Firefox vs arkenfox user.js
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A user.js file of Firefox about:config settings aimed at more privacy and speed.
Open source · MIT
A template user.js file that tightens Firefox privacy, security and anti-tracking settings.
The short answer
Choose Firefox if you need…
- Firefox users who want privacy-focused defaults without installing extra software
- People comfortable editing browser settings and following a setup guide
- Users who want to pair a browser tweak with an ad blocker like uBlock Origin
- Anyone running a Firefox fork who wants to reapply its preferences
Choose arkenfox user.js if you need…
- Desktop Firefox users who want stronger privacy defaults
- People willing to read and adjust a settings file
- Users who want a documented, widely referenced hardening template
- Those who can test sites and revert settings when something breaks
Side-by-side
| Firefox | arkenfox user.js | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Other | Dev tool |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 11k | 13k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | See the README | See the README |
| Main language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 2 months ago | 7 days ago |
What each one is
Firefox
Betterfox is a configuration file (user.js) containing a curated list of Firefox about:config settings. You place it in your Firefox profile folder and Firefox applies the settings on restart, aiming to make the browser more private and secure without third-party code. It also offers optional variants, Securefox, Peskyfox, and Smoothfox, for different preferences.
arkenfox user.js
A user.js is a configuration file that Firefox reads at startup to change its settings. This project provides a large template of such settings aimed at reducing tracking and fingerprinting while improving security. The README says it tries to minimize loss of functionality, but notes that breakage will still happen.
Best for
Firefox
- Firefox users who want privacy-focused defaults without installing extra software
- People comfortable editing browser settings and following a setup guide
- Users who want to pair a browser tweak with an ad blocker like uBlock Origin
- Anyone running a Firefox fork who wants to reapply its preferences
arkenfox user.js
- Desktop Firefox users who want stronger privacy defaults
- People willing to read and adjust a settings file
- Users who want a documented, widely referenced hardening template
- Those who can test sites and revert settings when something breaks
Strengths
Firefox
- Free and open source under the MIT license, with the source of every setting visible in the file
- Installation is a single file copied into your profile folder, with no installer needed
- The README documents a backup step and a way to undo changes by restoring a profile
arkenfox user.js
- Broad, comprehensive template covering privacy, security and anti-tracking
- MIT licensed with a public wiki, changelogs and release history
- Stated goal of balancing hardening against loss of functionality
Not ideal for
Firefox
- People who want zero breakage on every site, since the README says tweaks can affect site behavior and recommends reviewing overrides
- Users on Chrome, Edge, or Safari, because it only targets Firefox and its forks
- People who do not want to back up their profile or manage files in their Firefox profile folder
arkenfox user.js
- People who need sites and extensions to work without any breakage, since the README admits breakage will happen
- Users who need Tor-level anonymity, because the README recommends Tor Browser for that and advises against using Tor over Firefox
- Users of other Gecko-based browsers, since the README says it is made specifically for desktop Firefox and can be counterproductive elsewhere
Trade-offs
Firefox
- Settings can cause some sites to break, so reviewing overrides is recommended
- Forks and some other browsers modify the preferences, which the README says can reduce effectiveness
- Performance and privacy claims come largely from user reviews and third-party articles rather than measured benchmarks in the README
arkenfox user.js
- The README says breakage will happen, so some sites or features may stop working
- The README says even experts should read the wiki, so setup requires reading and judgment
- Designed for desktop Firefox only and may be counterproductive in other browsers
Getting started
Firefox
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/yokoffing/Betterfoxarkenfox user.js
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/arkenfox/user.jsFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Firefox and arkenfox user.js?
Firefox: A user.js file of Firefox about:config settings aimed at more privacy and speed. arkenfox user.js: A template user.js file that tightens Firefox privacy, security and anti-tracking settings. Firefox suits firefox users who want privacy-focused defaults without installing extra software, while arkenfox user.js suits desktop firefox users who want stronger privacy defaults.
Are Firefox and arkenfox user.js free?
Firefox: Free and open source. arkenfox user.js: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, Firefox or arkenfox user.js?
Firefox is easier to get started with (rated beginner); arkenfox user.js is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is Firefox or arkenfox user.js more popular?
arkenfox user.js has more GitHub stars (13k) than Firefox (11k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Firefox and arkenfox user.js?
Other options people compare them with include Remove Windows AI.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.