Nordstjernen
What Nordstjernen is
Nordstjernen is an independent web browser written from scratch in C, focused on HTML and CSS standards. Builds are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and the JVM. Each tab runs in its own sandboxed renderer process, with seccomp and Landlock sandboxing on Linux. The browser reports no telemetry or update pings, partitions cookies, and performs safe-browsing checks on the device. Its privacy policy says it collects no personal data and uses no analytics, crash reporting, accounts, or advertising IDs. Supported features include JavaScript, Canvas 2D, WebCrypto, Service Workers, WebAssembly, WebGL 1 and 2, inline video, SVG, MathML, and printing. The site reports 140 WHATWG HTML rows fully implemented and 31 partial across sections 1–16 as of July 2026. Version 1.0.29 adds Google sign-in through to Gmail and reports an engine security audit. There is no JIT. Licensing is GNU GPL version 3 or later or Nordstjernen Source License 1.0.
Who it suits
It suits users seeking a free browser with broad platform availability, on-device safe-browsing checks, and no stated telemetry or personal-data collection.
What it does well
- Free to use
- No telemetry or update pings
- Per-tab sandboxed renderer processes
- Supports WebAssembly and WebGL
- Available on desktop and mobile
What to know first
- No extension support
- No JIT
- Some HTML rows are partial
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nordstjernen | Free to use · GPL 3+ or NSL-1.0 | Free |
As nordstjernen.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Nordstjernen focuses on standards support, sandboxing, and limited data collection across many platforms. Consider its lack of extension support and partial standards implementation before switching.
Facts from Nordstjernen's own pages
- Architecture
- Each tab runs in its own sandboxed renderer process, with seccomp and Landlock sandboxing on Linux. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Availability
- The site lists builds for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and the JVM. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download page lists current 1.0.29 Linux portable and Debian or Ubuntu packages, with the most recent macOS, Alpine, openSUSE, and Java packages from 1.0.23. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Features
- The browser supports JavaScript, Canvas 2D, WebCrypto, Service Workers, WebAssembly, WebGL 1 and 2, inline video, SVG, MathML, and printing. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Version 1.0.29 adds Google sign-in through to Gmail; the browser also connects to the sites, page resources, and search engine the user chooses. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Licensing
- Nordstjernen is offered under the GNU GPL version 3 or later or the Nordstjernen Source License 1.0, at the user's option. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The project says Nordstjernen is built in Norway. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Personal data
- The privacy policy says Nordstjernen does not collect personal data and has no analytics, crash reporting, accounts, or advertising ID use. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The browser has no telemetry or update pings, partitions cookies, and performs safe-browsing checks on-device. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Product
- Nordstjernen is an independent web browser written from scratch in C and focused on HTML and CSS standards. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Security
- Nordstjernen has no JIT and its site reports an engine security audit in version 1.0.29. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Standards support
- The site reports 140 WHATWG HTML spec rows fully implemented, 31 partial, and none absent across sections 1–16 as of July 2026. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The privacy page directs questions to the Nordstjernen issue tracker. · nordstjernen.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where Nordstjernen stands on Freedom251
- Web browsers#117 of 154