizable rolling release distro best for tech-savvy advanced users who require full control over their browsing setup. 

Pros:

• Lightweight and optimized for performance
• Access to the latest browser versions via AUR
• Fully customizable environment

Cons:

• Requires manual setup and configuration
• Not beginner-friendly

3. Fedora – Best for Cutting-Edge Features 

Fedora offers all the latest software and security updates, making it an ideal choice for power users who want a modern and secure browsing experience. 

Pros:

• Ships with the latest browser versions
• Strong security policies
• Stable and well-maintained

Cons:

• Shorter support cycle compared to Debian
• Some third-party apps require extra setup

4. Debian – Best for Stability & Security 

Debian is another solid contender for a secure Linux distro that prioritizes stability over continuous updates, making it a reliable pick for browsing.  

Pros:

• Extremely stable and secure
• Well-tested browser versions (Firefox ESR)
• Ideal for long-term usage

Cons:

• Software updates are slower than Fedora or Arch
• Less cutting-edge features

5. Tails OS – Best for Privacy & Anonymity

Tails OS is another privacy-focused live Linux distribution that runs entirely from a USB drive and comes with Tor Browser for anonymous browsing. 

Pros:

• Ensures complete anonymity online
• Leaves no digital footprint
• Built-in Tor support

Cons:

• Not suitable for everyday browsing
• Slower performance due to Tor network

Best Linux Distro for Internet Browsing – Comparison Table 

Distro	Best For	Ease of Use	Performance	Security & Privacy	Default Browser	Unique Features
Ubuntu	Beginners & General Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆	Firefox	User-friendly, vast software support
Arch Linux	Advanced Users & Customization	⭐⭐☆☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	No default	Rolling release, fully customizable
Fedora	Cutting-Edge Features	⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Firefox	Latest Linux technologies, strong security
Debian	Stability & Security	⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Firefox ESR	Rock-solid stability, well-tested updates
Tails OS	Privacy & Anonymity	⭐⭐⭐☆	⭐⭐☆☆☆	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Tor Browser	Live OS, no digital footprint, full anonymity

How to Install and Set Up a Browser on Linux

Below are the steps for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch Linux, and other distros.

1. Install a Browser Using the Package Manager

For Ubuntu/Debian-Based Distros (APT Package Manager)

# Install Firefox (pre-installed in most cases)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install firefox  

# Install Google Chrome

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

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

# Install Brave

sudo apt install curl  

sudo curl -fsSLo /usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg  

echo “deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg] https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/ stable main” | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list  

sudo apt update && sudo apt install brave-browser  

For Fedora (DNF Package Manager)

# Install Firefox (pre-installed in most cases)

sudo dnf install firefox  

# Install Google Chrome

sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled google-chrome  

sudo dnf install google-chrome-stable

# Install Brave

sudo dnf install dnf-plugins-core  

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://brave-browser-rpm-release.s3.brave.com/x86_64/  

sudo rpm --import https://brave-browser-rpm-release.s3.brave.com/brave-core.asc  

sudo dnf install brave-browser

For Arch Linux (Pacman Package Manager)

# Install Firefox

sudo pacman -S firefox  

# Install Google Chrome (from AUR)

yay -S google-chrome  

# Install Brave

sudo pacman -S brave  

2. Setting Up the Browser

Set the Default Browser

xdg-settings set default-web-browser firefox.desktop

Enable Hardware Acceleration for Better Performance

google-chrome –use-gl=egl  

firefox –enable-webrender 

Conclusion: Which Browser and Distro Should You Choose?

Finding the perfect browser and distro for your needs is a little time-consuming, since you need to compare all the options with their features and weigh in the pros/ cons. But it is absolutely worth it to invest the time. This list of the best browser for Linux will help you find your perfect partner! 

Frequently Asked Questions