When comparing GNU IceCat vs Waterfox, the Slant community recommends GNU IceCat for most people. In the question“What are the best desktop web browsers?” GNU IceCat is ranked 8th while Waterfox is ranked 25th.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro All the benefits of Firefox, but with 100% free software
Pro LibreJS
LibreJS blocks proprietary JavaScript code, ensuring your user freedom.
Pro Protects your freedom, certified free by the FSF
Pro Extra security and privacy features
Pro Made by idealists
It is part of the GNU Project.
Pro No spyware
Pro Https-Everywhere by default
Pro SpyBlock
Blocks privacy trackers.
Pro Fast
Even faster than firefox.
Pro Offers excellent privacy
Does not phone home.
Pro Never ever freezes
Highly reliable.
Pro Works with Firefox addons
Firefox 56 add-ons compatibility, including unsigned XUL extensions and complete themes.
Pro Less bloated than Firefox
Pocket, telemetry, data collection, startup profiling is removed.
Pro Extremely customizable
It has almost every setting imaginable.
Pro Multiple add-on support
Pro Works with major streaming services
Includes widevine plugin and suitable user agent for viewing major streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Video.
Cons
Con Too much bloat
The browser comes with 15 addons installed by default, most of which are useless or ruin one's browsing experience.
Con Mainly just an old Firefox
It is mainly a renamend older version of Firefox that comes preinstalled with some extensions.
Con Not up to date
Latest binary is still version 60.7 ESR and was last updated over a year ago
Con Requires too much unnecessary configuration to use
You have to manually delete all the bloated addons from your files (only for them to show up again when the browser is updated) and manually install some addons and themes that the browser labels as "corrupt".
Con Very slow boot time
It takes 10+ seconds for the browser to load up
Con Can't install some Firefox themes/addons
"Installation aborted because the addon appears to be corrupt".
Con Includes LibreJS by default with no way to remove it
Con Very slow boot time
It takes 10+ seconds for the browser to load up
Con Dependent on Mozilla
Since IceCat is based off Firefox, it's dependent on all of Mozilla's decisions.
Con Made by idealists
It is part of the GNU Project.
Con Lag, lag, lag, freeze, freeze, freeze
Need to do something about it.
Con Owned by an advertising company
The same company that bought Startpage/ Ixquick, System 1. This is a company that gathers information about what you look at and do, analyzes and profiles you, and then sells it off to third parties.
Con Goodish, but still bad
Removes crap from FF, but doesn't offer anything you can't already do in FF. Also, doesn't help they are owned by an ad tech, System1.