Mozilla plans to launch a “premium” version of Firefox with a built-in VPN, secure cloud storage, and more.
The new browser will arrive this fall and will require a subscription. But Mozilla promises it won’t charge for features that are already free.
The paid version of Firefox will be aimed at those who value their privacy online. Details are slim for now, but it sounds like it will come with a number of features that will protect users and their data while they browse.
Mozilla has already experimented with a built-in VPN service. It teamed up with ProtonVPN and offered a $10 subscription to Firefox users. Its “premium” browser is the next step.
You’ll have to pay for privacy-focused Firefox
It is thought the company may offer “some amount of free VPN bandwidth to get you started, and then charge a premium for metered access in the form of a monthly subscription,” reports The Next Web.
Mozilla CEO Chris Beard said the company is aiming to introduce the new Firefox in October.
“So, what we want to clarify is that there is no plan to charge money for things that are now free,” Beard explained in an interview with T3N. “So we will roll out a subscription service and offer a premium level.”
“And the plan is to introduce the first one this year, towards fall. We aim for October.”
What will a premium Firefox deliver?
As things stand, a built-in VPN and secure cloud storage are the features rumored to be a part of a premium Firefox. It’s likely there will be other things that make your subscription fee worthwhile, too.
We hope to hear more soon.
