Firefox breaks 25 million downloads in less than 100 days

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On February 15th, exactly 99 days after it was released, Firefox 1.0 smashed through the 25 million download milestone.

"Thank you." says Blake on spreadfirefox.com "Thank you for helping us take this product from 25 to 25 million, from our little corner of the world to yours, from the technically elite to Karen and Rimone."

"Twenty five million Firefox downloads is a significant achievement, and we see that number continuing to grow," said Mitchell Baker, president of the Mozilla Foundation. "Firefox is being rapidly adopted by the mainstream, with this audience embracing Firefox as a more user-friendly web browsing solution."

Firefox downloads have continues at a steady rate since it's launch in November, with well above 200,000 downloads per day.

With Internet Explorer 7 being released as beta in the summer, and Firefox 1.1 planned for June, 2005 is looking to be a pretty good for browser development (lets hope, eh). Click Read More... to see the full Mozilla Press Statement

View: Spread Firefox

View: Mozilla.org

Download: Firefox

Full Press Statement:

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - February 16th, 2005 - The Mozilla Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving choice and promoting innovation on the Internet, today announced its award-winning Firefox browser has been downloaded more than 25 million times, fueled by consumers' demand for a faster, safer Internet experience. Released less than 100-days-ago Firefox has quickly become the browser of choice, offering user-friendly features such as tabbed browsing, built-in pop-up blocking and live bookmarks.

The Mozilla Foundation further announced that Spread Firefox, the volunteer advocacy group charged with promoting the browser around the world, has grown to more than 70,000 members. Spread Firefox was developed on the same model as the open source software itself – enlist passionate and talented individuals, each of whom bring unique and diverse experience to the project.

"Twenty five million Firefox downloads is a significant achievement, and we see that number continuing to grow," said Mitchell Baker, president of the Mozilla Foundation. "Firefox is being rapidly adopted by the mainstream, with this audience embracing Firefox as a more user-friendly web browsing solution."

Mozilla Foundation volunteers have translated the software into 28 different languages, ensuring consumers around the world have equal access to the Firefox browser.

(9 replies) #1 Thrawn on 18 Feb 2005 - 06:41

Just so people keep this in mind: I downloaded Firefox, tried it, hated it, and un-installed it. Downloads /= new users.

#1.1 bush on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:13

wow, you're so cool

#1.2 duphus on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:22

QUOTE

I agree

#1.3 MasterSpy on 18 Feb 2005 - 09:54

Haven't tried Firefox myself. Internet Explorer is adequate. 25 Million downloads doesn't mean 25 Million unique users, of which not all of those will continue using it. Still an achievement for the Firefox team (whoever they are) but not as good as they portray it.

#1.4 aleks on 18 Feb 2005 - 10:02

He's not cool, he's super rad!! He hates Firefox and loves his IE!!

Microsoft continues to make superior and flawless products. Therefore why we do need alternatives like Firefox?

#1.5 SquareSoft0 on 18 Feb 2005 - 15:49

He didn't even mention IE, how can you assume he isn't an Opera, K-meleon, or Netscape user? Troll.

#1.6 parkker on 18 Feb 2005 - 16:12

WOW. And in 100 days there were almost 50 million new PC's sold, of which 45 million or more had IE on them.

#1.7 bogd on 18 Feb 2005 - 18:49

yes, we know that this does not equal new users. That's why it says 25 million downloads.

#1.8 em_te on 18 Feb 2005 - 19:55

Why would they use that statistic in the literal sense if it didn't mean anything practical?

#1.9 planetik on 18 Feb 2005 - 20:40

Thank you for your useful information.

(1 reply) #2 mircleman on 18 Feb 2005 - 06:43

here we go the i.e. boys are coming I hear the doors opening. i just will say lmaoooooooooo how you like those applesss

#2.1 EduardValencia on 18 Feb 2005 - 13:28

lol

(4 replies) #3 neufuse on 18 Feb 2005 - 06:44

25 mill so what, I know I've downloaded it at least 15 times myself to try out different things, always ended up uninstalling it though after i tested stuff out on it.. never really felt right with it for some reason.. just the feel of how things work to me... now if it is 25 mill UNIQUE users then that'd be a number... I mean how many of this number is people who are obsessed with it and keep downloading it again and again just to raise the numer? you have to account for that kind of behavior also

#3.1 DomFel on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:07

I mean how many of this number is people who are obsessed with it and keep downloading it again and again just to raise the numer?

I guess that 1 on 10 millions is crazy enough to do that. Probably 25m downloads ~ 17m installations

never really felt right with it for some reason

Firefox: Love it, or hate it! Personally I love it, it's most robust, secure browser ever! Sometimes it su**s that some pages don't load with it, I know, but it's still in a continous development phase (not like IE). ActiveX is the worst thing ever created for the web, and Microsoft still supports it.

25 mill so what

This means that Microsoft with thousands of skilled programmers hasn't been able to give a good browser to its customers. If gurus and geeks (and me!) support Firefox, there must be a reason for that...

#3.2 amanechoir on 18 Feb 2005 - 08:44

The figures are there just to please the fanboys. It gives them a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

#3.3 Mathiasdm on 18 Feb 2005 - 17:22

True, some people download Firefox more than one time...

Other people download it once, and install it in their entire company/school.
It evens out

#3.4 Ned on 20 Feb 2005 - 03:54

Does this number include the number of nightly builds downloaded, or is it just the official 1.0 build?

(4 replies) #4 tm™ on 18 Feb 2005 - 06:46

Now what Microsoft is going to steal ideas from Firefox.

#4.1 em_te on 18 Feb 2005 - 08:07

What idea? The idea of celebrating downloads?

#4.2 dhan on 18 Feb 2005 - 16:07

The yellow information bar...microsoft stole it in SP2

oh was it the other way round ?

#4.3 D-j-M on 18 Feb 2005 - 22:19

I remember MyIE2 (Maxthon) having it first, most likely wrong though

#4.4 antsy on 21 Feb 2005 - 01:47

You maen the way the Address Bar turns yellow, Because It was origionally my suggestion that FF do somthing more then just have a padlock in the corner when on a secure connection. But they did it another way to what I suggested Bug 232194

(1 reply) #5 MonkeyWhacker on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:03

Go Firefox. Wonder why microsoft is taking so long to update their buggy ass browser.

#5.1 lordtoran on 18 Feb 2005 - 16:31

I think different. M$ started taking Firefox really serious not long ago, maybe two months; so how the heck will they manage to bring out an improved, fundamentally revised version in 6 bloody months??? It's only charming bells and whistles to prevent people from downloading and trying FF. It will be just another update cycle branded as a new version.

(1 reply) #6 Izolate on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:09

I dont like change.
I changed to FF and loved it. It feels 'stronger', haha.
IE with it's silly way of opening a link (starting with the weird sound).. IE is going to have to be significantly better to make me change back.

#6.1 ThaCrip on 18 Feb 2005 - 13:54

yeah i pretty much agree with u... i used to use IE for ages and i was used to it and once i like a program i generally dont like change for the most part... but, after i got used to firefox i doubt ill be going back to IE anytime soon

tabed browsing is nice once u get used to it... i almost cant live without it... firefox takes a few tweaks to get it to open everylink inside tabs... normally on certain links it opens another webbrowser... i did not like this so i tweaked mine to open everything inside the primary firefox browser window.

plus no activex support ... to me that right there means it's more secure... not to mention (so far) that firefox has a better track record as there aint been any major security flaws in it so far... maybe a few security issues that need consern but overall it's (so far) proven itself more secure than IE.

(22 replies) #7 SquareSoft0 on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:11

How someone can get an ego over somebody else's accomplishments is beyond me.

Firefox is a decent browser, but I like IE more for the customization and ActiveX.

#7.1 DomFel on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:17

but I like IE more for the customization and ActiveX

Do a spyware scan on your pc. Let's see if you'll continue to like IE...

#7.2 Juguard on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:28

some people know how to protect themselfs even with ActiveX

#7.3 koocha on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:36

How can you customise IE more than Firefox?

Not a flame, a genuine question

#7.4 Jugalator on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:40

Firefox' UI is based on XUL so I don't really believe this.

#7.5 SquareSoft0 on 18 Feb 2005 - 09:16

IE's advanced tab and the fact that you can thoroughly customize your own security levels. ActiveX is itself another way to customize IE, many addons to customize the browser the way I want. Nobody needs protection from ActiveX, users need protection from themselves. I'm quite happy with the lack of spyware while using IE, anyone who does have a problem must be a complete idiot.
Click here for a visual.

Edit: Editted to reduce clutter.

Last edited by 46870 on 18 Feb 2005 - 14:05

#7.6 nw_raptor on 18 Feb 2005 - 09:31

SquareSoft0, the fact that you have no spyware while using Internet Explorer doesn't mean it's secure. Security is not only about spyware. Have you spent any time reviewing all the -- still open -- security vulnerabilities?

#7.7 Ideas Man on 18 Feb 2005 - 10:09

No, it's a valid point. Almost 50% of the reasons people hate IE is spyware/ActiveX, he just proved that it isn't really an issue, more the user controlling the browser that's the issue w/ spyware.

BTW, My results on numerous computers return the same result as yours SquareSoft0

#7.8 ichi on 18 Feb 2005 - 12:01

So acording SquareSoft0 a big percentage of IE users are complete idiots, else the IE vulnerabilities wouldn't be an issue, and therefore those users should probably switch to another browser as IE seems to require a lot of computer literacy in order to configure it properly

#7.9 Ironman273 on 18 Feb 2005 - 13:28

The thing is that in a nutshell, you are basically right. We at Neowin sit around debating security when most of us are very computer savvy. Most of the people out there are not, and that is what causes the biggest headaches to people.

It's a double edged sword, since requiring people to jump through a lot of hoops to download or view things on the internet would also cause complaints.

#7.10 EduardValencia on 18 Feb 2005 - 13:30

i love IE and i don't have a single spyware on my PC

#7.11 SquareSoft0 on 18 Feb 2005 - 14:04

Security through obscurity is NOT security. I haven't had a single exploit compromise my system through IE or Firefox. I have Firefox installed to test my sites and just to have another piece of software to mess with. Most of the "exploits" in IE require some inane action like dragging something from the site to the URL bar and clicking OK to prompts, which if you do get hit by something like that shows that you need protection from yourself. I do think that "noobs" should use Firefox, I never said I "hated" Firefox, using it myself every once in a while.

Click here for a visual.
Above you can see a list of the ActiveX addons I have installed, these increase the functionality of IE greatly. I also like the convenient update button so I don't even have to search websites for newer versions of the addons that support it.

#7.12 M2Ys4U on 18 Feb 2005 - 15:17

well, Firefox does have the extesibility that IE does.. AND it does have an update button too.

It also checks periodically for me and popus up a toast telling me there's updates, as well as puting an icon in the corner near the throbber.

#7.13 SquareSoft0 on 18 Feb 2005 - 15:43

It does have the same interface, but I have yet to find any Firefox addons that can do anything like the IE addons I have. One of them keeps an updated list of known ad / spam servers and comments them out of my hosts file, that's probably my favorite addon.

#7.14 M2Ys4U on 18 Feb 2005 - 16:15

ok, so there are pros and cons to both pieces of software... so what?

doesn't mean Mozilla havn't done a good job with Firefox.

Oh, and people could be 'gettign an ego' because they helped in it's development (RFEs, Bug reporting, bux fixing, peer support, etc)...

granted a lot of people havn't odne anything like that, but theres one reasonable answer.

#7.15 parkker on 18 Feb 2005 - 16:17

AND it does have an update button too

My copy of Firefox has never offerred me an update for any of the security issues you can find on Secunia. Either there aren't any patches, or the update button is broken.

#7.16 nw_raptor on 18 Feb 2005 - 16:21

You people seem to focus only around spyware and activeX. There are other security vulnerabilities in IE. Check this (secunia report) once a while. Why are there so many open wholes? Do they relate in any way to spyware and/or activex? I think not.

#7.17 SquareSoft0 on 18 Feb 2005 - 17:47

We were debating different features of both software titles, this is not the "convert this guy to our cult" thread
Just in case you missed it, I'll requote it just for you, hunny.

I haven't had a single exploit compromise my system through IE or Firefox.

#7.18 em_te on 18 Feb 2005 - 20:01

well, Firefox does have the extesibility that IE does..

What about this feature?

#7.19 Ned on 20 Feb 2005 - 04:07

You mean the adblock extention? Yeah, they have that

It uses real expressions and is a heck of a lot better than anything that just uses the host file. What if you want to block an ip?

I can give you an adblock list that is only a few lines long and will block most ads.
You can also block the cookies sent from the adservers. (you can do this in ie as well)

Last edited by 76077 on 20 Feb 2005 - 04:26

#7.20 SquareSoft0 on 20 Feb 2005 - 04:25

It does the job, right now my hosts file is 4773 lines long.

#7.21 Ned on 20 Feb 2005 - 04:29

I do the same to my hosts file as well...thanks for reminding me.

#7.22 SquareSoft0 on 21 Feb 2005 - 04:13

I don't know if you'd trust me, but would you like a copy of my hosts file? So many ad / spam servers blocked.

(11 replies) #8 FightingChance on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:37

I avoided FF up until .8, then gave it a try. FF itself was alright, but nothing that I would give up IE for - until I found the extensions. Man, I can never go back now - all these kickass extensions really make websurfing a totally different experience.

#8.1 koocha on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:41

I second that

#8.2 Hankyone on 18 Feb 2005 - 13:58

read this IE Fanboys

learn to use a software before sh!tt!ing on it

FightingChance did, now he likes

#8.3 ThaCrip on 18 Feb 2005 - 14:01

yeah i agree ... i only currently using 2 extentions... one to get rid of that blank webbrowser window when downloading a file and another so u can right click (while holding the right click down) then use the mouse scroll to cycle through webbrowser windows

... so far these are the only to extentions i actually consider pretty usefull.

on a side note... one of the things that make firefox popular if u ask me is the fact it's fast and simple to use interface and it's clean and NOT bloated like the standard mozilla suite is!

#8.4 doubledragonxz on 18 Feb 2005 - 14:34

@ThaCrip, you gotta try AdBlock and MouseGestures

#8.5 ThaCrip on 18 Feb 2005 - 15:03

well im sure i would like ad-block "IF" i was not using "Admuncher" as i think for a stand alone popup/advert blocker AD-MUNCHER is pretty much king... as it's SMALL and FAST

but whats the mouse gestures thing?

#8.6 M2Ys4U on 18 Feb 2005 - 15:21

I don't know about Admuncher, but adblock not only blocks adverts, but you can also se it to bloack any images/flash/etc that you don't like...

Example: somebody's signature image really annoys/offends/freaks you and they post alot, you can just adblock the image(s), and carry on with your normal browsing.
You can also block scripts, which is brilliant

#8.7 ThaCrip on 18 Feb 2005 - 15:33

nice man thats pretty good for a free extention... ad muncher does the same thing though

but thanks for letting me know about that i might have to download it and play with it... cause if it's close to admuncher i might end up switching over possibly

#8.8 ThaCrip on 18 Feb 2005 - 15:47

well i tried it out and i have to say from a filtering standpoint in a default state ad-muncher clearly blocks much more popups/adverts... but ad-muncher aint free... but i have to say for a free program that "ad-block" program has potential

but for now im definately sticking with the popup/advert blocker i been using for ages now and thats ad-muncher.

thanks for your time.

#8.9 ichi on 18 Feb 2005 - 15:51

AdBlock does not only remove any element you don't feel like seeing, but it also skips loading it, therefore speeding up browsing.

#8.10 lbmouse on 18 Feb 2005 - 16:24

With adblock you can even block SquareSoft0

#8.11 SquareSoft0 on 18 Feb 2005 - 17:44

Is trolling all that fun? I might give it a go someday then.

(1 reply) #9 Jugalator on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:38

correction

Firefox 1.1 planned for June, 2005 is looking to be a pretty good year for browser development (lets hope, eh)

Took a few re-reads to get it, being early in the morning too and all

#9.1 M2Ys4U on 18 Feb 2005 - 15:23

oops

(4 replies) #10 stezo2k on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:55

damn thats a lot of downloads, well done

#10.1 capeche on 18 Feb 2005 - 14:11

I don't know that it's entirely representative. I mean, I downloaded it once and put it on three machines. So those who say it's lots of people downloading over and over again, I'd say, consider those of us who download once and put on more than one machine.

#10.2 dhan on 18 Feb 2005 - 16:15

1. is 25 million purely for windows i.e. against IE ? I guess not.
2. I've downloaded it like 20+ times now...5+ on my mac & rest on windows PCs
3. Safari prob has IE like share in Mac-world...so Ff is also taking on Safari

Personally I use Ff on mac & IE on windows. IE's interface can be minimalistic (customized with no add ons required) wheras Ff has to have the basic UI elements that it comes with.

#10.3 lordtoran on 18 Feb 2005 - 16:43

I downloaded FF 1.0 and have since given a copy to a dozen or so people who couldn't or wouldn't download it. BTW I have a "Software" folder with nice categorical Subfolders, where I sort in the downloads I want to keep ... Why download a piece of software every time you want to install it?

On the other hand, do the download stats also count the nightliy builds? In that case I count for at least 100 of the downloads.

#10.4 M2Ys4U on 18 Feb 2005 - 18:36

1.0 builds only AFAIK.

#11 em_te on 18 Feb 2005 - 07:57

It's alright. Calm down. I've already created a downloadable poster to celebrate this event.

(3 replies) #12 ArKeYa on 18 Feb 2005 - 08:46

This "Firefox breaks blah blah downloads...." thing is getting drab. And so overrated.

#12.1 nw_raptor on 18 Feb 2005 - 09:27

Nobody forced you to click.

#12.2 Help on 18 Feb 2005 - 10:12

I'd cheer for any other browser that accomplished anything like this.. (except IE, cause it's shipped with windows)

#12.3 ThaCrip on 18 Feb 2005 - 14:07

i dont think it's "overrated" at all ... i just think it's "overhyped" !

but i been using firefox myself for a while now and dont plan on going back to IE anytime soon.

(1 reply) #13 daveoc64 on 18 Feb 2005 - 10:14

Downloads doesn't equal users. Some people download it to try out and don't get on with it (I have done this with most of the builds since 0.

. I also got it for my Notebook (I had to download it again) but it is only used to check my Internet connection. I have seen many people on here say "On every PC I use now I download Firefox" even when it isn't theirs.

Less technically minded people don't care about extensions. They want something they can just use. i.e (no pun intended) they want to install it and it works. For the most part Internet Explorer does that (its not 100% secure) but it still meets their needs. Unless Firefox can meet the same level of simplicity as IE it won't be bigger than IE.

#13.1 ThaCrip on 18 Feb 2005 - 14:11

if u ask me... firefox already has the "simplicity" (or easy of use) of IE... it's just as easy to use as IE is, if not easier

... but i do think u got a good point though about the extentions... as the "average" user probably dont even know what they are let alone where to get em etc... so basically the extentions are more or less for power users.

im a full time firefox user myself... dont plan on going back to IE anytime soon.

(2 replies) #14 Windows X on 18 Feb 2005 - 10:40

If you want to mention about security of using browser. Then think of yourself. There's no problem for me if I'm smart enough to choose entering only site that's secure and beware of those junks.

#14.1 illz55 on 18 Feb 2005 - 12:15

I completely agree.

#14.2 ThaCrip on 18 Feb 2005 - 14:14

I agree to... but we aint talking about PC smart people here... we talking about the "average" pc user.

and in that case i would say firefox is "overall" better choice for the "average" pc user.

im a full time firefox user myself though and dont plan on going back to IE anytime soon.

(6 replies) #15 cooldude7273 on 18 Feb 2005 - 12:09

*snore* Seriously, I don't give a damn how many downloads have been. Every time the number increases, its time to make a new press release! Next news article: "Firefox breaks 25,000,023 downloads in less than 101 days" Woohoo! No one gives a damn.

#15.1 shichiroji4 on 18 Feb 2005 - 12:56

Seems like M$ fanboys just can't handle the truth and now resort to self-delusion. Yea rite, you don't give a dam about Firefox but still bothered to reply and spew your nonsense in something you don't give a damm. Nothing like shooting your own feet

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