Ladybird (web browser)
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 Ladybird, showing the main page of Wikipedia | |
| Original author(s) | Andreas Kling |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Ladybird Browser Initiative |
| Repository | github |
| Written in | C++, Swift |
| Engine | LibWeb |
| Operating system | Linux, macOS, and other Unix-like operating systems. |
| Available in | 1 languages |
List of languages English | |
| Type | Web browser |
| License | BSD 2-Clause License |
| Website | ladybird |
Ladybird is an open-source web browser developed by the Ladybird Browser Initiative, a nonprofit organization focused on development of the browser.[1][2] It is licensed under the BSD 2-Clause License.[3] An alpha release is planned in 2026,[4] beta release is expected in 2027 and a stable release for general public in 2028.[5] Originally a component of SerenityOS, it is now being developed as a standalone project.[6]
Features
[edit]Ladybird uses a new browser engine called LibWeb that is being created from scratch by the development team. Unlike SerenityOS, it will also use other open source libraries for development.[3] An ad blocking feature is planned.[7] Unlike most new web browsers, Ladybird does not rely on Chromium or Firefox and uses its own rendering engine and JavaScript engine.[8]
History
[edit]The project was initially developed by the SerenityOS community using its internal software libraries implementing specific features (with self-descriptive names prefixed with “Lib”, e.g. LibWeb, LibHTTP, LibJS, or LibWasm).
Ladybird was announced by Andreas Kling, the maintainer and founder of the SerenityOS project, in September 2022.[9]
On June 30, 2024, Kling announced that he would be stepping back from the main project to focus solely on building the Ladybird browser.[10][6] In July 2024 the Ladybird Browser Initiative announced that it was being funded by Chris Wanstrath, the co-founder of GitHub.[7] Ladybird began receiving sponsorships to fund its development including from large companies such as Shopify and Proton VPN.[8]
As of March 2025, it ranked fourth highest on the Web Platform Tests, a suite of tests used by browser developers, below Chrome, Safari and Firefox.[8] It also had the second most conformant JavaScript Engine after Firefox's SpiderMonkey.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ LadybirdBrowser/ladybird, Ladybird, 2024-08-07, archived from the original on 2024-08-06, retrieved 2024-08-07
- ^ Kling, Andreas. "Announcing the Ladybird Browser Initiative". ladybird.org. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ a b Anderson, Tim (2024-07-03). "Ladybird web browser now funded by GitHub co-founder, promises 'no code' from rivals". DEVCLASS. Archived from the original on 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ Kling, Andreas. "Ladybird FAQ's". ladybird.org. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ World Wide Web Consortium (2024-09-25). "🐞Ladybird: A new, independent browser engine — written from scratch". w3.org. Archived from the original on 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2024-11-03.
- ^ a b "Fork! Ladybird Browser And SerenityOS To Go Separate Ways". Hackaday. July 2, 2024.
- ^ a b Förster, Moritz (July 4, 2024). "Ladybird web browser takes off: One million US dollars from GitHub founder". Heise. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ a b c d Conway, Adam (12 March 2025). "4 reasons Ladybird is the most exciting new browser currently in development". XDA.
- ^ "Ladybird browser spreads its wings". LWN.net. Archived from the original on 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
- ^ Proven, Liam (17 October 2023). "Serenity OS turns five and emits first offspring, Ladybird". The Register. Retrieved 8 August 2024.