Firefox 149 Bundles VPN, Split View, and Notes

Firefox 149 launches with a built-in free VPN offering 50 GB/month and UI improvements like a refined split-view control and better Linux dialog handling. Mozilla is rolling the VPN out progressively by region; it’s distinct from Mozilla’s paid VPN and only applies to web content inside the browser, so it won’t cover system-wide traffic such as online gaming. The release also refines split view with active-pane highlighting and small controls for separating, reversing, or closing tabs. The article frames the free VPN as a convenient, if limited, tool for bypassing local DNS/blocking and occasional privacy needs rather than a comprehensive security solution, and notes competitors (Opera, Vivaldi) already provide unlimited in-browser VPNs.

Mozilla launched Split View in Firefox 149 (rolling out March 24, 2026), a built-in feature that places two tabs side-by-side within a single browser window. Users can enable it by right-clicking a tab and choosing Add Split View or by selecting two tabs and choosing Open in Split View. Firefox developers say it simplifies common multitasking workflows—planning, comparing pages, copying between sites, and note-taking—by keeping context visible without switching windows or tabs. The initial release targets the most frequent side-by-side use cases, and Mozilla is soliciting user feedback to refine the feature. Split View aims to streamline web workflows and reduce friction for power and casual users alike.

Firefox 149 introduces Split View, a built-in feature that places two tabs side-by-side within the same window, rolling out starting March 24, 2026. Users can enable it by right-clicking a tab and selecting Add Split View or by selecting two tabs and choosing Open in Split View. Mozilla says the feature targets common multitasking workflows—planning, comparing, note-taking and filling forms—so users can keep context without switching windows or tabs. The blog highlights internal use cases from Mozilla staff and frames the release as an incremental productivity enhancement, with Mozilla soliciting user feedback for future improvements. The change reduces reliance on OS window management and third-party tools for side-by-side browsing.

Firefox is rolling out Tab Notes, an experimental feature that lets users attach short, local-only notes to webpages to help resume tasks and remember why tabs are open. Visible via a sticky-note icon on hover and tied to the page URL, notes are stored locally in the browser and not sent to Mozilla. Users can enable Tab Notes through Firefox Labs (about:preferences#experimental) starting March 24 and add notes via right-click or hover on a tab. The feature stems from user research showing small reminders aid task resumption; it’s positioned as a lightweight alternative to external note apps. Mozilla invites feedback via Mozilla Connect or Bugzilla.

Mozilla is rolling out Tab Notes, an experimental Firefox feature that lets users attach short, private notes to any webpage URL to help resume interrupted tasks. Available from March 24 via Firefox Labs (about:preferences#experimental), Tab Notes appear as a sticky-note icon on tabs and are stored locally—Mozilla says notes remain private and won’t be sent to its servers. The feature stems from user research showing brief reminders improve task resumption and aims to offer a lightweight alternative to external note-taking tools. As an early experiment, Mozilla invites feedback via Mozilla Connect or Bugzilla to refine the feature.

Firefox 149 introduces a built-in free VPN offering 50 GB of monthly data, integrated directly into the browser. Mozilla is the key player, embedding the service to give users easy encrypted browsing without separate subscriptions or extensions. The addition aims to improve privacy and convenience for mainstream users, potentially increasing Firefox’s competitiveness against rivals by bundling privacy features natively. It matters because browser-level VPNs can shift user expectations for default privacy tools, influence traffic routing and extension ecosystems, and raise questions about Mozilla’s infrastructure partners and data handling. Developers and security teams should watch implementation details, performance impacts, and any policy or business-model implications.

Mozilla is rolling out Firefox 149 with built-in free VPN access, split view browsing, tab notes, and optional AI-powered side windows. The update centralizes privacy and multitasking: the VPN aims to protect user traffic without third-party extensions, split views enable side-by-side pages, and tab notes let users attach quick annotations to tabs. Optional AI windows will provide assistant-style features without being mandatory, reflecting Mozilla’s cautious approach to integrating generative AI. These additions target power users and privacy-conscious users, differentiating Firefox from Chromium-based rivals and potentially boosting user retention. The changes matter for browser competition, user privacy defaults, and how mainstream browsers adopt AI and multitasking features.

Mozilla plans to add a free built-in VPN to Firefox 149, sparking debate among users and admins. The move could broaden privacy features for everyday browsing, but commentators warn about risks: free VPNs may monetize user data, offer limited protections compared with paid services, and complicate enterprise policy enforcement. Critics argue Mozilla should prioritize core browser quality rather than bundled services, and warn the feature could trigger network bans that further squeeze Firefox’s already small market share versus Chrome. The discussion highlights trade-offs between consumer privacy tools, business viability for browser makers, and enterprise security and manageability.

Mozilla will add a free, built-in VPN tier to Firefox 149 on March 24, 2026, routing browser traffic through a proxy to hide IPs and location. The initial rollout gives 50GB monthly to users in the US, France, Germany and the UK, reflecting a phased launch to evaluate performance and demand. Mozilla presents the feature as a privacy-first alternative to many free VPNs, stressing data minimization and reiterating that it does not sell personal data; it did not disclose the underlying provider or infrastructure. The browser-only VPN complements other Firefox 149 features like Split View, Tab Notes, and the opt-in “Smart Window” assistant, and helps differentiate Firefox in a market dominated by Chromium-based rivals.