Getting started with GNOME Web browser: Basics for Linux users

A complete guide to GNOME's minimalist browser and its standout web app functionality.

Most Linux users default to Firefox or Chrome, but what if you want something simpler that just works without the bloat? In this video from Learn Linux TV, you’ll learn how GNOME Web strips browsing down to its essentials, delivering a Safari-like experience that focuses on websites rather than features.

Jay walks through everything you need to know about GNOME Web, the official browser for the GNOME desktop environment. He covers the installation process (available both as a distribution package and Flatpak), demonstrates core browsing features like tabs and bookmarks, and highlights the standout web apps functionality that lets you turn any website into a standalone application in your app launcher. 

Whether it’s Proxmox, UniFi controllers, or pfSense, any web-based tool can become a native-feeling app with just a few clicks. Jay also shares important caveats, including the current lack of Firefox Sync support (a feature that used to work but broke about a year ago) and the browser’s intentionally limited feature set compared to mainstream alternatives. While GNOME Web won’t replace feature-rich browsers for power users, it excels as a lightweight secondary option or primary browser for those who value simplicity.

Key takeaways

• Web apps are the killer feature – Turn any website into a standalone application that appears in your app launcher and dash, perfect for frequently used web-based tools and admin panels.
• It’s intentionally minimal, not incomplete – GNOME Web focuses exclusively on browsing without the bells and whistles, making it ideal for users who prefer simplicity over endless configuration options.
• Great backup browser to have installed – Even if you don’t use it daily, GNOME Web provides a reliable fallback when your primary browser has issues or when testing how websites render across different engines.

GNOME Web proves that sometimes less really is more. Whether you adopt it as your daily driver or keep it installed as a backup, its simplicity and web app capabilities make it worth having in your toolkit.

More from Learn Linux TV

• youtube.com/learnlinuxtv
• Linux tips | Linux how-to’s | Linux installation guides
• 10 tips to learn Linux easier and faster
• Why Linux experts are ditching Man pages for this simple tool
• 10 ways to use AI for Linux troubleshooting and productivity