Vivaldi vs Firefox – Which Is Better?

With web browsers, users can access diverse websites across the internet. However, Vivaldi and Firefox are top web browsers that have come under our radar.

In fact, I have both browsers installed on my PC and Android phone, and I use them synonymously. If you are in the same situation, then you should know that a choice must be made.

So, in this Vivaldi vs Firefox comparison, I will review them in terms of performance, speed, compatibility, customization, and other metrics.

In the end, I will show you the better web browser between Vivaldi and Firefox.

What Is Vivaldi?

Vivaldi is a web browser that is developed and maintained by Vivaldi Technologies. It was introduced on 27 January 2015 and launched on 6 April 2016.

It is a free, cross-platform web browser that was originally created for technically-inclined users and users who were formerly using Opera but didn’t like its transition from the Presto layout engine to being a Chromium-based browser, which led to the loss of several iconic features.

It was later on that Vivaldi was used generally by both experienced and non-tech-savvy users. Although Vivaldi is also Chromium-based, it incorporated the features that were on the formerly Presto-based Opera. These features however had proprietary modifications by Vivaldi.

Interestingly, Vivaldi Technologies is a company that is partly owned by the ex co-founder of Opera Software, Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner.

On 6 September 2019, Vivaldi introduced a mobile version of the desktop browser for Android devices and by 22 April 2020, its desktop version was released.

Notably, Vivaldi incorporates helpful built-in tools like Calendar, Notes, Feeds Reader, Mail, Contacts, and Translate.

Interesting Comparison: Vivaldi vs Opera

What Is Firefox?

Mozilla Firefox, also known as Firefox, is a web browser that was developed by the Mozilla Foundation and Mozilla Corporation (a subsidiary), which was introduced on 23 September 2002.

This web browser is free, cross-platform, and open-source, and it uses a Gecko rendering engine, which is in line with modern and forthcoming web standards, to display web pages.

Firefox under the code name Quantum began incorporating new technologies that promote a more intuitive user interface and parallelism in 2017.

Firefox is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux devices. It is also available for iOS and Android devices. Plus, it is available in over 70 languages.

This web browser has several available add-ons with few but great customization options. Its features give it a pass as a modern-day browser, although it is among the oldest web browsers.

Explore the best alternatives to Firefox.

Setup Process

Vivaldi

Vivaldi is a free web browser, and setting it up is relatively easy. To get started, visit the official download page on the Vivaldi website and choose the version you want to download (desktop or mobile) based on the device you want to download it on.

Once you’ve chosen the version, if it is a desktop version, the site will automatically detect your operating system and then you click on the Download button with the version compatible with your device.

Once the download is complete, all you need is to install the Vivaldi application and you are good to go.

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Firefox

Firefox is also a free web browser with a similar setup process like Vivaldi.

You can get started by visiting the download page on the Mozilla Firefox official website from any browser.

Click on the Download now button and choose the device you want to download it on. For desktop users, the Firefox installer will automatically offer you a version that is compatible with your device.

Then, click on the downloaded file in the Downloads section of your browser and follow the installer instructions to install it on your device.

Once the installation is complete, Firefox will open and you can start using it immediately.

Verdict

Whether you decide to download Vivaldi or Firefox, you won’t have any issues installing any of them. Both web browsers are easy to download and install so this category is a tie.

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User Interface

Vivaldi

Vivaldi has three user interface options: Essentials, Classic, and Fully Loaded. After installation, you can adjust and customize the interface as you like.

There are different color schemes, themes, and styles that you can choose from to make your browser interface unique.

You can add any site to your sidebar for quick access to the site. Notably, you can add multiple sites to the sidebar and still arrange them to your preference using the drag and drop tool.

The appearance and placement of the address bar, status bar, and bookmark bar are customizable.

Tools like Bookmarks, Downloads, Notes, and History are within easy reach in a sidebar and can be used in split-screen with your main window. You get to also choose tools that can be found in the sidebar.

From a full-stack to a very minimalistic interface, you can select any interface that will feature all the shortcuts you need based on preference.

Firefox

Firefox has a straightforward interface like other modern web browsers. Unlike Vivaldi that adapts to the user, users get to adapt to Firefox and all its available tools.

Although Firefox doesn’t have a lot of customization options, its tab management is great. This allows users to manage different tasks at the same time.

For quick navigation, its horizontal scrolling feature helps users to view the entire webpage; hence, they don’t get to minimize the zoom-out screen.

Conversely, you don’t need to make any modifications to the user interface, but instead, you can start using Firefox as soon as it is installed.

Verdict

Without a doubt, the winner is Vivaldi when it comes to the user interface. It allows users to have unique browsing experiences.

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Performance

Vivaldi

When it comes to performance, Vivaldi is dependable for browsing without glitches. When over 20 tabs are open, the RAM consumption is high.

However, you can hibernate inactive tabs for lower consumption. Its high RAM consumption doesn’t imply higher consumption of battery life, it is still moderate.

Firefox

Whether on desktop or mobile devices, Firefox is among the fastest web browsers that you can count on.

When its Quantum version was updated in 2017, its RAM usage was reduced which boosted its speed. Ever since then, Firefox’s performance has experienced a great transformation.

The browser performs well even under heavy load, for instance, when 20 tabs and more are open. In such a case, it utilizes relatively few resources per tab.

Nevertheless, Firefox requires high RAM consumption for robust performance.

Verdict

Although both Firefox and Vivaldi web browsers are fast; however, Vivaldi has better performance than Firefox.

Privacy and Security

Vivaldi

To ensure browser security, Vivaldi incorporates tracking protection which allows users to block ads and websites from tracking their internet activity. Also, Vivaldi comes with a built-in AdBlock tool that stops intrusive ads during browsing sessions.

This helps to keep your data secured and browsing sessions private. That way, you don’t have to worry about data tracking or browser hijacking.

Additionally, Vivaldi users can browse privately by launching a private window. In this private browsing mode, their browsing history and cookies are not stored.

Conversely, the Vivaldi Browser privacy policy clearly states the type of data it collects, its usage, and whether it is made available to third parties or not. All sensitive information, personal details, and search history while browsing are not compromised.

Firefox

Mozilla was one of the first browsers to advocate privacy. In fact, they have a Personal Data Promise page that indicates their pledge for private browsing experiences.

They strongly believe that the internet should be under the control of the users and not under the control of website owners.

Like Vivaldi, Firefox integrates tracking protection and AdBlock. Not to mention, users from specific countries can access the Mozilla VPN service.

You can block fingerprint scanners, cookies, trackers, and crypto miners individually, but Firefox blocks them by default.

To add a shield to users’ accounts that are synced to the browser, Firefox has a feature called Master Password. It is located under the Browser Privacy Setting and enhances tracking protection.

Also, Firefox has a private tab feature for secure browsing. Its privacy policy also clearly states how browsing history and data are stored and processed.

Verdict

Both Vivaldi and Firefox are browsers that provide privacy and security to their users thereby meeting today’s standards. So, it is a draw for this round.

Speed

Vivaldi

When Vivaldi switched to Chromium, its speed experienced a significant uptick.

For this Vivaldi vs Firefox comparison, I tested Vivaldi on HTML5test, then I discovered that it performed similarly to Chrome and Opera.

With Vivaldi, you can open multiple tabs at once. In fact, there is no need for a refresh when a page is left for over an hour or more. Not to mention, it has a smooth scrolling process.

Firefox

Firefox is one of the oldest web browsers; however, it is still a dependable web browser due to its fast speed.

When I tested Firefox as well on HTML5test, I observed that it is not as fast as Vivaldi. Nevertheless, for everyday use, Firefox is fast enough for its relatively slow speed to be unnoticed.

Unfortunately, I won’t recommend Firefox for professionals who work with multiple tabs at once. This is because Mozilla Firefox usually freezes when switching from one tab to another.

Verdict

In terms of speed, Vivaldi is better than Firefox.

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Compatibility

Vivaldi

Vivaldi is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android devices.

Here are supported Operating Systems:

• Windows OS: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11.
• Mac OS: OS X El Capitan 10.11 or newer versions.
• Linux OS: 64-bit Ubuntu 14.04+, Debian 8+, openSUSE 13.3+, or Fedora Linux 24+.
• Android OS: Android 6.0 and later.

Unfortunately, Vivaldi does not have apps for iOS devices.

Firefox

Firefox is compatible with several Operating Systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. These include:

• Windows OS: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11(32-bit and 64-bit).
• Mac OS: macOS 10.12, macOS 10.13, macOS 10.14, macOS 10.15, macOS 11, and macOS 12.
• Android OS: Android 5.0 and above.
• iOS Operating System: iOS 13 and above
• Linux OS

On the other hand, Firefox cannot run on Linux without the following packages or libraries:

1. glibc 2.17 or higher
2. GTK+ 3.14 or higher
3. libstdc++ 4.8.1 or higher
4. X.Org 1.0 or higher (1.7 or higher is recommended)

Likewise, the following packages and libraries are recommended for optimal functionality on Linux devices:

1. DBus 1.0 or higher
2. GNOME 2.16 or higher
3. libxtst 1.2.3 or higher
4. NetworkManager 0.7 or higher
5. PulseAudio

Verdict

Although both Firefox and Vivaldi are compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android devices; however, Vivaldi does not have any app for iOS devices. So, for this Firefox vs Vivaldi round, the winner is Firefox.

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Customization

Vivaldi

Notably, Vivaldi is a flexible web browser that provides users with several customization options. In fact, you can set the user interface based on your preference.

Vivaldi is built on the Chromium engine, which is the same base that Google Chrome is built on. This implies that Vivaldi is compatible with all Chrome add-ons.

Hence, Vivaldi users can install Chrome add-ons directly from the Chrome Web store.

Firefox

Firefox has a simple interface but there are not many customization options. Nevertheless, you can install extensions, change the color scheme, and import bookmarks.

Additionally, Firefox has a light or dark mode version. Also, you can download themes and add-ons from the Firefox Add-ons Store.

Some of the popular Firefox add-ons include Hostpoint Meet, FireShot, EasyMovie, Chord Connect, LastPass, Coachview, RAD PDF, Elxis, TrackingTime, Iris, Zoom, GramTrans, Altrady, etc.

Verdict

Vivaldi takes customization to a whole new level while Firefox provides just the right amount of customization. Nevertheless, Vivaldi is the winner here because it allows users to download add-ons from the Google Chrome web store.

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Resource Efficiency

Vivaldi

Vivaldi is a lightweight browser that can work well on low-end PCs. It also has minimal system requirements, unlike other web browsers like Brave and Chrome.

So, you can rely on Vivaldi for resource-intensive apps that depend on RAM/CPU power. With Vivaldi, fewer system resources are utilized to ensure that devices continue to run smoothly especially during long browsing sessions.

Firefox

Although Firefox is not a lightweight browser, it consumes a lot of resources during lengthy browsing sessions.

Not to mention, several users complained of frequent freezes and crashes during moderate usage. In fact, I won’t use Firefox for streaming the latest movie trailers on YouTube because of the freezing issue.

Overall, Firefox is not recommended if you want a web browser for your low-end device or when you are using a weak internet connection.

Verdict

Unlike Vivaldi, Firefox utilizes a lot of system resources. In terms of resource efficiency, Vivaldi is the winner of this round.

Support & Resources

Vivaldi

Vivaldi has a help center that addresses issues commonly faced by users. It consists of useful tips, FAQs, featured articles, video tutorials, and answers to these common issues.

At the help center, the articles and guides are categorized into different sections and arranged in a grid for quick access.

In case the guides don’t cover the issue you may be having, there are other ways to get them resolved.

There is a Vivaldi forum with a community of experts that are willing and available to help guide users. You can also go through the previous questions and replies that have been posted by other members.

Users can also send a message using the contact form available at the end of the help articles if they need any assistance from the support team.

Firefox

Mozilla has a support center for all forms of Firefox products where support can be gotten in 76 different languages.

It contains help articles and featured articles under different categories and also allows you to join a community with experts to answer any issue you may be having with the Firefox browser. It also has a page dedicated to FAQ.

In the community forum, you can ask and also answer questions to improve their knowledge base.

Verdict

Both Vivaldi and Firefox offer standard support and resources, like other modern web browsers. So, in terms of support and resources, it is a draw.

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Firefox vs Vivaldi: Pricing

Vivaldi

Vivaldi is a free web browser with no subscription plan or one-time payment. This implies that it is absolutely free for life to all users, irrespective of the device.

Once the browser has been installed and it is in use, there are no available purchases or upsells and all the integrated features are free.

Firefox

Firefox is 100 percent free for all users across all supported devices. After installation of the Firefox browser, users are not required to pay for a subscription to use the browser.

However, the Mozilla VPN is an add-on for a few select countries that are available based on subscription.

Here are the Mozilla VPN subscription plans:

• Monthly Plan – $9.99 per month
• 6-Month Plan – $7.99 per month or $47.94 per 6 months
• 12-Month Plan – $4.99 per month or $59.88 per year

Pros And Cons

Vivaldi Pros

• Fast and responsive
• Easy to set up
• Flexible user interface
• Integrates lots of features
• Decent memory consumption
• Great security features
• Several customizable options
• Unique tab management
• Ideal for multitasking
• Free to use

Vivaldi Cons

• Fewer integrations for lesser memory usage

Firefox Pros

• Free and open-source
• Easy to set up
• Respects users privacy
• Has several integrations
• Easy-to-use user interface
• Light and dark theme
• Built-in privacy protection
• Cross-platform compatibility

Firefox Cons

• High RAM usage
• Frequent crashes

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Vivaldi vs Firefox: Similarities & Differences

Similarities

• With either Vivaldi or Firefox, you get free web browsers that you can use.
• They are both easy to install.
• Both Vivaldi and Firefox support add-ons and extensions.
• They both facilitate private browsing.
• Both Firefox and Vivaldi are conscious of users’ privacy and security.
• With either Firefox or Vivaldi, you are provided with dependable support and resources.

Differences

• Vivaldi is faster and more responsive than Firefox.
• Unlike Mozilla Firefox, Vivaldi has a more customizable user interface.
• Vivaldi uses fewer resources, unlike Firefox.
• Both Firefox and Vivaldi have apps for all top Operating Systems like Linux, Android, Mac, and Windows. However, Vivaldi does not have an iOS app, unlike Firefox.

Vivaldi vs Firefox – Which Is Better?

Based on this comparison, it is evident that Vivaldi is a better web browser than Firefox.

Although Vivaldi does not have an app for iOS devices like Firefox, it makes up for it with lightweight apps for Android, Mac, Linux, and Windows devices.

From my personal experience, Vivaldi loads faster on my desktop PC and it doesn’t freeze or crash when switching across multiple tabs, unlike Firefox.

Did I mention Firefox lags during video streaming too? Well, the good news is that you can count on Vivaldi for gaming, streaming, social media, and other resource-intensive internet activities.

Additionally, you can rely on the Vivaldi community forums and Help pages if you ever get stuck with any issue.

Let us hail Vivaldi.