Orion — a web browser designed from the ground-up. Native WebKit speed, full extension compatibility, and absolute privacy is finally together in one browser that respects you.
Orion builds on Apple's WebKit engine for faster performance than Chrome, with built-in ad blocking, no telemetry, and support for extensions from Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Starting as a solo project around 2020, it grew through a million downloads and tester feedback to add features like customizable profiles and Focus Mode. Free to download, it's funded by optional subscriptions, with iOS versions already stable and Windows planned for late 2026.
been bouncing between Safari for battery and Brave for blocking. always miss some extensions. Orion feels like a decent middle: WebKit speed, ad block, zero telemetry. trying it on my M2 Air later to see if uBlock + 1Password behave. like that it’s user‑funded.
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"Zero telemetry" is a bold claim. Most browsers say "privacy-focused" but still phone home for "analytics" or "crash reports." What's the actual network traffic look like on a fresh Orion install with no sites open? Genuinely curious.
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@freediver Love this direction, a browser that’s fast, privacy-first, and still supports the full extension ecosystem feels like something the market has been quietly begging for. Most “privacy browsers” force trade-offs, so seeing WebKit-native performance and full extension compatibility in one place is huge.
Curious: what’s been the hardest part of building a browser from scratch, maintaining speed, handling extensions, or ensuring true privacy at the architecture level?
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@freediver@fernando_scharnick Orion Tech Lead here - The most challenging aspect was implementing extension APIs to ensure compatibility with both Firefox and Chrome web extensions, as well as the WebKit framework itself. Some features in WebKit are exclusively written for Safari, and the relevant code is not available in the upstream repository, so we eventually need to write the missing pieces ourselves (i.e. Passkey support, pinch zoom gesture on maps), and some Orion specific implementations inside WebKit.
Congrats! Are there any plans for features like built-in password managers or secure sync?
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@abod_rehman There's already a built-in password manager and sync for tabs, bookmarks, and reading list.
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Great idea using Webkit ! I see Orion plus. How is the paid version special ?
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@tony_yan_1111 Orion Tech Lead here - The Orion+ subscription primarily supports development of the Orion browser. For now Orion+ subscribers gain early access to pre-release builds, exclusive Orion+ badge on orionfeedback.org, and some special app icons and tweaks. Additionally, their feedback is prioritized, ensuring their voice is heard in key decisions.
Replies
Raycast
They're not opposed to AI, but they're not embracing it either. Curious...!
MultiDrive
@chrismessina I don't have MAC and love everything that blocks Ads :D Congrats on the launch!
Makers Page
been bouncing between Safari for battery and Brave for blocking. always miss some extensions. Orion feels like a decent middle: WebKit speed, ad block, zero telemetry. trying it on my M2 Air later to see if uBlock + 1Password behave. like that it’s user‑funded.
"Zero telemetry" is a bold claim. Most browsers say "privacy-focused" but still phone home for "analytics" or "crash reports." What's the actual network traffic look like on a fresh Orion install with no sites open? Genuinely curious.
@freediver Love this direction, a browser that’s fast, privacy-first, and still supports the full extension ecosystem feels like something the market has been quietly begging for. Most “privacy browsers” force trade-offs, so seeing WebKit-native performance and full extension compatibility in one place is huge.
Curious: what’s been the hardest part of building a browser from scratch, maintaining speed, handling extensions, or ensuring true privacy at the architecture level?
@freediver @fernando_scharnick Orion Tech Lead here - The most challenging aspect was implementing extension APIs to ensure compatibility with both Firefox and Chrome web extensions, as well as the WebKit framework itself. Some features in WebKit are exclusively written for Safari, and the relevant code is not available in the upstream repository, so we eventually need to write the missing pieces ourselves (i.e. Passkey support, pinch zoom gesture on maps), and some Orion specific implementations inside WebKit.
Triforce Todos
Congrats! Are there any plans for features like built-in password managers or secure sync?
@abod_rehman There's already a built-in password manager and sync for tabs, bookmarks, and reading list.
Great idea using Webkit ! I see Orion plus. How is the paid version special ?
@tony_yan_1111 Orion Tech Lead here - The Orion+ subscription primarily supports development of the Orion browser. For now Orion+ subscribers gain early access to pre-release builds, exclusive Orion+ badge on orionfeedback.org, and some special app icons and tweaks. Additionally, their feedback is prioritized, ensuring their voice is heard in key decisions.
You can find more details here: https://browser.kagi.com/orionplus.html
A browser that’s fast, private, and runs everyone’s extensions? Huge respect. Orion keeps raising the bar.
AidaJet
Congrats on the launch! Fast, privacy-first, and supporting extensions across Safari, Chrome, and Firefox is a huge win for users.