# Sidefari — Web Browser Companion

> Companion web browser for Safari, offering integrated browsing and privacy features. (iPhone/iPad app by Francisco Cantu.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidefari/id1046968235 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Francisco Cantu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1535386076)
- Category: Utilities, Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 146 App Store ratings · 82 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 26 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-11-20
- Data updated: 2026-08-08
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidefari/id1046968235/reviews.md

## What is Sidefari?

Sidefari is a simple web browser that is designed to act as a companion to Safari.

Sidefari uses a feature built into iOS called the Safari View Controller to display a "mini" version of Safari that shares many features of the full Safari app, like content blockers. How can this help you?

In iOS 10.2 and newer:
Sidefari features an extension called "Open Modally in Safari" that will enable you to bring a Safari-based window inside of other apps that enable ways to share website URLs. Why would you want to do this? Perhaps you prefer the convenience of having some Safari features inside the same app, or if you're conscious about your privacy perhaps you don't want to use the custom web browser many apps have.

In iOS 9:
When on an iPad, besides the "Open Modally in Safari" extension mentioned above, Sidefari shows as an extra Safari-based browser on the side of your screen when summoned to the side thanks to multi-tasking. Now you'll be able to have two websites simultaneously on the same screen.
** Please note that compatible iPads include the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, and iPad Pro, or greater.

Please refer to the "How to set up the extension" inside the app to learn more about how to enable Sidefari.

## Key features

- Safari View Controller integration
- Content blocker support
- Open Modally in Safari extension
- Side-by-side browsing on iPad
- Privacy-focused browsing

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Generous Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Giant Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gargantuan Tip | $9.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Sidefari?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🚀 Fast and direct app opening
- 👍 Useful for sharing between browsers
- 💡 Fills a gap for apps without SVC support
- 👍 Great for multitasking on iPad
- 👍 Works well with content blockers
- 👍 Companion to Safari, not a full browser
- 👍 Simple and clever utility
- 👍 Essential for iPad Pro users
- 👍 Well worth the price
- 👍 Makes split screen more useful
- 👍 Allows copy/paste between Safari pages
- 👍 Provides Keychain access
- 👍 Uses Safari View Controller
- 👍 Excellent addition to split screen

**Cons**

- 😞 Broken and doesn't work
- 😞 Unclear how to use
- 😞 Not very useful
- 😞 Very limited functions
- 😞 Causes phone reboots
- 😞 System crasher
- 😞 Makes Safari unstable
- 😞 Annoying close animation
- 😞 Keyboard-related flaw
- 😞 Single tab 'browser'
- 😞 Not a web browser
- 😞 Horrible companion
- 😞 Waste of money
- 😞 Doesn't open webpages
- 😞 Useless
- 😞 App works 'partly'
- 😞 Very limited potential
- 😞 Freezes and stops working

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Won't do anything for iPad Gen/Air
- Flat out broken
- Unable to use
- Won't Install on iPhone
- Causes phone to reboot
- Freezes and stops working
- Close animation is super annoying
- Keyboard input focus issues
- System crashes every time
- Makes Safari unstable

**Most requested features**

- iPhone X update
- Ability to have two Safari apps open simultaneously
- Improve keyboard input focus
- Add bookmarks or a Safari homescreen
- Send Safari page to Sidefari as well as the other way
- Dark mode option

## Recent user reviews (10 of 82)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sidefari/id1046968235/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Essential to have more control

*2026-06-17, version 1.3.4*

One of the first apps I install, lets you open any link in a miniature safari window without leaving the app you’re in. Very useful.

### 5/5 — Hekmat ballan

*2022-05-13, version 1.3.4*

Hi

### 1/5 — 0

*2022-03-31, version 1.3.4*

Hate it!

### 5/5 — Best Safari extension

*2022-02-27, version 1.3.4*

This exactly what I was looking for when my news apps don’t support sharing directly to Safari or other browsers. Excellent!

### 1/5 — it's flat out broken

*2020-08-14, version 1.3.3*

It won't doing anything I need to for IPad Gen/ air please

Chief-The Man's Man

### 5/5 — Best way to quickly open apps in Safari

*2020-07-23, version 1.3.3*

Easy, direct, fast

### 5/5 — Great addition to Safari!

*2020-07-04, version 1.3.0*

This comes in VERY handy when you need to copy and paste info from one browser to another...or to have two browsers open at the same time. I highly recommend it.👍🏻

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2020-05-28, version 1.2.1*

Awesome in app safari

### 1/5 — What a scam

*2020-05-08, version 1.2.1*

Do not get this app

### 1/5 — Crap

*2020-04-25, version 1.2.1*

Garbage app, there is no way to have 2 windows open at the same time on it , tried for a full hour to get it to work, it doesn’t, why even make an app like this if it doesn’t even work the way you claim

## Frequently asked questions about Sidefari

### What does Sidefari do?

Sidefari is a web browser designed to work alongside Safari. It utilizes the Safari View Controller to present a "mini" Safari experience within other apps, offering features like content blockers and enhanced privacy.

### What are the key features of Sidefari?

Key features include integration with the Safari View Controller, support for content blockers, an "Open Modally in Safari" extension for in-app browsing, and the ability to display two websites side-by-side on compatible iPads.

### Is Sidefari free to use?

The app is free to download and use, but it offers in-app purchases. This means some advanced features or functionalities might require a purchase.

### What devices is Sidefari compatible with?

Sidefari is compatible with iOS 9 and newer. For the side-by-side browsing feature on iPads, specific models like iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, iPad Pro, or greater are required.

### How can I use Sidefari to browse websites within other apps?

You can use the "Open Modally in Safari" extension, available in iOS 10.2 and newer. This extension allows you to open a Safari-based window directly within apps that support sharing website URLs, providing a more integrated and private browsing experience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.3.4 — 2020-12-12

+ Updated for iOS 14

### 1.3.3 — 2020-07-22

+ Improved extension compatibility with some third-party apps like Flipboard

### 1.3.2 — 2020-07-19

+ Extension now properly picks up text URLs shared as long as they contain http or https
+ Improved error handling in extension

### 1.3.1 — 2020-07-06

1.3.0:
+ Dark mode support
+ Other minor improvements

1.3.1:
+ Minor adjustment

### 1.3.0 — 2020-06-27

+ Dark mode support
+ Other minor improvements

## More apps by Francisco Cantu

- [Pinstachio: Pinboard Bookmarks](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pinstachio-pinboard-bookmarks/id1535386074)
- [NFT Collection](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nft-collection/id1605708593)
- [Today Notes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/today-notes/id1620667186)
- [ScanSend: PDF Scanner OCR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scansend-pdf-scanner-ocr/id6479223906)
- [PDF Loupe - Private AI Reader](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-loupe-private-ai-reader/id6751791530)

All apps by Francisco Cantu: https://appshunter.io/developer/1535386076

## Related topics

[xreload for safari](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/xreload-for-safari) · [accelerate for safari](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/accelerate-for-safari)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-08.*