BadWolf
A minimalist, privacy-oriented web browser built on WebKitGTK with JavaScript off by default.
These buttons open the developer's own site, repository or store listing in a new tab. wares.gg does not host downloads.
About BadWolf
BadWolf is a small web browser built on WebKitGTK, with a codebase of about 1,500 lines. It does no browser-level tracking, opens unrelated new tabs in their own ephemeral, isolated sessions, and keeps JavaScript disabled until you turn it on.
The interface uses common shortcuts rather than vi-style modes or single-key bindings. Dialogs appear only when needed, such as for saving or printing. It can be extended with WebKitGTK native extensions and restyled through CSS. Releases are published as signed source tarballs.
Strengths
- JavaScript disabled by default
- Separate ephemeral, isolated sessions for unrelated new tabs
- Very small codebase of about 1,500 lines
- Interface customizable through CSS
Limitations
- Distributed as source code that you build yourself
- Tied to WebKitGTK, so it targets Linux-style desktops
- Minimal feature set compared with mainstream browsers
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree to download; releases are distributed as source tarballs.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- lanodan
- Platforms
- Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Best suited for
- Linux users who want a small, privacy-focused WebKit browser with conventional shortcuts
- Categories
- Web browsers, Privacy tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to BadWolf
Compare allSoftware that can replace BadWolf for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
surf
A minimal WebKit2GTK web browser from the suckless project, without tabs and configured at compile time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
