- Mullvad Browser Alpha has transitioned to the Firefox Rapid channel
- The switch provides faster access to functions.
- Alpha version now available on Linux ARM devices
Early Mullvad Browser testers will now receive updates every four weeks as the latest alpha version of the interface has moved to the Firefox Rapid Release channel.
This move offers a double benefit: it gives testers faster access to new features while also allowing Mullvad developers to smooth out the release schedule.
As its third anniversary approaches, Featuring one of the best VPNs on the market, Mullvad Browser is now also available on ARM devices running Linux, further increasing its availability to users.
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A more balanced approach
Launched in April 2023, Mullvad Browser is an alternative private browser developed in collaboration with the Tor Project team, offering the privacy and security of the Tor interface combined with all the benefits of a Mullvad VPN.
Its features include anti-fingerprint protection, default blocking of trackers during private browsing, and no telemetry for maximum privacy.
It is a fork of Firefox, which means that Mullvad developers must constantly update the browser to include the latest security patches and features provided by Mozilla.
Until now, the browser has followed a long, slow update cycle known as ESR (Extended Support Release), which involves releasing major updates about once a year.
Starting with alpha version 16.0a1, Mullvad Browser Alpha is based on the Firefox Rapid Release channel instead of the Extended Support Release (ESR). The alpha version is now available on Linux ARM. Read more here: https://t.co/ngaSJScRIeMarch 26, 2026
With the latest alpha version shifting to Firefox’s faster development cycle, Firefox code updates will be pushed to the Mullvad alpha team every four weeks.
The result? Mullvad developers will be able to update their own code faster, spreading work consistently throughout the year rather than having to deal with a huge, stressful workload concentrated in a single major annual update.
Great for testers
The alpha cycle is the first of two interconnected cycles (alpha and beta) in which the Mullvad browser constantly participates. Only once the beta version’s bugs have been fixed will the code be considered ready to move to the final stable phase.
The change is particularly welcomed by alpha testers (those who evaluate browser development in its early stages, identifying bugs and suggesting improvements to optimize the end-user experience), allowing them to test updates approximately once a month.
However, these testers also face increased risks and the possibility of errors, glitches, and a potentially lower level of privacy and security, as not all bugs have been fixed yet. However, new features are often aimed at increasing security, so this does not necessarily mean that the system will be “less secure” overall.
However, the change could prove to be a mixed blessing. Previously, the slower release cycle meant that the same version could be used for months, allowing for more gradual analysis and more time to examine versions between updates.
Now, however, there may be a risk that new versions will be released before all existing bugs have been fixed. Mullvad In fact, he noted that a faster cadence means more than four weeks can pass between scheduled releases to deploy fixes.
In the meantime, the stable channel, the definitive and most secure version recommended to a broader user base, will continue to be based on Firefox ESR.
This means users will wait longer for new features, but they will get maximum stability and fully audited security – a wait worth it for a long-lasting, secure digital life.
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