Web Browsers Comparison
A web browser is an application for accessing websites. When a user requests a web page from a particular website, the browser retrieves its files from a web server and then displays the page on the user's screen.
The most-used browser is Google Chrome, with a 64% global market share on all devices, followed by Safari with 19%.
A search engine is a website that provides links to other websites. However, to connect to a website's server and display its web pages, a user must have a web browser installed. In some technical contexts, browsers are referred to as user agents.
Function
The purpose of a web
browser is to fetch content from
the Web
or local storage and
display
it on the user's device. This process begins when the user inputs a
Uniform Resource Locator (URL), such as
https://en.wikipedia.org/
,
into the browser. Virtually all URLs on the Web start with either
http:
or
https:
which means they are retrieved with the
Hypertext Transfer Protocol
(HTTP). For
secure mode
(HTTPS), the connection between the browser and
web server
is
encrypted,
providing a
secure
and
private
data transfer.
Privacy
During the course of browsing, cookies received from various websites are stored by the browser. Some of them contain login credentials or site preferences. However, others are used for tracking user behavior over long periods of time, so browsers typically provide a section in the menu for deleting cookies. Finer-grained management of cookies usually requires a browser extension.
Despite the increasing prevalence of apps to serve every need imaginable, the Web browser remains central to modern life. It's a container for not just webpages, but truly active, interactive apps, even video conferencing and gaming. It's your email reader, your music and video player, and potentially even your videoconferencing window. Web apps can now pop up notifications, use your camera and microphone, and handle advanced 3D visualizations. Fortunately, choice in Web browsers is only growing, after something of a period of stagnation.
New browser entries include Microsoft's Edge, the Web-surfing software that arrived with Windows 10, Vivaldi (from the creator of Opera), Brave (from the creator of JavaScript), and two separate options from Maxthon, one for speed and one loaded with features. The latest entry comes from Opera, with the experimental Opera Neon browser that's far different from any traditional browser.
Microsoft's fast-but-barebones Edge browser leapt onto the scene as Windows 10's included Web software after a series of Internet Explorer versions no longer could cut the mustard. I say barebones, but the browser includes some nifty, unique features, like Web Notes, which lets you select, annotate, and share webpages; an ad-free Reading view, and integrated search and social sharing. To those its latest version added tab pinning and extension support.
Privacy and ad-blocking features have made a big showing in the browser world. It makes some sense, since consumers surveyed have overwhelmingly stated that they prefer not to have their Web browsing tracked. The new Brave browser is all about sparing you from Web ads. Maxthon and Opera now ship with built in ad blockers. And Firefox blocks third-party trackers while in Private Browsing mode—something I wish all browser makers would follow. The one exception to this trend towards greater privacy protections is Google's Chrome—unsurprisingly, as it comes from a company that makes its money by serving ads based on behavioral targeting.
Two features that I consider essential for consuming today's Web ad-free reading modes and share buttons. You'll find these included by default in several of the browsers, but for those that don't, you can find extensions that provide the functionality.
The move away from content that makes use of Adobe's Flash technology has been an ongoing issue in Web browser functionality. Firefox is the first of them to actually take action, making Flash content on-demand, rather than auto-playing it. Google has stated that an upcoming release of Chrome will do the same. Meanwhile, Chrome and Edge are the only browsers that come with Flash built-in, which, while politically incorrect, ends up being most convenient.
Another issue in the browser world of late has been battery usage. Tech news stories claiming that Chrome was a laptop battery killer have been circulating for a few years. Last June, Microsoft published a video showing that using its Edge browser prolonged battery life significantly. And then Opera chimed in saying its browser's Battery Saver mode was even more efficient than Edge. Despite all this, my testing showed a surprise leader: Firefox.
In JavaScript benchmarks, Edge does in fact have an edge at the moment, even beating Chrome and the rest on Google's own Octane 2.0 benchmark, as well as on a few others. In support for emerging Web standards, Chrome still takes top honors on Niels Leenheer's HTML5Test, which adds up how many coding features are recognized by a browser—though it doesn't measure whether the features are correctly implemented. A lot of what it measures is used by barely any sites.
A lightweight web browser is a web browser that sacrifices some of the features of a mainstream web browser in order to reduce the consumption of system resources, and especially to minimize the memory footprint
IN THIS ARTICLE ........
Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, or Safari
What's the Best Web Browser Overall?
Which Web Browser Is the Fastest?
Which Web Browser Is Best for Privacy?
Best Overall, Security and Customization
Firefox vs Google Chrome vs Microsoft Edge
Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera go head-to-head
Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, or Safari
Browsers offer varying levels of privacy, security, performance, and power efficiency. They differ even more when it comes to unique and helpful features beyond merely displaying websites.
Google Chrome
Best for Compatibility and Simplicity: Google Chrome
Most people need no introduction to the search behemoth's browser, Google Chrome. It’s attractively designed and quick at loading pages. Most website codes now target Chrome, so compatibility is seldom an issue. Chrome is available for all major platforms, and the mobile version offers syncing of bookmarks, passwords, and settings.
Chrome doesn't have many unique browsing features, however, and it's the only browser included here that you won't find in the desktop app stores for macOS and Windows. There’s no built-in VPN, no cryptocurrency locker, no note feature, and no screenshot tool. Google has announced a feeble gesture towards adding a reading mode; feeble because it will only be in a sidebar, with the full, noisy distracting page still displaying in the main central browser window. The lack of a true reading mode makes sense for a company that earns its keep through web ads since reading modes hide them. All the other browsers here have full-page reading modes.
Chrome allows multiple user profiles, meaning different users of the same computer can have their own browser settings, history, and favorites. The browser also finally caught up with others by adding a Share icon to the address bar that eases sending sites via social media or email.
A few years ago, Google controversially announced it would be removing the API function that allowed ad-blocker software to fully block ads. As of now, it seems ad blockers may be limited starting at some point in 2024. Some Chrome development, though, has centered around security and privacy, notably among them a plan to kill off tracking cookies in favor of Google's tracking mechanisms. The company's Privacy Sandbox initiative (in development) tries to cater to both ad targeting and user privacy. Some worry both of these developments will only result in more consolidation of the company's grip on web advertising and user profiling.
Apple Safari
Best for Mac Users: Apple Safari
The default Mac and iOS browser is a strong choice, though its interface has some nonstandard elements. Safari was a forerunner in several areas of browser features. For example, it was the first with a Reading mode, which cleared unnecessary clutter like ads and videos from web articles you want to read. That feature debuted in 2010 and has made its way into all other browsers except for Chrome.
Apple has brought up the topic of fingerprinting protection—preventing web trackers from identifying you by your system specs. Unfortunately, the EFF's Cover Your Tracks test site only shows partial protection from trackers in Safari, while several competitors get a result of Strong protection. Other benefits include Apple Pay support and a "Sign in with Apple" feature to replace Facebook and Google as web account authorizers.
In macOS Monterey, the browser gained a compact tab bar with floating tabs like Firefox's and Tab Groups that live in a convenient sidebar, and with Ventura, they become shareable and pinnable. Safari also supports Apple's proprietary Shared with You feature in its proprietary iMessage system. For iCloud+ subscribers, a Private Relay obscures your IP address, similar to a VPN.
If you use an iPhone and a Mac, Safari integration makes a lot of sense, since Apple’s Handoff feature lets you continue your browsing session between devices. Safari trails other browsers on support for emerging HTML features, but we haven’t run into or heard of any major site incompatibilities with it.
Microsoft Edge
Best for Helper Features: Microsoft Edge
The latest version of Microsoft Edge uses Chrome’s webpage-rendering code, Chromium, guaranteeing site compatibility and freeing up its developers to add unique features. You won’t run into the site incompatibilities users of the previous incarnation of Edge occasionally encountered, and the browser performs snappily. Edge now runs on Apple macOS and Windows 11 and earlier. Mobile versions for Android and iPhone let you sync history, favorites, and passwords.
Edge is a leader in performance, thrifty memory management, and disk usage. Startup Boost technology reduces the time it takes to open the browser, and sleeping tabs save memory on tabs you're not viewing. Edge's Efficiency mode can extend laptop battery life. The initial focuses for the browser were privacy, the customizable start page, and the intriguing Collections feature for web research. For enterprise customers who still rely on Internet Explorer to run legacy programs, Edge offers an IE Mode.
The Collections feature uses a sidebar onto which you can drag webpages and images, write notes, and then share the whole assemblage to Excel, OneNote, or Word. It's a great organization and planning tool. Edge's Immersive Reader mode not only offers distraction-free web reading, stripping out ads and nonessential eye candy, but it can also read webpage text aloudusing lifelike Neural Voices. It's worth trying because it reads with sentence intonation, rather than simply word by word, as we’ve come to expect text-to-speech audio.
Other notable Edge options include built-in web sharing, tabs down the side rather than across the top, a built-in screenshot tool, automatic coupons for shopping sites, and timely themes to dress up your browser. Recent additions include a side panel that integrates the new Bing AI chat search, game controller haptic feedback, and a multitasking side toolbar that lets you access first- and third-party services for social networking, search, messaging, search, and productivity.
Mozilla Firefox
Best for Independent Thinkers: Mozilla Firefox
Firefox, an open-source project from the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, has long been a PCMag favorite. The browser has pioneered many web capabilities and the organization that develops it has been a strong advocate for online privacy. It’s also notable for its wealth of available extensions. The unique Multi-Account Containers extension lets you sequester multiple logins to the same site on different tabs. Without it, you'd have to open a private browsing window or another browser to sign out of all your web accounts and start a fresh session.
Mozilla’s browser is in the vanguard of supporting new HTML and CSS capabilities, and the company is working on open-source AR and speech synthesis standards. The organization now offers a full password management service called Lockwise, which can generate complex passwords, sync them between devices, and secure everything under a strong master password. That and the organization's VPN offering are paid extras.
The mobile Firefox apps offer excellent interfaces, and you can send a webpage tab from any device to any others that are logged into your syncing account. That’s right: You can be reading a webpage on your desktop PC, and have it instantly open on your iPhone or vice versa. It's a slick and useful feature.
If that’s not enough, Firefox has a Pocket button in the address bar, letting you save a page for later viewing anywhere with one click. The Reader View button declutters a webpage loaded with ads, promos, and videos, so you can peruse it with no distractions. PiP video supports closed captions and HDR and AV1 video formats. The browser is ultra customizable, letting you select and arrange buttons on the toolbar to taste, as well as select from a large number of Theme add-ons that change window border patterns and colors.
Recent additions include PDF editing and the Firefox View feature, basically a pinned tab of recent sites that syncs between the desktop and mobile versions of the browser.
Opera
Best for Innovative Tools and Built-In VPN: Opera
Perennially hovering around the 2% usage level, the Opera browser has long been a pioneer in the segment, inventing basic browser innovations like tabs, CSS, and the built-in search box. Opera can make a bigger privacy claim than the other browsers here—if you’re a believer in VPNs. It includes a built-in VPN (actually an encrypted proxy server) that protects and reroutes traffic from Opera to cloak your IP address. Opera uses the Chromium page-rendering engine, so you'll rarely run into site incompatibilities, and performance is fast. It's available for all major platforms, and the Opera Touch mobile browser is a beautifully designed app that connects (via quick QR scan) to your desktop.
Beyond the VPN, another unique feature in Opera is its built-in ad blocker, which also blocks crypto-mining scripts and trackers. Ad blocking also means less data consumed, especially of interest to those using metered connections or mobile plans with data caps.
More unique features in Opera include its Speed Dial start and New Tab page, as well as its quick-access sidebar of frequently needed services like WhatsApp or Spotify. My Flow lets you send webpages and notes between devices easily. The browser also includes a video pop-out window, a Pinboard feature similar to Edge's Collections, and a Workspaces feature that lets you create function-based tab views. Opera uniquely offers a cryptocurrency wallet as an option, which supports most popular tokens.
Opera offers a gaming version called Opera GX, and the company recently bought a gaming engine, moving into that specialty even further. The company also offers a futuristic secure Crypto Browser for navigating Web3. And like Edge, Opera is adding AI ChatGPT capabilities to the browser, starting with a summarizer tool for text you highlight or even full sites.
What's the Best Web Browser Overall?
For the last several years, the browser landscape has been dominated by Google. The same company that serves more web content than any other (according to Comscore) also claims more than 65% of the worldwide browser market share with Chrome, based on StatCounter and W3Counter numbers. That’s for desktop use, but when you add in mobile, Chrome is still king. So dominant is Chrome that most other browsers now use its underlying Chromium rendering code, with Firefox the only remaining top-to-bottom independent competitor.
Chrome may be leading in usage (except, of course, on Apple devices), but it’s not ahead by every measure or by number of capabilities. Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Opera all have features not found in Google's browser. That’s not to say that Chrome isn't an excellent piece of software, but you should know that there are worthy alternatives.
Which Web Browser Has the Best Compatibility?
The web markup standard that underlies all webpages, HTML5, fully launched in 2014 after a decade of work, though it has continued to evolve with new features. There have been murmurings around the web about a new HTML6 version, but it's never been mentioned in an official capacity, so it remains a rumor. Rather, the rival W3C and WHATWG organizations that develop the standard have signed an agreement, and now HTML has no version number, as it's a "living standard."
Still a rough measure of standards compatibility, however, is the HTML5test website, which scores browsers’ compatibility with the moving target of web standards. The maximum possible score is 555, with points awarded for each standard supported.
Chrome maintains its longtime lead on this test with a score of 528. Edge, Opera, and other Chromium-based browsers hew closely to Chrome. Firefox and Safari bring up the rear, at 515 and 468, respectively. (Safari's score has actually gone down since previous test runs, perhaps as a result of the move to M1 CPUs.)
Which Web Browser Is the Fastest?
For speed testing, we run each browser through the JetStream and Speedometer benchmarks from browserbench.org, and WebXPRT 4 from Principled Technologies. As you can see from the table of results above, Apple Safari was the fastest in the JetStream test, but only just barely, and Google Chrome was the fastest in the Speedometer test.
JetStream runs 64 tests, measuring, according to its documentation, "the speed of internet applications variety of JavaScript and Web Assembly benchmarks, covering a variety of advanced workloads and programming techniques." Higher is better in the final score, which is based on a geometric mean of all the tests run. Speedometer is a quick-to-run benchmark that simulates adding, completing, and removing to-do items in a web app. WebXPRT is the most time-consuming benchmark. It runs through several categories of operations to test performance, including AI photo recognition and encryption.
We tested on a Surface Laptop 3 with a Core i7 processor running Windows 11 and a MacBook Air M1 running macOS Ventura, shutting down unnecessary processes and reporting the geometric mean of five test runs. To see just one platform or the other, click on the OS names in the chart headers.
Take benchmark results with a grain of salt, since purely synthetic tests don’t measure every component of actual browsing conditions. Note, too, that because all the browsers we tested, save Firefox, use the same Chromium rendering code, the results cluster fairly closely together. And for some reason, Opera wouldn't load the entire set of JetStream tests under Windows 11, so I couldn't report result for that pairing.
Firefox has fallen behind on both platforms in most of the tests, but it does well in the more exhaustive WebXPRT test. Note that having the Enhanced Security mode enabled in Edge lowers its scores drastically, though in everyday web use, having that extra protection on doesn't slow down the experience noticeably. Maybe what makes these scores less useful is that recent computers have more than enough power to deliver web content snappily.
For memory usage testing, we load 12 media-rich site tabs into each browser all at the same time and capture the MB of RAM reported by the Windows' Task Manager. macOS's Activity Monitor doesn't combine processes for apps, making it difficult to report the full memory use number. Edge has the lowest memory usage, we suspect because it uses code that's part of the operating system. Some browsers (Edge in particular) use sleeping tabs, meaning they unload the content of tabs you're not viewing from memory. I enabled this feature in Chrome for the test. Firefox uses the most memory in this test, but, ironically, higher memory usage here can result in snappier performance, since you don't have to wait for sleeping tabs to get reloaded.
Which Web Browser Is Best for Privacy?
Of the browsers listed here, Opera and Firefox are your best options for privacy, although if privacy is your main concern, we have other suggestions for the best private browsers.
Privacy, customization, convenience features, tab and start-page tools, and mobile integration have replaced speed and standards support as today's primary differentiators. All browsers now can remember passwords for you and sync them (in encrypted form) as well as your browsing history and bookmarks between desktops or laptops and mobile devices. Chrome by default signs you into Google services like Gmail and YouTube, which some consider presumptuous.
Privacy mavens like to use virtual private networks, better known as VPNs, to hide browsing activities from ISPs and any other intervening entities between you and the site you’re visiting. Opera is the only browser here that includes a built-in VPN (Firefox offers one at extra cost). Firefox also has a good privacy story, with a private mode that not only discards a session’s history and cookies but also hides your activities from third-party tracking sites during the private session.
Firefox recently implemented DNS over HTTPS, which hides your web address lookups from your ISP. In addition, Edge, Firefox, and Safari include some fingerprint protection, meaning they try to prevent trackers from identifying you based on your hardware and software setup. One test of this is the EFF's Cover Your Tracks site, which reports the level of tracking protection; on that, Safari shows gaps, while Brave gets top marks. Some browsers also have built-in Content Blocking to fend off known trackers and cryptocurrency-mining ploys.
Which Web Browser Has the Best Tools?
Useful browsing tools can play a part in your decision, too. For example, Reading Mode strips webpages of clutter, such as ads and videos, so you can focus on text. Another is the Share button. With this era’s obsession with social media, it’s a nearly essential convenience.
Opera is alone at the moment among the popular web browsers for having a built-in cryptocurrency wallet (the aforementioned Brave browser also has one). Opera is notable for its Speed Dial, which consists of pinned tiles on your home screen and a toolbar for accessing frequently needed services such as WhatsApp.
Microsoft Edge offers voice-reading of webpages with remarkably realistic speech, a helpfully customizable homepage, detailed privacy settings, and a Collections feature for web research. Firefox lets you instantly save a page to Pocket or open a new Container in case you want to be logged into the same site with two different identities. Screenshot tools are making their way into browsers, with Edge, Firefox, and Opera getting them for starters.
What Should You Use Instead of Internet Explorer?
The browser wars continue to rage, but one competitor is gone forever: Microsoft's Internet Explorer. The once-indisputable leader in browser market share and the one that paved the way for interactive web applications, no longer receives support, as of June 15, 2022. Microsoft has shifted its focus to the new Edge web browser.
If you still need IE to run an old web app, you can still get it in Edge's IE Mode.
Michael PCmag, Chrome-edge-firefox-opera-or-safari
Google Chrome
Most people need no introduction to the search behemoth's browser, Google Chrome. It’s attractively designed and quick at loading pages. Most website codes now target Chrome, so compatibility is seldom an issue. Chrome is available for all major platforms, and the mobile version offers syncing of bookmarks, passwords, and settings.
Chrome doesn't have many unique browsing features, however, and it's the only browser included here that you won't find in the desktop app stores for macOS and Windows. There’s no built-in VPN, no cryptocurrency locker, no note feature, and no screenshot tool. Google has announced a feeble gesture towards adding a reading mode; feeble because it will only be in a sidebar, with the full, noisy distracting page still displaying in the main central browser window. The lack of a true reading mode makes sense for a company that earns its keep through web ads since reading modes hide them. All the other browsers here have full-page reading modes.
Chrome allows multiple user profiles, meaning different users of the same computer can have their own browser settings, history, and favorites. The browser also finally caught up with others by adding a Share icon to the address bar that eases sending sites via social media or email.
A few years ago, Google controversially announced it would be removing the API function that allowed ad-blocker software to fully block ads. As of now, it seems ad blockers may be limited starting at some point in 2024. Some Chrome development, though, has centered around security and privacy, notably among them a plan to kill off tracking cookies in favor of Google's tracking mechanisms. The company's Privacy Sandbox initiative (in development) tries to cater to both ad targeting and user privacy. Some worry both of these developments will only result in more consolidation of the company's grip on web advertising and user profiling.
Apple Safari
3.0 Good
The default Mac and iOS browser is a strong choice, though its interface has some nonstandard elements. Safari was a forerunner in several areas of browser features. For example, it was the first with a Reading mode, which cleared unnecessary clutter like ads and videos from web articles you want to read. That feature debuted in 2010 and has made its way into all other browsers except for Chrome.
Apple has brought up the topic of fingerprinting protection—preventing web trackers from identifying you by your system specs. Unfortunately, the EFF's Cover Your Tracks test site only shows partial protection from trackers in Safari, while several competitors get a result of Strong protection. Other benefits include Apple Pay support and a "Sign in with Apple" feature to replace Facebook and Google as web account authorizers.
In macOS Monterey, the browser gained a compact tab bar with floating tabs like Firefox's and Tab Groups that live in a convenient sidebar, and with Ventura, they become shareable and pinnable. Safari also supports Apple's proprietary Shared with You feature in its proprietary iMessage system. For iCloud+ subscribers, a Private Relay obscures your IP address, similar to a VPN.
If you use an iPhone and a Mac, Safari integration makes a lot of sense, since Apple’s Handoff feature lets you continue your browsing session between devices. Safari trails other browsers on support for emerging HTML features, but we haven’t run into or heard of any major site incompatibilities with it.
Microsoft Edge
The latest version of Microsoft Edge uses Chrome’s webpage-rendering code, Chromium, guaranteeing site compatibility and freeing up its developers to add unique features. You won’t run into the site incompatibilities users of the previous incarnation of Edge occasionally encountered, and the browser performs snappily. Edge now runs on Apple macOS and Windows 11 and earlier. Mobile versions for Android and iPhone let you sync history, favorites, and passwords.
Edge is a leader in performance, thrifty memory management, and disk usage. Startup Boost technology reduces the time it takes to open the browser, and sleeping tabs save memory on tabs you're not viewing. Edge's Efficiency mode can extend laptop battery life. The initial focuses for the browser were privacy, the customizable start page, and the intriguing Collections feature for web research. For enterprise customers who still rely on Internet Explorer to run legacy programs, Edge offers an IE Mode.
The Collections feature uses a sidebar onto which you can drag webpages and images, write notes, and then share the whole assemblage to Excel, OneNote, or Word. It's a great organization and planning tool. Edge's Immersive Reader mode not only offers distraction-free web reading, stripping out ads and nonessential eye candy, but it can also read webpage text aloudusing lifelike Neural Voices. It's worth trying because it reads with sentence intonation, rather than simply word by word, as we’ve come to expect text-to-speech audio.
Other notable Edge options include built-in web sharing, tabs down the side rather than across the top, a built-in screenshot tool, automatic coupons for shopping sites, and timely themes to dress up your browser. Recent additions include a side panel that integrates the new Bing AI chat search, game controller haptic feedback, and a multitasking side toolbar that lets you access first- and third-party services for social networking, search, messaging, search, and productivity.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox, an open-source project from the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, has long been a PCMag favorite. The browser has pioneered many web capabilities and the organization that develops it has been a strong advocate for online privacy. It’s also notable for its wealth of available extensions. The unique Multi-Account Containers extension lets you sequester multiple logins to the same site on different tabs. Without it, you'd have to open a private browsing window or another browser to sign out of all your web accounts and start a fresh session.
Mozilla’s browser is in the vanguard of supporting new HTML and CSS capabilities, and the company is working on open-source AR and speech synthesis standards. The organization now offers a full password management service called Lockwise, which can generate complex passwords, sync them between devices, and secure everything under a strong master password. That and the organization's VPN offering are paid extras.
The mobile Firefox apps offer excellent interfaces, and you can send a webpage tab from any device to any others that are logged into your syncing account. That’s right: You can be reading a webpage on your desktop PC, and have it instantly open on your iPhone or vice versa. It's a slick and useful feature.
If that’s not enough, Firefox has a Pocket button in the address bar, letting you save a page for later viewing anywhere with one click. The Reader View button declutters a webpage loaded with ads, promos, and videos, so you can peruse it with no distractions. PiP video supports closed captions and HDR and AV1 video formats. The browser is ultra customizable, letting you select and arrange buttons on the toolbar to taste, as well as select from a large number of Theme add-ons that change window border patterns and colors.
Recent additions include PDF editing and the Firefox View feature, basically a pinned tab of recent sites that syncs between the desktop and mobile versions of the browser.
Opera
Perennially hovering around the 2% usage level, the Opera browser has long been a pioneer in the segment, inventing basic browser innovations like tabs, CSS, and the built-in search box. Opera can make a bigger privacy claim than the other browsers here—if you’re a believer in VPNs. It includes a built-in VPN (actually an encrypted proxy server) that protects and reroutes traffic from Opera to cloak your IP address. Opera uses the Chromium page-rendering engine, so you'll rarely run into site incompatibilities, and performance is fast. It's available for all major platforms, and the Opera Touch mobile browser is a beautifully designed app that connects (via quick QR scan) to your desktop.
Beyond the VPN, another unique feature in Opera is its built-in ad blocker, which also blocks crypto-mining scripts and trackers. Ad blocking also means less data consumed, especially of interest to those using metered connections or mobile plans with data caps.
More unique features in Opera include its Speed Dial start and New Tab page, as well as its quick-access sidebar of frequently needed services like WhatsApp or Spotify. My Flow lets you send webpages and notes between devices easily. The browser also includes a video pop-out window, a Pinboard feature similar to Edge's Collections, and a Workspaces feature that lets you create function-based tab views. Opera uniquely offers a cryptocurrency wallet as an option, which supports most popular tokens.
Opera offers a gaming version called Opera GX, and the company recently bought a gaming engine, moving into that specialty even further. The company also offers a futuristic secure Crypto Browser for navigating Web3. And like Edge, Opera is adding AI ChatGPT capabilities to the browser, starting with a summarizer tool for text you highlight or even full sites.
Michael Muchmore PCmag, Chrome-edge-firefox-opera-or-safari
Best web browser if you need clear privacy tools
Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux coming soon
Reasons to buy
+Very, very fast
+Crystal clear privacy tools
+Can save sites as apps
Reasons to avoid
-Windows really wants it to be the default
-Will not support older computers with less than 1 GHz of processing capability
Older readers will remember Microsoft as the villains of the Browser Wars that ultimately led to the fall of Netscape and the rise of Firefox, and later on Chrome. But Microsoft is on the side of the angels now and its Edge browser has been rebuilt with Chromium at its heart. It’s Windows’ default browser and there are also versions for iOS, Android, and Mac.
The latest Edge is considerably faster than its predecessor and includes some useful features including Read Aloud, the ability to cast media such as inline videos to Chromecast devices, integrated AI tools including Bing Chat and Image Creator, and a good selection of add-ons such as password managers, ad-blockers, and so on. You can also download web pages as apps which then run as stand-alone applications without having to launch the whole browser. That’s useful for the likes of Google Docs or Twitter.
There are lots of customization options and we particularly liked the Privacy and Services page, which makes potentially confusing settings crystal clear. Elsewhere, the Site Permissions page gives you fine-grained control over what specific sites can do, including everything from pop-ups and ad blocking to MIDI device access and media autoplay.
Edge looks like Chrome and works like Chrome, but we like it more than Chrome: it’s noticeably faster on our Mac and the customization options are superb.
The best web browser for power users and privacy protection
Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Reasons to buy
+Incredibly flexible
+Cross-platform sync
+Good privacy protection
Reasons to avoid
-A bit slower than rivals
-Requires a large amount of system memory
Firefox has long been the Swiss Army Knife of the internet and one of our favorite browsers. It can alert you if your email address is included in a known data breach, it blocks those annoying allow-notifications popups, it blocks “fingerprinting” browser tracking and it brings its picture in picture video mode to the Mac version.
As before it’s endlessly customizable both in terms of its appearance and in the range of extensions and plugins you can use. Last year’s overhaul dramatically improved its performance, which was starting to lag behind the likes of Chrome, and it’s smooth and solid even on fairly modest hardware.
Firefox, one of the best browsers for a long time, is certainly a great choice for any internet user. It comes with a diverse range of features, beats Chrome in terms of privacy, is easy to use, and is also lightning-quick.
Plus, it doesn't ask for too much space either, so you don't have to think twice before installing it. What's more, Firefox also has multiple customization options — whether you want to stick to the default theme or experiment with a thousand other themes, the choice is yours.
Best web browser for collecting content
Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Reasons to buy
+Built-in proxy
+Great security features
+Really nice interface
Reasons to avoid
-No more Opera Turbo
-Not the fastest browser in the market
Opera sets out its stall the moment you first run it: its splash screen enables you to turn on its built-in ad blocker, use its built-in VPN, turn on its Crypto Wallet for cryptocurrency, enable in-browser messaging from the sidebar, and move between light or dark modes.
It’s a great introduction to a really good browser, although if you’re a gamer you should check out Opera GX instead: that’s designed specifically for gamers and features Twitch integration and Razer Chroma support.
Opera is yet another Chromium-based browser, so performance is speedy and you can use add-ons from the Chrome library. It also has some interesting ideas of its own such as My Flow: if you’re constantly emailing or messaging interesting links to yourself, Flow enables you to do that more elegantly by making it easy to share content from Opera on your phone to Opera on your computer.
But that's just the start. Opera's more advanced features include Aria, a powerful OpenAI-powered assistant which makes it easy to explain or summarize complex content, generate ideas and recommendations, translate text, or create new content of your own: emails, blog posts, letters, even poems or songs.
Although some people still see Opera as an also-ran in the browser world, it's improved in leaps and bounds in recent years, and the latest innovations ensure it's a browser to watch both now and in the future.
Best all-round web browser
Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Reasons to buy
+Speedy performance
+Very expandable
+Cross-platform
+Majority of browser extensions are compatible with Chrome
Reasons to avoid
-Can be resource-hungry
If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery then Microsoft’s adoption of the Chromium engine for its own Edge browser must be making Google feel pretty good about itself.
But there are some areas in which Microsoft’s contender actually beats the big G, most noticeably in resource usage: Chrome is infamous for its hefty resource demands and it can run really slow on lower-end hardware and RAM (albeit more on Windows than ChromeOS, queue conspiracy theories).
The Memory Saver mode is designed to address that by freeing up resources from tabs you're not currently using, but Chrome remains pretty hardware-hungry.
Chrome is by no means a bad browser. Quite the contrary: it’s a brilliant browser with a superb library of add-ons, cross-platform support and sync, excellent autofill features, and some great tools for web developers.
It can warn you if your email’s been compromised, it has secure DNS lookup for compatible providers (Google’s own Public DNS is one of them) and it blocks lots of dangerous mixed content such as scripts and images on otherwise secure connections.
Perhaps best of all, if you're tired of suspicious websites asking you to 'click every tile containing a bicycle', Chrome now includes new ways to tell sites you're a human, not a bot, hopefully reducing the number of annoying captchas you'll see.
However, all this kind of gets rolled back by the fact that Chrome is owned and operated by Google as a means of collecting data from its users, regardless of what the company says about privacy. Secure it is, private it isn't.
Best build your own web browser with unique docking and tab-stacking
Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android (beta)
Reasons to buy
+Incredibly customizable
+Creative interface features
+Supports Chrome extensions
Reasons to avoid
-Bad for procrastinators
Vivaldi is the brainchild of former Opera developers, and like Opera, it does things differently from the big-name browsers. In this case, very differently. Vivaldi is all about customization, and you can tweak pretty much everything from the way navigation works to how the user interface looks.
Chromium is once again under the surface here (which means you can use most Chrome add-ons), but what’s on top is very different from other Chromium-based browsers. You can pin sites to the sidebar, stick toolbars wherever suits and adjust pages’ fonts and color schemes; have a notes panel as well as the usual history and bookmarks bits; customize the way search works and give search engines nicknames; change how tabs work and get grouped and much, much more.
You can even view your history in graph form to see just how much of your time you’ve been spending on particular sites. We particularly like the tab stacks, which are a boon for anyone who tends to end up trying to keep track of dozens of open tabs.
If you’re the kind of person who likes to fiddle with interfaces instead of getting on with stuff, it’s a potential productivity nightmare – but it’s fantastic for power users who know exactly what they want and how they want it to work.
Best web browser FAQs
What is a web browser?
A web browser is a tool that enables users to surf and access websites that are on the internet.
There are plenty of web browsers, but the most popular options are Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari, and Opera.
How to choose the best web browsers for you?
Selecting a web browser to use for the long term is a very personal thing, and will depend on your individual browsing security, privacy and accessibility needs. From a technical perspective, it will also depend on what your computer is able to handle in terms of processing speed, and memory capacity.
For example, if privacy is your primary deciding factor in a browser, Firefox or Brave browser will be your best bet. Although if you're used to using Google software and products, opting for Chrome may be a better option.
VPNs
1.
ExpressVPN: the best VPN service for your
browser
We
have reviewed more than one hundred VPN providers, both free and paid, and our
top recommendation right now is ExpressVPN.
Given the risks of using free VPNs, the $6.67 per month price point is
absolutely worth paying. Plus, it comes with a no-questions-asked 30-day
money-back guarantee too.
2.
Surfshark VPN: - the best cheap VPN option
If ExpressVPN is too expensive, look no further than TechRadar's #2 VPN--Surfshark.
From just $1.99 per month, it's a fantastic, premium option that's
unbelievably simple to use and has become a TechRadar favorite. It offers most
of the same features as the other top services for less money.
3.
NordVPN: the fastest VPN around
Chances are, even if you don't know a lot about VPNs you may have heard of
NordVPN.
They advertise on TV, they sponsor sports teams and they've been a leader in the
VPN market for over 7 years. Nord doesn't quite lead the way like it once did
but it's still a fantastic service from $3.49 per month.
Carrie Marshall, Daryl Baxter, Techradar, Best browser
The best web browser: Google Chrome
Chrome is ubiquitous — and for good reason. With a robust feature set, full Google Account integration, a thriving extension ecosystem (available through the Chrome Web Store), and a reliable suite of mobile apps, it’s easy to see why Chrome is the most popular and the best web browser.
Chrome boasts some of the most extensive mobile integration available. Served up on every major platform, keeping data in sync is easy, making browsing between multiple devices a breeze. Sign in to your Google account on one device, and all Chrome bookmarks, saved data, and preferences come right along. Even active extensions stay synchronized across devices.
Chrome’s Password Manager can automatically generate and recommend strong passwords when a user creates a new account on a webpage. Managing saved passwords and adding notes to passwords is even easier. The search bar, or Omnibox, provides “rich results” comprised of useful answers, and it now supports generative AI capabilities. Favorites are more accessible as well, and they’re manageable on the New Tab page. And it’s now easier to mute tabs to avoid unwanted sounds.
Other updates have included a Dark Mode for Windows and MacOS, better New Tab customization and tab group creation, tab hover cards, and an in-browser warning if your password was discovered in a data breach. There’s a price tracking feature that can help locate the best deals. Android users will appreciate the Phone Hub for linking and monitoring their phones. There’s also the ability to quiet notifications, so websites don’t bombard you with requests to enable in-browser notifications.
What’s the bottom line? The Google Chrome browser is fast, free, and even better looking than before. With a thriving extension ecosystem, it’s as fully featured or as pared-down as you want it to be. Everything is right where it belongs, privacy and security controls are laid out in plain English, and the browser just gets out of your way. While it can be a little RAM-hungry at times, Google is working to make it more efficient — like Microsoft’s Edge, Google can now hibernate tabs in the background to stop them from using too many resources.
Overall, Chrome remains the best web browser download for the average user.
And, things are looking to get even better. Google announced some significant upgrades to the browser that haven’t gone live yet, to celebrate Chrome’s 15th birthday. A Material You design language will allow users to customize Chrome’s look and feel and attach themes to profiles to make it easy to tell them apart. The menu system will be revamped to provide easier access to a variety of settings and features including Extensions, Password Manager, Translate, and others. The Chrome Web Store will be redesigned using Material You to be easier to use, and AI will help identify useful extensions. And finally, Safe Browsing will now work in real time to protect against threats.
The best Chrome alternative: Microsoft Edge
In response to the market’s rejection of its original home-grown Edge browser, Microsoft rewrote Edge using the open-source Chromium web browser engine. The new Edge launched on February 5, 2020, as a separate, stand-alone browser that replaced the integrated version. It became part of Windows 10 with the May 2020 update, although you can still download it for Windows 10 builds prior to version 2004. Of course, it’s the default web browser for Windows 11.
At first glance, the new Edge browser looks and feels like Google Chrome. It prompts you to import Chrome’s bookmarks toolbar and other settings. This is great if you hated the old Edge browser and want to give Microsoft’s new browser another shot. It also supports Chrome extensions, though the browser leads you to the Microsoft Store for add-ons. You must manually load the Chrome Web Store to install anything not listed in Microsoft’s repository.
However, it’s not Chrome with a Windows 11 theme. Microsoft reportedly disabled many features, including Google’s Safe Browsing API, ad blocking, speech input, Google-centric services, and more. In return, the company worked to optimize Edge and reduce its footprint while continuing to add new, Microsoft-oriented features. As of January 2023, Edge is the most efficient browser in terms of memory usage. It also allows sleeping tabs, to let tabs release their resources when they haven’t been used for some time.
Features launched since its release have included the new Edge Sidebar that provides easy access to various tools, more flexibility in managing how Edge starts up, Citations to make it easier for students to cite sources, and various other updates to make the browser more productive. Edge Workspaces lets users organize tasks into dedicated windows, and Microsoft has continuously tweaked various features, like the Edge Sidebar, to make them more user-friendly.
Microsoft Edge also provides simpler privacy settings and security updates. Microsoft Edge uses a graphically friendly interface that displays three security levels: Basic, Balanced, and Strict. With Balanced set as the default, many sites request you to disable your pop-up blocker even though one isn’t manually installed. All in all, we’re very optimistic that Edge is on its way to challenging Chrome as the best web browser.
The best Chromium alternative: Mozilla Firefox
Firefox is the best browser that’s not based on the Chromium browser engine. Mozilla has taken real strides to make its browser a truly modern way to surf from site to site, thanks to efforts like its upgrade to Firefox Quantum, its VR alternative Firefox Reality, and password-free browsing.
It wasn’t too long ago that Mozilla rebuilt the browser’s interface, offering a cleaner, more modern take on what a web browser should be. The changes weren’t just skin-deep, however. There’s some impressive engineering going on behind the scenes.
For example, Firefox Quantum is designed to leverage multicore processors in ways that its competitors just aren’t doing. It was not designed to make a huge difference in your day-to-day browsing, but Mozilla hopes this design will give Firefox Quantum an edge moving forward. By engineering for the future now, Firefox Quantum is in a better position to take advantage of quicker processors as they emerge.
Some Firefox strengths include privacy protections with SmartBlock anti-tracker support, improved password syncing across devices, enhanced readability, integrated breach alerts, and a Protections Dashboard that provides a summary of how Firefox protects your privacy behind the scenes. WebRender improves the graphics performance on Windows PCs with Intel and AMD CPUs.
Recent updates include easier download management, captions, and subtitle support on YouTube, Prime Video, and Netflix videos watched in picture-in-picture mode, HDR support in MacOS, and the ability to edit PDFs with text, drawings, and signatures. Firefox can also recognize text from an image, which is copied to the clipboard when selected. Finally, Firefox Colorways provides new options for optimizing how Firefox looks on-screen.
Beneath those changes, Firefox remains a comfortable, familiar standby. It’s a capable browser with a deep catalog of extensions and user interface customization. While managing settings across platforms isn’t as seamless as Google Chrome, the mobile browser app lets you share bookmarks between devices when using a free Firefox account.
There’s a bit of a fringe benefit, too. Since it’s been around longer than Chrome, some older web apps — the likes of which you might encounter at your university or workplace — work better on Firefox than they do on Chrome. For that reason, it never hurts to keep it around.
Overall, Firefox is more privacy-centric than Chrome and comparably fast, but its feature set isn’t quite as expansive elsewhere. If you like the sound of this, download the Firefox browser today.
The most innovative web browser: Opera
Another venerable browser and popular alternative, the Opera browser shares much of Chrome’s DNA and deserves its place as one of the best web browsers. Like both Edge and Chrome, Opera is built on Google’s open-source Chromium engine and, as a result, they all have a very similar user experience. Both feature a hybrid URL/search bar, and both are relatively light and fast.
The differences appear when you look at Opera’s built-in features. Where Chrome relies on an extension ecosystem to provide functionality users might want, Opera has a few more features baked right into the browser itself. It introduced a predictive website preload ability, and an Instant Search feature isolates search results in their separate window while the current page fades into the background, letting users more easily focus on the research task at hand.
You can install extensions from the Opera Add-ons store, which are just like Chrome extensions. Similar to Google’s browser, you’ll find useful tools like Giphy, Amazon Assistant, Avast Online Security, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and more. If Chrome’s wide variety of extensions is important to you, then Opera becomes an intriguing alternative. It might just be one of the best browsers for quickly navigating web pages.
Opera also features a built-in “Stash” for saving pages to read later. There’s no need to sign up for a Pocket or Evernote account to save a page for later reading. Similarly, Opera features a speed-dial menu that puts all your most frequently visited pages in one place. Google Chrome also does this, but only on a blank new tab. Finally, Opera has a built-in unlimited VPN service, making it a more secure browser option.
The biggest changes came with Opera 60 and Reborn 3, a complete revamp that brought a new borderless design, Web 3 support, and a Crypto Wallet, allowing users to prepare for blockchain-based sites. With version 69, Opera became the first browser with a built-in Twitter tool, and the company has added others as well including Instagram and TikTok. Just click the icon on the toolbar, log in to your account, and tweet away right from within the slide-out menu.
Other recent advancements include Lucid Mode, which sharpens video playing on a variety of platforms, supports emojis instead of web links, and other enhancements. The Opera Sidebar adds new functionality much like Edge’s Sidebar, allowing quick access to various Opera features. And Opera Aria adds new generative AI capabilities built right into the browser.
You can see that we’re well into hair-splitting territory, which is why it’s important to remember that your choice of browser is, more than any other service or app you use each day, entirely dependent on your personal preferences — what feels most right for you. The Opera web browser has a unique look and feel, and it combines some of the best features of Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.
Alternative browsers
While the preceding browsers will meet most users’ needs, other alternatives exist for anyone looking for something different. This section is for those who have a more niche preference in web browsers or want to try something new.
Apple Safari
If you use Apple devices exclusively, Safari is already your default browser. It’s also significantly faster than in the past, surpassing Chrome in its quickness. It’s integrated into iOS, iPadOS, and MacOS, and you’ll likely get better battery life thanks to Apple’s in-house optimizations and the underlying hardware.
Safari also focuses a great deal on privacy and security. If you want to minimize how you’re tracked and whether Big Brother is looking over your shoulder, then Safari is a good choice. If you also use an iPhone and/or an iPad, then using Safari on your Mac will make for the most seamless transition between platforms. Open websites on an iPad or iPhone are carried over to MacOS.
Safari is not offered outside the Apple ecosystem.
Vivaldi Browser
The Vivaldi browser is truly unique. No two Vivaldi users will have the same setup. When you run it for the first time, you’re guided through a setup process that lays out your browser in a way that makes sense for you. You choose where your tabs and address bar go and whether you want browser tabs displayed at the top of the page or in a separate side panel. This is a browser built from the ground up to deliver a unique user experience, and for the most part, it succeeds. Vivaldi 2.0 enhanced the customization features and made them easier to access.
This browser excels at customization, and you can choose from a variety of tasteful themes that don’t feel dated or out of place on a modern PC, in addition to the aforementioned UI choices. It also has some standout privacy-enhancing features, like its team-up with DuckDuckGo to make the non-tracking search tool the default option when in privacy mode.
Finally, recent updates added more powerful tab management, enhancements like Web Panels that make for smarter browsing, and (as mentioned) even more powerful customization options. Other new updates include a built-in ad blocker, a built-in tracker blocker, a clock in the Status Bar, a new Notes Manager, and a Break Mode for pausing the internet while keeping the browser open.
Brave Browser
One of the most unusual browsers around is Brave — or, perhaps, it’s Brave’s business model that’s the strangest. Brave blocks all ads on all web pages by default, which makes it arguably the fastest browser around. Ads are a huge portion of how many websites make money — block these ads, and suddenly the most important web financial tool is eliminated.
That’s where the Brave Rewards program comes in. Users receive Basic Attention Tokens (BATs) when they view alternative ads that Brave places in the browsing stream. Users can pass along a portion of their tokens to publishers. As of January 2021, there were over 70,000 websites that supported BAT-based transactions through the Brave browser, including Wikipedia, The Guardian, WikiHow, MacRumors, and more.
What’s in it for users? Simply put, if you’re not waiting for ads to download along with website content, then your web experience will feel much faster. Brave performs no user tracking, making it ideal for private browsing as well.
Tor Browser
The Tor Browser is a version of Firefox that serves one very specific purpose: A simple entry point for The Onion Router, or Tor.
Tor is software combined with an open network aimed at making you invisible by routing your traffic through several anonymous servers. While it’s not foolproof, it’s very difficult for someone to identify you when you’re properly configured and using something like the Tor Browser to surf the web — especially if combined with a VPN.
There are many legitimate uses of the Tor Browser and the Tor network. It’s a good choice for people who live in countries with repressive governments, as well as journalists and activists. The dark web is also one of the destinations for people using Tor, which includes many nefarious and illegal sites.
In any event, if you want to remain completely anonymous while surfing the web, the Tor Browser and network are for you. If you want a more mainstream alternative, Opera includes a VPN component, but it’s far less private.
Avast Secure Browser
Avast Secure Browser first arrived as the Opera-based Avast Safezone Browser in 2016 as part of the Avast Antivirus paid bundle. It was revised and rebranded in 2018 as a free stand-alone product based on Chromium. Originally the “SafeZone” aspect kicked in when users visited websites to make purchases or manage money.
Avast Secure Browser provides several built-in tools to protect your data and privacy. These include an anti-phishing module, fingerprinting and online tracking prevention, an ad blocker, and a Webcam Guard tool to control which websites can access your camera. The Hack Check tool will determine if your info was leaked in a data breach.
Avast Secure Browser is a stand-alone download for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. The desktop version doesn’t include an integrated VPN but instead directs users to download the company’s separate SecureLine VPN software. The listed Bank Mode — part of the Avast Free Antivirus client — flips on when users load a banking website.
Best web browser features — what to look for
Benchmark tests
Notice we don’t include Safari in our main comparison. Apple’s Safari web browser is unavailable on Windows, Android, or Chrome OS, so we removed it from our primary list.
Most browsers are compatible with web standards and handle performance with relative ease. A casual user probably won’t notice a difference in the rendering speed between today’s modern browsers, as all six are much faster and leaner than those of a few years ago.
We ran the following benchmarks on a desktop with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800X processor, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe solid-state drive, and Windows 11. All browsers were clean installs of the most current production versions as of January 2023, and all were run at their default settings.
First, JetStream 2 is a JavaScript and WebAssembly benchmark. It tests how quickly a web browser can start and execute code, and how smoothly it runs. Higher numbers are better.
Chrome 109 |
Opera 94 |
Edge 109 |
Firefox 109 |
|
Score: |
238.166 |
228.883 |
230.762 |
140.436 |
Notice how all three Chromium-based browsers outperform Firefox. In fact, there’s very little difference between them, while Firefox’s performance is quite poor by comparison.
The next test we ran was Speedometer 2.0. It measures how responsive a browser is to web applications by repeatedly adding a large number of items to a to-do list. Higher numbers are better.
Chrome 109 |
Opera 94 |
Firefox 109 |
Edge 109 |
|
Score: |
193 |
220 |
141 |
187 |
Here, Opera led the pack, with Chrome and Edge running nearly neck to neck. Firefox came in last here with a relatively low score.
Finally, we tested how much RAM each browser uses, both with no tabs open and then with 10 tabs open accessing the same popular sites. We made sure that each browser had no extensions running, and we let each browser settle in before looking at its memory use. For the test with 10 tabs open, we averaged memory use when all the tabs were opened and then five minutes later to account for any variability.
It’s not a scientific test, but it should be sound enough to give you an idea of which browsers are the most and least efficient in terms of taking up your RAM. We found Opera to use the least amount of RAM when first opened, barely ahead of Edge, while Chrome used the most. Edge used the least with all 10 tabs loaded by a significant margin, a third or less than the other browsers. Chrome used the most with all 10 tabs open, and Firefox and Opera weren’t far behind.
Security and privacy
The most valuable tool for secure and private browsing is user discretion, especially when you consider that every web browser has encountered security breaches in the past. In particular, Internet Explorer and Chrome’s reputations for protecting users’ security and privacy credentials are spotty at best.
Chrome, Safari, Vivaldi, Opera, and Firefox all rely on Google’s Safe Browsing API to detect potentially dangerous sites. Thanks to constant updates, Mozilla, Chrome, and Opera all make constant security improvements. Microsoft disabled this API in Edge.
All browsers offer a private session option, too. Private sessions prevent the storage of browsing history, temporary internet files, and cookies. Browser support for Do Not Track remains spotty.
Mozilla made some strides in differentiating itself from others with a real focus on privacy in recent years. It even debuted a Facebook Container in 2018 to make it harder for the social network to harvest user information.
Mark Coppock Digitaltrends, Best-browser-chrome-vs-firefox-vs-safari-vs-edge
Best All-Around Web Browser: Firefox
What We Like
- Massive library of extensions.
- Available on all major operating systems.
- Full support for Windows Hello authentication.
What We Don't Like
- Frustrating update process.
- Scrolling not smooth.
- Limited direct support.
Mozilla's Firefox is one of the most popular alternatives to Chrome, Edge, and Safari browsers in part because it's been around since 2002, but mostly because of its frequent updates.
The Firefox internet browser updates regularly with bug fixes, speed improvements, security enhancements, and new features. However, these updates can be frustrating when they automatically start installing when you open the app. Then you have to wait several minutes for the new version to download and install.
Firefox is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android and lets you sync your data between each version through the use of a free Firefox account. The Android, Linux, Mac, and Windows versions of the Firefox browser support a vast library of extensions. The Windows version also supports Windows Hello authentication for enhanced security on compatible websites.
Best Private Browser: DuckDuckGo
What We Like
- Strong security and privacy.
- Quickly erase all app data.
- Simple settings screen.
What We Don't Like
- Limited cloud sync features.
- Lack of history can be inconvenient.
DuckDuckGo is a private internet browser with both mobile and desktop apps. By default, it blocks all forms of online tracking and doesn't upload your search history to anyone's servers. If you're still concerned about your privacy, you can clear all your tabs and data by tapping the flame icon in the main menu.
One particular feature that privacy-conscious folks will appreciate is the security rating that appears next to the current website's address at the top of the screen. Sites are rated from D to A on their encryption levels and the number of trackers detected. Tapping on this rating opens a full-screen report card, which features an impressive amount of information on how they reached the score.
The browser has light and dark themes and a lock setting that requires Touch ID, Face ID, or passcode to use the app.
Best Browser for Windows 10 or 11: Microsoft Edge
What We Like
- Built-in Cortana integration.
- Bookmarks and browsing history sync between devices.
- Windows Timeline support.
What We Don't Like
- Browser can freeze on ad-heavy pages.
- Slow to load embedded videos.
- Needs a powerful computer to open many tabs.
Microsoft Edge is the successor to the classic Internet Explorer browser and comes pre-installed on all new on Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices. This browser is heavily integrated into the operating system and is the default app for opening not only web pages but ebooks and PDF files as well.
This web browser also features built-in inking tools for taking screenshots of pages and Cortana for looking up words and phrases. You can also use its voice dictation to have Edge read articles and other web content to you.
Microsoft Edge also saves your bookmarks and browsing history to the cloud. This data can sync to the iOS and Android app versions for consistent user experience and is compatible with Windows Timeline.
Best Internet Browser for Apple Users: Safari
What We Like
- Built-in support for ApplePay and Touch ID.
- Available on all Macs and iOS devices.
- Syncs bookmarks and browsing history.
What We Don't Like
- Unavailable for modern Windows computers.
- No app on Android smartphones and tablets.
- Limited customization.
Safari is Apple's first-party web browser for all of its hardware, from Mac computers and laptops to its iPhones, iPads, iPod touches, and Apple Watches. The browser comes pre-installed on all of Apple's devices and is the default app for opening web pages.
Much like Edge on Windows 10 devices, Safari works well on Apple devices because the same company makes it, and it's designed from the ground up to run on a specific set of hardware. Safari supports all major Apple features, such as Apple Pay and AirDrop, and can also perform Touch ID and Face ID tasks on compatible Apple devices.
By using iCloud, Apple's Safari browser can sync browsing history, bookmarks, and passwords between devices. This feature is only useful if you have a lot of Apple devices, though, as there's no Safari browser for Windows or Android devices.
Most-Functional Browser: Google Chrome
What We Like
- Loads Google services quickly.
- Massive library of browser extensions.
- Available on a variety of devices.
What We Don't Like
- Incognito mode doesn't completely hide your activity.
- Browser updates have a history of raising privacy concerns.
- Some extensions collect data.
Google Chrome launched on Windows in 2008 but has since expanded to Mac and Linux computers as well as iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
One of Chrome's strongest points is its availability on a multitude of platforms because you can sync your browsing history and other data across different devices. All you have to do is log into your Google account.
This internet browser is also extremely fast, especially when it comes to loading websites owned by Google such as Gmail and YouTube. While other browsers may take a while to load a YouTube video, Chrome usually starts playing the video almost immediately when on a good internet connection.
Most Secure Web Browser: Brave
What We Like
- Robust privacy and security features.
- Alternative way to support online creators.
- Beginner-friendly introduction to cryptocurrencies.
What We Don't Like
- Affects websites' revenue models.
- Inconvenient update methods.
- Limited extensions.
Brave is a web browser with a strong focus on privacy and security. By default, this internet browser blocks advertising, cookies, phishing, and malware and provides you with advanced options for enabling HTTPS Everywhere and preventing browser fingerprinting.
All of these security options should help give you peace of mind if you're the type of person to worry about online privacy. These security measures also make web pages load much faster than on other browsers.
What sets Brave apart from other web browsers is its cryptocurrency, the Basic Attention Token (BAT). The Brave browser has an integrated software wallet for storing BAT tokens. You can use these tokens to financially support website owners or online creators when you view their content in the browser. Users can also earn BAT by enabling Brave-run ads during a browsing session.
Brave is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers in addition to iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
Best VPN Web Browser for Mobile: Aloha
What We Like
- Optional integrated VPN functionality.
- Built-in support for VR videos.
- Uses less traffic than other browsers.
What We Don't Like
- In-browser ads.
- VPN isn't automatically on.
- Lacks iOS password integration.
Aloha is a free web browser designed for iOS and Android tablets and smartphones. It has a built-in VPN service in addition to its own Incognito Mode, both of which provide enhanced security and privacy protection. This VPN service also compresses traffic, which means your smart device uses less data while surfing the web.
This mobile internet browser features a fresh visual design with clear, easy-to-understand icons and settings with the option to customize the app's appearance with a variety of free themes. Aloha also has built-in ad-blocking that stops banner ads and popups from loading on websites.
A couple of VPN settings, such as the ability to use the feature in other apps as well, are hidden behind a paid upgrade, which costs $24.99 annually. The app has ads for the Aloha Premium service; you can remove them by signing up. The ads don't detract too much from the user experience, though.
Best Internet Browser for Multitasking: Vivaldi
What We Like
- Add any website to the toolbar.
- Numerous customization options.
- Supports Google Chrome Extensions.
What We Don't Like
- Not available for iOS.
- Not always user-friendly.
- Inconsistent window sizes when selecting links.
Vivaldi is a free web browser that was created in 2016 by some of the minds behind the Opera browser. The program is built on the same Chromium-based technology that powers Google Chrome, which allows you to install almost any extension from the Chrome web store.
The main appeal of Vivaldi is its comprehensive options that let you customize its look and functionality to a degree not seen in rival browsers. First, you can change the browser's UI colors anytime you want. You can also move the toolbar can to the top, bottom, or sides, and pin web pages to the side for simultaneous browsing. The latter feature is particularly useful if you like to watch YouTube videos or check a social media site while browsing the web.
Vivaldi is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.
Best Browser for Saving YouTube Videos on iPhone: Documents by Readdle
What We Like
- Allows files usually blocked on iOS.
- Manages local and cloud files.
- Supports PDF and ZIP files.
What We Don't Like
- UI can be confusing.
- Some functionality requires upgrade.
- Can run slow on older iPhone and iPad models.
Documents by Readdle is a powerhouse of an iOS app designed for both iPhone and iPad users. In addition to featuring web browser functionality, Documents by Readdle also works as a PDF reader, a ZIP file unzipper, a file manager, a media player, an ebook reader, and a one-stop-shop for all of your various cloud storage accounts.
What makes Documents by Readdle a must-download for any iOS user is its ability to download files from the web that other iOS browser apps would block. Documents by Readdle is the perfect app for downloading video files and other media. You can even use it to save YouTube videos to your Camera Roll.
Something advanced users may appreciate is the option to select the browser agent when using the web browser. This setting lets you tell websites which version of a web browser you're using. Then, if you ever need to test a website in one of those browsers, you don't have to switch between apps manually.
Most Diverse Web Browser: Opera
What We Like
- Opera USB is a unique idea.
- Extensive library of add-ons.
- Custom wallpapers.
What We Don't Like
- Can load slowly.
- Many extra features feel redundant.
The Opera web browser launched on Windows in 1996 and is now available on Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and even Java phones.
The desktop versions of Opera support a wide range of add-ons that bring extra functionality to the browser beyond browsing the web. Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp can run within a pinned taskbar on the left side of the screen, and the browser features built-in screen capture functionality as well. How much you use these functions depends on your operating system and preferred apps. If you usually check Facebook Messenger using its app or on your phone, for example, you likely won't find this feature in Opera very useful.
Of particular note is Opera USB, a fully functional version of the web browser that can be run off of a USB drive on any Windows computer running Windows 7 and up. This rather ingenious creation is perfect if you have access to a computer at work or while traveling that doesn't allow for the installation of extra programs.
Brad Stephenson Lifewire, Top-internet-browsers
Best Overall, Security and Customization
-
Best overall
Google Chrome
- Free
- Works natively with Google services
- Syncs across multiple devices
- Outperforms the competition in speed
-
Best for
security Mozilla Firefox
- Free
- Blocks cryptominers
- Prevents fingerprinting
- Stores passwords locally
-
Best for
customization Vivaldi
- Free
- Provides high customization
- Protects against phishing
- Syncs data between devices
Our pick: Which web browser is best?
Google Chrome is our pick for the most well-rounded web browser you can get. It’s fast and synchronizes across every device you use. You can perform a search within the address bar, group your browser tabs, and more. Want to go dark? Chrome supports themes too.
We spent many hours comparing the best web browsers in terms of speed using a handful of tests on Windows and Mac. We provide the results in our Methodology section to show which is the fastest web browser on your favorite desktop platform.
6 best web browsers
- Best overall: Google Chrome
- Best for security: Mozilla Firefox
- Best for customization: Vivaldi
- Best for social media: Opera
- Best for Mac: Apple Safari
- Best for Windows: Microsoft Edge
Compare web browser features
Browser |
Availability |
Best features |
Get it |
|
Best overall |
Google Chrome |
Desktop Mobile |
Supports Google services Outperforms the competition |
|
Best for security |
Mozilla Firefox |
Desktop Mobile |
Prevents tracking Blocks cryptominers |
|
Best for customization |
Vivaldi |
Desktop Android |
Provides high customization Protects against phishing |
|
Best for social media |
Opera |
Desktop Mobile |
Includes a built-in VPN Provides built-in social apps |
|
Best for Mac |
Apple Safari |
Desktop Mobile |
Supports extensions Offers the best speeds |
Included on Apple devices |
Best for Windows |
Microsoft Edge |
Desktop Mobile |
Installs web apps Competes with Chrome in speed |
What should you look for in a web browser?
The best web browser should be fast and clean to give you the best browsing experience. You don’t want excessive bloat that can bog down your device and cause web pages to load at a dial-up pace.
And while speed is great, security should be a priority too. Internet browsers should protect you from trackers, hackers, and pesky internet eavesdroppers.
Ultimately, a browser should be your interactive window looking out into the World Wide Web—a picture frame that should never distract you from the view at hand.
Get the best router to complement your fast browser
We tested and reviewed more routers than we can count to determine the best of the best you can get. Go with the TP-Link Archer AX11000 if you want a lot of bang for your buck, or choose the ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 if you want lots of features at a higher price. The NETGEAR Nighthawk RAXE500 is the fastest router we’ve tested to date, but it ain’t cheap.
Best overall—Google Chrome
Best overall
Free
Features
- Supports Google services
- Includes tab group management
- Outperforms other browsers in tests
Availability
Base code
- Chromium
Data this browser collects from you
- User ID
- Device ID
- Location
- Audio data
And more (see App Privacy)
Google Chrome is the fastest web browser you can get on a Windows machine. It surpasses the competition in three out of four tests, outranking even Microsoft Edge in all but one test.
On Apple Mac, Chrome is a heavy hitter in performance, outranking Safari in two out of four tests. It’s a good alternative to Safari, but Chrome’s data collection issues are a little disconcerting. If you’re worried about how Google uses your data, Safari or Microsoft Edge may be your better alternative.
Still, despite privacy concerns, Chrome is a great browser overall if you use Google’s services. It’s probably the ideal default browser if you shift between Windows, Android, and Apple devices.
Bottom line: Chrome is the fastest and best web browser on Microsoft Windows and an excellent alternative to Safari on a Mac in terms of speed. However, you agree to Google’s excessive data collection in exchange for speed and convenience.
Pros:
- Supports a huge extensions library
- Syncs across devices
Cons:
- Collects lots of data
- Uses lots of memory
Best for security—Mozilla Firefox
Best for security
Free
Features
- Blocks cryptominers
- Prevents fingerprinting
- Stores passwords locally
- Ranks the lowest for speed in tests
Availability
Base code
- Quantum
Data this browser collects from you
- Contact info
- User ID
- Device ID
Mozilla’s Firefox browser isn’t known for speed. It falls into last place in most of our tests for Windows and Mac, and that’s okay. Firefox is more about security features than speed, which is ideal if you’re more concerned about blocking malware than loading pages in a flash.
Firefox received a facelift in 2021. Mozilla redesigned the tabs, prompts, menus, and overall look, giving Firefox a new modern interface. Under the hood, Firefox strives to keep you safe online with tools like DNS-over-HTTPS, which encrypts browser requests versus sending the information in plaintext.
Bottom line: If you want the best internet browser that puts security first, not data collection, then Firefox is your best bet. However, it’s not the fastest browser available.
Want to improve your home network’s security?
Be sure to check out our list of the best routers for security. We also offer a guide on how to keep your router secure if you don’t need a new one.
Pros:
- Protects against spyware
- Blocks almost all pop-ups
Cons:
- Consumes high memory
- Falls behind other browsers in speed
Best for customization—Vivaldi
Best for customization
Free
Features
- Provides high customization
- Protects against phishing
- Syncs data between devices
Availability
- Desktop: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Mobile: Android
Base code
- Chromium
Data this browser collects from you
- User ID
- Device ID
Vivaldi breathes new life into the tired, repetitive web browser design. Here you can customize the start page, create and use a custom theme, customize and move the menu, customize the toolbar, and so on. You can also assign browser commands to keyboard shortcuts, map commands to gestures, and assign quick commands to the Function keys.
In terms of speed, the Vivaldi browser isn’t the fastest on the planet—at least, not yet. It’s the youngest in the batch, so there’s room for improvement. It ranks fourth in all four tests we run on Windows, while its performance jumps between third and last in the same tests on Mac.
That said, Vivaldi is an excellent middle-ground browser in terms of performance.
Bottom line: Vivaldi is great for customizing your browsing experience, but it doesn’t match the speed of Chrome or Safari.
Pros:
- Offers plenty of customization
- Syncs data across devices
Cons:
- Lacks iPhone, iPad versions
- Consumes high memory
Best for social media—Opera
Best for social media
Free
Features
- Includes a built-in VPN client
- Includes social tools
- Verifies all websites
Availability
Base code
- Chromium
Data this browser collects from you
- Device ID
- Location
- Diagnostics
The Opera browser is great if you want built-in social network tools. The sidebar includes shortcuts to Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram, and three others you can pin to the browser window.
Opera also supports two VPN services: Free VPN and VPN Pro. The “pro” version costs $7.99 per month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. We show the differences between the two services in our FAQ.
As for performance, Opera holds its place as the third-fastest browser in our tests for Windows, falling behind Chrome and Microsoft Edge. It has a similar performance level on our MacBook, falling behind Safari, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge in our four tests. Opera has a “battery saver” mode that reduces background activity and pauses animations, but we verified it was disabled before running our tests.
Bottom line: Opera is a good web browser if you want a built-in VPN client and social tools. It provides middle-ground performance in terms of speed.
Pros:
- Includes a built-in VPN client
- Includes built-in social tools
Cons:
- Loads some websites incorrectly
- Updates less frequently than Chrome
Best for Mac—Apple Safari
Best for Mac
Free
Features
- Provides a clean privacy report
- Supports extensions
- Displays tab previews
- Competes with Chrome in speed on Mac
Availability
- Desktop: Mac
- Mobile: iPhone, iPad
Base code
- Nitro, WebKit
Data this browser collects from you
- Device ID
- User ID
- Diagnostics
Safari is an excellent example of how Apple optimizes its software for Macs. It’s fast, simply designed, and somewhat customizable. It supports Chrome extensions, tab previews for power users, and easy translations using the menu bar. And while we will always recommend Firefox as the best browser for security, Safari’s privacy report panel lists every website that tracks you across the internet.
The drawback with Safari is that you can’t get it on anything but Apple devices. That means we could measure its performance only on our MacBook, so there are no numbers for Windows-based PCs. That said, Safari and Chrome duke it out for the fastest browser, both taking the top spots in two out of four tests. If you want speed, either browser will do.
Bottom line: Safari is the best browser for Macs, hands down. Stick with Safari if you also have an iPhone or iPad. However, if you use other platforms like Windows and Android, Chrome is the better multiplatform solution—if you can ignore Chrome’s data collection woes.
Pros:
- Runs superfast on Macs
- Uses low memory
Cons:
- Isn’t available outside Apple’s ecosystem
- Has a limited extensions library
Best for Windows—Microsoft Edge
Best for Windows
Free
Features
- Stacks tabs vertically
- Groups websites into Collections
- Supports Dolby Audio and 4K
- Competes with Chrome in speed on Windows
Availability
Base code
- Chromium
Data this browser collects from you
- Device ID
- Browsing history
- Diagnostics
The original Edge browser was a clunky mess despite Microsoft’s good intentions. It used the company’s in-house EdgeHTML engine and really couldn’t compete with Chrome. Microsoft scrapped its proprietary engine in early 2020 and chose Chromium instead, the browser foundation used in Chrome, Opera, Vivaldi, Brave, and more.
Now Microsoft Edge is highly competitive in terms of speed. On Windows, it gives Chrome a run for its money, falling just a hair behind Google’s browser in three of four of our tests. On our MacBook, Chrome and Microsoft Edge are nearly identical in performance, both falling behind Safari.
Bottom line: Microsoft Edge is a great native browser for Microsoft Windows and a good alternative to Safari on a Mac if you need a browser that runs outside Apple’s ecosystem.
Pros:
- Synchronizes across devices
- Includes a PDF viewer
Cons:
- Lacks a version for Linux
- Collects your browser history
Which web browsers are the fastest?
To determine the fastest browser on our list, we ran four different tests three times per browser, determined the average, and compared the results.
On Windows, Chrome tested as the fastest browser, followed by Microsoft Edge.
On Mac, Safari and Chrome shared the top spot as the fastest browser, followed by Microsoft Edge.
In all tests, Firefox was the slowest browser on our list.
See the complete test results in the Methodology section.
Rank |
Windows |
macOS |
1st |
Chrome |
Safari/Chrome |
2nd |
Microsoft Edge |
Microsoft Edge |
3rd |
Opera |
Opera |
4th |
Vivaldi |
Vivaldi |
5th |
Firefox |
Firefox |
Browser specs and features
A web browser is software that downloads data from a remote server and pieces it all together on your screen. It’s your interactive window to the World Wide Web, a view that exists only when you open a tab and enter an address. All browsers provide this basic function, but there are five elements you should keep in mind while considering your browser options.
Speed
You want a browser that loads pages quickly and can run in-browser apps without slowing you down. A browser should have a relatively small footprint in your system memory, so it doesn’t affect the performance of your other programs and apps while you surf the internet.
Security and privacy
A browser should make secure connections to websites. They should also provide means to block malicious advertisements, cross-site trackers, cryptominers, and fingerprinters. Users should have tools to block and delete cookies, secure their passwords, and use the browser without worrying about how it collects their data.
Learn more about the best internet browsers for security.
Customization
While you don’t want your window to the internet framed with a clunky interface, it’s a nice bonus to add a personal touch. Most of the browsers on our list provide means for customization.
For example, you can apply a theme in Chrome obtained from the Chrome Web Store. You can create themes in Vivaldi, reposition the menu, or create your own menu.
Compatibility
The best browser should be compatible with the latest internet standards, like HTML5 and WebGL. A good way to benchmark a browser’s compatibility is to use the HTML5 Test website or AnTuTu’s HTML5 Test online utility. Plus, you don’t want to install a browser that can’t access all the modern functions of a website, like web apps.
Easy navigation
While customization is great, you want a browser that’s easy to use. Most browsers we list here are just that, with the address bar headlining your window to the internet. Menus should be tucked away and easily accessible. Settings should be just a click away, and bookmarks should be easy to save and load.
Our verdict: Google Chrome is the best web browser
Google Chrome is fast and available on nearly every platform. It’s our top pick in speed, as it goes head-to-head with Safari on our MacBook and Microsoft Edge on Windows. It’s also a firm alternative if you don’t want to use those native browsers.
But Microsoft Edge is an excellent third-place browser that’s accessible on nearly all platforms. It’s almost as fast as Chrome and Safari and includes a few standout features you can’t get with most browsers, like 4K Netflix streaming.
However, if you want the most secure browser on the planet, Firefox is the way to go, although it’s the slowest browser on our list.
Methodology
To determine a browser’s speed, we did the following:
- Installed a clean, current copy without any plugins or extensions
- Closed all open programs and unnecessary processes
- Ran four different tests three times
- Calculated the average
To test Microsoft Edge and Safari on their native platforms, we ran browser benchmarks on a Windows laptop and a MacBook. We plugged both in for maximum power performance.
Kevin Parrish Highspeedinternet, Best-web-browsers
Firefox vs Google Chrome vs Microsoft Edge
What to look for in a browser
Before you make your choice, we recommend you research the core features of each browser to determine what you are looking for. Many features will be shared across Firefox, Chrome, and Edge, including password managers and private browsing. But other features may be exclusive to the specific browsers and these features require the closest consideration.
Take, for example, Firefox, which uses less RAM than its competitors and is therefore less computationally demanding to run. This might mean it is the better choice for people with hardware with low RAM, or who require RAM for other tasks and do not want their internet browsing to drain this resource.
Microsoft Edge features Copilot integration, one component to Microsoft’s wider push to bring generative AI to all of its major products in order to bring richer, smarter, and quicker user experiences.
Google Chrome is easily the most popular browser on the market and includes a number of helpful features such as offline document editing if you use the Google Workspace on a daily basis.
A number of organizations have their own in-house extensions and web apps that staff rely on to complete their work. Sometimes, these are only compatible with specific browsers, meaning the number of options you can pick from may be restricted to those that support the extension.
The nature of your work is also a factor that will influence your decision. Developers who work with metaverse experiences, for example, may choose the Firefox Reality browser in order to navigate the web using a VR headset.
Finally, regardless of the bold claims made by each browser about their security and privacy credentials, you will want to confirm that your choice is compliant with your employer’s IT policies. When working remotely, you might need to speak with your administrator to ensure your browser is able to join the network. We would be very surprised if any of our choices cause any consternation, but forewarned is forearmed.
Understanding Chrome vs Chromium vs ChromeOS
You’ll see “Chrome” and “Chromium” used a lot in this roundup. It’s not a misprint - they’re two separate browsers... except they’re not. Let us explain.
Released alongside the flagship browser in 2008, Chromium is a totally open-source, white-lable version of Chrome. Most of the codebase is the same, and although Google curates the project, it is separate from parent company Alphabet LLC. Chromium’s logo is identical to that of Chrome, just with a blue and grey colour scheme, instead of Google’s traditional colors. The UI is completely identical, but Chromium does lack some codecs and syncing technology which is standard in the proprietary version of Chrome.
Chromium is an important browser to be aware of because of its role as the basis for many of the other browsers on the market, including Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi. Thanks to the open source community, Chromium is available for more unusual machines such as the Raspberry Pi; and creators of browsers based on a ‘forked’ build of Chromium are expected to add their code to the Chromium codebase for the benefit of all. Stock browsers for Android forks such as Samsung (Samsung Internet) and Amazon (Silk) are usually based on chromium.
Chrome is Google’s official build of Chromium and the most popular browser in the world. It has tighter integration with Google accounts and a number of additions “under the hood”. It has three ‘channels’ - Stable, Beta, and Canary - with each updated to a new official build on a four-week cycle.
ChromeOS, meanwhile, is another separate yet related entity. It's an operating system built on the Chrome browser and used in Chromebooks and other Google desktop products; almost identical to the Chrome browser, but with a desktop, settings, and driver support. As of February 2022, you can also install it on PCs and Macs, via ChromeOS Flex.
All three products share the same codebase and are completely compatible with Chrome’s wide range of extensions. Updates to ChromeOS also run on a four-week cycle, but often arrive several days later than the standalone Chrome browser.
Edge vs Chrome vs Firefox
Google Chrome
The growth in market share for Google’s browser since launch has been phenomenal. During 2021, Statcounter reports that 63.84% of devices around the world were running it, and at one point that figure was over 70%. There’s a lot to love about Chrome - most notably its tight integration with Google services making it extremely easy to switch between devices, as well as a huge ‘Chrome Store’ full of extensions, apps and customizations. As the world’s most popular browser, it has almost complete compatibility with any webpage you can throw at it and renders them at speeds unimaginable even a decade ago.
All that speed comes at a cost, though. Chrome is a notorious resource hog, using over a gigabyte of RAM during runtime. Add a few extensions and you could find it monopolizes the bulk of your machine’s memory. Google has worked hard to bring down Chrome’s memory footprint, but it’s still a lot more resource-hungry than any other browser on this list.
Despite this, Chrome is still the people’s choice by a factor of three and if there’s a feature not available natively, the chances are someone has written an extension to add it. Just remember that more extensions equals more RAM usage, so if you’re running a 2GB netbook, you might want to rethink how many you add.
Chrome is available on Windows, macOS, most Linux distros, Android, iOS, and Chromebooks (as part of ChromeOS).
Microsoft Edge
Technically, the current product calling itself Microsoft Edge should be called Edge 2. When it launched back in 2016 it looked very different and owed much of its layout to its predecessor, Internet Explorer. It failed to capture the public’s imagination, so it was completely rebuilt from the ground up using the Chromium codebase, and from April 2021 that became the only version of Edge, pre-installed alongside Windows 10 or 11.
It differs from Google’s Chrome in a number of ways, not least of all that it’s slightly less of a memory hog. It’s compatible with a limited number of extensions originally designed for Chrome, but Microsoft controls which ones. This is supposedly due to security concerns, but ironically it’s the browser that collects the most user telemetry, leading some experts to question its own security. Users still report compatibility issues with extensions, which is a good point to remind ourselves that Edge, in its current form, is only two years old and occasionally shows its relative lack of bug-squashing.
Where Chrome links up nicely with Google products, as you’d expect, Edge syncs with your Microsoft account. Being a Microsoft product, it’s very keen to enforce Bing on you, which takes a certain amount of tweaking to change and in some cases (such as translation) can’t be switched to another provider.
There’s no question that Chromium Edge is a great deal better than the legacy version and yes, for basic tasks, it’s a little less power-hungry than Chrome, but the fact that it uses Bing so liberally whilst having relatively poor extension support means there’s still no reason not to download Chrome at the first opportunity. The fact that in 2021, it only garnered 3.99% of the market, despite being preinstalled on Microsoft products, speaks volumes. It’s a good browser, but it’s young, and it’s not quite there yet.
Mozilla Firefox
An open-source project, originally designed for use by Mozilla’s development team, Firefox is the oldest of the ‘big three’ browsers - in fact in 2022, it’s celebrating its 20th birthday. Before Chrome arrived, it was gaining significant market share. After several years in the relative doldrums, it was retooled in 2017 under a project called ‘Quantum’ which allowed its proprietary Gecko engine to perform at speeds more akin to Chrome.
Firefox was the first browser to offer extensions, which it refers to as 'Add-ons', and as a result, it had a wealth of them to download, but since Quantum it has relaunched the feature and this treasury has been replaced by a new library which is still growing. The new add-ons use the same API as Chromium and as a result, there is now some cross-compatibility.
In recent years, Firefox has focused on its security credentials and in 2021 became the first browser to offer the ability to block cross-site tracking. It also offers DNS over HTTPS (DoH), a feature that makes it almost impossible for hackers to monitor your web traffic, and a feature that blocks any scripts that attempt to mine cryptocurrency from your machine.
Firefox is still a great browser, but with Chromium-based browsers so much the norm now, it has seen its popularity plummet from nearly 30% at one time, down to 3.91% in 2021, putting it almost exactly on par with Edge. Whilst it still has a lot to recommend it both in terms of security and performance, Mozilla has consistently been last to basic features (it only began sandboxing processes in 2018) that are standard in other browsers. However, if you’re looking for a corporate deployment to your whole team, there is a long-term support edition available alongside tools to push itself to multiple machines on a domain, making it a smart choice for business.
Apple Safari
Although we’re focusing on Windows browsers for this round-up, we can’t ignore Apple’s stock Safari browser, which has 19.56% of the market, almost entirely made up of Mac and iPhone/Pad users after Apple ceased updating the Windows version a decade ago. For macOS and iOS users, it offers a more familiar layout and continuity features that let you carry on your surfing from exactly where you left off on another Safari instance, as well as a handful of unique software features built on integrations with the rest of the macOS platform.
Mac and iOS users should be aware, however, that all the browsers on this list are rendered using Apple Webkit rather than the standard renderer (usually Blink) in order to comply with Apple’s policies. As such, you’ll find that performance between browsers is much of a muchness, and any desire to switch to something other than Safari should be based on features, rather than any hope of a performance boost.
Best browsers: Head-to-head performance
Just because the majority of the options above share the same Chromium codebase, it doesn’t mean they’ll have identical performance. In our benchmarking tests, we used three tools - Jetstream 2.0 which measures Javascript and WebAssembly performance using advanced web apps, Speedometer, which shows web app responsiveness, and Kraken, which calculates Javascript, but based on what Mozilla calls “more realistic workloads”.
The results were surprising. You may remember a few years ago, all the major browsers claimed that it was theirs that offered the fastest performance. Our results explain why - there simply is no clear winner. While Chrome offered a blistering 62.619 in the Jetstream tests, compared with a pitiful 35.182 for Firefox, Speedometer results were so poor at 19.5 that we reran the test several times to make sure it really was that bad. Compare that to Microsoft Edge at 69.1, with Opera a valiant second at 66.2. Kraken, a tool created by Firefox maker Mozilla, actually proved a problem for its own browser - it gave the slowest result of 3967.1ms. The winner was Vivaldi, which scored 1618.6, more than twice as fast as Firefox - yet scored mid-table on our other benchmarks.
By aggregating the results, we’re declaring that Opera is the best-performing browser by some margin, coming a consistent runner-up in all our benchmarks. Microsoft Edge is next, followed by Vivaldi, Brave and bringing up the rear, Chrome in fifth place, thanks to its perplexingly poor Speedometer performance, and Firefox bringing up the rear.
It’s worth remembering though, that none of these scores indicate a problematic or unusable level of performance, and we found that all our browsers (with the exception of Opera) were better at some tasks than others - so it may be that for your workload, another browser could be the right one for you.
Edge vs Chrome vs Firefox: Which is best?
In the internet’s early days, there was a clear benefit to staying with the default browser on the operating system. These days, however, the essential task of a web browser – to browse the web – is a mostly universal experience regardless of which you choose. As such, before choosing the right browser for you you should pay attention to the feature set of each – whether that be compatibility with other products, a lightweight footprint, or one of the unique features of the smaller browsers.
In the majority of instances, add-ons or extensions will let you gain any features that aren’t natively supported. We can’t say any one browser is the perfect fit for everyone (but if you push us, Chrome is the best of most worlds) so we would recommend trying a few options and creating your ideal surfing environment.
Google Chrome alternatives
If you enjoy Chrome’s user experience, but don’t particularly want to fuel Google’s data-hungry business model, there are various alternatives to the major players of internet browsing that provide some intriguing comparisons.
Opera
Of all the Chromium browsers, Opera is the one that looks most visually distinct from Chrome. As one of the first browsers to switch to Chromium from its own engine, back in 2013, it has had ample time to carve a distinctive path, and has done so in spades. With a free VPN and Ad-Blocker built-in, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d done enough, but with “Speed Dial” access to your favorite sites from a mosaic of thumbnails, a built-in crypto wallet, a sidebar for social media, and a variety of instant messaging platforms, and a one-click eraser for all your cookies and browsing history, Opera is an absolute powerhouse.
Unfortunately, its add-ons aren’t directly compatible with Chrome extensions, but there is an unofficial way to add them. The big turn-off for Google users is that it syncs with other instances of Opera, but not with Google (or Microsoft) accounts. It’s not a dealbreaker, but you’ll notice the lack of this feature if you’re used to it. It’s a shame because in most other ways, Opera is very, very special.
Vivaldi
A relative newcomer, Vivaldi is the product of John Van Teschiner, one of the architects of the original (pre-Chromium) Opera. Originally designed to replace some features retired from his old browser, Vivaldi has blossomed into a distinct product in its own right, offering stackable tabs groups, tracking protection through DuckDuckGo, a pop-out video player, native mail and calendar clients and Chromecasting support, to name but a few. Vivaldi has become more like a dashboard for everything you’re doing, meaning you could, in theory, never leave it for another app all day. It’s also very privacy and safety-minded, with granular controls over blocking of ads and cookies by type, content, or source.
Brave
Brave is a privacy-first browser with a twist - by default it will block ads, but if you switch them on, you can earn cryptocurrency for each one you watch. It has repeatedly come top in “most private browser” testing, but it also has some unique features - for example if you try and surf to a page that doesn’t exist, it will automatically search for a cache from Wayback Machine. If you need further privacy, you can route traffic through the TOR network and it also has its own in-built news aggregator. You can use cryptocurrency earned to offer micropayments to bloggers on certain sites, a reflection of Brave’s attempts to try and find new ways to finance the internet. There’s a lot to love (perhaps too much) and from a business point of view, you might find it a bit “busy”, but as a product in its own right, it’s a promising new alternative.
What about Internet Explorer?
Due to being included with every version of Windows since Windows 95, Internet Explorer is familiar to most computer users. Despite ceasing active development of Internet Explorer in 2016 to focus on its Edge browser, it continued to bundle the final edition IE11 with Windows to allow compatibility with legacy sites.
This all changed in 2022, when on June 15th, Internet Explorer was put out to pasture, once and for all. Going forward, Microsoft recommends using Edge (of course), which offers an Internet Explorer emulator mode that can be opened in a new tab. This should only be used for web pages that are business-critical, and only as a stopgap until your organization upgrades the page or package in question to be compliant with more modern alternatives.
Some products which already bundle Internet Explorer, such as Windows Server, won’t reach EOL until 2029, so Microsoft will continue to offer IE security updates until that time - but it bears repeating that in 2022, the use of IE really should be a last resort. There’s a joke in the tech industry that 'Internet Explorer is the browser you use to download Chrome'. It’s funny because it’s true.
Darien Graham-Smith ITpro, Best-browser-chrome-vs-edge-vs-firefox
Featured Web Browser Reviews:
Pros: Attractive design. Fast. Customizable.Syncing. Good standards support. Solid security and privacy features. Ad-free Reading mode.Social network integration.Independence from large data-mining vendors.Host of developer tools.Built-in video and voice calling.
Cons: Lacks integrated Flash support.
Bottom Line: Firefox can't be beat when it comes to customizability and features. It's also fast, secure, and protects your privacy. It's our Editors' Choice for Web browsers. Read Review
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Cons: Highest battery drain in our testing. Weak on privacy. No reading mode or built-in social sharing.
Bottom Line: Google's Chrome browser is speedy, includes leading standards support, strong security features, and a clean interface, but it's no longer the fastest browser and it lacks some features found in the competition.Read Review
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Cons: Some sites balk at an unrecognized browser. No reading mode or reading list. Lacks social sharing tool.
Bottom Line: The Opera browser has some new tricks up its sleeve. Notable recent additions include a built-in VPN, an ad-blocker, and a battery-saver mode, all of which make it well worth downloading.Read Review
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Michael Muchmore
Michael Muchmore PCmag, The-best-web-browsers
Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera go head-to-head
Chrome
A perennial favorite, Google Chrome tops the metrics charts of both StatCounter and NetMarketShare by a huge margin. Google’s browser has built a dedicated fan base thanks to its massive extensions library, and the fact that it just gets out of your way to put the focus on web content, not the browser’s trimmings.
Chrome isn’t quite as simplistic as it once was, but it’s still very easy to use. There isn’t much to Chrome except a huge URL bar—known as the OmniBar—plus a space for extensions, a bookmarking icon, tabs, and that’s it.
Yet Google still finds a way to hide all kinds of features inside the browser, including deep integration with Google’s services. It can sync bookmarks, passwords, open tabs, and more across devices. Chrome also has multi-account support for family PCs, a built-in PDF viewer, built-in Google Translate functionality, a task manager, and the always handy Paste and go context menu item.
If there’s one complaint people have about Chrome it’s that the browser eats up available memory. Our browser testing in 2015 showed that Chrome was definitely a memory beast, but these days the beast is much more domesticated.
Firefox
Anyone who loves extensibility but wants greater privacy should look at the open-source Mozilla Firefox. It’s also the only non-Chromium option in this round-up. Firefox paved the way for other browsers to become extensible, and its extensions architecture offers plenty of choice for users. Firefox also has a sync feature to see open and recent tabs, browsing history, and bookmarks across multiple devices.
Firefox 74 is an excellent browser, and continues the Quantum era that started with version 57. Quantum brought a new and updated design with refreshed icons, and a new library section that houses your history, pocket reading list, downloads, and synced tabs. Firefox also has a task manager, screenshot tool, and the ability to use Windows 10’s native sharing tool.
Where Firefox has really stood out in recent years is with the browser’s incognito mode. All browsers have a private mode that lets you browse without any of your activity being logged in your saved history. But most of the time these private modes still allow websites to track your activity for that specific session. Firefox does away with this by including ad and tracker blockers when using incognito mode. It also supports an optional Facebook Container extension that prevents the social network from tracking you across the web.
Opera
Before Chrome, Opera was a popular choice among power users.
Opera is really one of the more under-rated browsers around. It comes with a built-in VPN—though we don’t recommend using it. It also has built-in ad and tracker blocking, a snapshot tool, a unit converter for time zones and currency, and the mobile versions of Opera come with a built-in cryptocurrency wallet.
Opera also has its own take on the social sidebar with one-click access to services such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram. Like Chrome and Firefox, Opera also has cross-device syncing features.
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is dead, long live Microsoft Edge. Edge is now a Chromium-based browser. The new version isn’t bundled with Windows 10 at this writing, but installing it from Microsoft’s site will automatically replace legacy Edge with the new Chromium browser on the desktop.
Performance with Chromium Edge is on par with Chrome and Opera, and it also has similar functionality. That means extensions from the Chrome Web Store are available, but not by default. As with classic Edge, extensions come from the Microsoft Store, but it can be set to install Chrome extensions by typing edge://extensions into the URL bar and pressing Enter. Next, click the Allow extensions from other stores button, select Allow in the pop-up window that appears, and then visit the Chrome Web Store and use it just like on Chrome.
We expect Microsoft to continue to push the Microsoft Store with extensions for Edge. These efforts are most likely in vain, however, as the Chrome Web Store is available to Edge users if they want it, and developers have little incentive to add their work to Microsoft’s store.
As with other Chromium browsers, Edge can sync open tabs, bookmarks, saved passwords, and browsing history across multiple devices. Currently, Chromium Edge lacks many of the Windows 10 features the old version had, such as integration with OneNote and Cortana. Microsoft does plan on bringing out a new feature soon called Collections that can “collect, organize, share, and export web content to Word or Excel.”
Right now, Edge is fairly plain, but that’s normal for a new browser. As Chromium Edge matures we expect to see Microsoft extend the browser’s capabilities.
Benchmarks
With the overview of our four contestants out of the way, let’s get down to business. To find out which browser is worthy of your bandwidth in 2020 we used a variety of testing tools.
We largely stuck to our typical testing regimen, but that is set to change in upcoming browser showdowns. A number of the tests we use have been unsupported for years, and it’ll soon be time to shake up our testing approach.
For this round we added WebKit’s JetStream 2.0, which was released in March 2019. JetStream 2 contains a lot of the tests from JetStream 1.1. It also borrows from newer benchmarks such as WebKit’s Ares-6 and Web Tooling by the V8 team (V8 is the JavaScript and WebAssembly engine for Chromium). WebKit said it also drew inspiration from Mozilla’s Kraken. Anyone who wants to get into the details of JetStream 2 should check out Webkit’s blog post.
In addition to JetStream 2, we used JetStream 1.1 to maintain comparisons to previous runs of the showdown one last time. We also kept the now-unsupported Octane 2.0 and SunSpider 1.0.2 benchmarking tools. Then we turned to WebXPRT 3 and Speedometer to test the browsers under simulated web app workloads.
Finally, we took a look at CPU and RAM usage by loading a set of 20 websites in a single window in quick succession. Once all tabs began loading, we waited 45 seconds, and then checked the CPU and RAM usage. The idea was to see the amount of system resources the browser used during a heavy workload.
For the tests we left each browser in its default state. There are no extensions running, no account sign-ups, nor was there any deliberate tinkering with settings. It’s just raw browser action.
Our test rig was an Acer Aspire E 15-575-33BM laptop loaded with Windows 10 Home, version 1909. The laptop also has a 1TB hard drive, 4GB RAM, and an Intel Core i3-7100U. Each browser was tested over an ethernet connection.
Chromium Edge wins our top spot for a good showing in the stress test, as well as Octane 2.0 and JetStream 2. Chrome is a close second since its showing was consistently good and not far off of Edge. Really, this could’ve been called a tie as well, but the margins in some of the tests, while not wide, were enough to hand the crown to Edge.
We’re giving Firefox third place for strong showings in the old JetStream 1.1 test, as well as Sunspider and WebXPRT. We also feel compelled to be perhaps a little unfair and send some ire Mozilla’s way.
As the only non-Chromium mainstream browser it simply has to do better—especially in CPU and memory management. The new Quantum versions of Firefox are dramatically better than their predecessors, and as we said last time, if the stress test had gone better it might have taken the top spot or at least second place. PC users need a strong alternative choice to this Chromium soup we’re swimming in, and for that reason Firefox must up its game. To borrow a quote from Princess Leia, “Save us Mozilla, you’re our only hope.”
Opera comes in last for scoring either third or fourth place in every test we ran, save one. Granted, those losses were almost all a matter of degree, but it shows a consistent pattern.
To sum up: Edge is the best browser available right now, though Chrome’s performance is very close to it. Firefox is still a solid option if you want something that isn’t built with Chrome DNA. Finally, if you love Chrome but want something with a little more novelty then Opera is for you.
Ian Paul, PCworld, Best-web-browsers
What is a virtual private network (VPN)?
A virtual private network creates a secure, private connection between your device and the destination. It requires software installed on your device that encrypts your data and establishes a direct, encrypted connection to a remote VPN server. The server then decrypts your data and sends it as plaintext to the destination.
Overall, a VPN prevents the destination from seeing your geological location, IP address, and operating system.
Want to see how a VPN affects your speed?
Run our internet speed test with a VPN enabled. After that, rerun the test with the VPN disabled and then compare the results.
Do you need to use a VPN when browsing the web?
You do not have to use a VPN when browsing the internet. However, a VPN can be a good tool to use as it protects your privacy and data by creating a secure and encrypted data tunnel between your browser and a VPN server. In turn, that server creates a secure and encrypted connection between it and the target website.
As a result, the website can’t identify you personally, nor can it see your true geological location or internet address. Not even your ISP knows where you’re surfing or the device you use with a VPN enabled. Some VPN services are free while others require a subscription. We have a list of the current best VPN services.
Which browser is most used in the world?
Google Chrome leads the web browser market with a 64.68% share, according to Statcounter. Apple Safari follows with 18.29%, Edge at 4.23%, Mozilla Firefox at 3.01%%, and Opera at 2.25%. Internet Explorer is still in use with 0.81%, while Microsoft Edge “Legacy” is fading out at 0.32%.
What are the best ad blockers to use for your browser?
We have a guide on the best ad blockers for Google Chrome, but here’s a short list:
- AdBlock and AdBlock Plus
- AdGuard (Chrome only)
- CyberSec by NordVPN
- Ghostery
- Poper Blocker (Chrome only)
- Stands Fair AdBlocker (Chrome only)
- uBlock Origin (Chrome and Firefox only)
What is browser fingerprinting and how can you prevent it?
Websites want to know everything about you: Your tastes, your habits, and where you like to surf. When you load a website, it quietly runs scripts in the background that collect information about you and your device. The operating system, the web browser, all installed extensions, your time zone — all of this information is strung together to create a “fingerprint,” which in turn can be used to trace you across the internet via cross-site tracking.
Avast provides a detailed explanation and outlines various forms of fingerprinting. For example, the “canvas” method forces the browser to draw an image or text in the background, without the user knowing, to determine the operating system, web browser, graphics card, installed drivers, and the current font style. Device fingerprinting determines all internal and external device components.
As your fingerprint is tracked across the internet, this “profile” can be sold to data brokers, who then resell the data to advertisers. It’s a more silent means of gathering information about you versus using cookies that require your consent. The problem is, browser fingerprinting is still perfectly legal.
The best way to prevent browser fingerprinting is by randomizing and generalizing data. Third-party software like Avast AntiTrack does this by inserting “fake” data when website scripts try to collect your information. However, this tool allows scripts to continue running in the background so the website doesn’t “break.”
Many browsers offer some type of anti-fingerprinting protection. These include Avast Secure Browser (see above), Brave Browser (randomization), Mozilla Firefox (blocks fingerprinting scripts), and Tor Browser (generalization).
Mark Coppock Digitaltrends, Best-browser-chrome-vs-firefox-vs-safari-vs-edge
Internet browser vs. web browser: What's the difference?
Although we tend to use the term, there’s no such thing as an “internet browser.” The internet is a global network of cables, servers, and switches—it’s the hardware needed to deliver information to your eyeballs. A browser is software that accesses software—the World Wide Web in this case.
In other words, we connect to the internet and use the web. But since “internet” is easier to read and write than “World Wide Web,” we typically stick with the former term.
What is a Device ID?
A Device Identifier (ID) is a unique string of numbers derived from other hardware-identifying numbers stored on your device. Browsers use this information to identify your device.
What is a User ID?
A User Identifier (User ID) is a unique profile created by the browser and stored locally as a cookie. This profile includes information such as your processor, storage, screen resolution, and operating system.
What is Chromium?
Chromium is Google’s free, open-source code provided to all internet browser developers. These developers can compile Google’s code with proprietary components and unique designs (Microsoft Edge) or compile the code “as is” (Chromium).
What is HTML5?
HTML5 is the fifth generation of HyperText Markup Language (HTML), the programming language that creates websites you see in your browser. There are three components in HTML5: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) that dictate how web page elements are displayed, JavaScript that executes interactive components, and HTML code that brings it all together.
HTML5 eliminates the need for browser plugins, like Adobe Flash, Silverlight, and Java.
What is WebGL?
Web Graphics Library (or WebGL) is an application programming interface (API) that allows a browser to render 2D and 3D graphics. These elements are written in JavaScript and OpenGL ES for the web and are executed on your device’s graphics cores, not your processor. WebGL eliminates the need for a browser plugin, eliminating security risks and providing better animation.
To see WebGL in action, visit the Get WebGL website to view a cube rotating in your browser without any additional software.
What is HTTPS?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (or HTTPS) is a secure version of the application layer protocol used to deliver HTML files, video, and more across the internet.
In a nutshell, the browser (client) sends a request to the server hosting a website. In turn, the server sends the appropriate files to your device that are pieced together within your browser. These files reside on your device as cache.
Browsers and servers that support HTTPS communicate using the Transport Layer Security cryptographic protocol to encrypt the connection between the website and the browser, not the actual data. This encrypted connection prevents eavesdroppers from obtaining your data but only while it’s en route.
What is DNS-over-HTTPS?
DNS-over-HTTPS is a means of sending a browser query over a secure connection.
Short for Domain Name System, DNS essentially translates alphabetic URLs into proper numeric ones. For instance, when you type “google.com” into your address bar, a DNS service consults its address book and sees that the numerical address is 172.217.2.110. It then sends your browser request accordingly.
Typically this request speeds along the internet highways as plaintext. A secure connection doesn’t happen until the website responds to your browser—a handshake, if you will. With DNS-over-HTTPS, a compatible browser sends your query to a compatible DNS server using an encrypted connection. This connection prevents eavesdroppers from viewing your browsing habits.
Free VPN vs. VPN Pro: What’s the difference?
Opera Software launched VPN Pro in May 2022. In a nutshell, with VPN Pro, you get full device-wide coverage on six devices, a network with 3,000+ servers, 30+ unique locations, two-factor authentication, and live chat support. Here’s a chart showing what you get with both services:
|
Free VPN |
VPN Pro |
Cost |
Free |
|
Integrated client |
✓ |
✓ |
Protection |
Opera browser only |
Entire device coverage (up to 6) |
No-log service |
✓ |
✓ |
Desktop and mobile |
✓ |
✓ |
No data cap |
✓ |
✓ |
Unlimited bandwidth |
✓ |
✓ |
Data encryption |
✓ |
✓ |
DNS leak protection |
✓ |
✓ |
Locations |
3 (general) |
30+ (unique) |
Network server count |
100+ |
3,000+ |
Two-factor authentication |
✘ |
✓ |
Live chat support |
✘ |
✓ |
Does Incognito Mode hide you from Google and other services?
No, Chrome’s Incognito Mode feature doesn’t completely protect you. It’s only meant to hide your activities from other people using the same device and browser. Google even confirmed in a court filing in March 2021 that users are not “invisible” when they open an Incognito Mode window. The company said user activity might be visible to websites and third-party analytics and ads.
What happened to Safari for Windows?
Safari 5.1.7 was the last version released on Windows. While you can find links to download the browser, Apple discontinued Windows support in 2012. We do not recommend this browser for Windows users due to the lack of updates and customer support.
What happened to Internet Explorer?
Microsoft retired Internet Explorer on June 15, 2022, but it still lives on in Microsoft Edge as IE Mode. To enable it for legacy websites, click the Settings and more button in the top right corner of Microsoft Edge, followed by Settings > Default browser > Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode. Select Allow on the drop-down menu to enable IE Mode.
Kevin Parrish Highspeedinternet, Best-web-browsers
Seven alternative web browsers.
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