Kestrel

Kestrel is a cool web engine that kicked off in 2008 to tackle some annoying issues with today's web engines. You see, a lot of the engines we use today are built on really old code from the 1990s. This old code is packed with bugs and security problems that can cause headaches for developers.

Why Old Code Is a Problem

These older engines struggle to keep up with new web standards and technologies because they still have to support outdated methods. For example, Internet Explorer is based on Spyglass, Firefox still uses Netscape code, and Safari relies on KHTML code. This isn't ideal for anyone trying to create modern web applications.

Kestrel's Fresh Approach

This is where Kestrel steps in! It's built from scratch to meet the needs of today's web technologies and standards, like HTML5 and HTML5 video support. Plus, it sticks to W3C compliance which means it's following the latest rules for web development.

Portability Issues? Not Here!

Another great thing about Kestrel is its ability to handle portability issues. Browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari keep getting bigger with each update, which can slow them down over time. Kestrel is different—it's designed to be lightweight while supporting new tech without all those old habits that bog you down.

A Tiny Yet Powerful Engine

The size of Kestrel's codebase is impressively small—just 745KB at the time of writing! That's pretty amazing considering it can work with so many different web technologies.

Your Projects & Kestrel

You might be wondering: Will Flash or Silverlight work? The answer is no; these are not supported anymore since HTML5 video and canvas specs have taken over. But if you want to use Kestrel in your projects, there's good news! You just need to partner up with Element Software UK. As a partner, you'll share details about your project so they can help you out.

No Royalties Required!

The best part? There are no royalties involved! Just remember that Kestrel is a closed-source project, so if you want any modifications made for your specific needs (like for a browser or mobile app), you'll need to reach out directly.

Take It for a Test Drive!

If you're looking for a next-gen browser engine, why not give Kestrel a try? You'll see what this powerful little engine can do!

Why the Name 'Kestrel'?

The name 'Kestrel' comes from a small but mighty bird of prey. We think this perfectly represents our web engine: compact yet powerful, super fast, and ready for action—making your browsing experience next-gen!