If you've been going around in circles for a while safari, Chrome, Edge, Brave or Vivaldi And if none of them quite convince you on your Mac, perhaps it's time to try something truly different. Orion, Kagi's browser, has entered the conversation as one of the most serious contenders to become the ideal browser for macOS.
After trying browsers like Arc, SigmaOS, Opera and companyMany users agree that Orion is one of the few browsers that combines speed, resource efficiency, extreme privacy, and a level of customization well above average. It's not perfect; there are still things to polish, but when you compare it to most Chromium-based options, or even Safari, it's hard not to see it as a serious contender for your dock.
What is Orion and why is it generating so much buzz?
Orion is a web browser developed by KagiThe same small company that created a private, paid, ad-free search engine. Their philosophy is very clear: no monetization of your data, no hidden telemetry, and a product funded directly by the users who rate it.
Unlike most browsers that dominate the market, Orion is not built on Chromium. It instead focuses on... WebKit, the same rendering engine used by SafariThis has several interesting consequences for Mac users: native system integration, highly optimized performance, lower battery consumption, and an experience that feels more like macOS than many competitors.
In a panorama where Chrome captures a large part of the market shareSafari reigns supreme on iOS and Firefox holds its own among privacy-conscious users; Orion arrives to try and break the virtual monopoly Google has built on desktop. It doesn't aim to be "just another Chrome with a new theme," but a genuine alternative that distances itself from both advertising and mass tracking.
Kagi itself has been trying to challenge Google in the search arena for years, and now it's doubling down by fully entering the browser market. With Orion 1.0 is now available For macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, the project is leaving beta with the intention of staying.
WebKit Engine: Speed, integration, and lower power consumption on Mac
Orion's key technical element is its use of WebKit as a rendering engine, the same one Apple uses in Safari. Thanks to this, the browser benefits from optimizations specifically for Apple systems, something that is noticeable in everyday use when you compare it to Chromium-based browsers.
In practical terms, this means that Orion can be faster and lighter than many rivalsSome users have compared its installation to that of Edge, and have found that Orion occupies around 650 MB compared to the approximately 1,7 GB of the Microsoft browser, while consuming fewer resources in real use.
If you compare it head-to-head with Safari, things get more nuanced: Safari is still slightly faster On some pages, it's very fast and deeply integrated with macOS, but Orion compensates by offering more features and customization flexibility that Safari simply doesn't have. For many, that small sacrifice in pure speed is worth it for what's gained in other areas.
Another area where WebKit is noticeable is in the battery consumptionAs with Safari, Orion typically uses less energy than browsers based on engines like Chromium or Gecko (Firefox), which is especially important if you use a MacBook. For those who work long hours away from a power outlet, this detail makes all the difference compared to options like Brave or Chrome.
Furthermore, the fact that it is based on WebKit contributes to the diversity of web engines in an ecosystem dominated by Chromium. This is not only healthy in terms of competition, but it also reduces dependence on a single technology controlled by a giant like Google.
Extreme privacy: zero telemetry and absolute user control
Orion's main argument is its bet on a uncompromising privacyWhile many browsers claim to protect your data but still collect telemetry or send usage statistics, Orion is committed to not recording any type of background activity or diagnostic data.
This fits perfectly with Kagi's philosophy, whose search engine also It is financed by subscription rather than by advertising.The goal is for you to know at all times what your browser is doing, without hidden processes that send information to external servers or commercial profiles that could end up in the hands of third parties.
On the desktop, Orion incorporates a highly visible button from which you can activate or deactivate various levels of protectionContent blocking, tracker filtering, blocking of external web sources, cookie control, and even the option to disable JavaScript for those who want a virtually impenetrable mode.
This approach is somewhat reminiscent of what Brave does, but Orion differs in several key ways: It does not make background connections when starting upIt promises not to contact any external service without your direct action and bases its sustainability on user payments, avoiding models based on tokens, advertising or ad-related reward programs.
Compared to Safari, many users appreciate that Orion has the most readily available privacy toolswithout having to search through menus or settings panels. Furthermore, Safari still makes certain automatic connections at startup and doesn't offer such a clear interface for tightening or loosening site protections.
Extension support: Safari, Chrome, and Firefox all in one place
One of the most surprising aspects of Orion is its compatibility with extensions from different ecosystemsThe browser allows the installation of Safari, Chrome, and Firefox add-ons, making it one of the few browsers capable of bringing all those worlds together under one roof.
On macOS, the installation is quite simple: you can go directly to the official extension galleries Open Chrome or Firefox and add your favorites. Common extensions like Bitwarden, Instapaper, ClearURLs, or even uBlock Origin work without major issues, with the recommendation to disable Orion's built-in content blocker if you choose an external blocker of this type.
It's also possible to add extensions designed to improve the reading experience or content management, such as RSS subscription buttons or productivity tools. However, some users have pointed out that certain specific extensions (for example, Mastodon Share or Decentraleyes) don't quite get along with Orion, probably because of the still somewhat experimental state of the extension system.
In the iOS version, extension support is more limited, both due to system restrictions and ongoing development. Even so, the browser already includes ad blockers integrated into the engine itselfThis reduces the need to install too many add-ons on your iPhone or iPad.
An interesting detail in macOS is the presence of Overflow MenuA button that groups the extensions you use least, similar to what Firefox or Chrome offer. This way you can keep your toolbar clean, but still have your usual tools just a click away.
Special features: Focus Mode, Link Preview, and separate profiles
Beyond extensions, Orion integrates a series of its own functions designed for improve concentration and productivityOne of the most striking is Focus Mode, which removes almost the entire browser interface and turns the site you are viewing into something very similar to a standalone app, without distractions or superfluous elements.
Another particularly useful feature is Link PreviewThis feature lets you preview the content of a link received via email, in a note, or in another application, without having to open it in a new tab. It's ideal for quickly checking information without cluttering your browser with tabs that you then have to close.
Orion also stands out for its management of completely separate profilesYou can create one profile for work, another for personal use, and another for testing, each with its own cookies, history, extensions, and settings. This way, you keep your digital life compartmentalized, without unintentionally mixing accounts or sessions.
These isolation features are especially useful for those who work with multiple identities, developers, testers, or users who want to have clean environments for different tasks. Compared to Chrome or Edge, the separation feels clearer and less intrusive.
The browser also offers interesting tools like low power mode To further reduce resource usage, a focus mode for reading, vertical tab bars, compatibility mode for problematic pages, text editing directly on the page, quick opening of archived versions in the Internet Archive, and layout and responsive design utilities geared towards more advanced users.
Interface, daily use and comparison with other browsers
Orion's interface takes a very clear reference point from Safari on macOSThe overall layout of tabs, address bar, and menus is familiar to any Apple user, making the switch much easier: there's no need to relearn how to use the browser from scratch.
In their day-to-day experiences, many users report that Orion performs adequately without major shortcomings On both macOS and iOS: general browsing, social media, video streaming, web productivity… everything runs smoothly. Updates gradually refine the details, and although it continues to evolve, it doesn't feel like "green" or unfinished software.
That doesn't mean it's without its drawbacks. There are specific cases where the WebKit engine or the content blocker itself can generate strange behavior in some placesFor example, some users have experienced very slow loading times on services like WhatsApp Web, or pages that break if the tracker blocking is too aggressive, forcing them to fiddle with the protection button to get everything working.
Compared to Brave, many users prefer Orion for three very clear reasons: WebKit consumes less batteryThe browser promises not to connect to anything upon startup and its business model is entirely focused on direct user payment, without experimenting with advertising or reward systems.
Compared to Firefox, some remain loyal to Mozilla's browser because of its maturity and compatibility, but see in Orion a a very worthwhile alternative to consider in Mac laptops This is due to its combination of autonomy, performance, and extreme focus on privacy. In fact, more than one person admits to keeping Orion installed "on watch" because the pace of improvement is constant.
Native features on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS
Orion presents itself as a native app for macOSwith deep integration into the Apple ecosystem. Its specific features include a built-in ad blocker, native vertical tabs, a reading list, iCloud syncing, and secure password management using Apple Keychain.
Syncing via iCloud allows Keep bookmarks, tabs, reading list, and passwords seamlessly integrated across your Apple devices, without relying on your own browser accounts or parallel systems. If you're already used to using Keychain and Apple's infrastructure, the transition is quite natural.
Orion also offers tab groupsThis is very useful if you tend to have many windows open for different projects or work contexts. You can separate, for example, one group for research, another for leisure, and another for administrative tasks, and move between them all without losing control.
During the migration process from Safari, the browser allows a full data importincluding stored passwords. This greatly reduces the usual friction of "migrating your digital life" from one browser to another, one of the biggest barriers to change.
On iOS and iPadOS, Orion arrives as application with built-in ad blockerIt can even block ads on YouTube, supports Picture-in-Picture, provides access to the Keychain for passwords, and can be set as the system's default browser, adapting to workflows for Use your iPad as an external display.
Business model: free, ad-free, and with an Orion Plus option
Another key difference compared to other browsers is the transparent business model from Orion. The browser is free to download and use, and you also get benefits right from the start. 200 complimentary searches on Kagi, their premium search engine, without needing to create an account.
To sustain the project in the long term without resorting to advertising or data exploitation, Kagi offers several forms of support: tips within the appmonthly or annual subscription (with prices around $5 and $50 respectively) and a one-time lifetime payment in the area of ​​$150.
Those who choose to contribute have access to Orion Plus, a mode that unlocks additional features such as floating windows that stay on top of other applications, more customization options (for example, custom icons) and early access to new tools that are not available in the free plan.
This payment structure reinforces the idea that the browser is It is financed exclusively through the support of its users.without selling advertising space or anonymized data for third-party analytics. It's an unusual approach in the industry, but consistent with the promise of zero telemetry.
Kagi insists that maintaining maximum privacy and completely forgoing advertising comes at a cost, and that The user must bear that cost. who values ​​that proposal. Otherwise, they argue, it's only a matter of time before any browser ends up giving in to the pressures of the advertising model.
Availability, development status and future of Orion
Currently, Orion 1.0 is available for macOS, iOS, and iPadOSYou can download the desktop version directly from its official website and the mobile apps from the App Store. On these platforms, the browser has already left beta and is considered a stable version, although it is constantly evolving.
The company has confirmed that It works on versions for Linux and Windows.The Linux version is already in the alpha testing phase, while the Windows version is under active development. No firm release dates have been set, but the goal is to expand the browser's reach beyond the Apple ecosystem.
For now, there is no concrete news about a Android versionThis means that, for the time being, Android mobile users will have to wait for the company to assess whether or not it is worthwhile to bring Orion to that platform, something that would involve dealing with an environment heavily dominated by Chrome and its derivative browsers.
Behind Orion there is a very small teamKagi has about six people working on the project, and the first two years of development were almost entirely single-handedly handled by a single developer. After about six years of work in total, Orion 1.0 represents the culmination of a long roadmap, but the plan is to continue adding features and improving the documentation over the next few years.
Regarding artificial intelligence, Kagi's stance is cautious: AI is not integrated into the browser coreUnlike other projects that have embraced it aggressively, they do plan to include AI-related tools later on, but always as separate and optional services, so that the user decides whether or not to connect them.
For those looking for a browser on Mac that combines Native performance, true privacy, extension support from all major ecosystems, and an ad-free business modelOrion has earned a very interesting niche on its own merits: it doesn't aim to be perfect, but it is honest, lightweight and user-focused, and that already puts it in a privileged position compared to the giants of the sector.