Instead of w3m
w3m alternatives
w3m combines two jobs: it is a pager and a text-mode WWW browser. It follows links in HTML, can send images to an external viewer, recognizes HTML from a document’s Content-Type header, and turns URL descriptions in plain text into links. It is free and open source, with Linux documented as a working platform. Its trade-offs include a GC library build dependency, a Windows build that requires Cygwin and development tools, and poor online manuals noted as a current problem.
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Mozilla Firefox
by Mozilla FirefoxFree plan Open source AndroidExtensioniPhone+4Free browsing across desktop, mobile, and web — Firefox adds a graphical browser across mobile and desktop platforms, with built-in ad blocking and standard tracking protection.
Free plan Visit site - 2
Brave Browser
by Brave BrowserFree plan Open source AndroidiPhoneLinux+2Ad blocking, advanced tracking protection, and Chrome extensions — Brave adds built-in ad blocking, advanced tracking protection, and Chrome Store extension support beyond w3m’s text-mode browsing.
Free plan · paid from $59.99 Visit site - 3
Waterfox
by WaterfoxFree plan Open source AndroidExtensionLinux+2A free Gecko browser with advanced tracking protection — Waterfox adds built-in ad blocking and advanced tracking protection in a browser available on desktop and Android.
Free plan Visit site - 4
Tor Browser
by Tor BrowserFree plan Open source AndroidAPILinux+2Routing web traffic through Tor to resist tracking — Tor Browser routes traffic through Tor and adds defenses against fingerprinting, surveillance, and censorship rather than offering w3m’s pager approach.
Free plan Visit site - 5
Mullvad Browser
by Mullvad BrowserFree plan Open source LinuxMacWindowsA free browser with advanced tracking protection — Mullvad Browser adds built-in ad blocking and advanced tracking protection in a graphical browser for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Free plan Visit site - 6
LibreWolf
Free plan Open source LinuxMacWindowsStrict privacy defaults and cookie clearing on close — LibreWolf adds strict tracking protection, fingerprinting defenses, and automatic cookie and site-data deletion when closed.
Free plan Visit site - 7
Midori Browser
Free plan Open source AndroidExtensioniPhone+3Private browsing with active built-in protections — Midori adds default ad blocking, anti-tracking, and private search without an account, unlike w3m’s text-mode focus.
Free plan Visit site - 8
UABEA
Free plan Open source LinuxWindows - 9
AssetRipper
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 10
arcdEx
Free plan Linux - 11
Rusted PackFile Manager
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1 - 12
Crowbar
Free plan Windows - 13
Crowbar
Free plan Windows - 14
Game Asset Tool
Free plan Windows - 15
OpenKh
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 16
QuickBMS
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 17
Source 2 Viewer
Free plan LinuxMacWeb+1 - 18
Game Extractor
Free plan Windows - 19
Kuriimu2
Free plan Windows - 20
SLADE3
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 21
Gibbed.RED
Free plan - 22
MeltyTool
Free plan Windows - 23
Noesis
Free plan Windows - 24
Project IGI Game Converter
Free plan MacWindows - 25
UE Viewer
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 26
TTGames Explorer Rebirth
Free plan - 27
VPKEdit
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 28
Unity
Free plan - 29
BrawlCrate
Paid Windows - 30
Ninja Ripper
Paid Windows5.3 Visit site
A switch makes sense if you want a browser for more platforms or built-in protections rather than w3m’s terminal-oriented reading and linking. Compare the options by their platform coverage, ad blocking, tracking defenses, extension support, and any specific privacy features. Browser choices here vary from standard tracking protection to controls aimed at fingerprinting or network privacy. Consider whether those capabilities matter more to you than w3m’s pager role and ability to render text-mode web pages.