K-Meleon
What K-Meleon is
K-Meleon is a free, open-source web browser built primarily for Microsoft Windows Win32 computers. It embeds the Gecko rendering engine through Mozilla MfcEmbed components and is designed to stay small and configurable. Users can add or remove menu items through preferences, while plugins and macros extend functionality. Built-in ad blocking is listed alongside privacy controls for browser identification, cookies, and SSL. Cookie settings can accept all cookies, accept only site cookies, or reject cookies. On encrypted sites, SSL activates automatically and a lock icon indicates encryption status. The browser is presented as an option for people seeking a lighter browser, including on Windows computers near or below Mozilla’s minimum requirements. K-Meleon is released under the GNU General Public License. Its website provides documentation, a FAQ, tutorials, and a forum. The latest stable release listed is version 75.1, dated 2015-09-19 and based on Mozilla ESR 31.8.
Who it suits
K-Meleon suits Windows users who want a lightweight, configurable browser with Gecko rendering and basic privacy controls. It may also interest users on computers near or below Mozilla’s stated minimum requirements.
What it does well
- Free and open source under GPL
- Lightweight Windows-focused design
- Built-in ad blocking
- Configurable menus and extension macros
- Cookie and SSL privacy controls
What to know first
- Windows-only platform
- Latest stable release listed from 2015
- Based on Mozilla ESR 31.8
- No free trial is listed
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| K-Meleon | Windows (Win32) | Free |
As kmeleonbrowser.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
K-Meleon focuses on a small, configurable Windows browser with Gecko rendering, ad blocking, and straightforward privacy settings. Its listed stable release is old, which readers should weigh before choosing it.
Facts from K-Meleon's own pages
- Browser engine
- gecko · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 21 Sept 2026
- Built-in ad blocking
- Yes · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 21 Sept 2026
- Cookie settings
- The manual describes three cookie acceptance settings: accept all cookies, accept site cookies, or reject cookies. · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Customization
- The browser manual says users can modify the interface by adding or removing menu items through preferences. · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Design
- The manual describes the browser as small and easy to use and configure, with extra functionality added through plugins where possible. · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Encryption indicator
- The manual says SSL is enabled automatically on encrypted sites and a lock icon indicates encryption status. · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 21 Sept 2026
- Intended audience
- The manual presents K-Meleon as an option for people seeking a lighter browser, including on Windows computers near or below Mozilla's minimum requirements. · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The official site describes K-Meleon as free and open source under the GNU General Public License. · kmeleonbrowser.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Yes · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 21 Sept 2026
- Supported platforms
- desktop · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 21 Sept 2026
- Plugins and add-ons
- The official site points users to plugins and macros that extend the browser's functionality. · kmeleonbrowser.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy controls
- The manual lists browser identification, cookie controls, and SSL among K-Meleon's privacy features. · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- K-Meleon is a lightweight web browser built primarily for Microsoft Windows (Win32). · kmeleonbrowser.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Rendering engine
- The manual says K-Meleon embeds the Gecko rendering engine using Mozilla MfcEmbed components. · kmeleon.sourceforge.net, 12 Oct 2026
- Stable release listed
- The official site lists K-Meleon 75.1, dated 2015-09-19, as its latest stable release and says it is based on Mozilla ESR 31.8. · kmeleonbrowser.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The official site directs users to documentation, a FAQ, tutorials, and the K-Meleon forum for information and support. · kmeleonbrowser.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where K-Meleon stands on Freedom251
- Web browsers#49 of 154