Linux Web Browsers (2025 Guide): Features, Performance, Security & Installation

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Linux users know the power of flexibility, customization, and open-source freedom. Yet, when it comes to choosing among the many linux web browsers, the decision can affect everything—from privacy and performance to compatibility and extensions.

Whether you’re a beginner exploring Ubuntu for the first time, a system administrator managing multiple Linux servers, or a developer running browser tests in containers, picking the best browser for linux matters. Different browsers offer different strengths: some excel in privacy, some in low RAM usage, and others in customizability or speed.

Now let’s dive into the definitive linux browser comparison for 2025.

Overview of Popular Linux Web Browsers (2025)

Before we go deeper, here’s a quick feature comparison table to give you a visual overview. This table helps you quickly compare performance, privacy features, and extension support across top linux web browsers.

Linux Browser Comparison Table (2025)

If you're curious about browsers that consume the least memory, you can also read our detailed analysis Which Web Browser Uses the Least RAM.

Feature Comparison of Top Linux Browsers

Each web browser approaches Linux differently. Some integrate deeply with desktop environments, while others focus on privacy or lightweight performance.

Below is a deeper breakdown of what makes each browser stand out on Linux systems.

Firefox

Firefox remains one of the most trusted linux web browsers due to its commitment to open-source principles, privacy, and consistent performance. Its strict privacy protections and customization options make it one of the best choices for Linux.

Pros:

• Excellent privacy controls
• Large extension library
• Consistent performance
• Great for privacy browser linux audiences

Best For: General users, privacy-focused users, power users.

Google Chrome

Chrome remains extremely popular due to its speed and large extension ecosystem. Though not open source, its performance remains unmatched for many users.

Pros:

• Fastest JavaScript engine
• Large extension marketplace
• Best compatibility with modern web apps

Cons:

• High RAM usage on older machines.

Chromium

Chromium is the backbone of Chrome, Brave, Vivaldi, and Edge. Lightweight, open-source, and flexible, it’s perfect for those who want Chrome without Google.

Pros:

• Fully open source
• Faster and lighter than Chrome
• Fewer background services

Cons:

• Requires manual installation of some codecs.

Brave

A leading privacy browser linux option, Brave blocks ads and trackers by default while delivering strong performance.

Pros:

• Built-in ad blocker
• Automatic HTTPS upgrades
• Earn BAT tokens
• Very strong privacy defaults

If your priority is privacy, Brave is one of the best browser for linux in 2025.

Opera

Opera blends performance with unique features such as a sidebar, built-in VPN, and social apps integration.

Pros:

• Free VPN
• Productivity-focused design
• Good performance

GNOME Web (Epiphany)

Simple, lightweight, and deeply integrated into GNOME environments. Perfect for low-resource systems or casual browsing.

Pros:

• Extremely lightweight
• Minimalist user interface
• WebKit-based rendering

Falkon

Popular among KDE users, Falkon offers a small footprint without losing essential features.

Pros:

• Very low memory usage
• Native KDE integration
• Excellent choice for older hardware

Vivaldi

One of the most customizable linux web browsers, Vivaldi is perfect for users who want full control over appearance and behavior.

Pros:

• Powerful tab management
• Fully customizable UI
• Advanced productivity features

Nyxt

A unique, keyboard-driven browser inspired by Emacs/Vim navigation. Highly programmable using Lisp-like commands.

Pros:

• Extremely low RAM usage
• Lightning-fast navigation
• Keyboard-heavy workflow

Best For: Advanced Linux users, programmers, and automation-heavy workflows.

If you’re unfamiliar with how browsers work at their core, you may want to check out our guide “What is a Web Browser” to understand the fundamentals before continuing.

Performance & Resource Usage Benchmarks (2025)

Different browsers behave differently across systems. These general benchmarks give you a reliable sense of how these linux web browsers perform.

Privacy and Security Features

Privacy remains a top priority for Linux users, especially those using Linux for cybersecurity, server management, or development work. Let's compare privacy strengths:

Strongest Privacy Browsers on Linux

• Brave – default ad/tracker blocking, fingerprint protection.
• Firefox – strict privacy mode, Enhanced Tracking Protection, container tabs.
• Tor Browser (not included above but worth mentioning) – anonymity over privacy.

Moderate Privacy

• Chromium – depends on configuration.
• Vivaldi – good defaults but not as strict as Brave.

Lower Privacy

• Chrome – telemetry and Google account linking.
• Edge – Microsoft tracking concerns.

If you're exploring privacy tools, our guide on Different Types of Web Browser is a great resource.

Installation Guide: How to Install Each Browser on Major Linux Distros

These step-by-step instructions help you install browser Linux packages across the four most widely used Linux distros: Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and Arch Linux.

1. Install Firefox on Linux

Firefox comes preinstalled on most Linux systems, but the following steps help reinstall, update, or verify it.

Ubuntu / Debian

Update repositories:

sudo apt update

Install Firefox:

sudo apt install firefox

Verify installation:

firefox --version

Fedora

Fedora ships with Firefox by default.

Install or reinstall:

sudo dnf install firefox

Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S firefox

2. Install Google Chrome on Linux

Google Chrome is not open-source, and therefore not included in default Linux repositories.

Ubuntu / Debian (.deb)

1. Download Chrome package:

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

2. Install Chrome + dependencies:

sudo apt update

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

3. Verify installation:

google-chrome --version

Fedora (.rpm)

Chrome supports RPM-based systems natively.

sudo dnf install https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_x86_64.rpm

Verify:

google-chrome --version

Arch Linux

Chrome isn’t available in official Arch repos.
Users install it via AUR (mentioned as a note):

yay -S google-chrome

3. Install Chromium on Linux

Method 1: Install via Terminal

Ubuntu / Debian:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install -y chromium-browser

Fedora:

sudo dnf install chromium

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S chromium

After installation, launch Chromium from applications menu.

Method 2: Install via GUI (Ubuntu / Debian)

1. Open Software Center.

2. Search for “Chromium Browser”.

3. Click on it, then click Install.

4. After installation, launch from your applications menu.

4. Install Brave Browser on Linux

Brave is popular for privacy browser linux users thanks to built-in Shields and tracker blocking.

Ubuntu / Debian

Brave requires adding its official repository.

1. Install prerequisites:

sudo apt install curl

2. Add Brave signing key:

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

3. Add Brave repo:

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

4. Install Brave:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install brave-browser

Run Brave:

brave-browser

Fedora

sudo dnf install brave-browser

Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S brave

5. Install Opera Browser on Linux

Opera includes built-in VPN support, making it attractive for privacy-focused users.

Method 1: Install via Terminal / Official Repositories

Ubuntu / Debian:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install opera-stable

Fedora:

sudo dnf install opera

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S opera

Method 2: Install via GUI (Ubuntu / Debian)

1. Open Software Center.
   
2. Search for “Opera”.
   
3. Click Install in the Opera entry.
   
4. Once done, open Opera from the applications menu.

6. Install GNOME Web (Epiphany)

GNOME Web is the lightweight browser optimized for the GNOME desktop environment.

Ubuntu / Debian

sudo apt update

sudo apt install epiphany-browser

Fedora

sudo dnf install epiphany

Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S epiphany

7. Install Falkon on Linux (Lightweight QT Browser)

Falkon is ideal for systems with low RAM or older CPUs.

Ubuntu / Debian

sudo apt update

sudo apt install falkon

Fedora

sudo dnf install falkon

Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S falkon

8. Install Vivaldi Browser on Linux

Vivaldi is a highly customizable browser popular among power users.

Method 1: Install via Terminal / Official Packages

Ubuntu / Debian (.deb):

Download Vivaldi:

wget https://downloads.vivaldi.com/stable/vivaldi-stable_amd64.deb

Install the package:

sudo apt install ./vivaldi-stable_amd64.deb

Fedora (.rpm):

sudo dnf install https://downloads.vivaldi.com/stable/vivaldi-stable.x86_64.rpm

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S vivaldi

Method 2: Install via GUI — Ubuntu / Debian

Download the .deb file from Vivaldi’s official website.

Open your file manager, double-click the .deb file.

In the package installer, click Install, and provide your password.

After installation, find Vivaldi in your applications menu and launch it.

9. Install Nyxt Browser on Linux

Nyxt is a keyboard-driven, Lisp-powered browser for advanced technical users.

Ubuntu / Debian / Fedora / Arch (Flatpak universal install)

flatpak install flathub network.nyxt.Nyxt

If your setup involves running workloads on servers, it’s useful to understand browser behavior in server environments too.

👉 Learn more in: What is Linux Server

Recommended Browser Extensions for Linux Users

These extensions work across many linux web browsers and enhance privacy, productivity, and security.

Top Linux Extension Recommendations

• uBlock Origin – best ad blocker
• Privacy Badger – tracker blocker
• Bitwarden – password manager
• Dark Reader – dark mode for any site
• Tridactyl – Vim-style keyboard control (Firefox)

These align perfectly with the needs of privacy browser linux users.

User Scenarios: Best Browser for Different Needs

Below are real-world recommendations to help you identify the best browser for linux depending on your workflow.

Best for Privacy:

Brave, Firefox, Tor Browser

Best for Low Resource Systems:

Falkon, Epiphany, Nyxt

Best for Developers:

Firefox, Chrome, Chromium

Best for Heavy Multitasking:

Vivaldi, Chrome

Best for Cloud Work + Microsoft Services:

Microsoft Edge

Best for Ubuntu Users:

Check our detailed guide: 👉 Best Web Browsers for Ubuntu

Conclusion

Choosing the right browser from the vast selection of linux web browsers depends entirely on your needs—privacy, performance, customization, or low resource usage. The power and flexibility of Linux give you the freedom to try any browser and tailor it to your workflow.

Whether you're looking for the best browser for linux, deep-dive comparisons through a linux browser comparison, or instructions on how to install browser linux, this guide provides everything you need to make an informed choice in 2025.

And if you're running your environment on virtual machines, consider checking out our Linux VPS solutions for a more scalable setup. 👉 Explore Linux VPS

Enjoy exploring, customizing, and optimizing your Linux browsing experience your perfect browser is waiting.