Alternatives to BadWolf

A minimalist, privacy-oriented web browser built on WebKitGTK with JavaScript off by default. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as BadWolf.

  • surf

    A minimal WebKit2GTK web browser from the suckless project, without tabs and configured at compile time.

    FreeProprietaryLinux

    surf is another minimal WebKit2GTK browser for Linux, from the suckless project, but it has no built-in tabs and is configured by editing and recompiling source.

  • GNOME Web

    GNOME's browser, built on WebKitGTK, formerly known as Epiphany.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    GNOME Web also uses WebKitGTK on Linux but ships as a packaged desktop browser integrated with GNOME, without JavaScript disabled by default or isolated ephemeral sessions.

  • vimb

    A lightweight, keyboard-driven web browser with Vim-style modes, built on WebKitGTK and GTK4.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    vimb keeps WebKitGTK on Linux but adds Vim-style modal keybindings, native tabs and runtime settings, replacing BadWolf's conventional shortcuts with a keyboard-centric learning curve.

  • Luakit

    A keyboard-driven web browser built on WebKitGTK and GTK, configured and extended with Lua.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Luakit also runs on WebKitGTK and adds a built-in ad blocker, vertical tabs and deep Lua configuration, though setting it up requires comfort with Lua.

  • LibreWolf

    A Firefox build with the privacy settings already turned up and uBlock Origin included.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    LibreWolf switches to a Firefox base on Windows, macOS and Linux, with uBlock Origin, Resist Fingerprinting and data deletion on close, instead of disabling JavaScript by default.

  • Mullvad Browser

    Tor Browser's fingerprinting defences without the Tor network, built to sit in front of a VPN instead.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Mullvad Browser moves to Tor Browser's fingerprinting defences on Windows, macOS and Linux, with private windows and no telemetry by default, but it is a much larger browser.

Also worth comparing

These listings name BadWolf as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • Dillo

    Browse lightweight pages with a small graphical browser.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinux

    BadWolf is a small WebKitGTK browser with JavaScript off by default and isolated sessions per tab, distributed as source you build yourself.

  • qutebrowser

    A keyboard-driven browser with vim-style bindings and almost no interface to click on.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    BadWolf is a tiny privacy-oriented WebKitGTK browser with JavaScript off by default and conventional shortcuts, distributed as source for Linux.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.