W3M

W3M

W3M is a free open-source text-based web browser and terminal pager. It has support for tables, frames, HTTPS encryption, and advanced formatting like colors or bold text. As a text-based browser, W3M is very lightweight and fast.
Web Browsers Text-Based
W3M image
textbased lightweight fast terminal pager
W3M alternatives ➤

W3M: Free Open-Source Text-Based Web Browser & Terminal Pager

W3M is a free open-source text-based web browser and terminal pager. It has support for tables, frames, HTTPS encryption, and advanced formatting like colors or bold text. As a text-based browser, W3M is very lightweight and fast.

What is W3M?

W3M is a free and open-source text-based web browser and terminal pager. It was originally developed in Japan and allows users to browse web pages from the Linux command line or terminal. Some key features of W3M include:

  • Support for HTML tables, frames, HTTPS encryption, colors, bold text, and other formatting
  • Built-in page scrolling, mouse support, and form editing
  • Tabbed browsing to open multiple pages
  • Can be used as a normal pager for reading text or man pages
  • Extensive keyboard shortcuts for navigation and commands
  • Support for rendering images in terminals that allow it

As a text-based application, W3M is extremely fast and lightweight compared to graphical browsers. It uses very little memory and CPU, making it well-suited for older or embedded hardware. The tradeoff is lack of multimedia support and reliance on keyboard control rather than a mouse.

Overall, W3M offers a simple yet capable web browsing experience entirely from the terminal. Its blend of a browser and pager makes it flexible for many tasks where a full graphical browser might be overkill.

W3M Features

Features

  1. Text-based interface
  2. Supports tables, frames, HTTPS encryption
  3. Built-in pager
  4. Support for colors and formatting
  5. Keyboard shortcuts
  6. Tabbed browsing
  7. Mouse support
  8. Can render images in terminal using w3mimgdisplay
  9. Supports SSL/TLS encryption
  10. Supports browsing history

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

Pros

Very fast and lightweight

Low resource usage

Works well on remote servers without GUI

Does not require X Window System

Can be used with screen or tmux

Very customizable

Cons

No multimedia support

Limited CSS and JavaScript support

Not as visually appealing as graphical browsers

Steep learning curve for keybindings and commands

Official Links

Official Website
https://w3m.sourceforge.net/

The Best W3M Alternatives

Top Web Browsers and Text-Based and other similar apps like W3M

Here are some alternatives to W3M:

Lynx icon
Lynx
ELinks icon
ELinks
Dillo icon
Dillo
Browsh icon
Browsh
Lynxlet icon
Lynxlet
Surfraw icon
Surfraw
Suggest an alternative ❐

Lynx icon

Lynx

Lynx is a text-only web browser that was first released in 1992 by a group of students at the University of Kansas. Unlike graphical browsers like Chrome or Firefox, Lynx does not render images, videos, or web page formatting. Instead, it displays web page content as plain text in a...
Lynx image
ELinks icon

ELinks

ELinks is an open-source, text-based web browser designed for use in terminals and text-only environments. Originally forked from the Links browser in 2002, ELinks focuses on providing a feature-rich browsing experience even without a graphical interface.Key features of ELinks include:Tabbed browsing, allowing multiple pages open at onceCompletely keyboard-driven interface with...
ELinks image
Dillo icon

Dillo

Dillo is an open-source web browser focused on being small, fast, and lightweight. Originally developed in 1999, it aims to provide good browsing performance even on older hardware or systems with limited resources.Some key features of Dillo include:Very small memory and disk space requirements compared to other browsersUses the fast...
Dillo image
Browsh icon

Browsh

Browsh is a terminal-based web browser that displays websites in text format. It renders web pages into text and ASCII art forms, allowing users to browse graphical sites from the command line interface without a graphical display.Some key features and benefits of Browsh include:Runs entirely in the terminal - No...
Browsh image
Lynxlet icon

Lynxlet

Lynxlet is a text-based web browser that focuses on speed and simplicity. As one of the earliest web browsers, Lynxlet was created in 1992 to allow users to browse the emerging World Wide Web even over low-bandwidth connections.Unlike graphical browsers, Lynxlet does not render images, video, or other multimedia content....
Lynxlet image
Surfraw icon

Surfraw

Surfraw is a command line interface for searching the web from the Unix/Linux terminal or shell. It serves as an interface to various search tools and information sources, providing fast access without needing to open a web browser.Some key features and information about Surfraw:Lets you search popular sites like Google,...
Surfraw image