w3m
What it is
w3m is a free, open-source pager that also functions as a text-mode web browser. When reading HTML, it lets users follow links and open images through an external image viewer. Its internet message mode checks document headers and displays content marked text/html as HTML. The program can also convert URL descriptions in plain text into links. Linux is listed among the platforms where it is known to work, and the product is categorized for desktop use. Building it on MS-Windows requires Cygwin and development tools. Installation notes list the GC library as a dependency and describe a configure, make, and make install process. The project permits use, modification, and redistribution when copyright notices remain in copies, applications, and derived works. The listed plan costs nothing, with no paid plans or usage limits stated. Documentation identifies poor online manuals as a current problem, and the GitHub releases page lists no releases. The software comes without express or implied warranty.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Text-mode HTML browsing
- Follows links in documents
- Plain-text URLs become links
- Linux support documented
Against
- Windows builds require Cygwin
- Requires the GC library
- Poor online manuals noted
- No GitHub releases listed
The verdict
w3m provides lightweight text-based browsing and paging with link handling and external image viewing. Its open-source model and Linux support appeal to command-line users, though documentation and build requirements require attention.
Who it suits
w3m suits Linux desktop users who want terminal-oriented web browsing and paging. It may also fit developers comfortable building software with dependencies and command-line tools.
Plans and prices
w3m
No paid plans or usage limits stated
Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Build dependency
- The installation notes say w3m requires the GC library.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Document detection
- Its internet message mode determines document type from the header and displays documents with Content-Type text/html as HTML.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- HTML browsing
- When reading HTML, users can follow links and view images using an external image viewer.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The documented build process runs configure, make, and make install.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The project describes w3m as a text-mode WWW browser and pager.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License terms
- The project permits use, modification, and redistribution provided the copyright notice is included in copies, applications, and derivations.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- The documentation lists Linux among the platforms w3m is known to work on.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Maintained distribution
- The repository says this package is maintained for Debian and forked from the original SourceForge version.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Yesgithub.com · read 19 Sep 2026
- Plain text links
- It can turn URL descriptions in plain text into links.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Product type
- w3m is a pager that can also be used as a text-mode WWW browser.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Release packaging
- The GitHub repository's releases page states that there are no releases there.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support limitation
- The documentation lists poor online manuals as a current problem.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Warranty
- The documentation says the software is provided as is without express or implied warranty.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- The documentation says building w3m on MS-Windows requires Cygwin with development tools.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
