Lunascape

CNET Editors' review

Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer are the three most popular Web browsers, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. If you find yourself primarily using one browser but occasionally having to switch back to another for a specific purpose, Lunascape might be just the browser for you. Lunascape combines rendering engines from Firefox, Chrome, and IE and makes it easy to switch between them.

Lunascape has a sleek tabbed interface that doesn't exactly resemble any one browser, but it's familiar-looking enough to be intuitive. It comes with three rendering engines: Trident (from Internet Explorer), Gecko (from Firefox), and WebKit (which powers both Google Chrome and Apple's Safari). We were excited to try Lunascape, because there is one Web site that we visit periodically using Chrome that won't render properly; we always end up having to open Firefox to view it. We opened the site in Lunascape using the WebKit engine, and sure enough, we got an error message. But instead of opening a new browser, we just selected Gecko from the menu next to the address bar. The page automatically refreshed and displayed properly. We did have some problems with add-ons; the biggest was that the Gecko engine is from Firefox 3.6.17, while the current release of Firefox is 5.0. This creates some compatibility problems, and given the popularity of Firefox add-ons, it could be a significant drawback for some users. If you have questions about how Lunascape works, there's an online Help file that includes video tutorials. Overall, we think that Lunascape is a great choice for people who'd like to combine their favorite aspects of various browsers or for developers who need to test code across multiple browsers.

Lunascape installs politely but leaves a folder behind upon removal.

Publisher's Description

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All User Reviews

Results 1-10 of 90

  • 1.0 stars

    "Good concept fails in use"

    December 30, 2012  |   By ckcomodo

    Version: Lunascape 6.8.1

    Pros

    Supposedly 3 rendering engines if cannot play well with a site--and this happens, even with stockbrokers.

    Cons

    Can only switch between Gecko and Trident; Web Kit(?) is buried somewhere in huge menu tree. Changing the zoom from 100% to anything else causes browser to CLOSE!

    Summary

    No Thank You. IE10 for me, 2d choice Slim Boat.

    Reply to this review Read reply (1)

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Good stuff!!"

    October 7, 2012  |   By AttillaDeHunt

    Version: Lunascape 6.7

    Pros

    Fast, Efficient, Tidy, Smart.

    Cons

    Small confusion with some pages/actions. I am certain that it is soon to be updated out.

    Summary

    Like it and it should continue to improve directly. Nice to have the multiple engine option.

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  • 4.0 stars

    "An alternative browser"

    September 16, 2012  |   By John PIlge

    Version: Lunascape 6.7

    Pros

    Fast, flexible and useful.

    Cons

    Not many plug-ins available.

    Summary

    If you work with web sites, it is always useful to have another browser to check page rendering. This one is good for that.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Multiple rendering engine and extremely configurable"

    May 30, 2012  |   By PaulMowers

    Version: Lunascape 6.7

    Pros

    IE rendering with Flash / Shockwave much faster than IE

    Cons

    So-so security and the numerous configuration options can make it hard to locate a particular functions / options to manipulate.

    Summary

    Almost as fast as SeaMonkey, faster than IE and Firefox

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Very Good Idea!"

    May 16, 2012  |   By Patrickej

    Version: Lunascape 6.7

    Pros

    The way this seems to almost (force) webpages to open is unique. I installed it and had a webkit download which to me seem to get the best of all (IE chrome firefox). I am impressed with it's speed. I did easily get a new skin and it installed within seconds. It has some very desirable features and I like what I have seen in the past hour of using it. I would say try this out and keep your other browsers and tweak this one a bit to see how it goes.. VERY FAST on my pc!

    Cons

    Had some flash player issues like no seperate window showing up from bluebeat.com showing the player. Did go to wgt.com and it played golf well on that without any problems.

    Summary

    Overall this is a good browser for sure! It is fast like chrome, if not faster at times.. Hands down the features and the speed make me want to keep it , even if I do not always want to use it as a main browser. I say Good Job Lunascape! Try it and see for yourself!

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Awesome, Quick and quite fast"

    March 30, 2012  |   By psychothunder

    Version: Lunascape 6.6.0

    Pros

    I can play online games with no problems; loads super quick/fast.

    Cons

    It gets moody once a week and crashes

    Summary

    I'm keeping it quite happy with it

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  • 4.0 stars

    "The Best Browser Then Ever, Lunascape 6.6.0?"

    March 6, 2012  |   By Gardeneir

    Version: Lunascape 6.6.0

    Pros

    This browser is built upon IE7/8/9/?. Faraway from SlimBrowser, in many ways. This felt to be a crossing of Netscape, IE & My Browser, all in one. A retro version, by the past. Yet all updated. There is no "Xmas Needless Gewgaws". Lunascape6 felt to be a powered cart-horse too! This is how a real browser should look & work, the best weight way.

    Read more: Lunascape - Download.com http://download.cnet.com/Lunascape/3000-2356_4-10310739.html#ixzz1oLGD4AdD

    Cons

    Using the web-based mail system gets some minor problem. Gmail is only one of many web-based e-mail. I suggest its up to clean away all the letters as read, in good time. Lunascape is not the only one with these problems, by the way.

    Summary

    The feeling by the beginning of the computers is back, all retro!

    Updated on Mar 6, 2012

    There was a time with lots of knick-knacks, at all kinds of softwarez. Kept "ours" software as they should appear. Clean & faraway from decorations!

    Updated on Mar 6, 2012

    Lunascape's future browsers IS something to waiting for. These recently versions has NEVER failure me. It is all because of its plainness way. I ain't alone by waiting for the next generation versions. Very soon.., eagerly!

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Fast, Easy, User Friendly"

    January 26, 2012  |   By edspencer

    Version: Lunascape 6.6.0

    Pros

    Switch Rendering Engine on the fly.

    Cons

    None that I can think of.

    Summary

    No lockups like IE and Chrome

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Very good browser"

    January 15, 2012  |   By Jringel05

    Version: Lunascape 6.5.8

    Pros

    Trident, Gecko and Webkit search engines all in one browser, great news ticker, very customizable. There's a lot to like about this browser. If you like menu bars you love Lunascape's interface.

    Cons

    I found it a little slow on start up but search speeds are average.
    First loads with lots of bars but they're easily unchecked to clean up the inteface.

    Summary

    Over all a very powerful and useful browser, I use it as a research browser.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "lunascape>firefox>chorm>ie"

    January 3, 2012  |   By biswajitapata

    Version: Lunascape 6.5.8

    Pros

    ***************

    Cons

    ********************************

    Summary

    *************************************************

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Results 1-10 of 90

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Lunascape