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Add to SafariWhen comparing GNU IceCat vs Dot Browser, 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 Dot Browser is ranked 37th.
Specs
Question 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 Privacy focused
Has a great add and tracker blocker built in and far more anti-fingerprinting tools than firefox.
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 Backed by github.com
GitHub is known for making the ad blocker, libre, and hosting such open source users such as tech pros. This browser was just made to make it more private than Firefox. However, it might crash.
Con Outdated Firefox fork
Even 1 Firefox user doesn't recommend dot browser because it lacks many privacy features.
Con Logs browsing data to Google/Microsoft
According to their privacy policy, they log all the websites to Google and Microsoft browsers in clicks.
Con Another bloatware of Mozilla Firefox
This browser discribes itself as a open source browser but it is bloatware. It is a rip off of Mozilla Firefox which is said to be a RAM eater and github tracks you along the internet.
