Firefox with built-in VPN: how it works and what you can expect

The arrival of a VPN integrated directly into Firefox is about to change the way many users browse the internet. Mozilla has been experimenting with different ways to protect privacy for some time, and now it's taking the next step with what's internally known as Firefox VPN , a feature designed to offer more security at no extra cost and without requiring any additional installation on your computer or mobile device.

Although the project is still in the testing phase, quite a few details are already known about how it works, its limitations, and, above all, how it differs from Mozilla VPN, the company's paid service . If you're concerned about privacy when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, or simply don't want your IP address to be so exposed, this new Firefox feature could become a very interesting tool within the browser itself, and you can read more about what a VPN protects.

What exactly is Firefox VPN and how does it differ from Mozilla VPN?

Mozilla is preparing a new lightweight VPN feature integrated into Firefox, which should not be confused with its full paid VPN service. Firefox VPN will be a native browser feature designed to encrypt only the traffic passing through Firefox, leaving out other applications and operating system processes.

The focus is on a simple, free browser VPN that works with a single click and requires no complex configuration. Meanwhile, Mozilla VPN will continue to exist as a subscription-based solution that protects your entire device (computer, mobile, tablet) and allows multiple devices to connect simultaneously.

The key difference lies in the scope: Firefox VPN only operates within the browser , while Mozilla VPN works at the system level and encrypts all traffic, just like well-known services such as NordVPN or similar. The latter is for those who need a more comprehensive layer of security; see the best VPN services.

Mozilla has emphasized that both products will coexist and that the integrated VPN will not replace the paid service, but rather serve different needs. In fact, an "Upgrade to Mozilla VPN" option will appear within the Firefox VPN interface itself , making it clear that the free version will also serve as an entry point to the premium service.

How Firefox VPN works within the browser

The new security feature is designed so that any user can activate the VPN with a button located next to the Firefox address bar . Clicking it redirects web traffic through a network of servers controlled by Mozilla, adding a layer of encryption and hiding the user's real IP address from the websites they visit.

This redirection turns Firefox into a sort of secure tunnel for web browsing , ideal when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks in cafes, airports or libraries, or simply when you want to make it harder for your Internet provider or third parties to track what you visit on the web.

In the initial beta phases, the server location will be automatically assigned based on performance, connecting the user to the node that offers the best speed and stability. In other words, there won't be a country or region selector initially, so it's not so much designed to bypass geographical restrictions as to enhance privacy in everyday use (if you need to change your country ).

Mozilla has already indicated that the option to manually select the location is being considered for future versions, but initially, the priority will be simplicity and connection stability. The company wants to ensure the basic experience works well before introducing more advanced options.

In its current version, the integrated VPN is limited to routing browser traffic through servers initially located in the United States . The plan is to gradually expand the list of locations as the infrastructure grows and performance and load metrics are collected.

Main features and planned configuration options

In parallel with the “Firefox IP Protection” experiment , which is how this functionality was initially known, Mozilla has been outlining a series of settings that will be available within the browser's configuration to control how and when the integrated VPN is activated.

Among the options that have been previewed is the ability to enable or disable the VPN for each website . This means you can have protection active on certain pages (for example, when logging into sensitive services) and disable it on others where you prefer to maintain a direct connection, combining this with the use of containers in Firefox.

Firefox VPN is also expected to be configurable to connect automatically when the browser is opened, eliminating the need to remember to click the button each time. In the same settings section, it will be possible to define whether encryption is applied to all browser traffic or to exclude specific domains.

Another interesting option Mozilla is considering is restricting VPN use to private browsing only . This way, tabs opened in incognito mode would be protected by the encrypted tunnel, while the rest of Firefox usage would continue with the usual direct connection.

In addition to these adjustments, future versions are considering additional features such as usage statistics, basic connection information (data consumption, quality, connection time) or better integration with other browser security tools, such as tracker blocking.

Project origin: from Firefox Private Network to integrated VPN

This new VPN embedded in Firefox didn't appear out of nowhere: Mozilla has been experimenting with private network solutions for years through a project called Firefox Private Network. Initially launched in 2019, it began as a browser extension or proxy available only in the United States.

Firefox Private Network already offered browser traffic encryption and IP address hiding , very similar to what Firefox VPN now offers. At that time, Mozilla chose Cloudflare as its technology partner, so users connected to the nearest Cloudflare data center when they activated the private network.

That first solution was quite basic: it didn't allow users to choose a region or server , and it barely displayed any connection information. However, it served as a testing ground to understand user behavior, server load, and the performance requirements such a feature demands.

Over time, Mozilla refined the proposal and announced a new beta phase of the private network, with two major changes: on the one hand, maintaining a free but time-limited version , and on the other, launching a device-level VPN service that would eventually become what is now known as Mozilla VPN.

Users who were in the Firefox Private Network beta were gradually migrated to this new scheme, in which the free version offered time-limited passes to use the private network, while the paid solution extended the scope to the entire device and allowed users to choose servers in dozens of countries.

Limitations of the free version and usage model

In this evolutionary process, Mozilla announced that it would maintain a free option with certain usage limits . Specifically, users had four three-hour passes per month, for a total of 12 hours of private network access. Each time a pass was activated, it was used immediately for three hours, with no option to split the time.

This model aimed to allow users to protect themselves on an as-needed basis when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks , while encouraging those who required constant protection to upgrade to the full subscription-based VPN. These monthly passes were automatically renewed each month.

The current push for Firefox VPN integrated into the browser draws from that same strategy, but with a clear twist: offering a more continuous, fee-free feature within Firefox itself , focused exclusively on browser traffic and with less friction for the average user.

While specific details regarding data usage limits or time restrictions in this new phase are not yet finalized, Mozilla has reiterated that it does not intend for the integrated VPN to become a complete replacement for Mozilla VPN . Rather, it will be a free and simple add-on, with fewer features but accessible to a much wider range of users.

This entire plan is still labeled as beta and, therefore, could change as Mozilla gathers feedback and usage statistics . The company typically adjusts its products based on feedback, removing features that don't add value and strengthening those that do align with community needs.

Privacy and data processing in Firefox VPN

One of the biggest concerns for users when they hear about VPNs is what exactly happens to their data, and what information a VPN doesn't protect . Mozilla, true to form, has made it clear that it will not log browsing history or the content of encrypted traffic when using Firefox VPN.

According to the information provided, the organization will only store minimal and anonymous technical data necessary to ensure the service functions correctly. This includes metrics such as the volume of data transferred, connection quality, and whether a session was successfully established.

This technical data will be kept for a maximum of three months , after which it will be deleted. The purpose of collecting it is to detect problems, size the infrastructure, and improve the user experience, not to create detailed browsing profiles.

This approach contrasts with that of other browsers that also offer integrated VPNs, such as Opera, where there have historically been more concerns about the extent of data collection . Mozilla is trying to differentiate itself with a clearer privacy policy that aligns with its mission to prioritize the user over advertising.

The company insists that Firefox VPN is part of its strategy to strengthen privacy as a core element of the browser , competing against alternatives such as Chrome, Edge, Brave or Vivaldi, which already incorporate their own protection systems or VPN functions of different types.

Availability, beta phase, and gradual rollout

Currently, Firefox VPN is in beta testing and is only available to a small, randomly selected group of users. Mozilla is rolling out the feature gradually, without the option to manually enable it from about:config or other advanced menus.

For those participating in this experiment, the integrated VPN appears as an icon in the toolbar and can be activated after logging in with a Mozilla account . If the user is not interested in trying it, they can decline it via the pop-up notification with options such as "No, thanks."

Mozilla's plan involves gradually expanding the number of testers and refining the experience before releasing the feature to a wider audience. During this period, the organization analyzes metrics such as stability, speed, connection errors, and impact on overall browser performance.

Although there is no firm date for the general rollout, the intention is that the integrated VPN will eventually reach both desktop and mobile devices , maintaining the same philosophy of simple one-click activation and basic settings within Firefox preferences.

At any time, users with access to the beta can disable or uninstall the feature from the browser's Add-ons and Themes menu , reverting to normal behavior if they are not comfortable with the service or do not need it in their daily use.

Context, competition and Firefox's role in the market

Firefox remains one of the world's most popular browsers, although its market share is lower than Chrome's, according to data from platforms like Statcounter . In this context, strengthening built-in privacy and offering additional features at no extra cost is a clear way to differentiate itself.

Other browsers have already moved in this direction: Opera has included its own VPN for years , Brave focuses on a model centered on avoiding trackers and invasive ads, Vivaldi with integrated VPN offers a fairly wide range of privacy settings, and Microsoft Edge has experimented with similar secure connection features.

Mozilla's response is to try to make Firefox the go-to browser for those who value privacy and transparency , and the built-in free VPN fits perfectly into that strategy. The goal is for users to avoid having to install questionable extensions or resort to services of dubious origin to have more secure browsing.

In such a saturated market, features like this can be decisive when someone considers switching from Chrome or other browsers , especially if they are looking for better control over their personal data without having to pay an additional subscription.

If Mozilla manages to make Firefox VPN easy to use, stable, and with a seamless privacy policy, it could mark a turning point in the perception of the browser , solidifying it as a robust alternative for those who take internet security seriously.

With everything Mozilla is testing around Firefox VPN—from the limited beta and tests with Firefox Private Network to coexistence with the paid Mozilla VPN—a scenario is emerging in which users can choose between simple, free protection within the browser or a more complete device-level solution , always with privacy as the central focus and with a phased rollout that seeks to iron out errors before reaching the general public.

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Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.