Dwg: Article written and Venn diagram created.

2026-02-02T22:57:55Z

Article written and Venn diagram created.

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== Firefox vs. Internet Explorer ==
Firefox and Internet Explorer (IE) are two web browsers that played pivotal roles in the history of the internet. Internet Explorer was created by Microsoft in 1995 and became the dominant browser, reaching a peak usage share of 95% by 2003.<ref name="ref1" /> Firefox, developed by the Mozilla community, was first released in 2004 as an open-source alternative.<ref name="ref2" /> The browsers differed significantly in their development philosophy, technical foundations, and approach to security and standards, which ultimately led to different long-term outcomes. Microsoft officially retired Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022, while Firefox continues to be actively developed.<ref name="ref3" />

=== Comparison Table ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Category !! Firefox !! Internet Explorer
|-
| '''Developer''' || Mozilla Foundation || Microsoft
|-
| '''License''' || Open-source<ref name="opensource">[https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/legal/terms/mozilla/](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/legal/terms/mozilla/)</ref> || Proprietary<ref name="proprietary">[https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/internet-explorer/end-of-life](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/legal/internet-explorer/end-of-life)</ref>
|-
| '''Layout Engine''' || Gecko<ref name="ref4" /><ref name="ref5" /> || Trident<ref name="ref5" />
|-
| '''Platform Availability''' || Windows, macOS, Linux || Primarily Windows; past versions for Mac and UNIX were discontinued
|-
| '''Customization''' || Extensive via themes and extensions (add-ons) || Limited, primarily through ActiveX controls
|-
| '''Web Standards''' || Generally high compliance || Historically poor compliance, often requiring web developers to add workarounds
|-
| '''Security''' || Generally considered more secure, with features like a pop-up blocker and no support for ActiveX. || Plagued by numerous security vulnerabilities over its lifespan.<ref name="ref1" />
|-
| '''Development Status''' || Active || Discontinued (Replaced by Microsoft Edge)<ref name="ref1" /><ref name="ref3" />
|}

[[File:Venn_diagram_Differences_between_Firefox_versus_Internet_Explorer_comparison.png|thumb|center|800px|alt=Venn diagram for Differences between Firefox and Internet Explorer|Venn diagram comparing Differences between Firefox and Internet Explorer]]

=== Technical and philosophical differences ===
A core distinction between the two browsers was their underlying software license and development model. Firefox is free and open-source software, developed by a community of programmers and owned by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation. In contrast, Internet Explorer was proprietary software developed and controlled exclusively by Microsoft. This difference was reflected in their layout engines; Firefox uses the open-source Gecko engine, while IE used the proprietary Trident engine.<ref name="ref5" />

Firefox was designed to be cross-platform from its early days, with consistent support for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Internet Explorer, while having early versions for Mac and UNIX, was primarily a Windows-only browser, and support for other platforms was eventually dropped.

=== Features and security ===
Firefox gained popularity for its focus on security, speed, and customization. It offered features like tabbed browsing and a pop-up blocker from its early versions. Its robust ecosystem of add-ons and extensions allowed users to modify the browser's appearance and functionality extensively. A significant security difference was Firefox's lack of support for ActiveX, a technology used by IE that allowed websites to run programs on the user's computer, but which also created a major vector for malware.

Internet Explorer was frequently criticized for its numerous security vulnerabilities and its slow response to fixing them.<ref name="ref1" /> Its poor adherence to web standards often forced web developers to write code specifically for IE, hindering the adoption of open, interoperable web technologies. While later versions of Internet Explorer made improvements in standards compliance, the browser's reputation was already damaged.

=== Discontinuation of Internet Explorer ===
After years of declining market share to competitors like Firefox and later Google Chrome, Microsoft began to phase out Internet Explorer.<ref name="ref1" /> In 2015, Microsoft Edge was introduced as its successor.<ref name="ref1" /> Support for Internet Explorer 11, the final version, officially ended on June 15, 2022.<ref name="ref1" /><ref name="ref3" /> Microsoft Edge includes an "IE mode" to provide backward compatibility for legacy websites that still require Internet Explorer's Trident engine.

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="opensource">Mozilla, "Mozilla Foundation and Subsidiaries: Terms of Service," accessed January 28, 2026.</ref>
<ref name="proprietary">Microsoft, "Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ," accessed January 28, 2026.</ref>
</references>

[[Category:Comparisons]]

Differences between Firefox and Internet Explorer - Revision history

Dwg: Article written and Venn diagram created.