Ladybird

Browser in development created from scratch, without relying on engines like Chromium or Gecko.

Description

The Ladybird browser is an ambitious project aimed at developing an open-source web browser, led by the Ladybird Browser Initiative, a non-profit organization created to promote independence in the browser market. The initiative seeks to create an alternative free from the influence of large tech corporations, developing a browser from scratch without relying on existing engines like Chromium (used by Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Opera) or Gecko (used by Mozilla Firefox).

Context and Objectives

Ladybird began as an HTML viewer for the SerenityOS hobby operating system project, but has evolved into an independent browser, focusing on web standards, performance, stability, and security. It is developed with the mission of providing a user-centered browsing experience, uncompromising on privacy, and without practices such as default search agreements or monetization via tokens, as seen in other browsers. The organization emphasizes its independence, being funded exclusively by donations and sponsorships, with no corporate influence.

Development Stage and Timeline

As of July 2025, Ladybird is in pre-alpha stage, suitable only for developers and early adopters. The official timeline includes:

Alpha release for early adopters in the summer of 2026, initially for Linux and macOS.
Beta version in 2027.
Stable release for the general public in 2028.

These deadlines reflect the complexity of building a browser from scratch, especially a proprietary engine, and indicate a commitment to delivering a robust product. Recent updates, like those from January and February 2025, show progress in compliance with web standards, including leadership in support for the WebCrypto API and JavaScript specifications, as well as compatibility with tools like Figma and the Firefox DevTools protocol.

Technical Architecture

Ladybird utilizes a multi-process architecture to enhance security and stability, detailed as follows:

Main Processes: Includes a main user interface process, multiple rendering processes (WebContent, one per tab), an image decoding process (ImageDecoder), and a request server process (RequestServer).
Security: Image decoding and network connections are performed outside the main process, increasing robustness against malicious content. Each tab runs in a sandboxed process, isolated from the system, reducing vulnerability risks.

The browser inherits components from SerenityOS for historical reasons, such as:

LibWeb: Web rendering engine.
LibJS: JavaScript engine.
LibWasm: WebAssembly implementation.
LibCrypto/LibTLS: Libraries for cryptography and TLS.
LibHTTP: HTTP/1.1 client.
LibGfx: 2D graphics, image decoding, and rendering.
LibUnicode: Support for Unicode and localization.
LibMedia: Audio and video playback.
LibCore: Event loop and operating system abstraction.
LibIPC: Inter-process communication.

While initially tied to these libraries, the project now allows the use of third-party libraries for common functionalities such as image, audio, video, cryptography, and graphics formats but maintains a commitment to never adopting another browser engine.

Recent Progress and Expectations

2025 updates highlight significant advancements:

January 2025: Leadership in compliance with JavaScript specifications, support for the WebCrypto API, approval in Google's anti-bot checks, support for Figma, and the addition of new CSS properties.
February 2025: Prevention of "Flash Of Unstyled Content", adoption of curl and OpenSSL, implementation of Resource Timing, new CSS functionalities, and support for the Firefox DevTools protocol.
June 2025: Execution of the Compiler Explorer, allowing loading, compiling programs, and viewing disassembly, although live editing still needs improvements.

These progresses indicate a focus on compliance with web standards and developer tools, essential for competing in the market. However, recent statements, like those in March 2025, reinforce that the browser is still not ready for general use, managing expectations based on the roadmap.

Potential Impact

Ladybird seeks to diversify the browser market, dominated by a few players, promoting innovation and competition. Its independent and community-centered approach could lead to improvements in privacy, security, and performance, especially in a landscape where most browsers rely on shared engines. However, given its current stage, it still faces technical and adoption challenges, making it a long-term bet for users and developers.

Technical Specifications

License: Free

Language: English

Platform: Windows

Developer: Ladybird

Category: Internet/Browsers

Last Update: 07/02/2025

Google Chrome Portable
Portable version of Google Chrome so you can use it anywhere.

Pale Moon
Firefox based browser with many extra features.

ChromeHistoryView
Utility that displays or history of Google Chrome with specific details.

ChromeCookiesView
Utility that allows you to view and delete Google Chrome cookies.

SeaMonkey
Browser designed to provide a complete set of Internet applications.

Mozilla Firefox
Browser that values the privacy of its users.