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Will Orion browser stay beta forever?
- Thread starter AlixSPQR
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Although the old download page (https://kagi.com/orion/#download_sec) just redirects to the new one with the small installer, the permanent links to the latest full dmg still work:
Orion for macOS
Tahoe
https://cdn.kagi.com/downloads/26_0/Orion.dmg
Sequoia
https://cdn.kagi.com/downloads/15_0/Orion.dmg
Sonoma
https://cdn.kagi.com/downloads/14_0/Orion.dmg
Ventura
https://cdn.kagi.com/downloads/13_0/Orion.dmg
Monterey
https://cdn.kagi.com/downloads/12_0/Orion.dmg
I didn't jump onto the Orion train until 1.0, and like what I've seen thus far.
On desktop, it's not to the point where it would dislodge my current finely-honed Firefox setup, but on iOS, I like it enough to try making it my default…which was iCab, the one browser that has come closest to replicating the desktop experience on mobile I've come across, is still being actively developed, or hasn't been sold to a different developer and ruined. Very flexible, and offers a lot of utilities that make managing much easier. I've had multiple interactions with the developer, and he's been responsive. But, I've been hesitant to update to the newer rewritten version, given all the poor reviews it has received, and stuck with the older version.
I'm firmly in the camp that likes customization, or at least to a much higher degree than most stock browsers like Safari offer, so it has never been my go to.
Like Mozilla (though now to a lesser degree), I also like what Kagi's goals are for the project, and what they're trying to achieve.
But the reality is that building a browser is hard work, for little reward, and a limited audience. Most users are happy with stock browsers and live in a sort of ignorant bliss with whatever default their OS or platform offers.
That also makes browsers difficult business cases. Without the support of a large megacorp to fund development, or being a labor-of-love indie project, which comes with its own downsides, it is very difficult to maintain the commitment required. And desipte common misconception, building a good browser is more than simply putting some sort of skin on a rendering engine, and shipping it. It's obvious when developers use that approach, and why most alternative browsers aren't worthwhile.
I don't see Orion that way. And the Kagi people aren't playing stupid games like the people behind Arc tried, by requiring signup to simply use the darned thing, even after it exited beta. Sorry, to me that implies ulterior motives, despite their promises, and not going to play.
In its current state, Orion isn't perfect, and has a long way to go. But it is promising, and with the limited number of good options on iOS, still something worth trying.
On desktop, it's not to the point where it would dislodge my current finely-honed Firefox setup, but on iOS, I like it enough to try making it my default…which was iCab, the one browser that has come closest to replicating the desktop experience on mobile I've come across, is still being actively developed, or hasn't been sold to a different developer and ruined. Very flexible, and offers a lot of utilities that make managing much easier. I've had multiple interactions with the developer, and he's been responsive. But, I've been hesitant to update to the newer rewritten version, given all the poor reviews it has received, and stuck with the older version.
I'm firmly in the camp that likes customization, or at least to a much higher degree than most stock browsers like Safari offer, so it has never been my go to.
Like Mozilla (though now to a lesser degree), I also like what Kagi's goals are for the project, and what they're trying to achieve.
But the reality is that building a browser is hard work, for little reward, and a limited audience. Most users are happy with stock browsers and live in a sort of ignorant bliss with whatever default their OS or platform offers.
That also makes browsers difficult business cases. Without the support of a large megacorp to fund development, or being a labor-of-love indie project, which comes with its own downsides, it is very difficult to maintain the commitment required. And desipte common misconception, building a good browser is more than simply putting some sort of skin on a rendering engine, and shipping it. It's obvious when developers use that approach, and why most alternative browsers aren't worthwhile.
I don't see Orion that way. And the Kagi people aren't playing stupid games like the people behind Arc tried, by requiring signup to simply use the darned thing, even after it exited beta. Sorry, to me that implies ulterior motives, despite their promises, and not going to play.
In its current state, Orion isn't perfect, and has a long way to go. But it is promising, and with the limited number of good options on iOS, still something worth trying.
Thanks!
I downloaded from this site:
Orion Browser by Kagi
Orion — a web browser designed from the ground-up. Native WebKit speed, full extension compatibility, and absolute privacy is finally together in one browser that respects you.
orionbrowser.com
That one shows up first after a Google search.
That is the new official website, but it’s under construction and now only offers this link https://orionbrowser.com/download/installer that downloads https://cdn.kagi.com/downloads/OrionInstaller.dmg (2.2MB)
I've not bothered with Orion for quite a while. Fancied the project, and went to their Discord server too. It's not going to succeed in today's browser market.
I mean, it could succeed if it had some monetary oomph behind it and a good team that sat down together in a building together and worked tirelessly (not that they aren't working tirelessly) on Orion. Just seems that it's better to focus on Kagi and what it can do and offer people. Another browser? Look at past projects like Camino, Shiira, Sleipnir..
I mean, it could succeed if it had some monetary oomph behind it and a good team that sat down together in a building together and worked tirelessly (not that they aren't working tirelessly) on Orion. Just seems that it's better to focus on Kagi and what it can do and offer people. Another browser? Look at past projects like Camino, Shiira, Sleipnir..
They made their own browser as they want people to have better experience on Kagi search. Other search engines like Duckduckgo have their own browsers too. This can bring more market share I believe? (Especially when you can't make Apple add you as one of the options of search engines on Safari).
I used Orion as my main browser for about 6 months on Monterey, as Apple was not updating Safari. The transition from Safari to Orion is very simple and all my QuickActions worked with little modifications. From this perspective, I think Orion is a good alternative to Safari. But the developers and many users seem preoccupied with favicons, tabs colors and other trivial issues, while ignoring security and privacy bugs.
Tried now, gave up after 3-4 minutes because the Bitwarden extension still doesn't work properly.
What version have you installed? You can install the Chrome, Firefox and Safari versions.
The second one in the image was loaded by manually selecting /Applications/Bitwarden.app/Contents/PlugIns/safari.appex (Install from Disk in the Extensions manager)
The Firefox one seems to be the most updated.
Bitwarden for Safari https://itunes.apple.com/app/bitwarden/id1352778147
Bitwarden for Chrome https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/bitwarden-password-manage/nngceckbapebfimnlniiiahkandclblb
Bitwarden for Firefox https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/bitwarden-password-manager/