From what I’ve seen, the best web browsers not only make browsing the web easy, but they also give you a lot of privacy and security settings. Most of the time, these browsers have settings that let you make the internet the way you like it. Different ones also use your computer’s resources in different ways; some are light and don’t affect system memory much, while others are heavy and do.
Choosing which web browser to use in the long run is a very personal matter and depends on individual needs in terms of security, privacy and accessibility. From a technical point of view, it also depends on your computer’s capabilities in terms of processing speed and memory capacity. For example, if privacy is the most important criterion when choosing a browser, Firefox or Brave are the best choices. However, if you are used to using Google’s software and products, Chrome may be the best choice.
A browser is an application program that offers a way to view and interact with all the information on World Wide Web. This includes Web pages, videos, images, and more. The term “browser” originated before the Web as a generic term for a user interface used to browse (navigate and read) online text files. A browser is the client program that runs on the user’s computer or mobile device and contacts a web server to obtain information requested by the user. Below we have mentioned some of the best Web Browsers.
What is a web browser?
A web browser is a piece of software that lets you access and look at content on the World Wide Web. The World Wide Web is a network of websites and web pages that are all connected to each other. It lets users go from one website to another, search for information, use web-based apps, and view different kinds of multimedia content like text, images, videos, and interactive elements.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Web Browser?
When picking a web browser, you should think about a number of things to make sure you have the best browsing experience for your needs. Here are some important things to consider:
Speed and Performance: Your browsing experience is better when your browser is fast, loads pages quickly, and works well.
Security and Privacy: Look for browsers with strong security features, like built-in protection against malware, phishing, and tracking. Options that focus on privacy often have features like ad blockers and modes that give you more privacy.
Compatibility and features: Choose a browser that works with the websites and web apps you use most. Also, think about features like managing tabs, extensions/add-ons, and syncing between devices.
User Interface and Customization: An interface that is easy to use and can be changed makes it easier to move around. Look for browsers that let you change the layout, themes, and toolbar to make it your own.
Platform and Device Compatibility: Make sure the browser is available on your preferred operating system and devices, such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.
Best Web Browsers Comparison Table
The best web browser for you will depend on your preferences and needs. Google Chrome is fast and works with a lot of programs, while Mozilla Firefox is more focused on privacy and open standards. Microsoft Edge works well with Windows, and Safari works well with the rest of the Apple ecosystem. Brave has built-in ad blocking and focuses on privacy, while Opera has unique features like a VPN.
| Browser | Platform | Privacy Features | Ad blocking | Performance | Official Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | Basic | Yes | Fast | Download |
| Mozilla Firefox | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | Strong | Yes | Fast | Download |
| Yandex Browser | Windows, macOS, Linux | Moderate | Yes | Fast | Download |
| Microsoft Edge | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Strong | Yes | Fast | Download |
| Opera | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Moderate | Yes | Fast | Download |
| Apple Safari | Mac, iPad, iPhone, and MacOS | Strong | Yes | Fast | Download |
| Vivaldi | Windows, macOS, Linux | Basic | Yes | Fast | Download |
| Tor Browser | Windows, macOS, Linux | Strongest | Yes | Slow (privacy) | Download |
| Brave Browser | Windows, macOS, Android | Strong | Yes | Fast | Download |
| DuckDuckGo | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Strong | Yes | Fast | Download |
Google Chrome
Features
- Fast and efficient browsing with the V8 JavaScript engine.
- Syncing of bookmarks, passwords, and settings across devices.
- Extensive collection of extensions and themes from the Chrome Web Store.
- Built-in Google Translate for translating web pages.
- Secure browsing with automatic updates and Google’s Safe Browsing technology.
However, there are some areas where Microsoft’s competitors actually outperform the Big G. This is especially true when it comes to resource consumption; Chrome is notorious for its high resource requirements and can run very slowly on weaker hardware with less memory. The new tab lock feature is supposed to combat this by automatically “freezing” tabs in the background to prevent them from consuming resources unnecessarily, but Chrome is still quite hardware intensive.
Chrome 91 is by no means a bad browser. On the contrary, it is a great browser with an excellent library of add-ons, cross-platform support and synchronization, excellent autofill capabilities, and great tools for web developers. It alerts you when your email has been compromised, provides secure DNS lookups for compatible providers (Google’s public DNS is one of them), and can block much of the dangerous mixed content such as scripts and images on other secure connections. It also enables the WebXR API for AR and VR. Overall, this is one of the best Web Browsers that you can install now.
Pros
- Fast and efficient browsing.
- Extensive extension library.
- Integrated Google services.
Cons
- High memory usage.
- Some privacy concerns due to data collection.
Mozilla Firefox
Features
- Robust privacy features with Enhanced Tracking Protection.
- Open-source with a strong emphasis on user privacy and security.
- Customizable user interface with themes and extensions.
- Multi-account container feature for isolating browsing identities.
- Syncing of bookmarks, history, and tabs across devices.
Mozilla Firefox has long been the Swiss Army knife of the Internet and our favorite web browser. Version 90 is particularly good, alerting you when your email address is part of a known privacy breach, blocking pesky notification pop-ups, blocking “fingerprint” browser tracking, and bringing its picture-in-picture video mode to the Mac version You can.
As ever, the browser is infinitely customizable, both in terms of its appearance and the range of extensions and plug-ins available. Last year saw a dramatic performance overhaul for a browser that had been lagging behind Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or simply Firefox, is the third largest browser market in the world, but the most widely used PC browser, or known to be more secure and faster than Chrome. For now, this is one of the best Web Browsers.
Pros
- Strong privacy features.
- Open-source and customizable.
- Robust extension support.
Cons
- Can be slightly slower than competitors.
- Fewer built-in features compared to other browsers.
Yandex Browser
Features
- Turbo mode for faster page loading on slow connections.
- DNSCrypt technology for enhanced privacy and security.
- Integrated virus scanning for downloaded files.
- SmartBox feature for quick website suggestions and search.
- Integrated translations for foreign websites.
Yandex is known as the Google of Russia and is the most used search engine in Russia, with a market share of over 50% Yandex offers search services as well as email, cloud storage, maps, and other services similar to those offered by Google Yandex Browser has built-in features such as data transfer over HTTPS over insecure networks and protection against DNS server spoofing.
It is also described as lightweight, fluid, and fast; along with Microsoft Edge, Yandex has been found to have data sharing issues. Specifically, it sends persistent identifiers that can be used to associate requests with back-end servers. In addition to the browsing data, we also found that hashed hardware identifiers were being sent to the back-end servers via the search autocomplete function.
Pros
- Secure browsing with built-in antivirus.
- Turbo mode for faster loading.
- Customizable new tab layout.
Cons
- Limited outside of Russian-speaking regions.
- Privacy concerns due to its ties with the Russian company Yandex.
Microsoft Edge
Features
- Built on Chromium engine for compatibility and speed.
- Collections feature for organizing and sharing web content.
- Immersive reading mode for distraction-free reading.
- Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for protection against malicious sites.
- Integration with Microsoft services and Cortana voice assistant.
After retiring Internet Explorer, Microsoft has worked hard to make Edge the browser of choice for Windows users, and since its launch in 2015, Edge has been available not only on Windows 10, but also on other operating systems, including Mac, Android, and iOS Expansion. Microsoft rightfully wants this browser to be better than its predecessor in terms of page loading speeds, but what about security and privacy? Currently, this is one of the best Web Browsers for Windows PC.
This year, Microsoft made a major change to Edge’s design: starting in January 2020, the browser will be based on the Chromium Brower, with some of its code open-sourced. We cannot stress enough how important it is to update your apps and devices, even if it is a hassle, and it is good to see regular updates being released to Edge to fix security vulnerabilities. Microsoft has also introduced automatic profile switching, which should make it easier to switch between work and private accounts. Overall, this is one of the best web browser.
Pros
- Smooth integration with Windows.
- Built on Chromium, offering compatibility.
- Privacy features like tracker prevention.
Cons
- Limited extension library compared to Chrome.
- Might not be as fast as some other browsers.
Opera
Features
- Free VPN service for enhanced privacy and access to geo-restricted content.
- Built-in ad blocker to reduce page clutter and improve speed.
- Opera Turbo mode for data compression and faster browsing.
- Sidebar with access to frequently used tools like messengers and social media.
- Customizable start page with news and shortcuts.
On the home screen you can enable the built-in ad blocker, use the built-in VPN, enable Crypto Wallet for cryptocurrency, enable in-browser messaging in the sidebar, and enable or disable Opera Dark Mode. If you are a gamer, you should try Opera GX (open in new tab) instead, but this is a great introduction to a really good browser. It is designed specifically for gamers and offers Twitch integration and Razer Chroma support.
Opera is another Chromium-based browser, so performance is very fast and you can use add-ons from the Chrome library. It also has some interesting ideas, such as Flow, which is designed for people who often discover things they want to look at later: If you are constantly sending emails or messages with interesting links to yourself, Flow allows you to do this more elegantly by facilitating the sharing of content from Opera on your phone to Opera on your computer.
Pros
- Built-in VPN for enhanced privacy.
- Integrated ad blocker and free access to various web apps.
- Fast browsing with data compression.
Cons
- Smaller user base.
- VPN might not be as secure as standalone options.
Apple Safari
Features
- Optimized for Apple devices with efficient resource usage.
- Intelligent Tracking Prevention for enhanced privacy.
- Energy-efficient browsing for longer battery life on MacBooks.
- Integrated iCloud Keychain for secure password management.
- Reader mode for distraction-free reading.
Safari is now only available on Apple products, but for a short time it was also on PCs. Safari is the default browser for Mac, but like Microsoft’s Edge, it plays second fiddle to Google Chrome in popularity. Safari prevents suspicious websites from loading and alerts you to the potential danger. By running web pages in a sandbox, Safari also prevents malicious code on one page from affecting the entire browser or accessing your data.
In the few years since Safari introduced its Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) feature, the browser has apparently prevented websites from tracking users. The feature also helps disguise digital fingerprints and prevents third-party websites from leaving data in your cache by default, allowing you to remain anonymous online. In addition, Safari offers a number of useful extensions to protect your privacy. This is one of the best Web Browsers that you can suggest your friends and family.
Pros
- Optimized for macOS and Apple devices.
- Energy-efficient performance.
- Enhanced privacy features.
Cons
- Limited availability on non-Apple platforms.
- Fewer extensions compared to other browsers.
Vivaldi
Features
- Highly customizable with various themes and user interface options.
- Tab stacking and tiling for efficient multitasking.
- Notes feature for adding annotations to websites.
- Built-in screenshot and capture tools.
- Support for Chrome extensions.
Vivaldi is the brainchild of a former Opera developer and, like Opera, does things differently than the leading web browsers. In this case, it is very different: Vivaldi emphasizes customization, allowing you to customize almost everything, from navigation to the look and feel of the UI; Chromium is also under the surface here (i.e., you can use most Chrome add-ons), but what’s above the surface is quite different from other Chromium-based web browsers.
You can pin websites to the sidebar, put toolbars wherever you want, customize page fonts and color schemes, have a notes panel as well as the usual history and bookmarks, customize how you search, nickname your search engine, change tab behavior and change grouping, and much more. You can also view your history in a graph to see how much time you have spent on a particular site.
Pros
- Highly customizable interface.
- Advanced tab management.
- Built-in note-taking and other features.
Cons
- Smaller user base.
- Some features might be overwhelming for casual users.
Tor Browser
Features
- Privacy-focused browser that routes traffic through the Tor network.
- Enhanced anonymity and resistance to tracking.
- Defends against fingerprinting and other tracking methods.
- Built-in NoScript for controlling website scripts.
- Blocks plugins and prevents media from auto-playing.
Developed by the Tor Project in 2002 and based on the Firefox browser, the Tor browser is designed for anonymous Internet access to dark web through the Tor network. Your activities and identity are obfuscated by Tor, which encrypts your traffic on at least three levels by sending your communications through a distributed network of relays chosen by thousands of volunteer computers. Most Tor updates follow Firefox bug fixes and security patches.
The privacy of the Tor browser is greatly helped by its security – no one watching your connection can track your internet activity or identify you unless you specifically identify yourself. Moreover, Tor does not record your browsing history and deletes your cookies after each session. Tor also protects users from sites that attempt to save browsing history by integrating No Script. Based on tests of unique browser fingerprints, only Tor can reduce the uniqueness of your fingerprint.
Pros
- High-level privacy with onion routing.
- Blocks trackers and provides anonymity.
- Access to the dark web.
Cons
- Slower browsing due to routing.
- Not ideal for resource-intensive tasks.
Brave Browser
Features
- Built-in ad and tracker blocking for faster and more private browsing.
- BAT (Basic Attention Token) integration for rewarding content creators.
- HTTPS Everywhere for secure connections.
- Privacy-oriented search engine option (DuckDuckGo) by default.
- Syncing of bookmarks and settings across devices.
Brave was founded in 2016 by Brenden Eich, the former Mozilla CEO who also developed JavaScript. Although Brave is still relatively new on the scene, it impresses with its fast, privacy-focused and minimalistic design. Having evolved from perpetual beta to a full-fledged browser, it will show us how it fares as a privacy-focused product. Brave has several features that keep your browsing private, with a default ad blocker that also prevents ads from tracking your online behavior, as well as a feature that secures unencrypted websites with HTTPS if needed.
Brave’s security settings let you choose what data you want to delete when you close the app (including HTTPS Everywhere data), block fingerprinting attempts, and prevent scripts from loading. Brave settings offer many ways to make your browsing experience as secure as you want it to be. Currently, this is one of the best Web Browsers you can install in your phone, PC, Laptop and more.
Pros
- Blocks ads and trackers by default.
- Built-in cryptocurrency rewards for users and publishers.
- Fast browsing performance.
Cons
- Limited extension library.
- Relatively new, might have some bugs.
DuckDuckGo
Features
- Privacy-focused search engine with a minimalistic browser interface.
- Built-in tracker blocking to protect user data.
- Encryption of search queries for enhanced privacy.
- Improved user experience with “bangs” for quick searches on other sites.
- Minimal data collection and personalized ads.
DuckDuckGo is a popular search engine with a focus on privacy. While not a browser in the strict sense, DuckDuckGo offers the DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials plugin for Chrome (and Chromium-based web browsers) and Firefox (and all related browser types), which sets DuckDuckGo as the default search engine and blocks hidden trackers on websites. A mobile DuckDuckGo browser is also available for Android and iOS.
Pros
- Focus on privacy with no tracking.
- Clean and simple interface.
- Instant answers and quick results.
Cons
- Limited features compared to mainstream browsers.
- Might lack compatibility with certain websites.
FAQs
1. Best overall: Google Chrome.
2. Best for security: Mozilla Firefox.
3. Best for customization: Vivaldi.
4. Best for social media: Opera.
5. Best for Mac: Apple Safari.
6. Best for Windows: Microsoft Edge.
What makes Firefox so great are the little things that set it apart, like automatic DNS over HTTPS, built-in ad and cookie blocking, and protection against digital fingerprinting. Chrome may be a little faster and have a better user interface, but I’d rather have privacy than a small speed boost that I won’t even notice.
