LibreWolfLinux
vs
BraveWindows
LibreWolf as a Linux alternative to Brave
Updated
Our verdict
LibreWolf is a strong replacement for Brave if you prioritize privacy over speed or crypto rewards. It blocks trackers via uBlock Origin (included or recommended) and hardens Firefox against fingerprinting, covering Brave's core privacy goals. However, it lacks Brave's built-in ad blocking engine and cryptocurrency rewards. If you rely on Brave Search or specific Chromium extensions, you will need workarounds. For most users who just want a private, tracker-free browser on Linux, LibreWolf is a solid, native choice that respects user freedom without corporate telemetry.
- License
- MPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 158.0-1 (October 13, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Privacy-focused defaults that block trackers and ads out of the box
- Strong resistance to browser fingerprinting techniques
- Extensive extension support for customizing browsing experience
- Native Linux availability without compatibility layers
What is different
- Based on Firefox engine rather than Chromium, which may affect extension compatibility
- Lacks Brave's built-in cryptocurrency rewards and Brave Search integration
- Privacy settings are enforced via configuration files rather than a simple UI toggle
- Does not include a built-in ad blocker; relies on uBlock Origin or similar extensions
Opening your Brave files
LibreWolf cannot directly import Brave's profile, as they use different browser engines (Firefox vs. Chromium). You can manually export bookmarks and passwords from Brave using HTML or CSV formats and import them into LibreWolf. Browser history and open tabs are not transferable. If you use Brave-specific extensions, you will need to find Firefox-compatible alternatives or use polyfills.
Switching from Brave to LibreWolf, step by step
- Export bookmarks and passwords from Brave to HTML or CSV files
- Install LibreWolf via Flathub, AUR, or your distribution's package manager
- Launch LibreWolf and import the exported bookmarks and passwords
- Install uBlock Origin or another ad blocker from the Firefox Add-ons store
- Review and adjust settings in librewolf.cfg if you need to unlock enforced privacy options
- Install any required Firefox-compatible extensions to replace Brave-specific tools
Key features of LibreWolf
- Independent fork of Firefox with hardened privacy settings
- Over 500 privacy, security, and performance configurations pre-applied
- Telemetry, crash reporter, and updater removed
- Enforced settings via librewolf.cfg and policies.json
- Optional LibreWolf-addons for enhanced privacy
- Runs alongside Firefox with separate profile and install path
- Code-reviewed, recommended add-ons list
- Available via Flathub, AUR, and other package sources
How to install LibreWolf on Linux
flatpak install flathub io.gitlab.librewolf-communitysudo pacman -S librewolfFrequently asked questions
Does LibreWolf block ads by default?
No, LibreWolf does not include a built-in ad blocker. It is designed to work with extensions like uBlock Origin, which is highly recommended and often listed in their code-reviewed add-on list.
Can I use Brave extensions in LibreWolf?
Most Brave extensions are Chromium-based and will not work directly in LibreWolf. You will need to find Firefox-compatible alternatives or use extensions that support both engines.
Is LibreWolf harder to configure than Brave?
LibreWolf enforces privacy settings via configuration files, which prevents accidental changes but requires editing text files for customization. This is more technical than Brave's simple UI toggles but offers greater control and security.
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