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Midori Browser

Open source · OSI-approvedStatus: unknownNew

Lightweight open-source browser with built-in ad blocking and VPN

Alternative to Chrome

Midori is a lightweight open-source web browser from Astian that bundles ad blocking, tracker protection, a VPN, and private search into one install. It exists for readers who want private daily browsing on desktop and Android without assembling extensions, accounts, or separate privacy apps.[1][2]

Quick verdict

Midori fits privacy-conscious readers who want a ready-to-use browser with blocking, VPN, and private search switched on from the first launch. Its appeal is the bundle: layered blocking, one-click VPN, and a private default search engine arrive together instead of as add-ons. The tradeoff is a smaller ecosystem than Chrome or Firefox, with VPN pricing details unverified and macOS coverage unclear on the current features page. If you browse on Windows, Linux, or Android and want privacy without a setup project, try Midori; if you need the biggest extension library or verified enterprise support, choose Brave or Firefox.[1][2]

Key features

  • Zero telemetry by default No usage data is collected on any platform or version, framed not as an opt-out setting but as the starting position. Browsing activity stays off vendor dashboards from the first launch.[1]

  • Layered blocking from first launch Ad Blocking, Anti-Tracking, Never-Consent, and IA Shield act on outgoing requests before they leave the device. Cookie and tracking consent prompts are declined automatically, on by default.[1][2]

  • Built-in MidoriVPN The VPN connects with one click from the side panel with server choice, so private browsing needs no extension or external app. Plan pricing was not verified on the observed pages.[1][2]

  • AstianGO private default search The bundled search engine is set as the default with no query logging or profiling. Everyday questions stay out of behaviorally targeted search profiles.[1]

  • Gecko engine compatibility Built on the same engine that powers Firefox, Midori carries full web-standards support. The familiar extension ecosystem extends to the Android build.[1][2]

  • No account to browse Midori works without registration, email, or profile. There is no server-side record that a reader ever visited.[1]

  • Midori Center settings panel Tab appearance, sidebar, workspaces, keyboard shortcuts, and privacy and VPN toggles live in one clean, focused panel. Everyday customization stays in one place.[1]

  • Native builds in 60-plus languages Installer or APT packages cover the desktop and Google Play covers Android, with a fully localized interface rather than just a translated homepage. Mac build status differs between the features page and the repository description.[1][2]

Who will love it

  • Readers who want privacy without configuration Blocking, consent refusal, and private search arrive switched on, so there is no extension hunt or settings deep-dive. The defaults do the privacy work in one step.[1][2]

  • Android and desktop minimalists One browser with a built-in VPN and private search replaces a stack of separate privacy apps. Coverage spans Windows, Linux, and Android under the same standard.[1]

  • Open-source pragmatists Anyone who reads code or forks projects gets a fully public MPL-2.0 codebase. Privacy claims stay checkable instead of promises.[1][2]

Who should avoid it

  • Readers who need the Chrome extension universe A smaller ecosystem means niche extensions and enterprise integrations may lag behind Chromium-based browsers. Readers tied to Chrome-only tooling will feel the gap.[1]

  • macOS-first readers should verify first The current features page lists Windows, Linux, and Android builds while the repository description mentions Mac. Mac coverage needs confirmation before switching.[1][2]

  • Hands-off users who want managed everything Community-scale support and a VPN whose plan pricing is unverified suit self-sufficient readers. Anyone wanting a support contract should look at mainstream alternatives.[1]

Questions worth asking

What is the best Midori Browser alternative for non-technical users?

Brave is the easier pick for non-technical users: it installs like an ordinary browser, blocks ads out of the box, and covers desktop and mobile with mainstream support. Midori asks less setup than hardened Firefox forks but its ecosystem is smaller and its VPN pricing is unverified, so the less technical the reader, the stronger the case for Brave.[1][2]

Is Midori Browser really no-code?

Yes for daily use. Browsing, installing from the published packages, and changing settings in Midori Center need no programming. Deeper customization goes through browser settings and extensions rather than code, though building the browser from source remains developer work.[1]

How much does Midori Browser cost per month?

Midori costs $0 per month: the browser download is free, there is no paid edition or account gate, and no per-seat price is documented. VPN plan pricing was not verified on the observed pages, so readers considering the VPN should check current Astian pricing. Prices checked October 11, 2026.[1][2]

Can you self-host Midori Browser?

There is nothing to self-host: Midori is a browser client, not a server product. Its source is published under the MPL-2.0, so anyone can inspect, fork, and build it, and it runs on the user's own Windows, Linux, or Android device.[1][2]

Sources and editorial review

Source research. Reviewed on October 11, 2026. Written by Sanjib Sah. AI assisted; reviewed by a human editor.

We have not run or tested this product.

  1. Midori Browser official product page

    official · Observed October 11, 2026

    Official Midori product page: lightweight, secure, extremely private browser with built-in ad blocker, VPN browsing, private search, and customization. Zero telemetry by default, no account required, 100 percent open source. Native tracker blocker with Ad Blocking, Anti-Tracking, Never-Consent, IA Shield on by default. Built-in MidoriVPN one-click side panel, Midori Center settings panel, comparison table against Chrome and Firefox.

  2. Midori Browser official features

    official · Observed October 11, 2026

    Official features page: protection layers active from first launch (zero telemetry, ad blocking, anti-tracking, Never-Consent plus IA Shield). Built-in ecosystem: AstianGO private search default, MidoriVPN one-click side panel, Midori Center for tabs/sidebar/workspaces/shortcuts/privacy. 100 percent open source under MPL-2.0, no account, Gecko engine with Firefox compatibility, Windows/Linux/Android builds, extension support, 60-plus languages.

  3. Midori desktop official repository

    official · Observed October 11, 2026

    Official goastian/midori-desktop repository: Midori for desktop focused on lightness and privacy, tagged firefox-fork/Gecko topics, MPL-2.0 license entry, published release tags (v11.6.4 observed). Repository description mentions Windows, Linux, and Mac builds.

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