Another reason on top of what’s been mentioned already (although probably minor), is that out of the box, Firefox doesn’t let you run multiple instances.
I’ve been learning to write a web app and updating websites, so have been using PortableApps to launch a second instance of Chrome to double check how everything looks when I’m not logged in. I tried switching to Firefox, but it wouldn’t let me open the second instance, meaning that every time I wanted to check the site, I’d have to log out. I check them in Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
I might be a niche case, but I’m already finding it really annoying. I can’t imagine how much more frustrating it would be to try to write a browser that can’t run at the same time as your preferred browser.
They won’t keep your cookies or SessionStorage but extensions will stay on across all containers. If you wanna test websites in a clean environment you should probably create a new profile or download another Firefox modified for developers (can’t have enough foxes in your computer amirite) altogether
In the Firefox Portableapps folder you have to copy other/source/firefoxportable.ini into the top level folder with firefoxportable.exe, and then edit it to allowmultipleinstances=true.
You can do this, actually. Just create new profiles. It’s not very user friendly, but can definitely be done, from what I understood from your usecase.
The PortableApps version is a separate installation of the program, so Firefox in this case, that’s self contained so that it can be used on multiple computers from a removable device. The default profile should be completely unrelated to the fully installed Firefox’s profile.
I’ve tried it on Linux too with an AppImage, but get the same result.
I see. Maybe the PortableApps Firefox hides profiles from the user… Either way, the other comments mention containers, which are actually even more friendly than profiles. Hope you find something that works for you!
Another reason on top of what’s been mentioned already (although probably minor), is that out of the box, Firefox doesn’t let you run multiple instances.
I’ve been learning to write a web app and updating websites, so have been using PortableApps to launch a second instance of Chrome to double check how everything looks when I’m not logged in. I tried switching to Firefox, but it wouldn’t let me open the second instance, meaning that every time I wanted to check the site, I’d have to log out. I check them in Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
I might be a niche case, but I’m already finding it really annoying. I can’t imagine how much more frustrating it would be to try to write a browser that can’t run at the same time as your preferred browser.
Container tabs, bro.
Wouldn’t a private window allow exactly the specific thing you want to test?
In all honesty, I didn’t think of that 🙈
If you just want a separate session, container tabs will do. No need to create a new profile.
For Chrome, you can also just create a new profile.
That’s handy to know, thanks :)
Would container tabs work for you to test the site in a clean environment?
I’m not sure to be honest, I’m still new to container tabs. I’ll give it a try in the morning, thanks 🙂
They won’t keep your cookies or SessionStorage but extensions will stay on across all containers. If you wanna test websites in a clean environment you should probably create a new profile or download another Firefox modified for developers (can’t have enough foxes in your computer amirite) altogether
In the Firefox Portableapps folder you have to copy other/source/firefoxportable.ini into the top level folder with firefoxportable.exe, and then edit it to allowmultipleinstances=true.
That’s brilliant, thank you 😁
You can do this, actually. Just create new profiles. It’s not very user friendly, but can definitely be done, from what I understood from your usecase.
Thanks for the reply :)
The PortableApps version is a separate installation of the program, so Firefox in this case, that’s self contained so that it can be used on multiple computers from a removable device. The default profile should be completely unrelated to the fully installed Firefox’s profile.
I’ve tried it on Linux too with an AppImage, but get the same result.
I see. Maybe the PortableApps Firefox hides profiles from the user… Either way, the other comments mention containers, which are actually even more friendly than profiles. Hope you find something that works for you!