If you're hunting for a lightweight web browser that respects your privacy, skips the bloat, and runs fast even on modest systems — two names you’ll bump into are Falkon and Midori.

Both are sleek, fast, and open-source alternatives to the heavyweight giants like Chrome and Firefox. But they’re built differently, behave differently, and serve slightly different types of users.

Think of Falkon as the clean, power-efficient choice for KDE or Qt desktop users who still want decent performance on modern websites. On the other side, Midori feels more like a “grab-and-go” browser — super minimal, great for older PCs, and runs smooth on even limited hardware.

This isn’t just a battle of who’s lighter — it’s about choosing the right fit for your system and browsing habits. Let's break it down side-by-side and find out which one feels like the right match for your setup.

What is Falkon?

Falkon is a free and open-source web browser developed by the KDE community. It’s built using QtWebEngine, which means it uses the Chromium engine under the hood — just like Chrome — but with a lightweight, privacy-friendly twist. Falkon is designed to integrate seamlessly with KDE Plasma desktops but works well on other Linux environments and Windows too.

Its main appeal? It gives you modern web compatibility without dragging down your system like mainstream browsers do.

Pros of Falkon

1. Chromium Rendering Engine
   Offers great website compatibility and fast performance.
2. Lightweight Footprint
   Much smaller than Chrome or Firefox in both memory and storage usage.
3. Native KDE Integration
   Uses KDE dialogs, themes, and file pickers — perfect for Plasma users.
4. Built-in Ad Blocker
   Includes AdBlock and other privacy tools out of the box.
5. Customizable UI
   Simple interface with options to tweak toolbar, bookmarks, and themes.
6. Privacy-Oriented
   No telemetry or forced sign-in — your data stays local.
7. Open Source
   Fully transparent and community-driven development under GPL license.

Cons of Falkon

1. Limited Extension Support
   Doesn’t support Chrome or Firefox add-ons — relies only on a few native plugins.
2. Occasional Site Bugs
   Despite Chromium engine, it may lag behind Google Chrome in feature updates or rendering tweaks.
3. Not Suited for Power Users
   Lacks developer tools, sync features, and advanced web app support.
4. Small Development Team
   Updates may be slower than mainstream browsers; occasional stalling on new features.
5. KDE-Centric
   UI looks best on KDE — feels slightly off on GNOME or non-Qt desktops.

What is Midori?

Midori is a lightweight, privacy-conscious web browser designed for speed, simplicity, and low resource usage. It’s built using WebKitGTK (the same engine that powers Safari) and aims to deliver a clean, minimalist browsing experience — especially on older hardware or in resource-constrained environments like ARM devices or Raspberry Pi.

Midori doesn’t try to compete with Chrome in features — instead, it focuses on essentials done right, making it a solid choice when you want speed without the fluff.

Pros of Midori

1. Extremely Lightweight
    Uses very little RAM and CPU — perfect for old or low-end systems.
2. Fast Startup & Browsing
    Launches quickly and handles basic web tasks with minimal delay.
3. Simple, Clean Interface
    Minimalist UI designed to get out of your way — no distractions.
4. Privacy-First Approach
    DuckDuckGo is the default search engine, and no user tracking is built in.
5. Cross-Platform Availability
    Runs on Linux, Windows, and some Android builds; good for embedded systems.
6. Open Source
    Fully transparent, licensed under LGPL — you can inspect and modify the code.

Cons of Midori

1. Limited Modern Site Compatibility
    Struggles with JavaScript-heavy or complex websites compared to Chromium-based browsers.
2. Few Features
    No extension system, sync, or developer tools — it's strictly barebones.
3. Slow Development Pace
    Smaller team and irregular updates mean newer web standards may lag.
4. Lacks Customization
    Fewer UI or performance tweaks available; “what you see is what you get.”
5. Rendering Bugs on Some Sites
    Due to its WebKitGTK base, occasional glitches may appear on dynamic or multimedia-rich pages.

#1 Key Similarities Between Falkon and Midori

Although Falkon and Midori are built on different engines (Chromium vs. WebKit), they share a lot of common ground — especially in their philosophy and user goals:

✔ Lightweight Design
 Both are designed to run on low-resource systems with minimal CPU and memory usage.

✔ Privacy-Focused
 No built-in telemetry, no forced logins, and minimal data collection — your browsing stays yours.

✔ Open Source
 Completely free and open-source, allowing full transparency and community-driven development.

✔ No Heavy Feature Bloat
 Neither browser includes sync, cloud accounts, or unnecessary background services — focused on essentials only.

✔ Limited Extension Support
 Both browsers avoid the mainstream add-on ecosystems, offering only a few built-in or native plugins.

✔ Minimalist UI
 Clean, distraction-free interface built for focus and speed rather than customization or visual effects.

✔ Cross-Platform Availability
 Available on Linux and Windows (Midori also has some Android builds); both aim to be light and portable.

#2 Key Differences between Falkon and Midori

2.1 Rendering Engine

Ever wonder why some browsers load sites perfectly while others feel... off? It often comes down to the rendering engine — the brain that reads and displays websites.

Falkon runs on QtWebEngine, which is based on Chromium — the same engine behind Google Chrome. This means great compatibility with modern sites, fast page rendering, and smooth video playback.

Midori, on the other hand, uses Gecko (it previously used WebKitGTK). While Gecko powers Mozilla Firefox too, Midori’s lightweight build means some complex sites or scripts may not behave perfectly.

Falkon offers better website compatibility thanks to its Chromium core, while Midori focuses more on staying lightweight — but may struggle with complex pages. Choose based on what fits your daily browsing experience best.

2.2 Desktop Integration

Your browser shouldn’t just “run” on your desktop — it should feel like it belongs there.

Falkon is built with Qt and integrates beautifully into KDE Plasma environments. It uses native KDE dialogs, file pickers, themes, and fits right in visually and functionally.

Midori is designed with GTK in mind and plays nicer with GNOME, XFCE, and other cross-platform setups. It keeps things neutral, so it doesn’t clash — but it doesn’t deeply integrate either.

If you're on KDE, Falkon feels like a natural extension of your desktop. For GNOME or mixed environments, Midori stays out of the way and just works.

2.3 Resource Usage

When you're working on a low-end PC or juggling multiple apps, every MB counts — and your browser shouldn’t hog the show.

Falkon is considered lightweight by modern standards, but since it runs on QtWebEngine (Chromium-based), it still uses more RAM and CPU than minimal browsers.

Midori is engineered for absolute minimalism. It's one of the lightest graphical browsers out there — making it a favorite for old hardware, Raspberry Pi, and stripped-down Linux setups.

Falkon strikes a balance between features and performance, while Midori goes all-in on being feather-light — perfect when every bit of memory matters.

2.4 Default Search & Privacy Approach

If staying private online matters to you, your browser’s built-in tools can make a real difference — without needing extra plugins.

Falkon comes with a built-in ad blocker and tracking protection right out of the box. It gives users more control over scripts, cookies, and privacy settings — all without needing extensions.

Midori takes a simpler route by setting DuckDuckGo as the default search engine and offering a basic private browsing mode. It respects privacy, but doesn’t provide deep controls or content filtering tools.

Falkon offers more built-in privacy shields for everyday use, while Midori sticks to basic protection with a strong default search choice — better suited for casual, minimalist browsing.

2.5 User Interface Style

A browser's interface should feel familiar but not cluttered — and each of these takes a different route.

Falkon follows the classic desktop browser layout — think tabs at the top, bookmarks bar, URL bar, and traditional menus. It feels a lot like early Chrome or Firefox, making it intuitive for users who prefer a straightforward setup.

Midori leans into a minimalist, modern design. It strips away the extras — no crowded toolbars or side panels — just a clean browsing window with essential controls. Great for users who like things simple and distraction-free.

Falkon suits those who prefer a familiar desktop-style browser experience, while Midori appeals to minimalists who want a clean, clutter-free interface.

2.6 Extension Support

Love customizing your browser with add-ons? This is where both Falkon and Midori take a stripped-down approach — but not in the same way.

Falkon includes a few built-in native plugins, like AdBlock, GreaseMonkey (for user scripts), and a simple password manager. However, it doesn’t support Chrome or Firefox extensions, so your options are limited to what's included.

Midori goes even more minimalist — it has no formal extension system. What you see is what you get. It’s meant to be lightweight and fast, so additional features are intentionally left out.

Neither browser offers full-blown extension support, but Falkon gives you a small toolbox of essentials, while Midori keeps things ultra-basic — better for those who don’t rely on add-ons.

#3 Advanced Differences between Falkon and Midori

3.1 Modern Site Compatibility

Not all browsers speak the modern web’s language fluently — and how well they handle today's sites often depends on their rendering engine.

Falkon, built on QtWebEngine (Chromium-based), inherits the same fast, standards-compliant rendering power as Chrome. That means strong support for HTML5, JavaScript, CSS3, and compatibility with modern, media-rich, and interactive websites.

Midori, using Gecko (previously WebKitGTK), tries to stay current, but its lightweight nature and slower development pace mean it may struggle with complex or JS-heavy sites — things like dynamic dashboards or embedded apps can load unpredictably.

Falkon delivers a more reliable experience on modern websites, while Midori is better suited for basic browsing on lightweight pages where cutting-edge support isn’t critical.

3.2 Customization & Tweakability

Some users love tailoring their browser to match their workflow — others prefer simplicity with zero setup. Here's how Falkon and Midori differ in that regard:

Falkon gives you a decent set of tweaks: you can customize the toolbar, set a custom homepage, enable session restore, choose from built-in themes, and adjust behavior for tabs and privacy. It's not overloaded, but it offers just enough flexibility for everyday personalization.

Midori, true to its minimalist design, is a “what you see is what you get” browser. Customization is limited — there’s no toolbar editor, no theme support, and very few configurable settings. It’s meant to be simple and distraction-free out of the box.

Falkon lets you personalize your browser experience without being overwhelming, while Midori prioritizes simplicity over customization — perfect if you prefer it all ready-to-go, no tweaking needed.

3.3 Development Ecosystem

Behind every good browser is a team — and the size, philosophy, and structure of that team can shape how reliable (or risky) your experience is over time.

Falkon is developed and maintained by the KDE Community, one of the most respected and active open-source projects in the Linux world. This means consistent updates, long-term maintenance, and a strong community that cares about stability, documentation, and future planning.

Midori is now developed by Astian, a much smaller organization with a focus on privacy-friendly tools. While they’ve introduced new features like Astian Cloud and reworked the engine (from WebKitGTK to Gecko), updates are less predictable, and community support is still growing.

Falkon benefits from KDE’s solid and transparent development structure, while Midori — though promising — is evolving under a smaller team with a more uncertain roadmap.

3.4 Architecture Transitions

A browser’s underlying engine isn’t just technical plumbing — it defines how stable, fast, and future-proof your experience will be.

Falkon has kept things steady and predictable, consistently using QtWebEngine, which is Chromium-based. This stable foundation ensures consistent behavior, modern site support, and fewer surprises over time.

Midori has taken a more experimental path. It started with WebKitGTK, briefly moved to Electron, and now runs on Gecko. These multiple shifts in core architecture have led to inconsistencies in performance, stability, and feature continuity across different versions.

Falkon offers long-term reliability with a stable tech base, while Midori’s frequent engine changes have made it more experimental — good for lightweight needs, but less consistent in the long run.

3.5 Sync & Cloud Integration

If you switch between devices or like having your bookmarks follow you, sync can make or break your browser experience.

Falkon stays focused on local privacy. It offers no built-in sync — bookmarks, passwords, sessions all stay stored locally with no cloud backup or account-based sync. That’s great for privacy, but less ideal if you move between multiple devices.

Midori offers optional sync through Astian Cloud, developed by its parent organization. It allows syncing bookmarks and some settings across devices. However, the system is still basic and far less refined compared to Chrome or Firefox Sync.

Falkon is best if you prefer everything stored locally with no cloud dependency. Midori provides lightweight sync via Astian Cloud, which works — but don’t expect enterprise-level polish.

3.6 Developer Tools & Inspect Element

If you're a developer or even just curious about how web pages work under the hood, built-in dev tools are a must — but that’s not the focus of either of these browsers.

Falkon includes basic web inspection tools, like a simplified "Inspect Element" and limited JavaScript console. It’s enough for light debugging or tweaking, but it lacks the advanced features you’d find in Chrome or Firefox DevTools — like network inspection, performance profiling, or live editing.

Midori goes even more minimal. It provides no developer console or inspector in most builds, making it unsuitable for any kind of serious web development or debugging.

Falkon can handle light inspection and testing if you're a casual dev, but for anything beyond the basics, you'll need a full-featured browser. Midori, by design, avoids dev tools entirely in favor of speed and simplicity.

#4 Use Case Summary – Which One to Choose?

If you're trying to decide between Falkon and Midori, the right choice depends on how you browse and what kind of system you’re running.

Choose Falkon if you're using a KDE or Qt-based desktop and want a browser that feels like a natural part of your environment. It's a great option for users who value modern website compatibility, thanks to its Chromium-based engine. Falkon also gives you a few helpful features like built-in ad blocking, session restore, and basic customization without weighing down your system too much. It's perfect for users who want something faster and lighter than Chrome but not as stripped down as minimalist browsers.

On the other hand, Midori is built for pure minimalism. It’s incredibly lightweight and ideal for older computers, low-spec hardware, or embedded systems like Raspberry Pi. Midori focuses on getting you online with as little system overhead as possible. If you don’t need extensions, dev tools, or heavy website features — and just want to browse, search, and read — Midori gets the job done cleanly. It even offers basic cloud sync via Astian Cloud, which Falkon does not.

In short, go with Falkon if you're looking for a more feature-complete lightweight browser with a modern backbone. Choose Midori if you prioritize speed, simplicity, and extreme efficiency over compatibility or customization.