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AI Browsers & Agents

Firefox

Mozilla's free browser with optional AI you can switch off with one setting.

3.6our rating
FreeOpen source
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Quick take

  • A free, open source browser where AI is optional: a chatbot sidebar, link previews and Smart Window, an AI window for working across tabs.
  • Everything is free. Smart Window needs a Mozilla account, has daily chat limits and is only in the US, Canada and France so far.
  • It reads, summarises and organises tabs. It doesn't click through sites or fill in forms for you like Comet.
  • Settings > AI Controls turns every AI feature off at once, and Mozilla says updates won't turn them back on.

What is Firefox?

Firefox is the free, open source browser from Mozilla, the non-profit-owned alternative to Chrome. In 2026 it added AI in a few places: a sidebar where you pick ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot or Mistral's Le Chat; link previews that show three key points before you click, made on your own computer; and Smart Window, a separate AI window that can summarise and compare your open tabs, group them and answer questions with web sources.

Smart Window is the main AI piece. It launched in beta in August 2026 for the US and Canada, reached France in September, and needs a Mozilla account. You choose between a few models or plug in your own, and an optional memory lets it pick up where you left off. It reads and organises; it doesn't click through websites or fill in forms for you. Pick Firefox if you want a browser that stays out of your way and only uses AI when you ask; pick Comet if you want an agent that does tasks, or Brave if you want a private assistant available everywhere today.

The catch is that it's patchy and behind. Smart Window isn't available in Australia or the UK yet, is still beta with daily limits, and the sidebar chatbot is just the normal ChatGPT or Claude website in a panel. Mozilla's AI push also angered many long-time users, which led to the AI Controls setting in February 2026 that blocks every AI feature at once. That's a real plus if your staff shouldn't use AI at work.

Who's using it, and who it's for

  • Privacy-minded owners
  • Researchers
  • Developers
  • Teams with AI rules

Business owners who want a trusted, independent browser and want to decide for themselves whether AI is on or off.

Key features

  • Smart Window (beta)

    A separate window with an assistant that summarises and compares your tabs, finds duplicates, groups them and answers with live web sources.

  • Pick your chatbot

    A sidebar for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot or Le Chat, using your own account with each.

  • Link previews

    Hover or long-press a link to see three key points before you open it, worked out on your own computer.

  • Choice of models

    Smart Window lets you switch between a few built-in models or connect your own, including one running locally.

  • Optional memory

    Short notes about your browsing, kept on your computer, so the assistant knows what you were working on. You can view or wipe them.

  • AI Controls

    One setting, added in February 2026, blocks all current and future AI features, or lets you pick which ones stay on.

How we rate it

3.6 / 5

Our rating

From using the tool ourselves. The average of the five scores.

Ease of use
3.5

How quickly someone non-technical gets value from it.

Features
3.0

How completely it covers its own job, and how well the pieces fit together.

Output quality
3.5

How good the results are before you fix them.

Value for money
4.5

What you get for the price, including the free plan.

Speed & reliability
3.5

How fast it is and how often it falls over.

Firefox pricing

  • Our pick

    Firefox

    Free

    Everyone, with AI on or off as you choose.

    • Chatbot sidebar with your own AI account
    • Link previews with on-device key points
    • AI Controls to block AI features
    • Desktop, Android and iPhone

  • Smart Window beta

    Free

    Heavy researchers in the US, Canada or France.

    • Free Mozilla account required
    • Daily chat limits, reset at midnight US Eastern time
    • Choice of models or bring your own
    • Waitlist in other countries

Which plan should you pick?

There's nothing to pay. Use the sidebar with whatever AI account you already have. If you're in the US, Canada or France, try Smart Window with a free Mozilla account. Everyone else can join the waitlist.

Prices in USD unless noted, checked 22 October 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on their site before you buy.

Best use cases

Ways Firefox can slot into your week.

  1. 1

    Make AI off-limits on work PCs

    Switch on Block AI enhancements so staff browsers carry no built-in AI, and it stays off through updates.

  2. 2

    Keep ChatGPT beside your work

    Open your usual ChatGPT or Claude in the sidebar and ask about a page without switching tabs.

  3. 3

    Skip the clickbait

    Preview a link's key points before deciding whether it's worth opening.

  4. 4

    Make sense of 30 tabs

    In Smart Window, ask for a summary of your research tabs and let it group them by topic.

How it fits your tech stack

Firefox replaces Chrome and imports bookmarks and passwords, though Chrome extensions need their Firefox versions. Its AI doesn't connect to your email or work apps, so it suits people who keep AI in separate tools like ChatGPT or Claude. For an assistant tied to Microsoft 365, Edge with Copilot fits better.

Connects to

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Every AI feature is optional and free
  • One switch blocks all AI, and stays off through updates
  • Open source, from a non-profit-owned company
  • Use the chatbot you already pay for
  • Link previews run on your own computer

Cons

  • Smart Window is only in the US, Canada and France, and still beta
  • No agent that clicks through sites or fills in forms
  • The sidebar is just the chatbot's website in a panel
  • Smart Window needs a Mozilla account and has daily limits
  • A Smart Window bug pulled in browsing from before people opted in, since fixed

Firefox alternatives

The closest alternatives to Firefox in the library, best rated first.

Why it made the list

It's the only major browser with one switch that turns every AI feature off, and its AI is free and opt-in when you do want it.

Firefox FAQ

How much does Firefox cost?

It's free and open source. Prices checked 22 October 2026 against Firefox's pricing page.

Is Firefox free?

Yes, Firefox has a free option. There's nothing to pay. Use the sidebar with whatever AI account you already have. If you're in the US, Canada or France, try Smart Window with a free Mozilla account. Everyone else can join the waitlist.

What is Firefox best for?

Firefox is best for Keeping AI out of the browser entirely, using your own ChatGPT or Claude in a sidebar and summarising and tidying lots of open tabs (US, Canada, France). Business owners who want a trusted, independent browser and want to decide for themselves whether AI is on or off.

What are the best Firefox alternatives?

The closest alternatives are Claude Cowork, Google Chrome, ChatGPT Work and Brave. Claude Cowork is best for weekly reports built from several sources.

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