Have you tried using Firefox when searching for information, current events, web pages, or educational resources online?
Firefox used to be one of the most popular web browsers before Google Chrome aced the market.
From 2009 to 2010, Firefox held a significant market share.
During this time, it was the second leading web browser worldwide, next to Internet Explorer.
However, the introduction of Google Chrome led an intense competition with Firefox.
In the last two months of 2011, Chrome started to surpass Firefox in terms of market share.
Key Statistics
- Firefox ranks fourth in the global browsing market, next to Chrome, Safari, and Edge.
- Firefox has a 2.76% market share in the global browser market.
- Firefox 1.0 was released in 2004, and in less than a year, it was downloaded over 100 million times.
- There were approximately 362 million Firefox users worldwide.
- In 2017, the United States had the highest number of Firefox active users each month. It had more than 38 million monthly active users.
- In April 2023, Firefox was the fourth leading browser in the mobile browser market worldwide, accounting for a 0.52% market share.
Firefox is a free and open-source web browser for operating systems and mobile platforms, including macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Many internet users prefer this web browser because of its privacy, security features, and customizable and user-friendly interface.
In April 2023, Firefox ranks fourth in the global browsing market, next to Chrome, Safari, and Edge.
It had a market share of 2.76% in the browser market worldwide, down from a 3.41% market share the prior year.
Firefox Usage
The majority of Firefox usage was from desktop devices.
It acquired a market share of 5.59% in the desktop browser market worldwide, while its market share in the United States reached 4.95%
According to some forecasts, Firefox may rise again because it made some privacy features updates like password protection, tracker blocking, and security alerts.
Let’s take a look at Firefox browser market share worldwide from April 2022 to April 2023:
- The market share of Firefox in the browser market worldwide reached 3.41% in April 2022
- The market share of Firefox in the browser market worldwide reached 3.26% in June 2022
- The market share of Firefox in the browser market worldwide reached 3.16% in August 2022
- The market share of Firefox in the browser market worldwide reached 3.07% in October 2022
- The market share of Firefox in the browser market worldwide reached 3.01% in December 2022
- The market share of Firefox in the browser market worldwide reached 2.93% in February 2023
- The market share of Firefox in the browser market worldwide reached 2.76% in April 2023
Brief History of Firefox
The story of Firefox started when a browser suite was developed by Netscape Communications Corporation in 1998.
The company decided to release the browser suite source code to utilize the power of programmers in creating innovative browsers.
People joined the open community, added new features, and expanded the project’s mission.
After a few years, they released Mozilla 1.0.
More on Firefox History
This version was released to the public in 2002 but did not gain enough popularity.
In the same year, the Mozilla community members released Phoenix, which was named Firefox later on.
Their main goal is to provide a better browsing experience to many people.
After a year, they created the Mozilla Foundation to manage the project’s daily operation and promote openness on the internet.
They released software like Thunderbird and Firefox and expanded to new areas.
Firefox 1.0
In 2004, Firefox 1.0 was released. Many people downloaded and used it.
In less than a year, it recorded over 100 million downloads. It brought innovation and competition to the browser market.
In 2013, Mozilla launched Firefox OS for smartphones.
They aim to provide choices to users. The Mozilla community also celebrated its 15th anniversary that same year.
They showed success in creating great software and collaborating on open-source projects.
The Mozilla project influenced other organizations to be collaborative, open, and transparent in various areas.
How Many People Are Using Firefox?
As of 2021, there are approximately 362 million Firefox users worldwide.
According to reports, before it reached that amount of users, it recorded a loss of 56 million users in 2021 from 254 million in 2019.
One of the reasons is pre-downloaded Apple Safari and Google Chrome on smartphones.
People switched to these browsers and used the most accessible ones on their devices.
Firefox Monthly Active Users by Country
What country has the most Firefox users each month? It is none other than the United States.
In 2017, the US had the highest number of Firefox active users each month. It had 38.2 million monthly active users.
Here are some of the countries with the most Firefox active users each month in 2017:
- The US had 38.2 million monthly active users in 2017
- Germany had 26.5 million monthly active users in 2017
- India had 15.7 million monthly active users in 2017
- France had 13.6 million monthly active users in 2017
- China had 10.9 million monthly active users in 2017
Firefox as the Fourth Leading Browser in the Desktop Browser Market
Firefox’s market share in the desktop browser market hit 5.59%, down from 7.87% the previous year.
Although it experienced a downward trend, it remains as the fourth leading browser in the desktop browser market worldwide.
Below are the five leading browsers in the desktop browser market worldwide in April 2023:
- Chrome generated a 66.22% market share in the desktop browser market worldwide
- Safari generated an 11.89% market share in the desktop browser market worldwide
- Edge generated a 10.95% market share in the desktop browser market worldwide
- Firefox generated a 5.59% market share in the desktop browser market worldwide
- Opera generated a 3.12% market share in the desktop browser market worldwide
Since mobile devices are convenient to use, some people use Firefox to search on the internet.
However, many mobile phones today have pre-downloaded browsers that lead people to use the available browsers.
In April 2023, Firefox ranks fourth in the mobile browser market worldwide, accounting for a 0.52% market share.
It was next to Chrome, Safari, and Samsung Internet.
Conclusion
Firefox gained significant popularity when Firefox 1.0 was released. It offered a customizable interface and security features that appealed to many users.
By 2009, it reached its peak in terms of market share.
Since then, its market share decreased as other browsers, like Google Chrome, gained popularity.
However, Firefox remains to be a respected browser known for its commitment to open-source principles and privacy features.
This is why it is still one of the most popular browsers in the market.
That’s all about the Firefox market share in 2023.
Sources
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Written by Jason Wise
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