Ladybird
by Ladybird
What Ladybird is
Ladybird is a free, open-source web browser from the Ladybird Browser Initiative, a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in San Francisco. Its engine is being built from scratch around web standards, with Linux and macOS listed as supported platforms. Development is active, and the first alpha is targeted for 2026 for developers and early adopters. Built-in ad blocking uses downloadable filter lists such as EasyList; users can add a list URL and enable automatic updates. Project updates describe profiles, session restore, history, downloads, DevTools storage inspection, JavaScript debugging, and video playback, including Twitch and YouTube playback. Private browsing routes cookies, storage, history, caches, downloads, and address-bar suggestions privately. The project says it uses no search deals, advertising, data collection, crypto tokens, or other user monetization, relying on donations and sponsorships. Its security model includes process isolation, renderer-message validation, and restricted system access. Crash reports stay local without browsing data or local file paths, and sending reports is optional. Windows is planned later, while mobile is not currently a focus.
Who it suits
Ladybird is aimed now at developers and early adopters on Linux or macOS. It also suits users seeking an open-source browser with stated privacy and ad-blocking controls.
What it does well
- Free and open source
- Built-in ad blocking with downloadable filter lists
- Supports Linux and macOS
- Private browsing handles stored data privately
- Crash-report sending is optional
What to know first
- First alpha is targeted for 2026
- Windows support is planned for later
- Mobile platforms are not a current focus
- Project remains in active development
Verdict
Ladybird offers an open-source browser project with its own engine, privacy-focused policies, and configurable blocking. Its early development status and limited platforms matter for everyday browser use.
Facts from Ladybird's own pages
- Browser engine
- other · ladybird.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Built-in ad blocking
- Yes · ladybird.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Content blocking
- Users can choose downloadable filter lists such as EasyList, add a list URL, and enable automatic updates. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Crash reports
- Crash reports are saved locally and contain no browsing data or local file paths; users choose whether to send a report to the service. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Development status
- Ladybird is in active development, with its first alpha targeted for 2026 on Linux and macOS. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Features
- Recent project updates describe browser profiles, session restore, browsing history, downloads, DevTools storage inspection, JavaScript debugging, and video playback. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2024 · ladybird.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · ladybird.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Funding
- The project says it is funded entirely by donations and sponsorships, with no search deals, data collection, or ads. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- The organization lists its address as 2261 Market Street STE 10029, San Francisco, CA 94114-1612. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Ladybird reports video playback on Twitch and YouTube and image pasting into editable web page content. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The first alpha is aimed at developers and early adopters. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The maker is the Ladybird Browser Initiative, a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Media
- On macOS, video playback uses VideoToolbox hardware decoding for H.264, HEVC, VP9, and AV1, using hardware acceleration where available. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Ladybird is open source, and the project provides instructions for cloning and running it locally. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Organization
- The Ladybird Browser Initiative is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to developing and promoting the Ladybird web browser. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Platform limits
- The project says Windows support is planned for a later stage and mobile platforms are not a current focus. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- both · ladybird.org, 19 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- Ladybird says it does not monetize users and reports that private browsing routes cookies, storage, history, caches, downloads, and address bar suggestions by privacy. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy and monetization
- Ladybird says it has no default search deals, crypto tokens, or other forms of user monetization. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Ladybird is an independent web browser with a new engine built from scratch and based on web standards. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Security
- The project describes process isolation, validation of messages from renderers, and restricted system access for processes as parts of its security model. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Security review
- Ladybird worked with Trail of Bits security engineers in September 2026 and says the work identified security issues and left a security backlog. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project invites bug reports, website testing, security reports, and technical feedback, and links to a Discord community chat. · ladybird.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where Ladybird stands on Freedom251
- Web browsers#50 of 154