With multiple web browsers available at present, sometimes it becomes tough to decide on which browser to use. You have the option to choose any browser as your default browser. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox have been the preferred browsers for the majority of the people at present.
It all started with Internet Explorer vs. Netscape Navigator. 20 years later, there are multiple web browser options that offer good surfing experience, starting with Chrome. Now, Google Chrome might be a preferred web browser, but it is not ahead of all the existing web browsers in all aspects.
In this blog today, we are going to evaluate the major existing browsers used. The two primary factors that all the web browsers try to ensure is speed and compatibility. Let us start an in-depth comparison of different web browsers available at present.
Google Chrome – Starting with the most preferred one
Undoubtedly Google Chrome is the most used web browser at present. Along with complete Google Account integration, a reliable suite of mobile applications, Chrome extension ecosystem, and Drive options, it is easy to see why it is so much preferred.
The best part is Chrome also blocs some unnecessary ads that don’t match up with the industry standards. Some of the best mobile integration features are available in Google Chrome. A mobile app is available on every platform, which makes it easy to keep your data in sync. Speaking of speed and compatibility, Google Chrome makes surfing smooth as a breeze.
Once you sign in to your Google Account in one device, all the bookmarks, saved data, and preferences come along. Even the active extensions are in sync. This is a standard feature in all other platforms, but Chrome offers the best integration of them all.
Google launched Chrome 69 in 2018 to mark its 10th birthday. It offered a visual redesign and added some nice new features. The user-interface became smoother, tabs are easy to find. With Chrome 71 available, you cannot go back to the old interface.
Chrome’s password manager automatically offers recommendations through strong passwords, the favorites as easily manageable. You get a dark mode for windows and MacOS. The bottom line is, Chrome is fast, lightweight, free, and better looking than ever.
Mozilla Firefox – A very very close competitor of Chrome
Well, apart from being a close competitor, it is also considered as the best alternative to Chrome. With Firefox Quantum and Firefox Reality, Mozilla recreated the familiar old design and experience of the browser interface. It offers a cleaner and more modern look compared to its previous versions.
Mozilla introduced a password-free browsing experience. Firefox Quantum is designed in such a way that it can leverage the emerging multi-core processors. This may not make a huge difference in your day to day life but it will offer an edge in the future. The reason is, Firefox Quantum can take advantage of the quicker processors as they emerge.
The recent updates in Firefox include privacy protections along with anti-tracker support. Enhanced password syncing is available across multiple devices, better readability, and integrated breach alerts. The new Firefox is quicker and is much more streamlined than before. With the mobile Firefox app, you can share bookmarks.
Unfortunately, managing the setting through multiple platforms is not as seamless as Chrome. Firefox is comfortable and a familiar standby and it has been around longer than Chrome. Thus, it never hurts to keep it around. Also, with the release of Firefox 76, you can stay safe from the websites that want to track your activities.
Opera – an innovative web browser
Opera shares a lot of common features with Chrome since both of them are built on Google’s open-source Chromium engine. Thus, they have a similar user experience. The difference arises in the built-in feature of Opera. It comes with a few more features enabled within the browser itself.
Opera also introduced a predictive website preload ability along with an Instant Search feature. This feature isolates the search in a separate window and the current page fades in the background. Thus, you can focus more on the task at hand.
From Opera 55, you will be able to install add-ons from the Opera Addons store. Similar to Chrome, you shall also find useful tools like Giphy, Avast Online Security, Amazon Assistant, Facebook Messenger, and more. With Opera 68 available, it could give major competition to the above-mentioned web browsers in seamless navigation and speed.
Another important feature of Opera is the “stash” that helps you to save pages to read later. The latest changes come with a borderless design, a Crypto wallet for blockchain-based sites, and a Web 3 support. If you are in search of a feature-packed browser with privacy and security, this is a great choice.
Microsoft Edge – the web browser with a lot of potential
This one is an integrated browser with Windows 10. It uses an in-house browsing engine and updates along with the operating system. The project was not successful because Edge was not able to gain substantial market share despite being a Windows 10 default web browser.
Thus, Microsoft recreated Edge with open-source Chromium this time and launched it on 5th February 2020. It replaces the previous version of pre-installed Windows 10. Apparently, Microsoft Edge will look like Google Chrome. You can import all the bookmarks and toolbars. It also supports Chrome extensions and leads you to Microsoft Store for add-ons.
The best improvement is the performance here. Microsoft optimized Edge for Windows 10 which loads extremely fast and consumes a lot less memory. Also, it offers simpler privacy settings and offers a much more graphically-friendly interface. It comes with three security levels, basic, balanced, and strict.
Apple Safari – for dedicated Apple users
If you are a dedicated Apple user, chances are Apple Safari is already a default user. This one may not be the fastest browser available, but it is fast enough to not make your surfing experience feel lagging. It remains integrated within MacOS.
It doesn’t consume too much battery. Safari ensures privacy and security. You can experience a seamless transition between different platforms. This browser was the first one to offer a reading mode. It eradicated all the clusters and unnecessary ads from web articles to read.
At present, macOS Catalina and iOS 13 offers fingerprint protection. The new version comes with Apple pay support and a Sign in with Apple feature for replacing Facebook and Google as web account authorization. With Apple’s Handoff feature, you can continue the browsing session between devices.
Final thoughts
In the end it can be said that Google Chrome surpasses the other web-browsers in multiple aspects including speed, navigation, add-ons, and ease of integration features. If you are looking for a web browser that doesn’t consume too much memory, then Microsoft Edge can be a good option. Mozilla still remains as a strong alternative to Chrome. If you love Chrome but you want a little more novelty, then Opera is for you.
Have you used all the above-mentioned web browsers? Share your thoughts with Skyram Technologies here.
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