[sfrailsdev]

Firefox supported way more in the way of extensions and alterations then chrome, things like the zotero citation manager, grease monkey for user scripts, tree tyle tab for modifying the tab and bookmark menus, downthemall download manager, and importantly, TOR. Some of these could be ported to chrome, but they were easier to implement on firefox.

It's always been incredibly hackable, in the classic sense. That ability and the legacy of tools built on top of firefox was an important feature that they have largely maintained.

Chrome not only didn't have a legacy but still may break things for developers and sometimes just shrug off their complaints. It's a powerful browser, but it's focused on the needs of the parent company.