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https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox

Firefox user.js for speed, privacy, and security. Your favorite browser, but better.
https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox

anti-tracking firefox gecko mozilla performance privacy security settings speed tracking web-browser

Last synced: 14 days ago
JSON representation

Firefox user.js for speed, privacy, and security. Your favorite browser, but better.

Host: GitHub
URL: https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox
Owner: yokoffing
License: mit
Created: 2020-03-23T16:10:50.000Z (over 4 years ago)
Default Branch: main
Last Pushed: 2024-10-24T23:29:44.000Z (19 days ago)
Last Synced: 2024-10-29T17:27:46.297Z (14 days ago)
Topics: anti-tracking, firefox, gecko, mozilla, performance, privacy, security, settings, speed, tracking, web-browser
Language: JavaScript
Homepage:
Size: 1.2 MB
Stars: 5,839
Watchers: 54
Forks: 145
Open Issues: 8
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Funding: .github/FUNDING.yml
- License: LICENSE

Awesome Lists containing this project

awesome-useful-projects - <img src="https://icon.horse/icon/github.com" height="20px" align="center"/>/yokoffing/Betterfox - Firefox user.js for speed, privacy, and security (Jump To / Browser Extensions/Scripts/Tools)
awesome-useful-projects - <img src="https://icon.horse/icon/github.com" height="20px" align="center"/>/yokoffing/Betterfox - Firefox user.js for speed, privacy, and security (Jump To / Browser Extensions/Scripts/Tools)

README

        ![GitHub Maintained](https://img.shields.io/badge/open%20source-yes-orange)

![GitHub Maintained](https://img.shields.io/badge/maintained-yes-yellow)

[![Visitors](https://hits.seeyoufarm.com/api/count/incr/badge.svg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fyokoffing%2FBetter-Fox&count_bg=%2379C83D&title_bg=%23555555&icon=&icon_color=%23E7E7E7&title=visitors&edge_flat=false)](https://hits.seeyoufarm.com)

# Betterfox

[about:config](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/about-config-editor-firefox) tweaks to enhance [Mozilla Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/). 

31% [faster](https://medium.com/@mihirgrand/comparing-popular-firefox-forks-6fa83fdfdaad#:~:text=31%25%20more%20than%20vanilla%20Firefox) than regular Firefox :rocket:

Now with support for ESR [128](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/tree/esr128) :new: 

## Required reading

0) Create a [backup profile](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/wiki/Backup).

1) Download the user.js file [here](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/main/user.js) (Right click > `Save Link As…`).

2) Review [Common Overrides](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/wiki/Common-Overrides) and make any necessary changes.

   * See also [Optional Hardening](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/wiki/Optional-Hardening) for other recommendations.

3) Open Firefox. In the URL bar, type `about:profiles` and press **Enter**.

4) For the profile you want to use (or use default), click **Open Folder** in the **Root Directory** section.

5) Move the `user.js` file into the folder.

*After restarting Firefox:*

1) Get an **ad blocker** like [uBlock Origin](https://addons.mozilla.org/blog/ublock-origin-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-ad-blocker/) with our [recommended filters](https://github.com/yokoffing/filterlists#guidelines).

2) Enable **DNS-level protection** with [NextDNS](https://nextdns.io/?from=xujj63g5). ^{Use the link and support this page!}

    * Check out our configuration [guide](https://github.com/yokoffing/NextDNS-Config) for the best experience.

    * See how to [quickly enable](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/dns-over-https) **secure DNS** in Firefox.

## Made for everyday browsing

**A secure, blazing fast browsing experience. Without breakage.**

Betterfox is an opinionated preference list inspired by the [law of diminishing returns](https://web.archive.org/web/20231108092752if_/https://pmctraining.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Law-of-Diminishing-Returns-CHART.png) and the [minimum effective dose](https://medium.com/the-mission/less-is-more-the-minimum-effective-dose-e6d56625931e).

## Simple goals

1) **Minimalism:** get what isn't needed out of the way

2) **Efficiency:** unleash Firefox's ability to be fast and performant

3) **Privacy:** protect your data without causing site breakage

## Simple configs

`Fastfox`, `Securefox`, `Peskyfox`, and `Smoothfox` are guides to settings within Firefox.

The `user.js` — a configuration file that controls Firefox settings — is curated from these guides.

| List      | Description |

|:---------:|-------------|

| [Fastfox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/main/Fastfox.js)   | Increase Firefox's browsing speed. Give Chrome a run for its money!|

| [Securefox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/main/Securefox.js) | Protect user data without causing site breakage. |

| [Peskyfox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/main/Peskyfox.js)  | Provide a clean, distraction-free browsing experience. |

| [Smoothfox](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/main/Smoothfox.js) | Get Edge-like smooth scrolling on your favorite browser — or choose something more your style. |

| [user.js](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/blob/main/user.js) | All the essentials. None of the breakage. This is your `user.js`. |

## Recognition

### Browser Integration

> [!IMPORTANT]

> While the browsers listed below incorporate Betterfox to some extent, they often modify it in ways that reduce its effectiveness. For optimal results, apply the `user.js` file even when using Firefox forks.

* [Zen](https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop?tab=readme-ov-file) | [files](https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/blob/main/src/browser/app/profile/better-fox.js) (July 2024)

* [Midori](https://github.com/goastian/midori-desktop/blob/ESR115/README.md) | [files](https://github.com/goastian/midori-desktop/blob/f3d8d96eb8e08f35a64e3c957bea4e839d7c7730/floorp/browser/components/userjsUtils.sys.mjs#L28-L33) (Dec 2023?)

* [Mercury](https://github.com/Alex313031/Mercury/releases/tag/v.115.3.0) | [files](https://github.com/Alex313031/Mercury/commit/eb9600f9fb8f48c8f5b5c6f3264fbcdb5caff7f5) (Sep 2023)

* [Waterfox](https://www.waterfox.net/en-US/docs/releases/G6.0/) | [files](https://github.com/WaterfoxCo/Waterfox/tree/current/waterfox/browser/app/profile) (Sep 2023)

* [Floorp](https://github.com/Floorp-Projects/Floorp#-betterfox) ^{[1](https://github.com/Floorp-Projects/Floorp/issues/233#issuecomment-1543557167) [2](https://blog.ablaze.one/3135/2023-04-01/)} | [files](https://github.com/Floorp-Projects/Floorp/blob/ESR115/floorp/browser/components/preferences/userjs.inc.xhtml) (Apr 2023)

* [Pulse](https://github.com/pulse-browser/browser#%EF%B8%8F-credits) | [files](https://github.com/pulse-browser/browser/tree/alpha/src/browser/app/profile) (Dec 2021)

* [Ghostery Private Browser](https://github.com/ghostery/user-agent-desktop#community) ^{[1](https://web.archive.org/web/20210509171835/https://www.ghostery.com/ghostery-dawn-update-more/) [2](https://web.archive.org/web/20210921114333/https://www.ghostery.com/ghostery-dawn-product-update/)} | [files](https://github.com/ghostery/user-agent-desktop/tree/main/brands/ghostery/branding/pref) (Feb 2021)

### YouTube

* [Ditch Chrome for One Of These BETTER BROWSERS!](https://youtu.be/ygkxFc8SZlc?si=m5NQe-b_oFXs5crb&t=230) (Aug 2024)

* [The ULTIMATE Browser Tier List](https://youtu.be/j5r6jFE8gic?t=560) (Mar 2023)

* [I Hate Firefox. But I'm Still Switching Back to It.](https://youtu.be/w0SJFED5xK0?t=220) (Nov 2022)

* [Español] [Optimize and Accelerate Firefox](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XtoONmq5_Q) (Nov 2022) 

* [How To Improve Firefox Performance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8IOJiOFVEk) (Dec 2021)

### Podcasts

* [Italian] [Digitalia.fm](https://digitalia.fm/684/) | 1:41:35–1:42:41 (July 2023)

* [GhoSTORIES with Franz & Pete](https://anchor.fm/ghostories/episodes/S2E6-We-Talking-Ghostery-Dawn----Again-er0q02/a-a4o5vmh) | 17:05–18:40 (Feb 2021)

### Articles

* [Browsers for Daily Use](https://anhkhoakz.neocities.org/blog/browsers-for-daily-using/#firefox-but-hardened) (Jan 2024)

* [Avoiding Manifest V3 – Escaping the Ad-Pocalypse](https://www.xbitlabs.com/avoiding-manifest-v3/) (Dec 2023)

* [German] [Pulse Browser Review: Firefox fork with Turbo tweaks and Opera sidebar](https://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-Tipps-Software-Pulse-Browser-Review-ein-Firefox-Fork-mit-Seitenleiste-wie-bei-Opera-35644139.html#:~:text=Noch%20mehr%20Speed%2DFeatures) (Apr 2023)

* [2023 Browser Showdown: Comparing Chrome, Brave, Firefox, Vivaldi, and Opera](https://www.appdate.lk/technology/2023-browser-showdown/) (Jan 2023)

### Guides

* [FMHY Browser Tools: Privacy Tweaks](https://www.reddit.com/r/FREEMEDIAHECKYEAH/wiki/storage/#wiki_privacy_based_browsers)

* [Firefox-UI-Fix](https://github.com/black7375/Firefox-UI-Fix/wiki/Tips#privacy)

* [Narsil/desktop_user.js](https://git.nixnet.services/Narsil/desktop_user.js#thanks)

* [pyllyukko/user.js](https://github.com/pyllyukko/user.js) [comparator](https://jm42.github.io/compare-user.js/)

### Reviews

* “I use this one ... The performance is absolutely amazing. There’s definitely a huge difference when it comes to loading sites.” - [DIRIKtv](https://youtu.be/N8IOJiOFVEk?t=16)

* "BetterFox ... will provide good-enough privacy and help with performance." - [Qdoit12Super](https://old.reddit.com/r/browsers/comments/139h4my/suggestion_for_finding_3_good_privacy_focus/jj3n3qn/?context=2)

* "...drastically changed the experience with Firefox for me. Improved speed, security, smoothness, and removed clutter." - [AppDate](https://www.appdate.lk/technology/2023-browser-showdown/#:~:text=Used%20the%20BetterFox%20user%20config%20settings%20with%20some%20overrides%20which%20drastically%20changed%20the%20experience)

* "Firefox with uBlock Origin extension and tuned with Betterfox is faster than Safari."  - [cugeloid](https://elephas.app/blog/best-browsers-mac#what-is-the-best-browser-for-mac-according-to-redditandnbsp)

* "I don't think I could use Firefox without Betterfox." - [Professional_Fun4616](https://old.reddit.com/r/nextdns/comments/15y815f/the_people_behind_betterfox_have_this_awesome/jxb7cir/?context=3)

* "The best collection of tweaks available." - [AuRiMaS](https://old.reddit.com/r/MozillaFirefox/comments/15cc1vk/about_changes_in_aboutconfig/jtyx910/?context=3)

* "FF is now much snappier!" - [whotheff](https://old.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/z5auzi/firefox_not_properly_usingrecognizing_gpu_poor/iy36hyz/)

* "...the experience is so good now I don’t think I’ll go back to any of the chromium based browsers." - [Mr_Compromise](https://old.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/zwioe1/what_browser_will_you_be_using_in_2023_please/j1wmbxo/)

## Support

If you like the project, leave a :star: (top right) and become a [stargazer](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/stargazers)!

[![Stargazers repo roster for @yokoffing/Betterfox](https://reporoster.com/stars/dark/yokoffing/Betterfox)](https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfox/stargazers)





## Credit

* Betterfox mirrors the ongoing work provided by [arkenfox](https://github.com/arkenfox/user.js). Additionally, this repository includes content reproduced or adapted from other sources. Credit for overlapping material goes to the original authors.

* Appreciation goes to the [Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/) team and developers working on [Bugzilla](https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/home), fighting for the open web.

* A special thanks to [Alex Kontos](https://github.com/MrAlex94) of [Waterfox](https://github.com/WaterfoxCo/Waterfox) for his collaboration in v.116.

* Many thanks to the 2021 [Ghostery](https://github.com/ghostery) team for testing Betterfox at scale in its early days.



  


since 23 July 2022