# Tabless — Intentional web browser

> Intentional search-based web browser that opens fresh each session. (iPhone/iPad app by Eric Bomgardner.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tabless/id1387383443 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Eric Bomgardner](https://appshunter.io/developer/1387383442)
- Category: Utilities
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.83/5 from 12 App Store ratings · 6 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 2 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2019-10-19
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tabless/id1387383443/reviews.md

## What is Tabless?

The intentional search-based web browser.

Focus on what you're looking for: 
- Tabless opens fresh each time you open it, so you aren't distracted by whatever you were searching for last.
- Tabless has built-in (optional, off by default) content blocking to keep browsing private and reduce intrusions.

## Key features

- Opens fresh each time
- Search-based browsing
- Optional content blocking
- Enhanced privacy
- Reduced distractions

## Recent user reviews (6 of 6)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tabless/id1387383443/reviews.md

### 5/5 — DuckDuckGo please

*2022-04-28*

Update: Dev’s feedback let me know I overlooked the control panel. Now It works great!

I like the concept but I won’t use Google products so would love for you to make DuckDuckGo an option. Thanks

**Developer response:** Hi fakesunshine — thanks for trying Tabless! Changing the search engine to DuckDuckGo is actually already supported; the setting is in Tabless’s section of the iOS settings app. Feel free to contact support@tabless.app if you aren’t able to find it.

### 5/5 — Neat idea!

*2022-01-23*

Tabs helped initially but now they seem to go out of control. Going Tabless is a nice reminder of focused, clean and high wellness browsing. I’m not sure if I’ll wean off my other browser, but let’s see. 

feature request: Back button please! I sometimes search on google, click a link and then go back to see a different result.

**Developer response:** Thanks for trying out Tabless and for providing your feedback!

That's a common use case for me, too -- I've trained myself to use the gesture of swiping in from the left edge of the screen to go back. There are definitely some cases where it doesn't work quite right or is less convenient than a button would be, though, so I've been playing around with adding some basic browser UI like a back button and a refresh button but unfortunately haven't yet found a design that maintains the minimal feeling of Tabless. I'll keep iterating on it!

### 5/5 — Love it

*2021-08-03*

Perfect, and love that it can be my default browser. The option to change the search engine - in the iOS settings, not the app - is a welcome one, especially considering that Google shows a cookie warning every single time. 

Thanks developer for this minimal open source browser!

### 4/5 — Neat

*2021-05-16*

Pretty sharp minimalist browser without distractions, although in my opinion could use a couple extra features, such as a back and forward button, and the ability for the app to save what was last opened when you minimize the app. I understand it refreshing everytime you close the app, but the refreshing when simply swapping to a different app and back can be time-consuming.

Other than that, great app!

**Developer response:** Thanks for trying out Tabless and for providing your feedback!

I've been playing around with adding some basic browser UI like a back button but unfortunately haven't yet found a design that maintains the minimal feeling of Tabless. I'll keep iterating on it! In the meantime, if you want to navigate backward and forward, swiping from the screen edge will do it but it's definitely not as easy as a button.

As for the clearing when switching apps, it annoys me frequently too! I've been in the middle of a Wordle, switched away to respond to a message, and come back to an empty screen a few too many times. I haven't yet figured out a good way to usually clear but sometimes not -- I've tried increasing the time it takes to clear but unfortunately iOS won't allow anything longer than 30 seconds.

If you're looking for a similar experience with a bit more functionality, Firefox Focus is a more full-featured alternative to Tabless that shares a lot of its goals.

### 5/5 — Perfect.

*2020-08-13*

Dev promptly fixed two issues I raised with the last version. This is the best way to browse the web.  
Looking forward to ios 14 default browser capability!!

### 5/5 — Perfect phone browser

*2020-07-12*

No tabs, no history, and no distractions. One click to start you search. And very small app size. The dark mode looks nice as well.

## Frequently asked questions about Tabless

### What is Tabless?

Tabless is an intentional, search-based web browser designed to help you focus. It opens fresh each time you use it, preventing distractions from past browsing sessions.

### Does Tabless have ads?

No, Tabless does not contain advertisements. It is a completely ad-free browsing experience.

### What devices does Tabless support?

Tabless is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

### How does Tabless enhance privacy?

Tabless offers optional, built-in content blocking. This feature helps keep your browsing private and reduces intrusive elements.

### What is the age rating for Tabless?

Tabless has an age rating of 17+.

### How often is Tabless updated?

The latest version of Tabless was released on September 16, 2025, indicating active development and updates.

### What is the user sentiment for Tabless?

Tabless is highly regarded by its users, holding a rating of 4.8 stars from 12 ratings.

### Is Tabless free to use?

Yes, Tabless is available for free on supported Apple devices.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.3 — 2025-09-16

Optional reddit.com defaults customization in Settings.app

### 2.0.2 — 2025-02-03

Updated content blocking lists

### 2.0.1 — 2024-08-26

Updated content blocking lists

### 2.0 — 2024-05-12

- Added content blocking (off by default)
- Added Kagi as an available search engine

Settings for content blocking and search engine can be changed in your device's Settings app

### 1.2.1 — 2022-02-10

Small fixes and improvements to device disk use and data caching:
- Disabled logging of (and deleted!) debug logs that were accidentally being logged to disk in the release version of the app
- Added cleanup more of caches automatically saved to disk by the browser engine (WebKit) when the browser state is cleared

## Apps similar to Tabless

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [The Quantum Browser](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-quantum-browser/id6738848757) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Utilities |
| [iRed Browser](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ired-browser/id6746356816) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [NaviWave Browser](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/naviwave-browser/id6714467435) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [WebWhacker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/webwhacker/id6587317126) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Utilities |
| [Firefox Focus: Privacy browser](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firefox-focus-privacy-browser/id1055677337) | 4.7 (80,735) | Free | Utilities |
| [Blue Thunder Browser](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blue-thunder-browser/id6739699214) | — | Free | Utilities |

## More apps by Eric Bomgardner

- [Dot Puz](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dot-puz/id6759811017)

All apps by Eric Bomgardner: https://appshunter.io/developer/1387383442

## Related topics

[eric bomgardner](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/eric-bomgardner)

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*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 2026-06-01.*