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Let's assume we live in a perfect world where Firefox has 100% compatibility-parity with Chrome. Do you think Firefox would have a significant marketshare, and

Let's assume we live in a perfect world where Firefox has 100% compatibility-parity with Chrome. Do you think Firefox would have a significant marketshare, and if so, why? I don't see what out-of-the-box Firefox brings to a non-technical user compared to Chrome. Yes, it can be made significantly better than Chrome with specific configuration and add-ons like uBlock Origin, but non-technical users aren't aware of that and will not try (and those who are already use Firefox).

hkt 4y ago
What exactly does Firefox lack in this regard? I'm curious. I've used it for years and the only noticeable difference to me is that it doesn't nag me about having a Google account.
- Nextgrid 4y ago
  Well it's not really that it lacks, but that it also doesn't have any compelling features (for the average user) to switch either. When it comes to nagging, Firefox is unfortunately also quite bad, every major update it will find some bullshit to nag you about such as "colorways", Pocket or a VPN.
  - endemic 4y ago
    I usually “sell” Firefox along with uBlock Origin. You’re correct that out of the box functionality for Firefox isn’t super compelling, but regular users notice the improved browsing experience that comes with the blocker.
echelon 4y ago
That isn't even an even playing field! Google defaults you to Chrome on Android. That's 49% of users, and most won't know to switch. Google assaults you with Chrome ads on their search page if you use a default browser without adblock. Google pays for default search status on Apple. Then pulls you in. Google is currently running a nationwide "better on Chrome" ad campaign. Billboards and murals everywhere.
- Nextgrid 4y ago
  Why are you intentionally avoiding the question? Tell me why a non-technical user should prefer even a hypothetical, 100%-compatible Firefox over Chrome. Remember that they are non-technical, they aren't aware of FOSS or the history of Mozilla and have no ideological reason to pick Firefox, so the decision has to be made purely on functionality. What groundbreaking, relevant-to-the-average-user functionality (dev tools and advanced, off-by-default privacy options don't count) does Firefox have out of the box that Chrome doesn't?
  - echelon 4y ago
    I'm not avoiding your question - I'm pointing to why Chrome is in the lead. If Chrome didn't have Google backing it and Apple didn't mandate Safari, Firefox would likely have significant market share. This isn't a battle over functionality, it's monopolistic invasion of an open ecosystem by giants that control all of the ingress points. They're turning the entirety of the web itself into an ad/product funnel for giants. I don't care if Mozilla wins. I just don't think the world is healthy with two OS/mobile/search vendors controlling every major piece of technology. The technology sector will be healthier if these companies are forced to break up. There will be more competition and more innovation as less is spent fighting for the last 1% of growth.
    - Dalewyn 4y ago
      Firefox usurped the then-incumbent IE6 despite all odds. Chrome can be usurped likewise. Unfortunately for the Mozilla fanbois, though, Firefox won't be an usurper a second time because as already mentioned it's degenerated into simply a Chrome ripoff. A new competitor can usurp the throne, but it needs to be a genuinely better product to do that and Firefox today is not a genuinely better product.
      - bombcar 4y ago
        I used Firefox back then because it was faster and performed better. Then I used chrome because it was faster and performed better. Now I use safari because its fast enough and chrome is getting creepy.
worik 4y ago
> I don't see what out-of-the-box Firefox brings to a non-technical user compared to Chrome. Respecting privacy. I urge non-technical people to switch to Firefox constantly. People understand, often cannot be bothered. Times change and more and more people are realising that in the twenty first century we need to protect ourselves not so much government oppression as corporate dominance and surveillance. So they bother Part of that is using Firefox. In my experience, people get it. Be they computer programmers or plumbers.
- Nextgrid 4y ago
  > Respecting privacy. Firefox in its default configuration does nothing about privacy because just the IP address and user-agent are unique enough to track you. It may actually make it even worse because Firefox' marketshare is so small that the user-agent sticks out like a sore thumb. You need uBlock Origin to have any chance at privacy.
- autoexec 4y ago
  > Respecting privacy. Firefox these days includes a number of features which threaten user's privacy that must be disabled. Their biggest sins I think were forcing Pocket onto people by default, their new tab page, searching from the address bar, and prefetch.

hkt 4y ago

What exactly does Firefox lack in this regard? I'm curious. I've used it for years and the only noticeable difference to me is that it doesn't nag me about having a Google account.

Nextgrid 4y ago
Well it's not really that it lacks, but that it also doesn't have any compelling features (for the average user) to switch either. When it comes to nagging, Firefox is unfortunately also quite bad, every major update it will find some bullshit to nag you about such as "colorways", Pocket or a VPN.
- endemic 4y ago
  I usually “sell” Firefox along with uBlock Origin. You’re correct that out of the box functionality for Firefox isn’t super compelling, but regular users notice the improved browsing experience that comes with the blocker.

echelon 4y ago

That isn't even an even playing field! Google defaults you to Chrome on Android. That's 49% of users, and most won't know to switch. Google assaults you with Chrome ads on their search page if you use a default browser without adblock. Google pays for default search status on Apple. Then pulls you in. Google is currently running a nationwide "better on Chrome" ad campaign. Billboards and murals everywhere.

Nextgrid 4y ago
Why are you intentionally avoiding the question? Tell me why a non-technical user should prefer even a hypothetical, 100%-compatible Firefox over Chrome. Remember that they are non-technical, they aren't aware of FOSS or the history of Mozilla and have no ideological reason to pick Firefox, so the decision has to be made purely on functionality. What groundbreaking, relevant-to-the-average-user functionality (dev tools and advanced, off-by-default privacy options don't count) does Firefox have out of the box that Chrome doesn't?
- echelon 4y ago
  I'm not avoiding your question - I'm pointing to why Chrome is in the lead. If Chrome didn't have Google backing it and Apple didn't mandate Safari, Firefox would likely have significant market share. This isn't a battle over functionality, it's monopolistic invasion of an open ecosystem by giants that control all of the ingress points. They're turning the entirety of the web itself into an ad/product funnel for giants. I don't care if Mozilla wins. I just don't think the world is healthy with two OS/mobile/search vendors controlling every major piece of technology. The technology sector will be healthier if these companies are forced to break up. There will be more competition and more innovation as less is spent fighting for the last 1% of growth.
  - Dalewyn 4y ago
    Firefox usurped the then-incumbent IE6 despite all odds. Chrome can be usurped likewise. Unfortunately for the Mozilla fanbois, though, Firefox won't be an usurper a second time because as already mentioned it's degenerated into simply a Chrome ripoff. A new competitor can usurp the throne, but it needs to be a genuinely better product to do that and Firefox today is not a genuinely better product.
    - bombcar 4y ago
      I used Firefox back then because it was faster and performed better. Then I used chrome because it was faster and performed better. Now I use safari because its fast enough and chrome is getting creepy.

worik 4y ago

> I don't see what out-of-the-box Firefox brings to a non-technical user compared to Chrome. Respecting privacy. I urge non-technical people to switch to Firefox constantly. People understand, often cannot be bothered. Times change and more and more people are realising that in the twenty first century we need to protect ourselves not so much government oppression as corporate dominance and surveillance. So they bother Part of that is using Firefox. In my experience, people get it. Be they computer programmers or plumbers.

Nextgrid 4y ago
> Respecting privacy. Firefox in its default configuration does nothing about privacy because just the IP address and user-agent are unique enough to track you. It may actually make it even worse because Firefox' marketshare is so small that the user-agent sticks out like a sore thumb. You need uBlock Origin to have any chance at privacy.
autoexec 4y ago
> Respecting privacy. Firefox these days includes a number of features which threaten user's privacy that must be disabled. Their biggest sins I think were forcing Pocket onto people by default, their new tab page, searching from the address bar, and prefetch.