Orion browser features | Kagi Blog (2025)

Orion may be a newcomer to the market, but it comes loaded with features. These may be the most surprising parts of Orion for new users.

Update: Read an update to this post from May 2023 for more Orion features.

WebKit

Orion uses WebKit, like Safari and unlike most browsers on the market running some variation of Google’s Chromium.

WebKit is web rendering engine built by jointly by Apple and a community of contributors. WebKit is fast, energy efficient and integrated into OS feature you love.

Vertical tree-style tabs

If you love to have your tabs on the side, you will be pleased to know that Orion has native vertical tree tabs support.

Use via View -> Show Vertical Tabs or ⌃⌘V.

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Tab groups

In Orion, tab groups are also called named windows. By default temporary windows are not synced. If you want to keep the window/tabs after closing and have it sync, simply name that window (eg. ‘Work’).

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Built in ad and tracker blocking

We are saying hard NO to ads and trackers on the web.

Orion comes with state-of-the-art ad and tracker blocking enabled by default, unlike any other browser in existence.

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Extension support

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Our vision is 100% Chrome and Firefox extension support by the time we exit beta.

Currently Orion supports large number of popular extensions on Desktop with support for more to come. Orion even supports some extensions out of the box on iOS, but we have much more to do here.

Speedy web browsing

Orion is really, really fast.

A fresh install of Orion blocks both ads and trackers on websites, something no other browser does.

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Speedometer 2.0 web browser benchmark results on M1 Macbook Pro give it a score of up to 339, faster than any other browser out there. Orion is able to do this by using process optimizations and bleeding-edge WebKit builds, not yet available in Safari.

Light on system resources

Browsers like Chrome or Firefox have a reputation of hogging down system resources and using a lot of energy. Orion is a lightweight browser compared to these browsers.

Even compared to Safari, a freshly started Orion with just a start page will use half the memory Safari uses in same circumstances.

Easy sync across all devices

Orion syncs your bookmarks, tabs and passwords seamlessly using iCloud, same as Safari.

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Everything is built right into macOS/iOS and you do not need any external services or logins for sync to function out of the box. Accessing your bookmarks, passwords and syncing open tabs across devices is simple as it can be.

Deeper safeguards for privacy

Beyond blocking all ads and trackers by default, Orion is also a zero telemetry browser.

It protects you from websites on the web, and the browser itself never leaks your private information anywhere.

Reader mode

Sometimes you just want to read the article on a website, not wade through ads, video embeds and other distractions.

Orion gives you a one-click Reader mode (click the icon in the left side of address bar or press ⇧⌘R to activate it. The settings is remembered in website settings for return visits to the same website.

Automatic blocking of autoplay videos

Many websites have videos and other media that automatically play when you load the page.

Out of the box, all media with sound is automatically stopped, with an easy setting to quickly change this across the sites..

Keychain for passwords

Orion securely saves all your passwords inside Apple’s Keychain.

You can even import all your Safari passwords into Orion’s Keychain.

Focus mode

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One of the unique features of Orion is Focus mode (⇧⌘F). This removes all distractions from a window and allow you to enjoy the beauty of its content only.

Float on top

Floating a window on top is a feature of many paid apps on App store. Orion has this built in.

Built in Picture in Picture

Enable Picture in Picture mode when watching a video with View -> Show Picture-in-Picture video or ⌃⌘P.

Full import from other browsers

Import data from your previous browser including bookmarks, passwords and much more using File -> Import from.

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Website settings

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Orion has a simple way of accessing all website settings, not found with any other browser. Simply click the gear icon next to address bar and control most important settings for this website including Compatibility mode (useful when the site breaks due to content blocking or extensions).

Low power mode

Inspired by the same feature on an iPhone, low power mode feature in Orion will reduce the power consumption of your browser to minimum by cleverly suspending tabs you do not use. This will significantly extend your time on battery power when using Orion. Find it at Tools -> Low Power Mode.

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Allow Copy & Paste

Some websites prevent copy or paste (banking sites do this for some reason), you can easily override this with Tools -> Allow Copy & Paste

Edit Text on Page

Sometimes you want to quickly edit text on a page so you can take a screen of the changed content. This is a click away in Orion with Tools -> Edit Text on Page.

Open Page in Internet Archive

When a page you are trying to open is not available for whatever reasons, you can try to retrieve its archived version using Tools -> Open Page in Internet Archive.

Show Error Indicator

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A very useful feature if you are a web developer is found in Develop -> Show Error Indicator. This will add an indicator in address bar showing the number of errors on the page allowing you to quickly open Console and inspect them.

Mobile browser

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Orion iOS is a full-fledged mobile browser that syncs all your data with Orion desktop and has much more:

  • Full ad and tracker blocking built in
  • Blocks even YouTube ads
  • Allows Picture in Picture in YouTube
  • Open links in native apps, simiar to Opener app, all built-in
  • Some extensions working out of the box on mobile (for example Dark Reader, Bypass Paywalls..)

Aligned incentives

Browsing the web is one of the most important and most personal experiences we do every day. But almost all mainstream browsers are directly or indirectly monetized through advertising.

Orion is the only browser on the market directly supported by its users. If you like the browser, you have an option to pay and support its development.

User feedback

We use community-driven product development methodology.

Make your voice heard at Orion’s feedback website at orionfeedback.org.

Orion+

You can support Orion development by getting Orion+.

Thank you 🙏.

Kagi search

Kagi search is perfect companion to Orion browser. Read more about its features.

Orion browser features | Kagi Blog (2025)

FAQs

Orion browser features | Kagi Blog? ›

It's still probably the best Safari alternative I've tried on iOS... but Safari on iOS is the platonic ideal of mobile web browsing. Any rough edges are going to stick out like a sore thumb. The biggest benefit of using both the macOS and iOS versions of Orion is tab syncing and Apple's Continuity functionality.

Is Orion a good web browser? ›

It's still probably the best Safari alternative I've tried on iOS... but Safari on iOS is the platonic ideal of mobile web browsing. Any rough edges are going to stick out like a sore thumb. The biggest benefit of using both the macOS and iOS versions of Orion is tab syncing and Apple's Continuity functionality.

How does the Orion browser make money? ›

Regardless, all funding for Orion will come from its users rather than ads, tracking, data monetization or any other indirect way.

What engine does the Orion browser use? ›

Orion is as fast or faster than Safari, because while both use the WebKit engine, we streamlined our browser for smoother use. Orion is much faster than non-WebKit browsers like Firefox or Chrome and its derivatives (Edge, Brave, Opera, etc.).

Is the Orion app safe? ›

Application security is provided through on going BreachLock certification in which Orion complies with the required levels of application security and penetration testing in the industry.

Why is Orion so popular? ›

For example, the ancient Greeks thought that an arrangement of stars in the sky looked like a giant hunter with a sword attached to his belt, so they named it after a famous hunter in their mythology, Orion. It's one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky and can be seen from around the world.

Is the Orion browser better than Safari? ›

Orion is a true zero-telemetry browser, with a powerful built-in ad and tracking blocker. Even with its default settings, Orion offers the highest possible privacy protection on the web. And extensions! Unlike Safari, Orion has native support for both Chrome and Firefox extensions.

How secure is Orion? ›

Since 2021, Orion Intelligence is certified for ISO 27001: Information Security Management. This certification confirms that we have implemented adequate processes and infrastructure for secure data handling.

How many customers does Orion have? ›

Our network covers remote rural areas, regional towns and the city of Christchurch and extends over 8,000 square kilometres, delivering electricity to more than 225,000 homes and businesses.

Does Orion block ads? ›

Over 700 million devices block online ads, creating the largest silent protest in human history. We too believe in a cleaner, more humane web. Orion blocks both first-party and third-party ads, trackers, and other annoyances by default.

How does the Orion browser work? ›

Orion is a webkit based browser that can take Firefox and Chrome extensions, including on iOS/iPadOS. Currently, most browsers for the iOS and iPadOS cannot use addons, including Firefox itself, so this is pretty cool.

Is the Orion browser free? ›

To protect yourself from this, you can use the Orion Browser, which is a free dark web browser. The first thing you need to do is install the Orion Browser on your device, and you're good to go.

What is a zero telemetry browser? ›

Orion is the first browser to have a zero-telemetry policy, meaning it will never "phone home" with any of your data. It also comes with a default blocker that knocks out ads and trackers, keeping websites respectful of our users.

Can I trust the Orion browser? ›

For macOS users seeking a lightweight privacy browser, Orion is an excellent option. Those needing broader platform compatibility will favor Brave, although its privacy comes with caveats. Overall both are great browsers, so choosing comes down to individual priority on privacy, extensions and platform support.

Can you get Orion on an iPhone? ›

Orion is a fast, free, web browser for iPhone and iPad with no ads, no telemetry.

What is the No 1 safe browser? ›

Yes, Google Chrome has various features to keep you safe online, and is generally considered a secure web browser. For example, it comes with Safe Browsing — a feature which uses Google's vast database of unsafe websites to block access to such sites when you try to visit them.

What is the #1 best browser? ›

The best web browsers of 2024 in full:
  1. Microsoft Edge. Best web browser if you need clear privacy tools. ...
  2. Mozilla Firefox. The best web browser for power users and privacy protection. ...
  3. Opera. Best web browser for collecting content. ...
  4. Google Chrome. Best all-round web browser. ...
  5. Vivaldi.
Jul 23, 2024

Is Orion a good software? ›

Orion is great because it does a phenomenal job of capturing loads of data and then giving us the tools to run reports and queries to get the data that we are looking for.

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