Orion web browser - anyone try this?

[Lifeisabeach]

I just stumbled into this web browser, available for Mac and iOS, and this looks interesting. It's built on WebKit and has native access to KeyChain as a result, something Chrome, Brave, and the others are lacking. On top of this, it has native support for Firefox and Chrome extensions, as well as privacy features that they tout as exceeding Brave's defaults. And is supposed to be very battery efficient.

Orion Browser by Kagi

browser.kagi.com

 

[Rod]

Wow, right up my alley. I have it installed now on macOS. I really like that It's built on WebKit and has native access to KeyChain. I'm writing this reply on Orion now so I'll give it a test run and report back.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Wow, right up my alley. I have it installed now on macOS. I really like that It's built on WebKit and has native access to KeyChain. I'm writing this reply on Orion now so I'll give it a test run and report back.

I gave it a brief whirl. Since I was already logged into this site on Safari, Orion already had me logged in. I tried to install the 1Password extension via the Chrome store, but it wouldn't work. Logging out and back in using Keychain worked just fine. The one thing I'll be most interested in is if it works with any sites that won't play well with Safari.

 

[Rod]

Hmm. I might have a few of those. I did have a problem with this site though; could not get to New Posts from the MF tool bar links, all others worked. Had to switch to Compatability Mode, that fixed it, then switched back, all good now. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ This is still a beta after all so a few glitches I expect.

 

[toMACsh]

ツ

What is that? I've seen it used in the "I dunno" string many times. Where does it come from?

 

[verdi1901]

What is that? I've seen it used in the "I dunno" string many times. Where does it come from?

It looks like a Katakana character to me.

 

[Randy B. Singer]

I just stumbled into this web browser, available for Mac and iOS, and this looks interesting.

A quick Web search turns up that Orion's browser is in the beta stage right now. So it's free for now, but when it comes out of beta they expect to be charging $5/month for it.

Orion's browser, unlike most other browsers, isn't open source code. What that means is that the community can't look under the hood to see what the browser is doing. Most folks feel that a browser that isn't open source is a huge security risk.

I'll probably hold off on testing it until it is reviewed by some trusted source such as Restore Privacy.

Speaking of which, note that Orion is based on WebKit, the code underlying Safari. Safari itself is an insecure browser:

"

• Apple is a partner in the PRISM surveillance program
• Apple was caught “hoarding” Safari browsing history – even after it was deleted
• Apple was found to be collecting Safari history even when used in private mode

"

12 Secure Browsers That Protect Your Privacy in 2025

A secure browser that protects your privacy is essential for staying safe online and keeping your data secure from third parties.

restoreprivacy.com

 

[Rod]

Randy, you're probably right re price. If you want to use their ad free search engine for example it's US$10/month. There is a free trial but it's limited to 50 searches/month.
After using macOS Orion for a few days it really is a very similar browser to Safari both in function and appearance. It does have some features that Safari doesn't have, it's great to see a new browser built on WebKit, zero telemetry sounds good, access to google and Firefox extensions also good but like Safari it's the UI I don't like.
As per Randy's linked article it looks like Brave browser coupled with DuckDuck Go search engine and a good VPN is still pretty hard to beat.

 

[Rod]

What is that? I've seen it used in the "I dunno" string many times. Where does it come from?

Ah, are you referring to the "¯\_(ツ)_/¯" ? It's a shrug. I saved it from a list of keyboard symbol emoticons. Eg. 10000+ Keyboard Faces Copy and Paste (˵´•‿•`˵ ⑅)

 

[Lifeisabeach]

A quick Web search turns up that Orion's browser is in the beta stage right now. So it's free for now, but when it comes out of beta they expect to be charging $5/month for it.

Nope nope nope. Not for me. Nuh uh. So long, Orion. I barely knew ye.

 

[toMACsh]

It looks like a Katakana character to me.

Oh. Searched for it, shi it is.
(Thanks, Yoda.)

 

[Rod]

So, I kinda gave up on Orion as a macOS browser, mostly for the reasons I stated in post #9 but I've continued to play with it on iOS an iPad OS.
What I have found is that while quite similar to Safari it has some real advantages. Number one is the ability to change all of Orion's settings within the app. The other is Kagi's intention to allow both Google and Mozilla extensions on iOS/iPad OS not just macOS which it already does, some do already but remember this browser is still in beta. Orion is faster than Safari and lighter on resources by as much as 50%. Beyond blocking all ads and trackers by default, Orion is also a zero telemetry browser. According to Orion this means, "It protects you from websites on the web, and the browser itself never leaks your private information anywhere."
There are a lot more features like "Floating Windows" and a one touch website compatibility mode on the desktop version but the portable version really works very well and of course it shares passwords with Apple Key Chain.