Puffin Web Browser

A Google user

6 years ago

Was once the best browser with android, popup blocking, flash support, and automatically blocking trackers. I used this instead of the default browser 100% of the time. Now you have to watch an ad to run flash, which was the best feature of the app. I understand needing some revenue, but it used to be a free feature, so why change it now?

Brandon Gaynor

3 years ago

This used to be a great app, and was useful for people who wanted to use flash player on their phones. However, the ads included on it are incredibly disruptive, and I've timed a combo of ads I could not get out of at over 1:55 seconds. If you try to swipe off, it opens the app store. If you click the x after the first ad finishes, it opens up another wait timer once again. They'll probably reply saying this is "necessary". It most certainly isn't.

Josh Parry

4 years ago

Is a great browser with built in Flash. HOWEVER, lately I'm getting pop-up ads when trying to watch a video on this app. It would just be an inconvience but it doesn't pause my video. But it's a complete pain in the rear because it plays OVER/DURING my video. Get rid of ads (no one pays attention to them anyway or purposely clicks on them; usually an accident). It will randomly stop working or doesnt load. This had gone to fast down the hill...

Shy Anne

4 years ago

Been using this for years and have been able to put up with various small bugs, but the recent update has just ruined the app a bit. The ad at the bottom of the screen is not only an eye sore but it also prevents you from using the flash theater on any site which makes watching videos and playing flash games hellishly annoying (not sure if there's an actual correlation between the two , just assuming).

A Google user

6 years ago

I use this browser a lot because it has flash support, plays webm files, and could pretty much do anything any other mobile phone browser couldn't do. But, lately it has been letting me down. Browser takes long to open, photos take literally 2 minutes to load after opening a page, and then video and flash takes forever to load or buffer. And it's only very recent that this has been happening. And the bad thing is that I can't switch because I don't know any other web browsers that do the same things that Puffin does. Or at least any good ones.

A Google user

6 years ago

its great! Update on the latest version: I used to love this program. I had rated it 5 stars in 2013. But I just tried to use it on my new tablet, and it didn't let me to use the app without agreeing to "Help..." puffin browser by sending data to its servers. Ok, I can accept that a free app not letting me use it without getting some data back. But after I reluctantly agreed, it asked to know my devices location and didn't let me in the app without this permission! That is a red line right there. Uninstall.

whiteroach

3 years ago

When I first got this app, it was perfect. Then they introduced ads and while some had an issue with it, I was perfectly fine with the inclusion. It's a free app. But now you have a DAILY LIMIT? Yeah no, you just lost me. This makes it practically unusable. Really at this point they should just make the premium version the only one, as there is literally zero reason to keep using the free version compared to literally every other browser out there. Even with flash support, it's BAD.

Justin Choate

4 years ago

I like the features a lot. But it has constant connectivity issues, and often web pages won't open at all. Sometimes the browser won't even search when you press enter. I compare it to the other browsers on my phone to see if it's the browser or my internet, and the issues are definitely with Puffin. As boastful as this app is, it's very unreliable.

Jose Gomez

2 years ago

Only two critiques. I was about to subscribe but it's missing one critical feature that I need. Most browsers have an 'x' next to the URL to stop a page from continuing to load. This browser only has the refresh button next to the URL at the top. Second, I think there should be more customization for the startup page when I first open the browser. I am unable to remove the 'speed dial yahoo' and the news interface. Other than that, best 'desktop view' mobile browser I have ever tried that works.

Noel Fallstrom

2 years ago

In a land of free browsers, there is still a niche market for flash support. However, the pricing model ruins this app. I understand ads on free software, but I usually pay to remove them when that is the option. Unfortunately for Puffin, you can't use this app for more than an hour with ads and you can't pay to remove them without a subscription. I'd be happy to pay a one time fee of 2-5 dollars. There is no way I am paying $2 a month when a free desktop browser works 10 times better.

Tomas Kuli

4 years ago

I got this browser for it's ability to deal with certain graphics that other browsers don't handle. It also let's me posts on certain websites that keep blocking popups for making comments. However, it's crashing, refreshing thereby losing my comments, doesn't to well with text manuevering to specific text,, and it's controls block website links. I'm ready to dump this and find something else. Buggy buggy buggy...

A Google user

6 years ago

And this is a prime example as to why I'm hesitant on updating my browsing apps. I held off updating for a long while, and decided to finally update. When I went to play some flash, I was instantly requested to pay or watch an ad, which was new. I instantly started searching, downloaded Photon Browser, and have now uninstalled Puffin. Very upsetting to see this browser ruined for me because I finally decided to update. Great otherwise, but being interrupted by an ad just to play some flash content is not okay.

Alley Cat

4 years ago

This was my browser of choice until this fall when intrusive ads were added. There is already very limited real estate on a phone screen, the ad bar takes up a good portion of the screen making it a distraction when trying to use a webpage. To top that off, you will be in the middle of reading or checking email and be redirected to a full ad page. I have had this browser for years and will now be getting rid of it.

Connar letitfer

1 year ago

It was an amazing web browser that allowed flash to run without much issue. The ads that were there basically only popped up when you started flash once or twice. It was even free, albeit for 1 hour a day. Now it's required subscription, ads without warning, maybe 'buggy' you might say. OH but don't worry it's 'free'... at least free to install lol (I liked it back then, I'd even deal with more ads as long as they only appeared when starting a new tab, switching tabs, or starting flash.)

A Google user

5 years ago

I don't know what that whole disconnecting from the internet is about but it's damn annoying. If I can browse in all my other browsers I should ve able to with this one as well. Not only that but when it "reconnects" it refreshes the page you are on and all work is lost. I can't work like that. Updated to drop another star. I am uninstalling. I can't stand the disconnecting and reconnecting. Why does it have to refresh the page? Hate it. Update: Tried it again, still hate it.

TheDragonGamer Rawr

1 year ago

Puffin used to be a great free browser despite the ads, but now you can't use it without paying for a subscription and just seems like a cash grab. Highly recommend other browsers now. Update: It doesn't make much difference on how cheap you made the subscriptions, you still changed it from something that was free and started charging for it. No one is going to want a $0.05 or $0.25 charge on their card. UPDATE 2: I dont have pirated anything on my phone. Thank you for your concern though :)

cat bot

4 years ago

This browser served me well in an earlier form. The tab system here works great and it looks slick. The flash player, what I actually got this browser for, is excellent, with features for games that are very useful. HOWEVER, THE WAY THE THING HAS DEGRADED RECENTLY (with time limits unless you pay) was what made me jump ship. I was fine with more ads as long as I could actually use this thing.