Firefox vs. Chromium (and Ad-Blocking)

General
1

I assume you don’t use crippled software where you can’t access the source code. As you’ve probably heard, Chromium changed its Manifest V3 policy, meaning add-ons like uBlock Origin are no longer fully supported.

The real question is: If you’re a Chromium lover, what options do you have for running an ad blocker? Firefox has started behaving strangely, adding news feeds, its own AI service, and even a weather app without asking for permission. This pushed me to explore other open-source browsers.

Using closed-source Chrome is not an option for me. I tried Chromium, but it no longer allows uBlock Origin properly. After some research, I found uBlock Light, but it’s not the same, it’s not even from the same author!

I’ve dug a bit deeper, and here’s what I found…

1. Origins & Development

  • uBlock Origin (uBO)
    • Developed by Raymond Hill (gorhill), the original creator of uBlock.
    • Actively maintained, with frequent updates and optimizations.
    • Focuses on efficiency, privacy, and minimal resource usage.
  • uBlock (“Light”)
    • A fork of uBlock Origin, created by another developer after disagreements with Raymond Hill.
    • Development is discontinued (last update was in 2017).
    • Originally intended to add experimental features, but now obsolete.

2. Features & Capabilities

Feature uBlock Origin uBlock (Light)
Active Development :white_check_mark: Yes :cross_mark: No (dead)
Advanced Filtering :white_check_mark: Yes :warning: Limited
Dynamic Filtering :white_check_mark: Yes :cross_mark: No
Element Picker :white_check_mark: Yes :white_check_mark: Yes
Pop-up Blocker :white_check_mark: Yes :white_check_mark: Yes
Scriptlet Injection :white_check_mark: Yes :cross_mark: No
Cosmetic Filtering :white_check_mark: Yes :white_check_mark: Yes
Network Request Blocking :white_check_mark: Yes :white_check_mark: Yes
3rd-Party Filter Lists :white_check_mark: Yes :white_check_mark: Yes

3. Performance & Efficiency

  • uBlock Origin
    • Extremely lightweight (faster than most ad blockers).
    • Uses less memory than AdBlock Plus or uBlock Light.
    • Supports advanced rules (e.g., ##^script:has-text(ad)).
  • uBlock (Light)
    • Slightly heavier due to less optimization.
    • Missing dynamic filtering (a key feature in uBO).

4. Privacy & Security

  • uBlock Origin
    • No “acceptable ads” program (strict no-exceptions policy).
    • Open-source, transparent, and trusted by privacy advocates.
  • uBlock (Light)
    • No known privacy issues, but no longer maintained (potential security risks).

5. Which One Should You Use?

  • :white_check_mark: uBlock Origin is the only recommended choice today.
    • More features, better performance, and actively updated.
    • Works on Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and others.
  • :cross_mark: Avoid uBlock (Light)—it’s outdated and unsupported.

Verdict**

If you see “uBlock” (without “Origin”), it’s likely the abandoned fork. Always install uBlock Origin from the official sources

The Core Issue: Firefox vs. Chromium (and Ad-Blocking)

  1. Chromium’s Manifest V3 Restrictions
  • Google’s Chromium (and Chrome) now enforces Manifest V3, which cripples ad blockers like uBlock Origin.
  • Workarounds exist, but they’re temporary (e.g., enterprise policies, forks).
  • uBlock Origin Lite exists for Chromium but is neutered (no advanced filtering).
  1. Firefox’s Recent Behavior
  • Firefox has added “news,” “AI,” and weather widgets without clear opt-in.
  • Still supports Manifest V2 (full uBlock Origin functionality).
  • Mozilla’s direction is concerning, but Firefox remains the only major non-Chromium browser.

Options for Chromium Lovers (Who Want Ad-Blocking)

If you prefer Chromium’s engine but need strong ad-blocking, consider:

1. Chromium Forks That Resist Manifest V3

  • Ungoogled Chromium
    • Removes Google dependencies, allows sideloading extensions.
    • Can force Manifest V2 support (but requires manual tweaks).
  • Brave Browser
    • Built-in Shields (ad/tracker blocker) works like uBlock Origin.
    • Still Chromium-based but more privacy-focused than Chrome.
  • Vivaldi
    • Supports Manifest V2 extensions (for now).
    • Customizable, but closed-source.

2. Hardened Firefox (Best Balance)

  • LibreWolf (Firefox fork)
    • Removes telemetry, Mozilla’s bloat (news/AI), and enforces privacy.
    • Full uBlock Origin support.
  • Floorp (Privacy-focused Firefox fork)
    • Keeps Firefox compatibility but strips unwanted features.

3. Other Open-Source Browsers (Non-Chromium)

  • Pale Moon (Goanna engine)
    • Supports legacy extensions (pre-WebExtensions).
    • Outdated in some areas but fully independent.
  • Waterfox
    • Firefox-based, but with Manifest V2 support.

The Reality of uBlock Light

  • uBlock Light is an abandoned fork of uBlock Origin.
  • Missing dynamic filtering, scriptlet injection, and advanced rules.
  • Not a real alternative just a relic of the past.

Final Recommendations

Priority Best Choice Why?
Privacy + Ad-blocking LibreWolf (Firefox fork) No Mozilla bloat, full uBlock Origin.
Chromium + Ad-blocking Brave or Ungoogled Chromium Built-in blocker or manual Manifest V2 hacks.
Anti-Censorship Tor Browser (Firefox-based) Full anonymity, but slower.
Lightweight Pale Moon If you hate modern browsers.

What Would I Do?

  • If I must use Chromium → Brave (easy) or Ungoogled Chromium (advanced).
  • If I want no compromises → LibreWolf (Firefox without Mozilla’s nonsense).
  • If I’m paranoid → Tor Browser for sensitive browsing.

Choosing a browser isn’t simple don’t just follow the crowd. The internet is full of activists mindlessly defending “their” browser (Chromium or Firefox), yet when asked why, they rarely give solid reasons.

This guide aimed to shed light on the trade-offs, but always decide for yourself. What’s “good” depends on your needs: privacy, speed, ad-blocking, or control. Stay critical, test options, and ignore dogma.

Hope this helps you navigate the chaos!