Firefox releases browser update with improved speeds and less memory usage

Mozilla Firefox has released a new update for its browser with 'multi-process' tech promising improved browsing speeds and cut down on memory usage. Firefox 54 brings the live implementation of multi-processes support, making it the first Firefox release to use multiple system processes for web page content.

"With today's release, Firefox uses up to four processes to run web page content across all open tabs," Firefox VP Nick Nguyen wrote in a blog post. "By separating the tabs into separate processes, we make better use of the hardware on your computer, so Firefox can deliver you more of the web ... with less waiting."

According to a Mozilla, Firefox 54 improves performance across all devices, especially with systems with limited memory. The new browser version feels faster and scores higher on an online browser speed test than Chrome and Safari, even after opening 20 tabs, although it still gives the old loading sign.

Overall, Firefox uses "significantly less RAM than other browsers on Windows 10, macOS and Linux," Nguyen adds. The release also includes bug and security fixes, and should be rolling out to all major platforms (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and Linux) now.

Nguyen calls this upgrade "the biggest change to Firefox code in our history." Firefox 54 for the desktop is available to download on Firefox.com and all existing users should be able to upgrade it automatically.