# Tor Browser based on other browser engines?
**URL:** https://forum.torproject.org/t/tor-browser-based-on-other-browser-engines/15037
**Category:** Tor Browser Feedback
**Tags:** tor-browser
**Created:** [October 7, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/tor-browser-based-on-other-browser-engines/15037 "2024-10-07T17:07:32Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@postala](https://forum.torproject.org/u/postala)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/tor-browser-based-on-other-browser-engines/15037/1 "2024-10-07T17:07:32Z")
I now tor is based on Firefox for years/decades. Firefox is so huge.
How about tor gives up Firefox and rebase itself a much more lightweigh framework
as wpewebkit. Say just fork cog( a kiosk web browser with a few KLOC code) or directly
go with wpewebkit.
Is it not more feasible, maintainable, and has more control over codebase, not have to rebase firefox for every few mouth, few dependencies, a much basic build steps vs vs as cons?
But IIRC wpewebkit has no windows platform support.
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### Author:  [@anon68402605](https://forum.torproject.org/u/anon68402605)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2024, 5:35pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/tor-browser-based-on-other-browser-engines/15037/2 "2024-10-07T17:35:48Z")
I think it’s because they want to avoid Google and Apple stuff.
Mozilla Foundation is 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization like _The Tor Project_ also is.
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### Author:  [@BobbyB](https://forum.torproject.org/u/BobbyB)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/tor-browser-based-on-other-browser-engines/15037/3 "2024-10-07T19:17:01Z")
> [@anon68402605](#):
>
> I think it’s because they want to avoid Google and Apple stuff.
Good for them.
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### Author:  [@postala](https://forum.torproject.org/u/postala)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2024, 7:52am UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/tor-browser-based-on-other-browser-engines/15037/4 "2024-10-08T07:52:37Z")
Mozilla’s and firefox reputation decays everday.
webkit source code licensed under LGPLv2 and BSD licenses for different parts of code. I think its compatible here.
There are a bunch of browsers based on common webkit library on Linux.
eg say gnome epiphany.
There are parties that work on improving that common base.
Even Linux side get healt from apple’s contribution because there is common code for different platforms.
Maybe its time to consider.
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### Author:  [@BobbyB](https://forum.torproject.org/u/BobbyB)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2024, 7:50pm UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/tor-browser-based-on-other-browser-engines/15037/5 "2024-10-08T19:50:19Z")
You have a point there BUT there are too many open source projects which just die because they run out of steam. You want to go with someone who will still be around for years to come. Google, Apple, Microsoft, Mozilla and Tor/Tails: yes. The first three have business models incompatible with anonymity.
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### Author:  [@Redwave](https://forum.torproject.org/u/Redwave)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2024, 12:14am UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/tor-browser-based-on-other-browser-engines/15037/6 "2024-10-22T00:14:42Z")
I don’t particularly like the use of Firefox myself. Mozilla has a proven track record of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. And they are not doing so hot on privacy protections.
The one project I’ve always thought would be particularly well suited to being the Tor Browser is Pale Moon. It struggled for a while, but is coming back strong.
That said, it would be a lot of work to switch, and resources to do that may be better aimed at other areas needing improvement more immediately.
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### Author:  [@ioc2e31](https://forum.torproject.org/u/ioc2e31)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2025, 8:02am UTC](https://forum.torproject.org/t/tor-browser-based-on-other-browser-engines/15037/7 "2025-08-12T08:02:08Z")
> There are a bunch of browsers based on common webkit library on Linux.
Excuse me …
What other browsers are based on Generic WebKit ?
.
> Maybe its time to consider.
Agree …
Its time to consider …
.