GNOME Web (Epiphany) vs Microsoft Edge

Why Switch from Microsoft Edge to GNOME Web?

Microsoft Edge is built on Google’s Chromium engine but layered with Microsoft’s own telemetry, data collection, and integration with Microsoft services. Edge sends browsing data to Microsoft’s servers by default, including your browsing history, search queries, and site interaction data. Microsoft uses this data for advertising across its ecosystem, and as a US corporation, all data is subject to the CLOUD Act, FISA Section 702, and other American surveillance frameworks. Edge also bundles features designed to keep you in Microsoft’s ecosystem — Bing integration, Microsoft Rewards, shopping comparison tools — turning your browser into a marketing channel.

GNOME Web (also known as Epiphany) is the antithesis of this approach. Developed as part of the GNOME project — one of the oldest and most respected free software desktop environments — GNOME Web is designed to browse the internet and nothing else. No telemetry, no data collection, no advertising integration, no corporate ecosystem lock-in. It renders web pages, manages bookmarks, and protects your privacy. That is its entire purpose.

Built on WebKitGTK, GNOME Web uses a rendering engine independent of both Google’s Blink (used by Chrome, Edge, Opera, Brave) and Mozilla’s Gecko. This engine diversity matters for the health of the open web — a world where every browser uses Google’s engine is a world where Google controls web standards. GNOME Web inherits WebKit’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention, which automatically blocks cross-site trackers without requiring any configuration or extensions.

Feature Comparison

Feature	GNOME Web (Epiphany)	Microsoft Edge
Price	Free	Free
Open source	✅ GPL	⚠️ Chromium is; Edge additions are not
Engine	WebKitGTK	Chromium (Blink)
Data collection	None	Extensive telemetry
Tracking prevention	✅ Intelligent Tracking Prevention	⚠️ Basic (Enhanced mode available)
Built-in ad blocker	❌ No (tracker blocking only)	❌ No
Extension support	⚠️ Very limited	✅ Chrome Web Store + Edge Add-ons
Platform support	Linux only	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Cross-device sync	❌ No	✅ Microsoft account sync
Resource usage	✅ Lightweight	❌ Heavy (Chromium-based)
Reader mode	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Password manager	✅ GNOME Keyring integration	✅ Built-in + Microsoft Autofill
PDF viewer	✅ Basic	✅ Advanced with annotation
Shopping tools	❌ None	✅ Coupons, price comparison
GDPR compliant	✅ Full (no data collection)	⚠️ Via DPA (US entity)
Telemetry	None	Extensive (enabled by default)

Pricing

Both browsers are free, but the cost structures are fundamentally different:

• GNOME Web: Completely free with no data collection, no advertising integration, and no hidden monetization. Developed by the open-source community and funded through the GNOME Foundation’s sponsorship model (Red Hat, Canonical, SUSE, and individual donors).
• Microsoft Edge: Free to download, but funded by Microsoft’s broader business model that relies on data collection for advertising through its Microsoft Advertising network. Edge drives users toward Bing search, Microsoft 365, and other paid services. Default new tab pages contain sponsored content and news feeds curated for engagement.

GNOME Web has no revenue model because it has no revenue motive. It exists because the GNOME project believes users deserve a browser that respects their privacy and integrates seamlessly with a free software desktop.

Privacy & Data Sovereignty

GNOME Web’s privacy architecture is simple: it collects nothing.

• Zero telemetry — no usage data, crash reports, or browsing analytics sent to any server
• No user accounts — no cloud profile aggregating your browsing across devices
• WebKit’s Intelligent Tracking Prevention blocks cross-site tracking automatically
• GNOME Keyring stores passwords locally, encrypted on your device — not in a corporate cloud
• Fully open-source codebase means every privacy claim is verifiable in the source code
• No corporate entity behind the browser with advertising revenue incentives
• No integration with any advertising network, data broker, or behavioral analytics platform
• Running on Linux further reduces exposure to OS-level telemetry present in Windows

Microsoft Edge, by contrast, has been documented sending unique hardware identifiers, browsing data, and site interaction metrics to Microsoft’s servers. Independent research has consistently ranked Edge among the most telemetry-heavy browsers available. Microsoft’s privacy dashboard reveals the breadth of data collected, including browsing history that is used to personalize ads across Microsoft’s advertising network.

Who Should Switch?

GNOME Web is ideal for:

• Privacy advocates who want a browser with genuinely zero data collection — not “reduced” telemetry, but actually none
• Linux developers and system administrators who want a browser that integrates natively with the GNOME desktop environment and respects the free software philosophy
• Users who value engine diversity and want to support a WebKit-based browser independent of both Google’s and Mozilla’s engines
• Minimalists who want a browser that browses the web without shopping tools, news feeds, rewards programs, and other distractions
• EU citizens who want to browse without their data being processed under US jurisdiction

It is not the right choice if you need a cross-platform browser with sync across Windows, macOS, and mobile devices, depend on Chrome/Edge extensions for your workflow, or use web applications that require Chromium-specific features.

The Bottom Line

GNOME Web is not for everyone, and it does not try to be. It is a browser built on principles rather than profit: open source, zero telemetry, minimal interface, and WebKit engine diversity. It will not replace Chrome or Edge for users who depend on extensions, cross-platform sync, or maximum web application compatibility.

But for Linux users who prioritize privacy above all else, GNOME Web delivers something remarkably rare in 2026: a browser that does exactly what a browser should do — render web pages — without surveilling you in the process. While Microsoft Edge treats your browsing data as a revenue stream and bundles your browser with shopping tools and advertising integrations, GNOME Web treats your browser as a window to the internet and nothing more.

For privacy-conscious Linux users who want a browser aligned with free software values and zero corporate surveillance, GNOME Web is the quiet, principled alternative that proves browsers do not need to spy on you to work.

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Looking for more European browser alternatives? See also: Mullvad Browser, Vivaldi, and LibreWolf.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between GNOME Web and Safari?

Both GNOME Web and Safari are built on WebKit, but they are separate projects. Safari uses Apple's fork of WebKit on macOS and iOS, while GNOME Web uses WebKitGTK, the GTK port of WebKit maintained for Linux. They share the same rendering engine core but have different user interfaces, feature sets, and development teams. GNOME Web benefits from WebKit's Intelligent Tracking Prevention technology.

Can I install browser extensions in GNOME Web?

GNOME Web has very limited extension support. It supports WebExtensions to a basic degree, but the ecosystem is minimal compared to Chrome or Firefox. The browser's philosophy favors built-in privacy and security features over third-party extensions. If you depend on specific extensions, GNOME Web may not meet your needs.

Is GNOME Web suitable as a daily driver browser?

For users who primarily browse standard websites, read articles, and use web-based email, GNOME Web works well as a daily driver on Linux. Its clean interface and low resource usage are pleasant. However, if you use complex web applications, rely on browser extensions, or need cross-platform sync, you may find it limiting for primary use.

Does GNOME Web block ads and trackers?

GNOME Web includes WebKit's Intelligent Tracking Prevention, which automatically blocks cross-site tracking cookies and reduces fingerprinting. It does not include a built-in ad blocker, though its tracker blocking prevents many advertising-related tracking mechanisms. For complete ad blocking, you would need a system-level solution or DNS-based blocker.

Who develops GNOME Web and how is it funded?

GNOME Web is developed as part of the GNOME project, one of the largest free software desktop projects in the world. The GNOME Foundation, a US-registered non-profit with strong European roots and contributors, coordinates development. Funding comes from corporate sponsors like Red Hat, Canonical, and SUSE, as well as individual donations. Many core GNOME contributors are based in Europe.