Flow Browser
What Flow Browser is
Flow Browser is a free, open-source Chromium browser for desktop use through Linux, macOS, Windows, the web, and an extension. Its interface includes separate profiles for settings and extensions, plus spaces for organizing tabs. A sidebar gathers bookmarks, history, and settings, while a command palette can search the web or open tabs, bookmarks, and history items. Flow blocks ads and trackers, can put inactive tabs to sleep, and lets users pin tabs in spaces. Chrome Web Store extensions are supported, although the homepage marks that support experimental. Widevine support is listed for DRM-protected streaming content. Flow asks before opening external applications and includes offline games at flow://games. Downloads list macOS 11 or later, Windows 10 or later, and Linux distributions. The project uses the GNU GPL v3.0 license, with feedback handled through UserJot. A downloads manager and favorites system are listed as coming soon.
Who it suits
It suits desktop users seeking a free, open-source browser with profiles, tab spaces, ad blocking, and privacy-oriented controls. It also fits people who need Chrome extensions or Widevine streaming support.
What it does well
- Free and open source
- Blocks ads and trackers
- Profiles separate settings and extensions
- Supports tab sleeping and spaces
- Widevine supports DRM streaming
What to know first
- Chrome extension support is experimental
- Downloads manager is not yet available
- Favorites system is listed as coming soon
Verdict
Flow Browser combines Chromium compatibility with profiles, organized tab spaces, built-in blocking, and desktop privacy prompts. Experimental extension support and forthcoming features may matter when choosing it.
Facts from Flow Browser's own pages
- Ad blocking
- The browser includes an ad blocker that blocks ads and trackers. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Browser engine
- The project README says Flow Browser combines Chromium with an interface built on Electron. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Built-in ad blocking
- Yes · flow-browser.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Chrome extensions
- Flow supports installing Chrome extensions from the Chrome Web Store, and labels extension support experimental on its homepage. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Command palette
- The command palette can search the web or quickly open a tab, bookmark, or history item. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Desktop downloads
- The download page lists macOS 11 or later, Windows 10 or later, and Linux distributions, with Linux downloads through Flathub and package formats. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- DRM
- The browser lists Widevine support for watching DRM-protected content. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Extension support
- chrome_store · flow-browser.com, 19 Sept 2026
- External app prompts
- Flow says it asks before opening external applications for enhanced security and privacy. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The public GitHub repository says Flow Browser is licensed under GNU GPL v3.0. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Offline feature
- Flow Browser includes offline games accessible at flow://games. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Yes · flow-browser.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Platforms
- The project's releases list Windows setup files, macOS disk images, and Linux AppImage builds. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Flow describes itself as a modern, privacy-focused browser with a minimal interface. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Profiles and spaces
- The browser supports multiple profiles with separate settings and extensions, and spaces for organizing tabs. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Security behavior
- The browser asks before opening external applications as an added security and privacy measure. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Sidebar
- A sidebar provides access to bookmarks, history, and settings. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Sidebar and command palette
- The sidebar provides access to bookmarks, history, and settings, while the command palette can search the web or open tabs, bookmarks, and history. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Source license
- The project repository states that Flow Browser is licensed under GNU GPL v3.0. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Streaming support
- The website says Widevine support lets users watch DRM-protected content from streaming services. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Support and feedback
- The project README directs users to UserJot for feedback, feature requests, and bug reports. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Tab features
- Flow supports putting inactive tabs to sleep and pinning tabs in spaces. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Tab management
- It supports sleeping inactive tabs to save resources and pinning tabs in spaces for quick access. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Upcoming features
- The homepage lists a downloads manager and favorites system as coming soon. · flow-browser.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Flow Browser stands on Freedom251
- Web browsers#109 of 154