cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/58870060

I’ve been using Samsung Internet for a very long time, knowing it isn’t the best one for privacy. However, the user experience with it is, for me, unmatched by any other browser, including Vivaldi, Brave, and any Firefox forks.

So here’s what I’m looking for in a browser:

  • preferably FOSS

  • some control on privacy setting, less trackers/fingerprinting, etc. Doesn’t have to be the most hardened.

  • decent dark mode for web pages (Dark Reader is OK)

  • bottom search bar

  • bottom tabs bar rather than tab switcher

  • a quit button I don’t have to tap and scroll 2 times to find. Ideally it’d be placed on the main bottom bar

  • the quit button must clear cache and close all tabs, so I think it should be native and not an extension, but maybe I’m wrong?

Is there any browser that can give me that?

I’d love using Fennec as my main - and God knows I’ve tried multiple times to - but missing some of those feature made it hard for me to leave Samsung Internet behind. ATM I’m using both browsers BTW.

Any suggestion is appreciated!

  • kia@lemmy.caEnglish
    6·
    1 month ago

    Firefox on Android is really nice and meets most of these. Also having full extension support is a huge plus.

    • Sifu@lemmy.worldEnglish
      28·
      1 month ago

      What are you even talking about, Firefox on android sucks. It is so outdated design wise and just terrible to use, and the download list doesnt show you download history for some reason. Firefox on other OS’s work great, I even use it as my daily driver but on android. Uff no way.

      Sure, the extensions are great, fantastic even. But its the only pro in a sea of cons.🤷

      • kia@lemmy.caEnglish
        51·
        1 month ago

        No idea what you’re talking about as I’ve had none of these issues. Also Firefox on iOS isn’t actually Firefox, it’s just another reskined webkit browser.

        • Sifu@lemmy.worldEnglish
          15·
          1 month ago

          I was never talking about the iOS variant. I meant the android version was bad. Sorry for the misunderstanding then.

          • kia@lemmy.caEnglish
            3·
            1 month ago

            I’m talking about the Android version. You mentioned Firefox on other OSs is great so I assumed you were talking about iOS, which is not actually Firefox.

        • Sifu@lemmy.worldEnglish
          01·
          1 month ago

          I just use brave and arcsearch. I’m not saying they are great alternative and completely devoid of issues but personally I’ll rather use them than Firefox in android(specifically the android version), I love ZEN browser its my daily driver on my PC but the android one, I just can’t.

      • Condiment2085@lemm.eeEnglish
        01·
        1 month ago

        I barely use Firefox because i typical use chrome but if all my shit was in Firefox it’s absolutely fine. I’d say there are certain parts of Firefox that is actually just better than chrome on Android

  • darkkite@lemmy.mlEnglish
    3·
    1 month ago

    regardless of your browser choice make url check your default link handler to unshort urls and remove query parameters

        • char_stats@lemm.eeOPEnglish
          1·
          1 month ago

          No I meant I didn’t understand the part about link handler, short, unshort, query etc. Lol sorry

          If you’ve got a link, I’d appreciate it

  • Whooping_Seal@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    1 month ago

    I’m going to suggest an alternative to Samsung Internet or Firefox : https://github.com/uazo/cromite

    Out of the options I’ve tried, it’s probably the best bet for reducing tracking, fingerprinting & increasing security without turning to Tor browser (which while it is more anonymous, is frustrating for general browsing)

    For clearing cache, there are two options. There’s a dedicated clear browsing data button in the hamburger menu, it can also be configured to “sanitize on close” (similar to Firefox on desktop, or Brave on desktop / mobile) [In cromite, this can be found under Security > Clear the data at open]

    I can’t recommend Firefox on Android in good faith, until site isolation (fission) is enabled on the platform. This is a major security regression compared to desktop Firefox, or chromium based browsers on Android

    Edit: It seems like Iron Fox (continuation of Mull / fork of Firefox) has site isolation enabled - but it is still buggy and does not have all features enabled e.g no isolated process SELinux labels.

    • char_stats@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      I’m OK with using Fennec, probably. I’ve used Mull before, which I think is where Ironfox comes from.

      What do you like about Ironfox that, you think, is not in other FF forks? And what’s Accrescent?

  • Freakazoid@lemmings.worldEnglish
    1·
    24 days ago

    Im not sure if it is foss (have to check) but Soul Browser is my favorite. Packed with features and highly customizable, most if not all of your requirements are possible within this browser.

  • dontblink@feddit.itEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    Probably an unpopular opinion but if you want absolute minimalism without ads use Violoncello text browser!

    • nfreak@lemmy.mlEnglish
      3·
      1 month ago

      Just to clarify, Fennec is a privacy-focused fork, kind of in the same vein as libreWolf but not as extensive. Since LW isn’t available on mobile, Fennec seems to be the next best thing.

      I can’t really think of any browsers that have all the features OP is looking for. FF (+forks) is probably the closest thing out there.

      • Ilandar@lemm.eeEnglish
        2·
        1 month ago

        Vivaldi is very close, it’s only missing the FOSS requirement which I’m guessing is one OP would be willing to compromise on.

        • char_stats@lemm.eeOPEnglish
          1·
          1 month ago

          Your guess was correct. However, as I’m currently testing both browsers, it seems like the uBlock extension in Fennec (or any FF fork) is way superior to any filter in Vivaldi. So Fennec still on top for me.

          What I found out is that Vivaldi’s filter (even uBlock and AdGuard ones) can’t block sponsored posts, while uBlock extension, apparently, can

          • Ilandar@lemm.eeEnglish
            1·
            1 month ago

            It is yes, one of the reasons why I would recommend Firefox over Vivaldi (or any Chromium browser).

        • nfreak@lemmy.mlEnglish
          1·
          1 month ago

          True true. There’s also GrapheneOS’s Vanadium browser to keep an eye on, but so far I don’t think it’s usable outside of GOS without jumping through some hoops. Personally not a fan of Chromium-based browsers so I haven’t done much digging outside of the Firefox ecosystem though tbf.

  • Clot@lemm.eeEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    I use fennec, it’s just firefox without current bs of firefox going on

  • Log in | Sign up@lemmy.worldEnglish
    32·
    1 month ago

    I use duck duck go browser as my main and default browser, and I press the burn it all button regularly. It offers to exclude sites from the data purge if you log in, but for the three or so websites that I want to stay logged in to fill time, I just use Opera for them.

  • swelter_spark@reddthat.comEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    I use Ironfox and Fulguris (for when something doesn’t work in IF). They’re both good. Ceno is also interesting for its p2p/ anti-censorship features, although it’s slow when not on wifi.