GNU IceCat
The GNU Project's build of Firefox containing only free software, with added privacy extensions.
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About GNU IceCat
GNU IceCat is the GNU version of the Firefox browser. Its main aim is ethical: it ships only free software, without the nonfree plug-ins and add-ons that Mozilla distributes and recommends. It also avoids the trademark restrictions on modified Firefox builds.
IceCat bundles privacy extensions. GNU LibreJS blocks nonfree JavaScript. JShelter reduces fingerprinting and tracking by slightly changing API results per domain and gives per-site control over restrictions. Expect some sites to break when scripts are blocked.
Strengths
- Contains only free software, with no nonfree add-on recommendations
- LibreJS blocks nonfree JavaScript
- JShelter reduces fingerprinting with per-site controls
Limitations
- Blocking JavaScript breaks many modern sites until you allow scripts
- Builds are distributed from a third-party download page
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree software from the GNU Project with no paid tier.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- GNU Project
- Platforms
- Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Best suited for
- Free software advocates who want a Firefox build without nonfree components
- 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 GNU IceCat
Compare allSoftware that can replace GNU IceCat for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
LibreWolf
A Firefox build with the privacy settings already turned up and uBlock Origin included.
LibreWolf is a privacy-hardened Firefox build with uBlock Origin and Resist Fingerprinting on by default and Windows and macOS builds, but without LibreJS nonfree script blocking.
Firefox
The main browser not built on Chromium, with tracking protection turned on by default.
Firefox is the upstream browser with official builds on all major platforms, but it is not limited to free software and does not block nonfree JavaScript.
Waterfox
A Firefox build with telemetry stripped out, ad blocking and encrypted DNS turned on from the start.
Waterfox removes telemetry and enables ad blocking and encrypted DNS on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, but has no free-software-only policy or JavaScript blocking.
Mercury
A Firefox fork with compiler optimizations and privacy patches taken from LibreWolf, Waterfox and GNU IceCat.
Mercury is a compiler-optimized Firefox fork that borrows privacy patches from IceCat, LibreWolf and Waterfox, adds Windows and macOS, but is maintained by a single developer.
Tor Browser
A hardened Firefox that sends every page through the Tor network, so the site sees an exit node instead of your address.
Tor Browser routes all traffic through the Tor network with strong fingerprinting defences, hiding your address, but it is noticeably slower and some sites block Tor exit nodes.
Mullvad Browser
Tor Browser's fingerprinting defences without the Tor network, built to sit in front of a VPN instead.
Mullvad Browser uses Tor Browser's fingerprinting defences instead of JShelter, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and is meant to be used behind a VPN.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
ungoogled-chromium
Plain Chromium with every connection to Google web services stripped out, and nothing else changed.
Dillo
Browse lightweight pages with a small graphical browser.
NetSurf
A small, fast open-source web browser written in C with its own layout engine.
Pale Moon
Independent Firefox fork with the classic interface and XUL extension support.
SeaMonkey
Classic internet suite combining a browser, email, feed reader, IRC client and HTML editor.
IronFox
Hardened Firefox fork for Android, successor to DivestOS Mull.
