EpiphanyLinux
vs
Microsoft Edge LegacyWindows
Epiphany as a Linux alternative to Microsoft Edge Legacy
Updated
Our verdict
Epiphany is a decent replacement for Microsoft Edge Legacy if you value simplicity, GNOME integration, and privacy over extensions and cross-platform sync. It handles modern web standards well enough for basic browsing, with solid HTML5 and JavaScript support via WebKit. However, it lacks extension support, cloud sync, and advanced tab features that Edge Legacy offered. It's best suited for Linux users who stay within the GNOME ecosystem and don’t rely on syncing bookmarks or passwords across devices. Not ideal for power users or those tied to Microsoft services.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- —
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both support modern HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript for standard web compatibility
- Include private browsing modes
- Offer basic tab management with tab switching and closing
- Use rendering engines developed from WebKit (Edge Legacy initially used a fork of WebKit before EdgeHTML diverged)
- Provide password saving via system keyring (GNOME Keyring vs Windows Credential Manager)
What is different
- Epiphany has no extension/add-on support, while Edge Legacy allowed limited extensions
- No sync functionality in Epiphany for bookmarks, passwords, or tabs across devices
- Epiphany lacks integration with Microsoft cloud services like OneDrive or Outlook
- Edge Legacy had better JavaScript performance due to more aggressive optimization
- Epiphany has reader mode; Edge Legacy did not include this feature
Opening your Microsoft Edge Legacy files
Epiphany does not directly open Microsoft Edge Legacy session files or import live tabs. However, it can import bookmarks from Edge Legacy through standard HTML bookmark export: export favorites in Edge Legacy as an HTML file, then import that into Epiphany via its bookmark manager. History, passwords, and open tabs cannot be migrated directly. Passwords saved in Edge Legacy must be manually transferred or rely on GNOME Keyring after logging in to sites again.
Switching from Microsoft Edge Legacy to Epiphany, step by step
- Export bookmarks from Microsoft Edge Legacy as an HTML file
- Open Epiphany and go to Bookmarks > Import from HTML file
- Enable GNOME Keyring if not already set up, and allow Epiphany to store passwords
- Install Epiphany if not present: sudo apt install epiphany-browser (Ubuntu/Debian)
- Set Epiphany as default browser in GNOME Settings
Key features of Epiphany
- WebKit rendering engine
- GNOME integration (menus, dark mode)
- Simple tab management
- Built‑in reader mode
- Support for HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript
- Private browsing window
- Password manager integration with GNOME Keyring
Frequently asked questions
Can I use browser extensions in Epiphany like I did in Microsoft Edge Legacy?
No, Epiphany does not support browser extensions or add-ons. It’s designed to be minimal and secure by limiting third-party code execution.
Does Epiphany sync my data with other devices?
No, Epiphany does not have built-in sync. You can manually sync bookmarks via exported HTML files, but passwords and tabs are not synced.
Is Epiphany based on Chromium like the newer Microsoft Edge?
No, Epiphany uses the WebKit engine, not Chromium. It shares no codebase with the current Microsoft Edge browser.
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