Mozilla’s open-source web browser, Firefox, appears to be enjoying significant growth in terms of downloads as it passed the 400 million download mark, in just three years after it was first released.

From its launch in November of 2004, it took one year to reach 100 million downloads and another year to reach 200 million downloads. Today, Firefox has reached 400 million downloads.

According to Market watcher Xitimonitor, Mozilla’s latest version, Firefox 2.0, commands a 28% share of the browser market and that in July, it beats Internet Explorer 7 in half of the European countries.

“The visit share of Firefox 2 is in fact superior to that of Internet Explorer 7 in 16 of the 32 European countries studied – that is just half. But in terms of the level of visit share country by country, the advantage belongs to Firefox 2 to become most popular browser in Europe,” Xitimonitor told Personal Computer World.

In a message posted on Spread Firefox, Firefox’s community marketeers, recognized and thanked Firefox users for helping them achieved the 400 million download mark.

“With your amazing efforts, Firefox has reached 400 million downloads and demonstrated that not even the world’s most powerful companies can keep people from a better, safer, and faster web experience,” the team wrote.

While the figures are so remarkable, Firefox still faced a problem of retaining its users as only around 25% of those who downloaded the browser become a regular users.

However, Tristan Nitot, president of Mozilla Europe told PC Pro that 25% is still a great number compared to the industry average. In addition he said: “We want to understand why they don’t stick with Firefox. We’re working on it – you’ll see something soon.”

Related:

Entry was posted on Tuesday, September 11th, 2007 at 11:02 pm under Uncategorized.

Read more entries by Ruben Francia.
Stumble It!