FREE Browser
FREE Browser is a free, open-source web browser for Android focused on privacy controls.
What FREE Browser is
FREE Browser is a free, open-source web browser for Android focused on privacy controls. The project describes it as having no trackers and no unnecessary permissions. Its ad blocker uses the StevenBlack host list; users can choose a list and add domains to block. Fingerprinting protections are configurable, and JavaScript, cookies, and DOM storage can be managed by domain or bookmark. Ad blocking, fingerprinting protection, and desktop mode can also be toggled per tab. A cookie banner blocker uses Mozilla Cookie Banner Rules to opt out of unnecessary cookies and attempt to dismiss banners, but it requires JavaScript and does not handle rules in child windows. The browser supports simple Greasemonkey-style scripts: @match is required, and @run-at and @name are supported, while @include, @exclude, and @grant are not. Other tools include unlimited tabs, in-page search, web search from selected text, PDF saving, and opening links in other apps. It can back up and restore databases, bookmarks, and preferences to Documents/browser_backup. F-Droid lists version 3.5.0.159, which requires Android 10 or newer. The project warns the app will stop working on certified Android devices after Google begins requiring developer identity details in 2026/2027.
Good
- Ad blocking uses the StevenBlack host list.
- Fingerprinting protections can be toggled.
- Site settings can be configured by domain or bookmark.
- Tabs support per-tab privacy and desktop controls.
- Bookmarks and preferences can be backed up.
Watch out
- Cookie banner blocking requires JavaScript.
- Cookie rules do not work in child windows.
- Requires Android 10 or newer, per F-Droid listing.
- Project warns of a future certified-device limitation.
Who it suits
It suits Android users looking for a browser with configurable ad, fingerprinting, cookie, and site-storage controls. Users who rely on Android 10 or newer should note the listed version requirement.
Verdict
FREE Browser offers granular controls for ads, fingerprinting, and site data, along with practical tab and backup tools. Check its Android requirement and the project’s warning about future use on certified devices before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From FREE Browser's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | GPLv3 open-source Android browser |
| FREE Browser | Free | Android 10 or newer · 5.2 MiB APK |
The facts
Each one read from FREE Browser's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Ad blocking
- The browser uses the StevenBlack hosts list for ad blocking.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Backup
- Browser data, bookmarks, and preferences can be backed up and restored from Documents/browser_backup.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Built-in ad blocking
- Yeschecked 19 Sep 2026
- Cookie banner blocking
- Its cookie-banner blocker uses Mozilla Firefox Cookie Banner Rules and attempts automatic opt-out.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Cookie banners
- Its cookie banner blocker uses Mozilla Cookie Banner Rules to opt out of unnecessary cookies and attempt to dismiss banners; it requires JavaScript and does not work for rules in child windows.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Cookie controls
- Cookie permissions can be configured globally and for selected domains.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Developer build note
- A GitHub issue reports that an external contributor built the app after upgrading Android Studio, Gradle, and JDK settings, while the maintainer said upgrades would wait until compilation breaks.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Distribution build
- F-Droid builds and signs the APK and states that it corresponds to the published source tarball.checked 15 Oct 2026
- DOM storage controls
- DOM-storage permissions can be controlled globally, by domain, and by bookmark.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Download limitation
- F-Droid warns that direct APK installation does not provide update notifications and is less secure than using the F-Droid client.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Extension support
- nonechecked 19 Sep 2026
- Fingerprinting protection
- The browser includes measures against browser fingerprinting that users can toggle.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Fingerprint protection
- It includes measures intended to reduce browser fingerprinting.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The blocker supports Mozilla's Cookie Banner Rules, and the app can open links in other apps such as YouTube.checked 9 Oct 2026
- JavaScript controls
- Users can set JavaScript permissions globally, per domain, and per bookmark.checked 15 Oct 2026
- License
- The application is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: cookie blocker
- Cookie-banner blocking requires JavaScript and does not handle banners in child windows.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: reproducibility
- F-Droid's verification page marks version 3.5 as not reproducible, while versions 3.4 and earlier listed there are reproducible.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: third-party cookies
- Third-party cookies are generally unsupported.checked 15 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Android dependency
- The F-Droid listing says the app depends on the device's built-in Android WebView, which should be kept updated.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Browser engine
- otherchecked 19 Sep 2026
- Distribution and device requirement
- The maker's repository provides source code and releases; F-Droid lists version 3.5.0.159, requiring Android 10 or newer.checked 9 Oct 2026
- External app links
- Links can be opened in other applications, including YouTube.checked 15 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 19 Sep 2026
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