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Mozilla Firefox vs Ory Kratos

Mozilla Firefox logo

Mozilla Firefox

Technology

Fast, private & safe web browser

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ory Kratos logo

Ory Kratos

Cybersecurity

Headless identity and user management API

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Mozilla Firefox no longer supported on Windows 8.1 and earlier versions (users must use Firefox ESR); Ory Kratos headless means you build every screen, which is significant work compared with a hosted login page
  • They diverge on capability: Mozilla Firefox covers Enhanced tracking protection, Ory Kratos covers Headless API.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mozilla Firefox and Ory Kratos actually diverge.

Attributes where Mozilla Firefox and Ory Kratos differ
AttributeMozilla FirefoxOry Kratos
Pricing modelUnknownOpen-source self-hosted, with a paid managed network
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted
CategoryTechnologyCybersecurity
Founded2004Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Mozilla Firefox

  • Enhanced tracking protection
  • Private browsing
  • Customizable interface
  • Add-ons support
  • Cross-device sync
  • Built-in screenshot tool
  • Reader mode
  • Picture-in-picture

Only in Ory Kratos

  • Headless API
  • Self-service flows
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Pluggable identity schemas

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Mozilla Firefox

  • Open-source web browser with privacy-focused designnot Ory Kratos
  • Automatic tracking protection and ad blocking (2000+ data trackers blocked by default)not Ory Kratos
  • Private browsing mode for anonymous web sessionsnot Ory Kratos
  • Built-in password managernot Ory Kratos
  • Multi-platform synchronisation across devicesnot Ory Kratos
  • Developer tools and debugging capabilities for web developmentnot Ory Kratos

Ory Kratos

  • Products needing complete control over the look and flow of authenticationnot Mozilla Firefox
  • Applications that must not hand user identity data to a third partynot Mozilla Firefox
  • Teams building identity as infrastructure across several servicesnot Mozilla Firefox

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Mozilla Firefox

  • No longer supported on Windows 8.1 and earlier versions (users must use Firefox ESR)
  • No longer supported on macOS 10.14 and earlier versions (users must use Firefox ESR)

Ory Kratos

  • Headless means you build every screen, which is significant work compared with a hosted login page
  • More moving parts than a monolithic IAM: Kratos handles identity, and OAuth2 needs Ory Hydra alongside
  • Documentation assumes real familiarity with identity concepts and is not a gentle introduction
  • Self-hosting identity carries the security and availability burden that hosted providers absorb

Pricing, plan by plan

Mozilla Firefox

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Mozilla Firefox review.

Ory Kratos

Free
  • Self-hostedFree
    • Full identity server
    • All flows
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose Mozilla Firefox if

  • You need enhanced tracking protection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want private browsing.
Mozilla Firefox review

Choose Ory Kratos if

  • You need headless api.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want self-service flows.
Ory Kratos review

Questions people ask

Is Mozilla Firefox or Ory Kratos better?
Neither clearly leads. Mozilla Firefox starts at Free and Ory Kratos at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Mozilla Firefox or Ory Kratos?
Mozilla Firefox starts at Free and Ory Kratos at Free.
Does Mozilla Firefox or Ory Kratos run on more platforms?
Mozilla Firefox runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Ory Kratos runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use Mozilla Firefox for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Mozilla Firefox best used for?
Mozilla Firefox is most often used for open-source web browser with privacy-focused design, automatic tracking protection and ad blocking (2000+ data trackers blocked by default), private browsing mode for anonymous web sessions, built-in password manager. Of those, open-source web browser with privacy-focused design and automatic tracking protection and ad blocking (2000+ data trackers blocked by default) are not what Ory Kratos is typically brought in for.
What can Mozilla Firefox do that Ory Kratos cannot?
Mozilla Firefox covers Enhanced tracking protection, Private browsing, Customizable interface, Add-ons support. Ory Kratos covers Headless API, Self-service flows, Multi-factor authentication, Pluggable identity schemas.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Mozilla Firefox: How much does Firefox cost?

Firefox is free to download and use. No pricing tiers, subscriptions, or payment plans are offered for the standard browser.

Source
Ory Kratos: Is Ory Kratos free?

Yes, open source and free to self-host. Ory Network is a paid managed service.

Ory Kratos: What does headless mean here?

Kratos provides identity flows as APIs and no user interface. You build the login, registration and recovery screens yourself.

Ory Kratos: Does Kratos do OAuth2?

No. Kratos handles user identity; OAuth2 and OpenID Connect provider functionality is Ory Hydra, a separate component.

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