I've been a long-time supporter of Mozilla and Firefox. There was once a time when a paid version of Firefox would have been unthinkable. Now it may be necessary.
Charging for open source software may sound hypocritical, but even the Free Software Foundation believes that software fees and software freedom are perfectly compatible. I know of no organization that takes software ethics more seriously than the FSF (Free Software Foundation). Even they advocate setting reasonable prices. I recommend that all skeptics read their entire article, but I will quote a few lines:
“Many people believe that… you shouldn’t charge money for distributing copies of software, or that you should charge as little as possible – just enough to cover your costs. This is a misunderstanding… In fact, we encourage people who redistribute free software [like freedom] to charge as much as they want or can.”
In open source software, users can install a fork. They wouldn't support the product, and they might not have access to the same customer service or fast software updates, but using an alternative package is their right. There are already many forks of Firefox, including LibreWolf, Waterfox, and IceCat, to name a few.
These will not disappear.
When I first heard someone propose an idea like this as a thought experiment more than ten years ago, the reaction was strong.
Today, things are different. We know what happens when companies use advertising to finance their activities.
Does anyone believe that Facebook is doing the world any good?
What it offers so far: tracking, addiction, algorithmic nonsense that fuels extremism and rage, and invasive targeted advertising.
This is the fate I want Mozilla to avoid. Let's pay for Firefox! Let's fund the product directly — not through the Foundation but directly — with our own money. (I strongly support the Foundation and it does amazing work, but I want to know that this money will directly support the development of Firefox.)
Today, I pay for software (including freeware and open source software!) that puts users first, like Standard Notes, Kagi, and others.
Some might worry that people will go to alternatives if Firefox becomes a user-funded product. I disagree. In fact, I think the opposite is true. Right now, people are leaving because they don't like Mozilla's business model. Adopt a business model that makes sense — I give you money, you give me a good product — and many of those same people will come back, along with new users.
Am I suggesting that Mozilla should completely switch to this business model overnight?
Of course not.
At least let's have the option. Do an experiment. Release a version of Firefox without sponsored content, without telemetry, without Google (by default), and with ad blocking built in. I wouldn't hesitate to pay.
If Mozilla doesn't do it, I'm very afraid someone else will.
https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/let-me-pay-for-firefox/141297
Although the press releases will range from very select to rare, I said I'd pass...because sometimes the editors hide.
I agree with the suggestion - at the end of the post - for a paid Firefox. I believe that this way it will become much better and I don't think it's bad to support the efforts of passionate developers with money for their efforts.