# NetSurf

> web browser

**Wikidata**: [Q1185648](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1185648)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetSurf)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/netsurf

## Summary
NetSurf is a free, open-source web browser distributed under the GNU General Public License. It is designed to run on a wide variety of operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Unix-like systems, and more niche platforms like RISC OS and AmigaOS 4.

## Key Facts
- **Type:** Web browser, free software
- **License:** GNU General Public License, version 2.0
- **Latest Stable Version:** 3.11 (released December 28, 2023)
- **Programming Language:** C
- **GUI Toolkit:** GTK
- **Official Website:** https://www.netsurf-browser.org/
- **Source Code Repository:** http://git.netsurf-browser.org/netsurf.git
- **Supported Operating Systems:** Microsoft Windows, Unix-like systems, Haiku, MorphOS, RISC OS, MiNT, AmigaOS 4

## FAQs
### Q: What is NetSurf?
A: NetSurf is a free and open-source web browser. It is known for its compatibility with a wide range of operating systems, including many that are not supported by mainstream browsers.

### Q: Is NetSurf free to use?
A: Yes, NetSurf is free software. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.0, which allows users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software.

### Q: What operating systems does NetSurf run on?
A: NetSurf runs on Microsoft Windows, Unix-like operating systems, Haiku, MorphOS, RISC OS, MiNT, and AmigaOS 4.

### Q: What is the latest version of NetSurf?
A: The latest stable version of NetSurf is 3.11, which was released on December 28, 2023.

## Why It Matters
NetSurf's primary significance lies in its broad portability and commitment to supporting non-mainstream and legacy computing platforms. While major browsers focus on the dominant operating systems like Windows, macOS, and mainstream Linux distributions, NetSurf provides a modern browsing option for users of RISC OS, AmigaOS, Haiku, MorphOS, and other niche systems. This ensures that users of these platforms are not cut off from the web.

As a free and open-source project written in C, it serves as an example of a lightweight browser built for efficiency and cross-compatibility. Its availability in numerous package repositories for Unix-like systems (including Debian, Arch Linux, FreeBSD, and OpenBSD) makes it an easily accessible alternative for users who prioritize open-source principles and resource efficiency over the feature sets of larger, more complex browsers. NetSurf fills a crucial gap by ensuring web access on a diverse array of hardware and software, preserving the utility of older and alternative computing environments.

## Notable For
- **Exceptional Portability:** NetSurf is distinguished by its support for a wide range of operating systems, particularly niche and classic systems like RISC OS, AmigaOS 4, Haiku, and MorphOS, which are often unsupported by mainstream browsers.
- **Free and Open-Source:** The browser is developed as free software and is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.0, making its source code freely available for anyone to use, inspect, or modify.
- **Written in C:** The browser is programmed in the C language, which contributes to its portability and potential for efficiency on lower-resource systems.
- **Wide Availability in Repositories:** NetSurf is included in the official software package repositories for many operating systems, including Debian, Arch Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, and Gentoo, simplifying installation for users of those platforms.

## Body
### Licensing and Development
NetSurf is classified as free software. It is distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License, version 2.0. The project's source code is publicly available in a Git repository located at `http://git.netsurf-browser.org/netsurf.git`. The browser is programmed in C and uses the GTK framework for its graphical user interface.

### Platform Support
NetSurf is designed to be highly portable and runs on a diverse set of operating systems:
- Microsoft Windows (inception 1985)
- Unix-like operating systems
- RISC OS (inception 1987)
- Haiku (inception 2002)
- AmigaOS 4
- MorphOS (inception 2000)
- MiNT

### Version History
The project has released numerous stable versions. Recent releases include:
- **Version 3.3:** March 15, 2015
- **Version 3.5:** April 14, 2016
- **Version 3.6:** November 19, 2016
- **Version 3.7:** October 20, 2017
- **Version 3.8:** August 29, 2018
- **Version 3.9:** July 18, 2019
- **Version 3.10:** May 24, 2020
- **Version 3.11:** December 28, 2023 (latest stable version)

### Package Availability
NetSurf is available through numerous operating system package managers, simplifying installation and updates. Package names include:
- **Arch Linux:** `netsurf`
- **Debian (Stable):** `netsurf`
- **Flathub:** `org.netsurf_browser.NetSurf`
- **FreeBSD:** `www/netsurf`
- **Gentoo:** `www-client/netsurf`
- **MacPorts:** `NetSurf`
- **NetBSD:** `www/netsurf`
- **OpenBSD:** `www/netsurf/browser`
- **OpenSUSE:** `netsurf-buildsystem`
- **SlackBuilds:** `network/netsurf`

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "NetSurf",
  "description": "NetSurf is a free, open-source web browser designed for a wide variety of operating systems, including niche platforms.",
  "url": "https://www.netsurf-browser.org/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetSurf"
  ],
  "additionalType": "http://schema.org/SoftwareApplication"
}

## References

1. [Source](http://www.netsurf-browser.org/about/licence.html)
2. [The netsurf Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/netsurf/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
3. [Source](http://www.netsurf-browser.org/about/news.html)
4. [NetSurf 3.10 released. 2020](http://www.netsurf-browser.org/about/news.html)
5. [NetSurf Change Log. 2023](https://download.netsurf-browser.org/netsurf/releases/ChangeLog.txt)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013