Orion Browser Brings WebKit Speed and Privacy Focus to Mac Users - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Orion Browser Brings WebKit Speed and Privacy Focus to Mac Users

Kagi, best known for its telemetry-free search engine, has released version 1.0 of Orion, its privacy-focused browser for Mac. After a long beta period, the WebKit-based browser is aimed at users who want Safari's speed without the data collection that comes with most other options.

orion browser
For users who want an alternative to Chromium browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Brave, without sacrificing speed or extension support, Orion could be worth a look. Moreover, unlike some recent browser launches, there's no integration of AI features, and Kagi says it collects no telemetry or usage data of any kind.

For a browser claiming zero-bloat, there are some notable features, too. Focus Mode strips away the browser interface to turn any website into a distraction-free app, while Link Preview lets you peek at links from mail or notes without actually opening a new tab. You can set up separate profiles that keep work, personal browsing, and everything else completely isolated. Not only that, the browser also works with Chrome and Firefox extensions.

Orion is free to download and use, and also comes with 200 free searches on Kagi's premium search engine, while an optional Orion Plus subscription at $5 per month unlocks floating windows that stay on top of other apps, custom icons, and offers early access to new features.

Kagi's six-person team developed Orion over five years (the first two years handled by a single developer). The company plans to expand documentation and add new features over the coming year. You can grab it over on the Orion website, while iPhone and iPad versions can be downloaded from the App Store.

Tag: WebKit

Popular Stories

Apple TV 4K HomeView HomePod Mini tweaked

New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked

Sunday October 11, 2026 12:56 pm PDT by
Just two days before Apple's "Welcome home" experience in New York, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has leaked several details about the new products set to be unveiled, including an all-new smart home hub, a HomePod mini 2, and a new Apple TV 4K. Here is an all-in-one summary of the details shared by Gurman:Apple's home hub with a touch-enabled display will be named HomeView, seemingly confirming a ...
apple welcome home event

Apple Product Launch Announced for October 13: 'Welcome Home'

Thursday October 8, 2026 9:04 am PDT by
Apple today announced an upcoming product launch that will take place on Tuesday, October 13. We are expecting Apple's announcement to focus on new smart home products, including the long-rumored smart home hub, a new Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The home hub is an all-new device that's like a cross between an iPad and...
MacBook Pro Ultra Feature 1

Apple to Launch Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini on October 27

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:31 pm PDT by
Apple will introduce new OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro models and an OLED iPad mini "on or around" Tuesday, October 27, reports Bloomberg. The launch will also include an M6 14-inch MacBook Pro and an M6 iMac. The October 27 follows Apple's October 13 debut of a new smart home hub, a revamped Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Earlier this month, MacRumors reported that Apple would do ...

Top Rated Comments

orderoftheditch Avatar
12 months ago
As a web developer I hate WebKit and Safari and it annoys me when people praise it.
Safari for example didn't support .webp images to 2020 and the browser updates are tied to iOS/macOS releases, just like Internet Explorer was in the earl 2000s.
WebKit recently had a bug where fixed elements that were positioned using bottom: X broke on mobile devices causing elements to float in the middle of the viewport rather than being attached to the bottom.
Then we have the glacial pace of implementing new features or weird WebKit only quirks that require special work arounds, just like IE did back in the day.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
12 months ago

Safari is tied to the OS, can't update it individually.
That’s not true and it’s simply misinformation. They have released several Safari updates, and you can install them directly from System Settings.

I am on macOS Sequoia and I’ve already installed more than two Safari updates, including the latest one that’s in macOS Tahoe. Also, the fact that there aren’t many updates doesn’t mean anything bad. Apple will know when to update it if there’s an emergency, like patching an exploit to prevent attacks. I don’t need constant updates that add bloat to my browser.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
12 months ago

How is it any different from Safari in that regard?
Supporting Chrome and Firefox extensions appears to be the big thing.

This actually might be the goldilocks browser for me. I’ve always preferred the battery life and privacy of Safari, but the extensions of Chrome and Firefox.

Also, when I really like a browser and want to stick to it across all my devices so I have browser tab syncing, their iOS apps usually suck compared to Safari. I’m such a huge fan of the UI where the URL bar is at the bottom and you can slide left, right, or up to switch between tabs. It looks like Orion even included this UI in their iOS apps Wow, I’m excited to try this out!
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
n-evo Avatar
12 months ago

Orion Browser Brings WebKit Speed and Privacy Focus to Mac Users
How is it any different from Safari in that regard?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jchap Avatar
12 months ago
I've been trying out Kagi, which has been a pretty capable search engine.

As for Orion, though, if it's based off Webkit, what are the convincing differences that make it a better alternative to Safari? Can it really support Chrome and Firefox extensions, if it's a Webkit-based browser?

Someone above posted that Safari is tied to macOS releases whereas Orion might not be, which could be a plus... but again, we are talking about Webkit here, so whatever benefits and detriments the Webkit engine features, wouldn't those be carried over into Orion?

When it comes to alternative browsers for macOS, I must admit that I've never really been captivated enough by any of them to move away from Safari. Safari works great when you're moving between Apple devices—I don't see that other browsers can offer quite as seamless of an experience.

Regardless, it will be interesting to check out the preferences and settings of Orion...
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fishrrman Avatar
12 months ago
Here's something that Orion can do that Safari can't:
Toggle javascript off/on with a simple keyboard command (accessible through the "developer" menu).
I set it up to use "command-J".

Reason why this is important:
Some websites are overly intrusive, by either:
- barrages of ads (popups, etc.)
- forcing you to provide an email address before they'll show you content
- demanding paid subscriptions
- other automated popups and garbage "coming at you".

... In many instances, you can substantially defeat such behavior by disabling javascript and reloading the page.

You may not see all (or any) embedded content (videos, audio, etc.),
BUT
You can then READ the articles without all this "interference".

Safari USED to have a "disable javascript" command in its developer menu, but Apple removed it. You now have to open settings, go to "security", and uncheck a checkbox. MUCH more difficult.

The developers of Orion saw the value of leaving it alone.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 Pre-Orders Expected to Begin This Week
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 Pre-Orders Expected to Begin This Week
3 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked
New Apple TV 4K, HomeView, and HomePod Mini: 16 Details Just Leaked
10 hours ago
New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027
New Entry-Level iPad Not Expected Until Early 2027
14 hours ago
Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited
Apple Plans Major iPhone Duo Retail Showcase, But Supply Will Be Limited
14 hours ago
Apple TV 4K Getting A19 Chip and a Potentially Easier-to-Find Siri Remote
Apple TV 4K Getting A19 Chip and a Potentially Easier-to-Find Siri Remote
15 hours ago
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Receive Up to $200 Price Cuts at Amazon
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Receive Up to $200 Price Cuts at Amazon
15 hours ago
Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors
Apple HomeView Smart Hub to Ship in Mid-November in Four Colors
15 hours ago
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30
New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini to Ship on October 30
15 hours ago
AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon
AirPods Max 2 Available for $429 in All Colors on Amazon
16 hours ago
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
Rumor: Apple to Announce New Partnership With ADT
1 day ago
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Buyer's Guide
2 days ago
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
Accessory Deals This Weekend: Save on TVs, Headphones, and Smart Home Gear
2 days ago
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
Apple's All-New Home Hub Will Be Revealed October 13: What to Expect
2 days ago
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
Apple Announcing HomePod Mini 2 Next Week With These New Features
2 days ago
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
A New Apple TV 4K is Finally Coming on Tuesday
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
Top Stories: Apple's 'Welcome Home' Launch on October 13 and More
2 days ago
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
Apple Stores Will Add Your Name to iPhone Duo's Startup Screen
2 days ago
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
SpaceX Inches Closer to Becoming a U.S. Carrier
2 days ago
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
Apple Potentially Behind 'HomeView' Trademark Filed Alongside 'homeOS' Last Year
2 days ago
Mark Your Calendar: Six Important Apple Dates Coming Up This Month
Mark Your Calendar: Six Important Apple Dates Coming Up This Month
2 days ago
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps
MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Apple Watch Series 12 and a Nylon Band From Southern Straps
3 days ago
First Apple TV 4K Now 'Vintage' Ahead of New Model Coming on Tuesday
First Apple TV 4K Now 'Vintage' Ahead of New Model Coming on Tuesday
3 days ago
The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming
The MacRumors Show: Apple's Smart Home Products Are Coming
3 days ago
Apple Shares Fall After News of iPhone 18 Pro Order Cuts
Apple Shares Fall After News of iPhone 18 Pro Order Cuts
3 days ago
Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories
Leak Details iPhone Features for Apple's LG Home Accessories
3 days ago
Prime Day Leftover Deals: AirPods Max 2 for $429, Mac Mini for $779.99, and More
Prime Day Leftover Deals: AirPods Max 2 for $429, Mac Mini for $779.99, and More
3 days ago
Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
3 days ago
Mac Shipments Fall, But Apple Still Gains Ground in Shrinking Market
Mac Shipments Fall, But Apple Still Gains Ground in Shrinking Market
3 days ago
Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 18 Pro Orders After Price Hike Dampens Demand
Apple Reportedly Cuts iPhone 18 Pro Orders After Price Hike Dampens Demand
3 days ago
Apple Signs Hiring and Licensing Deal With AI Podcast Startup Huxe
Apple Signs Hiring and Licensing Deal With AI Podcast Startup Huxe
3 days ago