Reframe Browser
Surf like it's 1999
The story
Overview
Reframe Browser is designed for users who want to experience the nostalgia of surfing the web as it looked in the late 1990s and early 2000s, without sacrificing modern web compatibility. By wrapping a modern Chromium engine in authentic recreations of classic browser interfaces, Reframe allows users to switch between themes like Netscape, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari on the fly, complete with period-accurate icons, toolbars, and even dial-up modem sounds.
The browser is open source and available for macOS (Apple Silicon), Windows, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide audience of retro computing enthusiasts, developers, and anyone curious about web history. Its Wayback Mode leverages the Internet Archive to let users view historical snapshots of websites, further enhancing the time-travel experience.
Reframe is not intended to replace your daily browser, but rather to provide a fun, immersive way to revisit the aesthetics and quirks of past web eras. With features like hot-swappable themes, authentic sounds, and a built-in adblocker, it offers a unique blend of nostalgia and practicality.
Key features
Hot-swappable Retro Themes
Switch between over 20 classic browser themes at runtime, each with its own toolbar, status bar, and icons.
Wayback Mode
Browse archived versions of websites using the Internet Archive, with date and era selection per theme.
Time Warp Modem
Simulate authentic dial-up speeds and latency for a true 1990s browsing experience.
Built-in Adblocker
Blocks ads, trackers, and cookie banners to keep the modern web readable in retro chrome.
Per-App and Per-Theme Icons
The dock icon changes to match the active browser theme, including classic logos like Netscape N and Internet Explorer E.
Open Source
Fully open source with code, issues, and releases available on GitHub for community contributions.
Use cases
- 1
Retro Computing Enthusiasts
Enjoy authentic recreations of classic browsers while browsing the modern web.
- 2
Web History Exploration
Use Wayback Mode to view and compare archived versions of websites from different eras.
- 3
Developers and Designers
Test and showcase websites in a variety of historical browser environments.
- 4
Educational Demonstrations
Demonstrate the evolution of web browsers and user interfaces in classrooms or presentations.
FAQ
What operating systems does Reframe Browser support?
Reframe Browser is available for macOS (Apple Silicon), Windows, and Linux (AppImage).
Is Reframe Browser open source?
Yes, Reframe Browser is fully open source and the code is available on GitHub.
Can I use Reframe as my main browser?
Reframe is designed for retro browsing experiences and nostalgia, not as a replacement for your daily browser.
How does Wayback Mode work?
Wayback Mode allows you to view archived snapshots of websites using the Internet Archive, with options to select specific dates and eras.
Does Reframe include a built-in adblocker?
Yes, Reframe includes a built-in adblocker to block ads, trackers, and cookie banners.
Tech stack & tags
Feedback & Discussion
Discussion
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