VGSources / Best Game Asset Extractors / w3m
What it is
w3m is a free, open-source pager that also works 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 determines document type from headers and displays content marked text/html as HTML. It can also turn URL descriptions in plain text into links. The project lists Linux among the platforms where w3m is known to work and classifies it for desktop use. Building on MS-Windows requires Cygwin with development tools. The installation notes require the GC library 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 has no releases. The software is provided without express or implied warranty.
Good, and not so good
- Text-mode HTML browsing
- Follows links and external images
- Plain-text URLs become links
- Free and open source
- No usage limits stated
- Poor online manuals noted
- Windows builds require Cygwin
- GC library is required
- No GitHub releases listed
Who it suits
w3m suits Linux desktop users who want terminal-oriented text browsing and paging. Windows builders need Cygwin, development tools, and the GC library.
w3m provides compact text browsing with basic HTML navigation and external image viewing. Its documentation and build requirements are important considerations for anyone setting it up.
Plans
- w3mNo paid plans or usage limits statedFree
As github.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026.