this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2026
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Privacy

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Should I use the default firefox on Qubes OS (lemmy.ca)
submitted 2 days ago by spinning_disk_engineer@lemmy.ca to c/privacy@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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I'm installing Qubes OS for the first time, and I was wondering if there is any disadvantage to installing librewolf (or something similar) as my primary browser instead of default firefox?

If I do want to do this, is there a recommended method beyond "install it as normal in the template"? I notice that when creating a new qube, there is a menu for additional applications; how exactly does that work?

For practical reasons I might also want to install some kind of chromium based browser (probably helium), but I wouldn't expect to use it much.

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[–] ken@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

What are some of your goals, motivations, restrictions, and threat model?

Hard to give great advice beyond generalities without knowing more.

I would encourage to check out Konform Browser! (am dev) It's significantly more relevant for privacy than Firefox without compromising on functionality.

In any case a benefit of QubesOS is that you can easily use several in different AppVMs so you can mix and match. Regardless of whatever else you use I guess you will always have Tor Browser on the side to, for example. Having something chromium-based like Helium or ungoogled-chromium on hand for when you need it makes sense too.

If I do want to do this, is there a recommended method beyond “install it as normal in the template”? I notice that when creating a new qube, there is a menu for additional applications; how exactly does that work?

In very short: That's basically it. You can generall install applications two ways: system-wide in template (e.g. with your distro package manager), or under /rw/ (usually more specifically under /usr/local or /home/user). The "menu for additional applications" is about what .desktop applications you will have access to in QubesOS. That functionality should handle both cases as long as in supported path. There may be specific cases when you want to install apps in AppVM but template is usually recommended.

If you would like to explore setting things up using configuration management rather than doing it manually, qusal is good inspiration.