Discover the best less known browsers that outperform mainstream options in speed, privacy, and customization. Explore Vivaldi, Brave, Waterfox, and Pale Moon in this detailed review.

Top 4 Less Known Browsers That Deserve Your Attention

When people think of web browsers, they usually imagine the big names — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, or Edge. These giants dominate the market, but they don’t always offer the best balance of speed, privacy, features, and resource usage. Outside of the mainstream ecosystem, there are several less known browsers that outperform major competitors in specific areas. Some are focused on privacy, others on customization, and some aim to deliver the lightest, fastest browsing experience possible.

In this comprehensive review, we explore the 4 best less known browsers that genuinely deserve more recognition. Each one brings a unique philosophy to the web, and depending on your needs, they may outperform even the most popular options.

– Vivaldi – The Most Customizable of All Less Known Browsers

Overview

Vivaldi is one of the most advanced yet surprisingly less known browsers on the market. Created by former Opera employees, it carries the spirit of the old Opera browser—powerful features, deep customization, and a focus on user control. Unlike mainstream browsers that simplify the interface to appeal to casual users, Vivaldi goes in the opposite direction, giving you tools, options, and settings you won’t find anywhere else.

Key Features

 Extreme Customization

You can change almost everything:

• Tab appearance, placement, stacking & grouping

• Custom themes

• Keyboard shortcuts

• Mouse gestures

• Complete rearrangement of UI elements

No other browser allows this level of personalization.

 Tab Stacking & Vertical Tabs

If you keep tons of tabs open, Vivaldi is a dream. With:

• Vertical tabs (very space-efficient)

• Tab stacks (group multiple tabs into one)

• Two-level tab bar

This is arguably the best tab management system in any browser.

 Built-in Tools

Vivaldi eliminates the need for many extensions:

• Screenshot tool

• Notes app

• Built-in email client (Vivaldi Mail)

• Ad blocker

• Tracker blocker

• Translation tool

This makes it both powerful and secure.

Performance

Vivaldi is fast, but heavy. The abundance of features means it uses more RAM than minimalist browsers. Still, it’s more efficient than Chrome in multi-tab scenarios thanks to its smart memory handling.

Privacy

Very strong:

• No tracking

• No profiling

• End-to-end encrypted sync

• Based in Norway (GDPR-friendly)

Who Should Use It

• Power users

• Multitaskers

• Researchers

• Anyone who wants a browser they can mold exactly to their workflow

Final Verdict

If customization, flexibility, and productivity are your priorities, Vivaldi is hands-down the best among less known browsers available today.

– Brave Browser – The Privacy-Focused Challenger with Speed Advantages

Overview

Brave has grown rapidly, but compared to Chrome or Edge, it’s still one of the less known browsers among the general public. Brave stands out because it eliminates ads and trackers by default, making it significantly faster and more private than mainstream options.

Key Features

 Built-in Ad & Tracker Blocking (Default)

Unlike Chrome, Firefox, or Edge:

• No extensions required

• Ads blocked at the network level

• 300% faster page loading in many cases

It reduces data usage, improves battery life, and eliminates common annoyances.

 Brave Shields

Brave Shields control:

• Script blocking

• Fingerprint protection

• Cookie blocking

• HTTPS upgrades

• Cross-site tracker blocking

You can adjust every setting per site or globally.

 Brave Rewards (Optional)

Users can opt in to see non-intrusive ads, earning Basic Attention Tokens (BAT). Some love it, some ignore it, but it’s a unique concept.

 Private Tor Windows

Built-in Tor integration offers:

• Anonymous browsing

• Encrypted traffic routed through Tor nodes

This feature alone sets Brave apart from 99% of browsers.

Performance

One of the fastest browsers available. By removing trackers and bloated ad scripts, Brave often loads pages significantly quicker than Chrome.

Privacy

Top-tier:

• Zero tracking

• No user profiling

• Based on open-source Chromium

• Built-in fingerprinting protection

Who Should Use It

• Privacy-conscious users

• People who want fast browsing without add-ons

• Chrome users who want a familiar interface but better security

Final Verdict

Brave combines speed, privacy, and quality-of-life features that make it one of the strongest less known browsers for everyday users.

– Waterfox – A Lightweight, Open-Source Browser Focused on Freedom

Overview

Waterfox is a fork of Firefox that strips out unnecessary components, telemetry, and bloat. It’s one of the less known browsers, but it has a loyal following among open-source enthusiasts who want a fast, privacy-friendly alternative to Mozilla Firefox.

Key Features

 Support for Classic Firefox Add-ons

Waterfox uniquely supports:

• Old XUL Firefox extensions

• New WebExtensions

• NPAPI plugins

This allows you to run powerful add-ons no longer usable in regular Firefox.

 Lightweight Performance

Waterfox is:

• Extremely fast

• Memory-efficient

• Minimalistic

• Free of ads and tracking

It feels like Firefox before it became heavy.

 No Telemetry

Waterfox collects zero user data by default.
No tracking, no usage stats, no personalization.

 Open-source and transparent

Anyone can inspect the code for privacy or security reasons.

Performance

Because it removes bloat, Waterfox is:

• Faster at startup

• Smoother with multiple tabs

• Better with older hardware

It is ideal for users who want a lightweight Firefox-based browser.

Privacy

Very strong:

• No telemetry

• Optional privacy-focused search integrations

• Open source ensures trust

Who Should Use It

• Open-source enthusiasts

• Older PC / low-RAM laptop users

• Firefox fans who miss old features

• Anyone who wants more control over privacy

Final Verdict

Waterfox is one of the most efficient less known browsers, perfect for users who want Firefox-like customization with better speed and zero tracking.

– Pale Moon – A Classic, Speedy Browser for Power Users

Overview

Pale Moon is one of the less known browsers that focus on efficiency, customization, and a classic interface. Built from earlier Firefox source code (before the big Quantum rewrite), it preserves old design principles while keeping the browser fast and lightweight.

This makes it ideal for users who dislike modern, simplified browser UIs.

Key Features

 Support for Legacy Add-ons

Pale Moon supports:

• Old Firefox XUL/XPCOM extensions

• Custom Pale Moon add-ons

• Themes that modify the entire UI

This allows extreme customization that modern browsers do not offer.

 Lightweight and Fast

Because Pale Moon avoids:

• Telemetry

• Heavy multi-process architecture

• Modern UI bloat

…it runs extremely fast, even on low-spec systems.

 Classic Interface

If you miss:

• Full menus

• Status bars

• Traditional toolbar customization

Pale Moon offers a refreshing return to classic browser design.

 Independent Development

Although based on old Firefox code, Pale Moon is independently maintained, with its own:

• Security patches

• Rendering engine (Goanna)

• Add-on ecosystem

This makes it a unique browser, not just a clone.

Performance

Very fast, especially for:

• Older PCs

• Lightweight web browsing

• Users who keep many tabs open

Pale Moon can run smoothly on systems as old as 10-year-old laptops.

Privacy

Good overall, but not as advanced as Brave or Waterfox.
However:

• No telemetry

• No data selling

• Fully open-source

Who Should Use It

• Fans of classic Firefox

• Users with older or low-end hardware

• People who want a fast, stable browsing experience

• Customization enthusiasts

Final Verdict

Pale Moon is a stable, fast, and customizable entry among less known browsers, especially for those who prefer traditional interface design.

Comparison: Which Less Known Browser Should You Choose?