Firefox used to feel like the browser you recommended to everyone. It’s still open-source, but it hasn’t been the same over time. It feels like that’s not enough anymore, when Firefox now holds just 4.2% of the global desktop browser market. So I went looking for browser alternatives. No, it’s not Brave or Edge, which are the usual suspects. But I found three browsers that each solve a problem Firefox hasn’t been handling as well for me lately.

Vivaldi feels more complete right out of the box

One browser with mail, calendar, notes, and a built-in VPN

Vivaldi gives you a built-in email client, calendar, feed reader, and notes tool, right in the sidebar. If you want to use those tools in Firefox, you’ll need extensions. The desktop version of Vivaldi also includes Proton VPN built in, so you don't spend time looking for a VPN to install. Without having to waste time looking for and adding extensions, you can spend more time using the browser.

But the part that surprised me the most was tab tiling. I liked that I could split the screen across two or more tabs without it touching the OS's window management. Pair that with workspaces that let me group tabs by project, and it starts feeling less like a browser and more like the version of Firefox I was actually looking for.

Floorp gave me the Firefox setup I actually wanted

It gave me workspaces, a sidebar, and an interface I can actually rearrange

I decided to give Floorp a try because of its privacy features. I created different workspaces: one for work and another for personal stuff. Floorp runs on the same engine, so I can still use my favorite Firefox extensions on my new browser. What made this Japanese browser even more appealing was that it let me spread my tabs across multiple rows, which made it easier to find the one I was looking for.

I also had the option of moving the navigation bar to the bottom, which I loved! I usually leave my cursor near the bottom anyway, so that meant less mouse movement. I also pinned the XDA site to the sidebar so I could check it without leaving whatever site I was looking at. I was able to do all of this without installing any extensions for these particular features. Floorp gave me features Firefox couldn’t natively support. Honestly, this is closer to the Firefox I always wanted.

Mullvad Browser made Firefox feel less privacy-focused than I expected

Its defaults felt stricter without me touching anything

I care about my privacy, and when I read about how Mullvad Browser handles it, I just had to try it. I was looking for a browser that would help me blend in with the crowd, so I thought, “Why not?”

When I put Mullvad and Firefox side by side, I saw the difference. Mullvad’s settings were easier to navigate through since the layout was minimal. I saw that the security settings were easier to deal with, with fewer options to manage. Mullvad Browser also launches in private mode by default. In Firefox, you need to open a separate private window or set it to always use private browsing mode.

I wouldn’t bet against Firefox just yet

Mozilla is rolling out features I went looking for somewhere else

Firefox may be in trouble now, but with the upcoming features, I might completely change my mind about dropping it. Mozilla recently announced that Firefox is getting a free built-in VPN, with 50 gigabytes of data per month available in the U.S., France, Germany, and the UK to start. It’s also getting Split View, which means I can put two pages side by side in one window, something I had to use elsewhere.

Firefox is also getting Tab Notes, which let you save notes to a tab for future reference. Security also gets better. Mozilla says Firefox already shipped the Sanitizer API, a web security standard that helps block certain attacks before they reach you. The VPN will be available on March 24th, the Sanitizer API is already live, and the Settings section is getting easier to read navigation and search.

Firefox may be improving, but these browsers got there first

That’s exactly why they stood out to me in the first place

I like that Firefox is finally catching up, but these browsers were already there. Vivaldi already had a built-in VPN and tab tiling before Mozilla even announced them. I was already using workspaces in Floorp and moving the interface around without waiting for an update. And Mullvad Browser already had the stricter privacy defaults that made me try it in the first place. That just proves these browsers showed what was possible before Firefox even caught up.

Firefox might catch up, but these are worth trying right now

Firefox isn’t completely dead to me just yet, but I have to admit that I’m curious to see where Mozilla takes it. At the moment, all these browsers have given me what Firefox hasn’t been able to. I’m really looking forward to the new features, but time will tell whether they're enough to change my mind.