Basilisk
What Basilisk is
Basilisk is a free, open-source desktop web browser built on the Unified XUL Platform and Goanna engine. It runs on Windows, Linux and macOS, with official binaries also listed for FreeBSD. The browser keeps a traditional interface that users can customize, with an emphasis on long-term usability and predictable behavior. It supports JavaScript, HTML, CSS, WebAssembly, WebRTC and secure networking technologies. Extensions use XUL and overlay formats; Firefox WebExtensions are not supported. Optional NPAPI plugins are available for specialized or legacy workflows. Basilisk includes optional Pale Moon Sync support for cross-device syncing. The project says it avoids analytics, user-data sales and user profiles. It is not configured by default for anonymity or anti-fingerprinting, and geolocation uses IP-API unless disabled in about:config. On Unix-like systems it targets X11, with XWayland for Wayland environments. Its architecture is single-process rather than multiprocess.
Who it suits
Basilisk suits desktop users who want a traditional, customizable browser and support for XUL extensions or legacy plugins. It is also relevant to people seeking an open-source browser with optional syncing.
What it does well
- Free and open source
- Runs on Windows, Linux and macOS
- Supports XUL and overlay extensions
- Optional NPAPI plugin support
- Optional Pale Moon Sync support
What to know first
- Firefox WebExtensions are unsupported
- Wayland is unsupported directly
- Uses single-process browsing
- Not anonymous or anti-fingerprinting by default
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basilisk | Free and open source desktop web browser | Free |
As basilisk-browser.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Basilisk focuses on a traditional desktop browsing experience, broad web technology support and older extension formats. Its single-process design, X11 target and lack of Firefox WebExtensions matter when choosing it.
Facts from Basilisk's own pages
- Architecture limitation
- Basilisk uses a single-process architecture by design and does not support multiprocess browsing. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Browser engine
- other · basilisk-browser.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Cross-device sync
- Yes · basilisk-browser.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Design focus
- The browser emphasizes a traditional, customizable interface, long-term usability, and predictable behavior. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Extensions
- It supports XUL and overlay-based extensions but does not support Firefox WebExtensions. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Extension support
- own_store · basilisk-browser.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · basilisk-browser.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Geolocation
- By default, Basilisk uses IP-API to estimate location from the public IP address, and users can disable geolocation by setting geo.enabled to false in about:config. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Integration
- Basilisk includes optional support for the Pale Moon Sync service. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Legacy support
- It supports optional NPAPI plugins for specialized or legacy workflows. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Yes · basilisk-browser.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Platform limitation
- The project targets X11 on Unix-like systems and says Wayland is unsupported, with XWayland offered as the supported way to run it in a Wayland environment. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- desktop · basilisk-browser.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- The project says it does not collect analytics, sell user data, or build user profiles, and that its servers are configured to avoid logging personally identifiable information. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy limitation
- Basilisk is not configured out of the box as an anonymous or anti-fingerprinting browser. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Release schedule
- The project says releases are typically monthly, with additional releases as needed for security updates or critical fixes. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- User support and public discussion are handled through the Basilisk section of the Pale Moon forum; confirmed reproducible bugs should be filed in the source repository. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported systems
- Official release binaries are listed for Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD; Linux builds support GTK2 and GTK3. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Web technologies
- Basilisk supports modern JavaScript, HTML, CSS, WebAssembly, WebRTC, and secure networking technologies. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Basilisk is an independently developed desktop web browser built on the Unified XUL Platform and Goanna rendering engine. · basilisk-browser.org, 11 Oct 2026
Where Basilisk stands on Freedom251
- Web browsers#22 of 154