Lightning Browser
What Lightning Browser is
Lightning Browser is a free, open-source browser for Android phones and tablets. It is presented as a lightweight browser with modern navigation, bookmarks, browsing history, incognito mode, multiple search engines, and customizable search suggestions. Listed search choices include Google, Bing, Yahoo, StartPage, and DuckDuckGo. Tabs open through a navigation drawer or bottom drawer. Built-in ad blocking supports per-site allowlisting, while custom host sources are Plus-only. Privacy options include Do Not Track and controls to hide the X-Requested-With and X-Wap-Profile headers. Version 5.1.0 adds fully sandboxed incognito mode on Android Pie (API 28) and later, and the releases page lists it as the latest release. WebRTC is disabled by default and requests camera and microphone permissions only when enabled. Location access is off by default and requested when needed. Storage permission is requested for downloads or bookmark import and export. The project uses the Mozilla Public License 2.0 and welcomes pull requests.
Who it suits
It suits Android users seeking an open-source browser with ad blocking, drawer-based tabs, and privacy controls. Users needing custom host sources should note that feature is Plus-only.
What it does well
- Free and open source
- Built-in ad blocking
- Multiple search engines
- Sandboxed incognito on Android Pie and later
- Location access disabled by default
What to know first
- Android only
- Custom host sources are Plus-only
- WebRTC requires camera and microphone permissions
- Latest listed release is version 5.1.0
Verdict
Lightning Browser focuses on a lightweight Android experience with bookmarks, flexible search, ad blocking, and privacy settings. Its open-source license and offline-by-default permissions approach may appeal to users comfortable with an Android-only project.
Facts from Lightning Browser's own pages
- Ad blocking
- Release notes describe ad blocking, per-site allowlisting, and custom host sources, with custom host sources listed as Plus-only. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Bookmarks and history
- The browser includes bookmarks and browsing history. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Built-in ad blocking
- Yes · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Contributions
- The project says contributions are welcome and asks contributors to submit pull requests to the main branch. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Core features
- The project lists bookmarks, history, incognito mode, multiple search engines, and customizable search suggestions. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Downloads and bookmarks
- The README says storage permissions are requested when needed to download files or import and export bookmarks. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2014 · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Incognito security
- Version 5.1.0 added support for full sandboxed incognito mode on Android Pie (API 28) and later. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes itself as an Android browser, making it intended for Android users. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Latest listed release
- The releases page lists version 5.1.0 as the latest release. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is distributed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Yes · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Other permissions
- The README says location access is disabled by default and requested when needed for sites such as Google Maps. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Permissions
- The README says location access is requested only when needed and is disabled by default; camera and microphone permissions are requested for WebRTC only when that option is enabled. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- mobile · github.com, 19 Sept 2026
- Privacy option
- Version 5.1.0 release notes say the browser added full sandboxed incognito mode on Android Pie (API 28) and later. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy options
- A release added Do Not Track and options to hide the X-Requested-With and X-Wap-Profile headers. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Lightning Browser is described as a lightweight Android browser with modern navigation. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Release availability
- The repository's releases page lists version 5.1.0 as the latest release. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Search engines
- Listed search engines include Google, Bing, Yahoo, StartPage, and DuckDuckGo. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Tab navigation
- Tabs use a navigation drawer or bottom drawer. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- Tabs and suggestions
- It offers incognito mode, navigation or bottom drawer tabs, and customizable search suggestions. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
- WebRTC
- WebRTC support is disabled by default and requires camera and microphone permissions when enabled. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Where Lightning Browser stands on Freedom251
- Web browsers#144 of 154