8 reasons I keep opening Firefox Focus instead of Chrome’s Incognito mode

I used to rely on Chrome’s Incognito mode on my phone or computer when I wanted privacy. However, Incognito mode only keeps history off your device. That means websites and ad networks can still log every move.

That’s what pushed me to try Firefox Focus, Mozilla’s minimalist, privacy-first browser.

At first, it felt too stripped down to be practical. But I noticed how it blocked hidden trackers, cleared cookies every time I closed it, and kept my searches off the radar.

Here are the eight ways Firefox Focus helped me stay invisible online.

One-tap erasing

It means nothing lingers longer than I want

The first thing that hooked me on Firefox Focus was its erase button. When you finish browsing, tap the trash can icon next to the search bar, and everything from that session instantly goes away. It includes history, cookies, cached files, and open tabs.

It’s faster and more thorough than clearing data in a traditional browser. I don’t need to navigate through menus or wonder if I missed a checkbox.

This feature changed how I approached quick searches. Before, I would hesitate to look things up on my primary browser because I knew the results and the ads would follow me around.

Now, I can search freely, clear it instantly, and move on. It gave me a sense of privacy I hadn’t realized I was missing.

Built-in tracking protection

Fewer eyes on me

Firefox Focus blocks most web trackers the moment a page starts loading, meaning I don’t need to tweak settings or install extensions. It stops ads, analytics scripts, social media widgets, and hidden cookies before they can follow me across sites.

The result is more than just privacy. Pages load faster and use less data because all that tracking code never downloads in the first place. I noticed lighter pages on news sites and far fewer ads repeating after a single search.

There’s nothing to configure, since tracking protection is on by default. You can also view exactly how many trackers were blocked on any page by tapping the shield icon on the search bar.

Searches stop feeding the Google machine

Take back control of your search history

While Firefox Focus lets you set your preferred search engine, I took the opportunity to experiment with DuckDuckGo as my default. I no longer felt like every query was another data point feeding into a massive advertising profile.

To change your search engine, tap the three-dot menu icon, go to Settings > Search, and select your preferred search engine.

The change was eye-opening. I could look up anything, from medical questions to random curiosities, without worrying that the topic would start shaping ads or news recommendations.

And because I wasn’t signed in anywhere, there was no search history building a profile of me in the background.

Even when I temporarily switched back to Google Search for convenience, Firefox Focus still kept that data compartmentalized since it didn’t sync across devices or get saved to my account.

Temporary sessions

Browse without a footprint

Another unexpected benefit of Focus is how great it is for logging in to services temporarily. For example, I sometimes need to access a work platform or a sensitive account once or twice without storing credentials in my main browser.

I started noticing how convenient this was for quick lookups or shared devices. In Chrome, even Incognito mode leaves some traces on your network or with visited sites. By contrast, Focus gives me a clean slate every time.

With Focus, I can log in, erase the session, and know it won’t leave behind cookies or autofill data.

Ads feel less invasive

No creepy retargeting

One of the first things I noticed after switching to Firefox Focus was how different the web felt without trackers following me everywhere.

By blocking trackers and heavy advertising scripts, Focus protects your data and enhances browsing speed and efficiency.

It also means the algorithm can’t build a profile or serve targeted ads. I could read an article about cameras without being haunted by camera accessory ads for days afterward.

A few ads persist, but they no longer dictate what I see next or intrude on my digital space.

Firefox Focus became my go-to for sensitive searches

Privacy-first searching for delicate tasks

After a few weeks of using Firefox Focus, I started relying on it for anything I didn’t want tied to my main browsing history.

Sensitive information, such as bank logins, medical queries, and gift research, felt safer behind the browser’s privacy-first walls.

In the past, I’d switch to Incognito mode in Chrome, but I always doubted how private it really was.

I love that I don’t have to think about clearing cookies, closing tabs carefully, or double-checking incognito settings. Every session is temporary, trackers are blocked, and my searches aren’t feeding Google’s algorithm.

It’s the perfect companion browser

Your privacy-focused sidekick

After using Firefox Focus for a few weeks, I realized it does not have to replace my primary browser.

I still rely on Chrome for everyday tasks, heavy research, or streaming. But for quick lookups, sensitive searches, or browsing without leaving a trace, Focus is unmatched.

It opens instantly, blocks trackers by default, and wipes every session with a single tap. I don’t have to worry about my history, cookies, or personalized ads following me around.

This dual-browser approach feels surprisingly freeing. Chrome handles the heavy lifting, while Focus gives me privacy, speed, and peace of mind for the tasks I want to keep private. It’s a perfect sidekick to my everyday browsing.

It gave me back peace of mind

Surf without stress

Using Firefox Focus changed the way I feel online. I no longer feel like I am constantly under surveillance when I browse websites.

I can search, read, and explore without the nagging sense that my browser is logging every move.

The combination of automatic tracker blocking, one-tap erasing, and temporary sessions gives me freedom to browse freely. And the best part is that it fits seamlessly into my daily life with almost no effort.

Why Firefox Focus earned a permanent spot in my toolkit

Firefox Focus did not magically make me invisible online. But it helped me reclaim control over my privacy.

One-tap erasing, built-in tracker blocking, temporary sessions, and ad-light browsing transformed my online experience. I can search, shop, and explore without leaving a trail.

However, it did not replace my primary browser. I still use Chrome or Firefox for tasks that need multiple tabs, extensions, and long-term bookmarks.

But I think Firefox Focus is unmatched as a companion app for sensitive searches and distraction-free browsing. It opens instantly, leaves no history after I close the tab, and blocks the trackers that usually follow me across sites.