What is Reframe?

Reframe is an open-source desktop browser for macOS that recreates the look and feel of classic late-90s and early-2000s web browsers—Safari 1.0, Netscape 4.8, Firefox 1.0, and Internet Explorer 5.0—while running on a modern Chromium engine. It brings back the nostalgic toolbar icons, status bars, and spinning "throbber" animations, but lets you browse the real, modern web underneath. Reframe is built with Electron and is available as a free download on GitHub.

Who it's for

• Retro enthusiasts who want to relive the early internet aesthetic without sacrificing modern web compatibility.
• Design historians curious about how browser UIs evolved from brushed metal to tabbed browsing.
• Nostalgic developers who enjoy open-source projects and appreciate pixel-accurate recreations of classic software.

Key features

Four classic themes

Switch between Safari 1.0, Netscape 4.8, Firefox 1.0, and Internet Explorer 5.0 with one click. Each theme is a pixel-accurate reproduction of the original browser chrome, down to the throbber and toolbar icons.

Full browsing on modern Chromium

Under the retro exterior, Reframe runs the latest Chromium engine. JavaScript, video, web apps, and all modern web standards work seamlessly—you're not limited to archived pages.

Wayback Mode

A built-in feature that lets you visit websites the way they looked back then. It's a time machine for the web, integrated directly into the browser.

Open source on GitHub

The entire source code is available on GitHub. Forks, issues, and pull requests are welcome, making it easy for the community to contribute or customize themes.

What stands out

"Surf like it's 1999—on the real web."

Reframe's unique appeal is that it doesn't just simulate old browsers with static screenshots or archived pages. It wraps a historically accurate UI around a fully functional modern browser engine. You can load YouTube, check email, or browse Wikipedia while seeing the brushed metal of Safari 1.0 or the grey chrome of Internet Explorer 5.0. It's a faithful tribute that doesn't compromise on usability.

Worth checking out if…

You miss the tactile charm of early web browsing but still need to access today's internet. Reframe is perfect for anyone who wants to pair it with RetroMac or simply enjoy a nostalgic desktop experience without switching to a separate, limited retro browser. It's not meant to replace your daily driver, but for those moments when you want to bring the good old days back to your screen.