Waterfox
Waterfox is a version of Firefox that has been optimized for 64-bit operating systems. To achieve this, the original source code for the Firefox browser is compiled to run as a 64-bit program, but the software goes a bit further by removing many of the extraneous functions that were seen as mere hinderances to the original Firefox software.
- Bit Firefox Browser
- Sleek Design
- Exceptionally Fast
- High System Requirements
There isn't much of a difference between the underlying code behind Waterfox and the code that powers Firefox. This is because the code for Waterfox is based off a stripped down version of Firefox that has been optimized for speed in 64-bit systems, which are starting to become the industry standard. Since Waterfox is specifically designed to work with 64-bit systems, it can run at a faster pace thanks to the additional utility of the RAM and the greater processing speeds. 64-bit systems are also much more stable than older systems, and Waterfox can use that stability to produce an unrivaled web browsing experience. While a simple conversion of Firefox to a 64-bit browser would have been sufficient, Waterfox is uniquely named because it is different enough from the original to warrant such a distinction. Several software tweaks have been implemented that separate Firefox from Waterfox, and the software has been designed to favor speed over everything else. If you are already a user of Firefox, Waterfox will be quite easy to adopt. When you initially launch the browser, you'll be given the option to populate it with your personal settings, bookmarks, and other data from the Firefox browser. Waterfox might be known for its slim design and fast efficiency, but that doesn't stop it from appearing powerful and even superior to Firefox when compared side by side. The Start button for Waterfox is a deep blue color instead of the fiery orange color found in Firefox, but beyond that, the software is essentially identical in form and function. You can even customize the two browsers in the same ways. Plugins for Firefox are fully compatible with Waterfox since the software is close enough for compatibility to be a nonissue. Waterfox is certainly fast, but to really tell how fast, you'd need to run it side by side with another browser through various test sites. You could also take advantage of any number of sites that test browser and internet speed. Waterfox tends to outperform Firefox, and it is generally in the same performance category as Google Chrome. While most speed tests won't actually confirm that Waterfox is the 'fastest' browser, it certainly could be called that. Of course, as with all browsers, the final speed is much more dependent on the speed of the internet connection itself. It could be that the software simply feels faster because of the way it renders visuals in the 64-bit system. That boost alone should give the software an advantage when it comes to processing data collected from the web. If you have a 64-bit system, you should consider Waterfox.