Difference between firefox and chromium
Hey guys I am wondering what are the differences between Firefox and chromium as a browser hacker or engineer because there are literally zero good sources available online. All articles except some are crappy non professional articles comparing nonsense browsers who don't even no what is even browser. So I want to no how things are implemented in different engines like parsing, Rendering, Component Isolation, Memory Management, JS engine etc... I search online and only found that Firefox uses array and linked list to store DOM tree where as chromium and web-kit uses link list only but it seems very hard to implement Link list and array at same time my simple browser engine only able to construct 1348 nodes using link list which is trash.
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There’s tons of differences as they were built independently. Source code for both is available if you want to dive in.
Most of the differences won’t matter to an end user, but subtle differences will matter in key areas.
Need to render huge, massive nested tables? Firefox is better (Chrome will crash)
Need super fine tuned waterfall rendering /memory debugging? Chrome wins.
Need the ability to open iframes in new tabs to get around issues? Go Firefox.
Each has pros/cons.
I don't care about end user because most of them don't even know what they are using to access web is called browser. I want to implement my web browser so I want how things are implemented in High level because reading million of C++ code is not a thing.
I don't know where chrome will crash because chrome has internal structure to prevent process to run on overload so it prevent from crash for info here. Firefox can handle much tab at same time is because it uses Servo parallel technology. For reference Quantum Render. If I am wrong fell free to correct me.
chrome has no pros as a daily driver, it's a rally car, fast but extremely inconvenient for daily use
Firefox and Chromium are both popular web browsers, but they have some key differences.
Web engine: The main difference between Firefox and Chromium is the rendering engine they use. Firefox uses its own rendering engine, while Chromium uses the Chromium rendering engine, which is also used by other browsers like Google Chrome, Opera, and Brave. This means that Firefox may have different performance characteristics and compatibility with certain web technologies compared to Chromium-based browsers.
Privacy focus: Firefox places a strong emphasis on user privacy. Mozilla, the developer of Firefox, has implemented specific features to protect user privacy, such as enhanced tracking protection, strict anti-tracking measures, and privacy-focused default settings. On the other hand, while Chromium has some security and privacy features, it doesn't have the same level of privacy focus as Firefox.
Extension availability: Chromium-based browsers, including Google Chrome, have a larger number of available extensions compared to Firefox. This is because many developers create extensions based on the Chromium engine, resulting in a wider range of options for Chromium users. However, Firefox's extension library is more curated and controlled, ensuring higher reliability and security for the available extensions.
Memory consumption and performance: Chromium tends to have higher memory consumption compared to Firefox, but it also has faster startup times and better multi-core utilization. Chromium uses a separate process for each tab, which allows for better management of resources in multi-core systems.
Browser customization: Firefox is known for its high level of customizability. It offers an advanced customized mode that allows users to change the placement of elements on the screen and personalize their browsing experience. Chromium-based browsers, on the other hand, may have more limited customization options.
Will all of that said, while both Firefox and Chromium are capable web browsers, they differ in terms of the rendering engine, privacy focus, extension availability, memory consumption, and customization options. The choice between them ultimately depends on individual preferences and priorities, such as privacy concerns, desire for customization, and specific requirements for web compatibility and performance.
Firefox is NOT privacy focused, at all!
https://sizeof.cat/post/web-browser-telemetry/#mozilla-firefox
https://www.ghacks.net/2020/01/28/browse-the-telemetry-that-firefox-collects/
https://getpocket.com/en/privacy/
https://www.howtogeek.com/760425/firefox-now-sends-your-address-bar-keystrokes-to-mozilla/
https://www.ghacks.net/2022/03/17/each-firefox-download-has-a-unique-identifier/
https://www.joltjournal.com/whats-hot/software/mozilla-facing-backlash-installing-mr-robot-plugin-firefox-without-permission/
https://itsfoss.com/firefox-looking-glass-controversy/
https://lapcatsoftware.com/articles/2023/7/1.html
https://github.com/mozilla/addons-frontend/issues/2785
You made this with ChatGPT, didn't you?
Not much difference really (and sadly):
Firefox is using google Web Extensions: https://archive.ph/odk9n
Firefox is using google Web RTC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WebRTC
Firefox is using google Web Components: https://archive.ph/3zDI5
Firefox is using google GeoLocation Services API: https://archive.ph/pdS87
Firefox is using google Skia graphics engine: https://archive.ph/kqYWs
Firefox is using google Widewine: https://archive.ph/RtCSO
Firefox is using google Safe Browsing: https://archive.ph/nPaeN
Firefox is using google RegEx: https://archive.ph/lt9T7
The differences would be how chromium uses google V8 for Javascript while Quantum Gecko uses SpiderMonkey.
I don't know what to say all internet is controlled by Google, Microsoft and Apple it seems like web is open standard from outside but inside it is just like big company play ground. TBH It is hard to make new web browser not because money and time (Microsoft) to maintain but because you need to implement standard HTML, CSS, JS etc. but also MSE which is pain in ass. Without it most of website do not even work properly. I am hoping Ladybird will atleast able to implement MSE their devs seems to motivated.