Comparison

Umbra Browser vs Penguin Browser

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Umbra Browser

Features
Read full description

Umbra is a privacy-first browser that treats your data the way it should be treated — as yours alone. Every feature is free. EVERY TAB IS A VAULT Each tab runs in its own isolated container. Cookies, cache, localStorage — completely separated between tabs and destroyed the moment you close one. No browsing history is ever written to disk. BLOCK ADS & TRACKERS Umbra blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting scripts using built-in content blocking powered by EasyList and EasyPrivacy. See exactly what's blocked with the per-tab privacy shield — tap the shield icon for a full breakdown of blocked ads, trackers, and scripts. ANTI-FINGERPRINTING Canvas fingerprinting, WebGL probing, AudioContext exploitation, navigator sniffing — Umbra neutralizes the most common fingerprinting techniques by injecting protections at the browser level. ENCRYPTED EVERYTHING HTTPS-first browsing with automatic upgrade and HTTP warning interstitials. Encrypted DNS-over-HTTPS with your choice of provider (Cloudflare, Google, Quad9, and more). Bookmarks encrypted with AES-256-GCM, key stored in your Keychain. SSL certificate inspector — tap the lock icon to verify any site's certificate. SMART PRIVACY FEATURES Automatic UTM parameter stripping on every URL. DuckDuckGo as default search engine (Startpage and Brave Search also available). Per-site whitelist to disable blocking where needed. Share sheet strips tracking parameters automatically. READER MODE Distraction-free reading with a clean, fast-loading text view. No ads, no popups, no clutter. USERSCRIPTS Install custom userscripts to extend Umbra's functionality. Inject JavaScript on any page — block elements, restyle sites, or add features. SESSION RESTORE Pick up where you left off. Umbra saves your open tabs and restores them on launch. COMMAND PALETTE Quick-access command palette to switch tabs, open bookmarks, search history, and navigate — all from the keyboard. ALL FEATURES INCLUDED Everything is free with no restrictions. Custom DNS providers, advanced blocklists, userscripts, session restore, encrypted bookmarks, and every privacy feature — available to all users. Built by NorseHorse. No ads. No tracking. No compromises. Terms of Use: https://umbra.norsehor.se/eula Privacy Policy: https://umbra.norsehor.se/privacy

About

Penguin Browser

A fast and simple mobile web browser offering full control over your browsing experience. Utilize guest mode for temporary sessions or sign in to save and organize pages. Instantly clear browsing data for privacy and organization.

Highlights
  • Fast and responsive browsing
  • Guest Mode for temporary sessions
  • Account support for saving pages
  • Instant data clearing (Avalanche)
  • Clean and simple interface
  • Privacy-focused local-first design
Features
Read full description

(No in-app Ads) Penguin Browser is a fast and simple mobile web browser designed to give you full control over how you browse. Use Guest Mode for quick, temporary sessions, or sign in to keep your pages saved and organized. Whether you want a clean session every time or a place to return to your favorite pages, Penguin adapts to how you browse. With Avalanche, you can instantly clear your browsing data, including open pages, history, and session data, and start fresh in one tap. It’s a simple way to stay organized and maintain your privacy without digging through settings. Features: • Fast and responsive mobile browsing • Guest Mode for temporary sessions • Account support for saving and managing pages • Avalanche to instantly clear browsing data • Clean, simple interface designed for everyday use • Local-first design focused on privacy Penguin Browser is built for users who want a straightforward, flexible, and controlled browsing experience.

Screenshots

Umbra Browser4 screens
Penguin Browser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Umbra Browser at Free against Penguin Browser's $0.99. Penguin Browser's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Umbra Browser is free to download; Penguin Browser costs $0.99 up front. Umbra Browser sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Penguin Browser sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Umbra Browser ships an update every 2 months, Penguin Browser every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Umbra Browser versus Penguin Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUmbra BrowserPenguin Browser
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB35 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperKevin StewartEZRA MICHAEL GILBERT

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Umbra Browser

Subscriptions2
  • Eclipse Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Eclipse Yearly$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Eclipse Lifetime$59.99
1 purchases

Penguin Browser

One-time1
  • Penguin Browser Pro$1.99

Questions

Is Umbra Browser free?
Umbra Browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Penguin Browser free?
Penguin Browser costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Do Umbra Browser or Penguin Browser have ads?
Neither Umbra Browser nor Penguin Browser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Umbra Browser or Penguin Browser?
Umbra Browser ships an update every 2 months, and Penguin Browser every 2 days. Most recently, Umbra Browser was updated on October 2, 2026 and Penguin Browser on October 16, 2026.

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