Firefox

After years of using Google Chrome as my default browser, I’m switching to Firefox. Why? Firefox now has native vertical tabs. In other words, you can choose to list tabs in a sidebar rather than smushed together across the top of the screen. I am not a person who typically keeps dozens or hundreds of tabs open, but 10 or 15 is typical. Even with this few, the titles are far more legible in the sidebar since they aren’t truncated by the variable width of traditional tabs. I find it easier to utilize tab groups in this view, too.

To be clear, side bar tabs are not a new invention. They have been available as plugins, extensions, or features of various browsers for years. What’s new is their availability as a built-in feature of a major browser.

As a secondary benefit, Firefox better supports uBlock Origin, an ad-blocking extension that also just reduces the amount of junk data transferred with each pageload. I haven’t scrutinized its impact in detail, but anecdotally I can report it doesn’t seem to be overly aggressive: I haven’t noticed any interference with legit content, including “artisanally edited” ads and integrated sponsorships on various indie sites I visit. Mainly it just feels like combing some of the spammy cruft from the footer of corporate sites.

Like Chrome, Firefox supports syncing across devices and platforms.

Last but not least, if you’re a cranky ol’-timer like me who begrudges the disintegration of interface standards, a tip: you can re-enable the menu bar and the window title bar via checkboxen in the toolbar customization panel.

(As I write this, I see that native vertical tabs are coming to Chrome, too, but I’m content with this small move to extricate myself from Google’s grasp regardless of features.)

Posted on Friday, November 21st, 2025.