Falkon and PaleMoon: Lightweight browsers for GNU / Linux and Windows 7 / XP
On certain occasions, inevitably it is necessary to use or recover low-resource computers, especially using Old or discontinued operating systems. Either, with versions of GNU / Linux or others, such as Windows 7 y Windows XP. And it is necessary to install and operate a Lightweight web browser and as modern as possible to explore the Internet. Therefore, in these cases "Falkon" and "PaleMoon" are 2 good alternatives to explore.
Even if, "Falkon" y "PaleMoon" are only supported by Windows 10 / 7, at the end of the article we will mention 2 Web browsers based in Firefox and PaleMoon. 2 Web browsers that still work great over expiration Windows XP, which we can still find in some archaic computers running without the possibility of surfing the web with Internet Explorer optimally.
Midori Browser: A free, open, light, fast and secure web browser
And as usual, before we dive into today's topic of "Falkon" and "PaleMoon", we will leave for those interested in exploring some of our latest previous related posts with other alternatives Light and open web browsers, the following links to them. So that you can easily explore them, if necessary, after reading this publication:
"Midori Browser is a browser that was born with the aim of being light, fast, secure, free software & open source. That respects the privacy of users by not collecting information or selling invasive advertising, you will always have control of your data, anonymous, private and secure." Midori Browser: A free, open, light, fast and secure web browser
Falkon and PaleMoon: Free, light and functional browsers
What is Falkon?
According to its developers in its Official website, currently "Falkon" is
"A KDE web browser that uses the QtWebEngine rendering engine, formerly known as QupZilla. Its goal is to be a lightweight web browser available on all major platforms. This project was originally started for educational purposes only.
But since its inception, Falkon has evolved into a feature-rich browser. Falkon has all the standard features you expect from a web browser. It includes bookmarks, history (both also in the sidebar) and tabs. Above that, you have enabled ad blocking by default with a built-in AdBlock plugin."
In addition to "Falkon" it is worth noting that currently:
- Its latest current and stable version available on its website is version number 3.1.10 of the 19/03/2019.
- It is available via repository in most of the GNU / Linux Distros, also via format FlatPak and Snap. While, on its website, its executables are available to Windows 7, 32 and 64 Bit.
What is PaleMoon?
According to its developers in its Official website, currently "PaleMoon" is
"A Goanna-based open source web browser available for Microsoft Windows and Linux (with support for other operating systems), which focuses on efficiency and customization. Make sure you get the most out of your browser!
Pale Moon offers you a browsing experience in a fully built browser from its own independently developed source that has been forked from Firefox / Mozilla code several years ago, with carefully selected features and optimizations to improve browser stability and user experience. while offering complete customization and a growing collection of extensions and themes to make the browser truly yours."
In addition to "PaleMoon" it is worth noting that currently:
- Its latest current and stable version available on its website is version number 29.4.1 de 14/09/2021.
- It is available via repository in most of the GNU / Linux DistrosAlso via portable binaries. While, on its website, its executables are available to Windows 7, 32 and 64 Bit.
Alternatives based on PaleMoon and Firefox for Windows 7 / XP
- Serpent Basilisk: Based on Firefox ESR 52.9.0
- my pal: Based on PaleMoon
Summary
In short, how can we appreciate "Falkon" and "PaleMoon" they are 2 great and useful Free and open web browsers ideal for low-resource computers, especially for Old or discontinued operating systems, Such as Windows 7. While for Windows XP can be used "Serpent Basilisk" y «my pal», in case you cannot use a GNU / Linux distro for low-resource computers. Therefore, it is worth taking them into account, to test and evaluate them if you need them for some of the 2 previous cases described.
We hope that this publication will be very useful for the entire «Comunidad de Software Libre y Código Abierto» and of great contribution to the improvement, growth and diffusion of the ecosystem of applications available for «GNU/Linux». And do not stop sharing it with others, on your favorite websites, channels, groups or communities of social networks or messaging systems. Finally, visit our home page at «DesdeLinux» to explore more news, and join our official channel Telegram from DesdeLinux.
How ironic that it is very light since when trying to install it on a core2duo laptop with Arch, it took more than 2 HRS to compile the source and end up marking an error.
Greetings, Anarko. Thank you for your comment and provide us with your experience. I couldn't tell you in compiled form, but on Debian and MX Linux with .deb packages, it's easy to install and works great.
I use Manjaro and it was fast both
Regards, Nasher_87. Thank you for your comment and bring us your experience with Falkon for everyone to know.
I have Falkon as second to FF, like PaleMoon and others, Falkon is a little faster than Firefox, not too much, if it shows in PaleMoon for being quite rough and therefore faster
There is a clear difference in these two, I do not have any extension as in FF, in which I have 8 extensions, if I deactivate the extensions in Mozilla it navigates faster than Falkon, in case of PaleMoon it 'chokes', not to mention Lock that it is not the correct word, a little and in some pages they look strange, I do not know if because maybe I do not use remote sources or another theme
Greetings Nasher_8 / (ARG). Thank you for your comment and contribution of your experience with these browsers.
I'm trying to distance myself from Microsot, I'm keeping Windows 7 but started 2023 using Zorin Os Lite 32 bit, which browser is Firefox. However, I would like to install an appropriate version of the Midori browser in Spanish, and I would like to know your recommendations.