Firefox 156 is trickling out to users as Mozilla and MZLA continue their new fortnightly release cycle. The release notes mention two new features: a Mac option in Settings to launch the app automatically at login, and Wikipedia suggestions in French, German and Italian. Those suggestions may appear alongside ads from Mozilla partners, which can be turned off in Firefox Suggest settings.
Thunderbird 156 brings what the evidence describes as slightly more useful but still small changes. It offers more troubleshooting information for OpenPGP problems, more OAuth authorisation options for POP3 and IMAP accounts, and additional enterprise policies for controlling filters and user customisations.
Users who want to leave the rapid-upgrade cycle have several options. Mozilla's own Firefox ESR and Thunderbird ESR versions receive only security fixes, with full new versions arriving annually. Both are currently on version 153, which appeared in late July.
Among Thunderbird forks, Betterbird is the main alternative. Its current version is based on Thunderbird ESR 153, with Windows, Linux and Mac versions, including a portable Windows edition that runs from a USB drive without installation or administrator rights.
Firefox-based browsers are more numerous. Waterfox, now at version 6.7 and based on Firefox 153 ESR, offers no AI, a built-in ad-blocker and tree-style tabs on a slower release schedule. LibreWolf is a privacy-centric build with less telemetry that keeps pace with Mozilla's faster cadence. Floorp, at version 12.17.2, incorporates changes from Firefox 155 and adds multiple sidebars and UI customisations. Zen Browser is more minimal and centres on tiling multiple web pages on screen at once.
The Mullvad browser, co-developed with the Tor Project, does not require a Mullvad VPN subscription, though the evidence notes controversy over a donation by co-founder Daniel Berntsson to a Swedish anti-immigration party. The Tor Browser is also available for those seeking greater anonymity. Other specialised forks include IceWeasel, GNU IceCat, FireDragon and the configuration set Betterfox, while Pale Moon forked from Firefox long before Firefox Quantum.