Orion Browser
TL;DR
Orion is a fast, privacy-focused, and power-user-friendly browser for Mac and iOS that combines Safari's efficiency with the vast extension libraries of Chrome and Firefox.
What is Orion Browser
Orion is a WebKit-based web browser created by Kagi Inc., designed mainly for Apple platforms (macOS, iOS, iPadOS) with a strong emphasis on privacy, performance, and support for Web Extensions (Chrome/Firefox style).
Some of its distinguishing features:
Zero telemetry by default: no “phone-home” data collection out of the box.
Built-in ad- and tracker-blocking in default settings.
Support (still somewhat experimental) for Web Extensions from Chrome and Firefox ecosystems. Features like vertical/tab tree tabs, tab groups (“named windows”), Focus mode, import from other browsers.
Origin & Timeline
Here are the main historical milestones in Orion’s development:
Time / Period—>Event / Milestone—>Details
2018 —>Kagi founded—>Kagi Inc. was founded by Vladimir Prelovac in May 2018, based in Palo Alto. Initial focus was on search and AI ideas.
2019 —>Early prototypes—>Work begins on Orion Browser. First prototype supporting web extensions on iOS.
2020–2021—>Private beta phase—>Orion enters private beta; team expands; parallel work on Kagi Search and Orion.
March 2022—>Public beta launch—>Orion and Kagi Search enter public beta. The product becomes accessible to more users.
2022-2023—>Feature build-up, raising funds, user growth—>Thousands of users paying; development of many core features; $670K raised from users in Kagi’s first external fundraiser; expansion of engineering team.
2023—>Speed & UI improvements—>New features like programmable toolbar buttons, improved benchmarks (e.g. Speedometer) etc.
2024—>Commitment to exit beta, broaden platforms—>Team grows; Kagi becomes Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). Orion plans for Linux and further platforms; strong focus on stability and extension support.
2025 (so far)—>Linux version in development; v1.0 target; privacy features—>As of mid-2025 Orion is still in beta; they plan to release version 1.0 in November 2025. Linux port is being worked on with goal toward release in ~March 2026. Other enhancements like “Privacy Pass”, Tor support, etc., are in progress.
Business Model & Philosophy
Orion is user-funded: there are no ads, no third-party data-sales, no telemetry by default. Users may optionally support via “Orion+”.
The core idea is privacy by design, usability, performance, and giving users real control over their data and experience.
Challenges & Criticisms
Orion has received praise but also faces several challenges, especially since it is relatively new. Some of the issues and areas users watch closely:
Stability / Bugs
Some users report crashes, or sites failing to render properly, or features like back/forward gestures being buggy.
Some very fundamental features (PDF viewing, some extension features) are said to be missing or poorly implemented in early versions.
Extension Support
Though Chrome/Firefox extension support is a major selling point, at least in 2022-2023 this support is still “experimental” and not full. Not all APIs are supported, and performance with heavy extensions can suffer. Performance trade-offs
While Orion claims better memory usage than Chrome/Firefox and even sometimes Safari, some users say performance degrades with many tabs/extensions.
Platform availability
As of mid-2025, Orion is officially for macOS, iOS/iPadOS. Plans for Linux are underway; Windows/Android versions are mentioned but not yet released.
Beta status
Some users find that essential features are still missing, or the product is “not quite ready” for daily heavy use. Status As of Mid-2025
Orion is still officially in public beta.
They are targeting a version 1.0 release around November 2025.
Linux version is being developed, with initial release tentatively around March 2026.
Continued work on extension support, stability, performance improvements, and privacy enhancements.
Orion Browser: The WebKit Native Browser for macOS and iOS
The Orion Browser is a relatively new web browser developed by Kagi, a company focused on building premium, ad-free online tools (most notably, the Kagi search engine). Orion’s history is short but distinct, defined by its ambitious goal to create a truly native, fast, and privacy-focused browser for the Apple ecosystem by leveraging the platform’s own technologies.
The Timeline of Orion’s Development
1. Inception and Philosophy (2020 - 2021)
Parent Company: Kagi. Kagi was founded with a mission to create a sustainable, user-first web, primarily through its subscription-based search engine that removes ads and tracking. The development of Orion was a natural extension of this philosophy, aiming to fix the browsing experience itself.
The Core Vision: The team, led by developers with a deep understanding of the Mac platform, identified a growing issue: even browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Brave were based on large, cross-platform codebases (Chromium or Gecko) that weren’t fully optimized for macOS and iOS. Their goal was to build a browser that was:
Truly Native: Built from the ground up using Apple’s native frameworks (AppKit/UIKit, Swift), resulting in better performance, lower memory usage, and seamless integration with macOS and iOS.
Privacy-First: Incorporating robust, built-in privacy protections by default, aligning with Kagi’s core business values.
Power-User Friendly: Supporting the rich extension ecosystems of both Chrome and Firefox from day one, a technically challenging feat.
2. Beta Release and Early Development (2021 - 2022)
Initial Beta Launch (Late 2021): Kagi released the first beta version of Orion for macOS to a small group of testers. It was immediately notable for its speed and incredibly low memory footprint.
Key Technological Foundation: Instead of building a new rendering engine—a monumental task—Orion took a pragmatic yet innovative approach:
It uses Apple’s native WKWebView. This means it leverages the WebKit rendering engine that is built into macOS and iOS, the same one that powers Safari. This makes it incredibly efficient on Apple hardware.
Dual Extension Support: This became Orion’s “killer feature.” It was the first browser to natively support extensions from both the Chrome Web Store and the Firefox Browser Add-ons store, without requiring any porting by developers. This gave it an immense advantage in available functionality over other WebKit-based alternatives like Safari.
3. Public Launch and Feature Expansion (2022 - Present)
Version 1.0 Release: Orion officially left beta and launched its stable version for macOS, solidifying its core feature set.
Launch of Orion for iOS/iPadOS: Kagi expanded the browser to the mobile Apple ecosystem, bringing the same philosophy of speed, privacy, and dual extension support (via Safari Web Extensions) to iPhones and iPads.
Continuous Innovation: The development pace has been rapid, with updates frequently adding advanced features that appeal to power users:
Vertical Tabs & Tab Groups: For superior tab management.
Workspaces: Allowing users to separate browsing contexts (e.g., Work, Personal, Research).
Deep Privacy Controls: Built-in tracker blocking, ad blocking, and cookie consent pop-up blockers.
Integration with Kagi Services: Optional deep integration with the Kagi search engine for a unified, private search and browse experience.
Key Features and Differentiators
Native Performance: Because it uses Apple’s native WebKit engine and is built with Swift, Orion feels exceptionally fast and responsive on Apple hardware, often using significantly less RAM than Chromium-based browsers.
Unprecedented Extension Compatibility: Its ability to run Chrome and Firefox extensions natively is its most technically unique feature, solving the “extension poverty” that often plagues non-Chromium browsers.
Privacy by Default: It comes with powerful blocking features enabled out-of-the-box, with no need to install separate ad-blocker extensions.
The “Kagi Ecosystem”: As a product from a subscription-search company, Orion represents a new model for browser development: funded by a complementary premium service rather than ads, data collection, or search deal royalties.
Challenges and Context
A Crowded Market: Orion entered a space dominated by giants like Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. Its success hinges on convincing users that its unique blend of performance and features is worth switching for.
WebKit Dependency: By relying on WebKit, Orion’s web compatibility and standards support are tied to Apple’s pace of development. This can be both a benefit (optimization) and a limitation (feature lag behind Chromium).
Monetization Model: While the browser itself is free, its development is tied to Kagi’s business model. Its long-term sustainability is linked to the success of Kagi’s premium services.
Conclusion
The history of the Orion Browser, though brief, is a story of a modern, pragmatic approach to browser development. It did not attempt to build a new engine but instead asked, “How can we build the best possible browser for this platform using the best tools available?” By combining Apple’s native WebKit engine with groundbreaking extension support and a staunch privacy stance, Orion has carved out a unique niche as a powerful, efficient, and user-respecting browser for the Apple ecosystem. It represents a compelling alternative for users, especially power users, who are dissatisfied with the limitations of Safari but wary of the resource-heavy nature of Chromium-based browsers.
