Think back ten years ago to which browser you surfed the web with. Was it Internet Explorer? Edge? Firefox? Opera? Chrome? Safari? Netscape Navigator even? Ok, if you have been using Navigator or Internet Explorer it is probably time to make a switch. There are plenty more of them out there in this ever-changing field. As we enter a new decade, what web browser is right for you?
If you are ready for a switch or just want to find about some other browsers that are out there keep reading. Just like with many other things there is a lot of selection and in this case all of these options are free to download and use. But there is no perfect web browser out there.
The Big Boys
Google Chrome
Given the numbers there is a good chance that you are using Google’s Chrome browser. Over half of all web traffic was done through the Chrome browser in 2019. There’s a lot to like about this browser which is customizable, extendable and efficient. It is stable and takes up the minimum amount of screen space. Parental controls are easy to use as are a number of other options that can be customized to create a browsing experience that can be tailored to you. It also has excellent mobile integration with an app available on every major platform which means keeping your data in sync has never been easier.
But Chrome does have its downsides as well. It uses a lot of system resources like RAM which may not work as well on older machines. Google as well has not enjoyed the sterling reputation that it once had and many people might be uncomfortable with one company being able to push all of its programs through its browser to the detriment of others.
Microsoft Edge
It has been one of the major embarrassments of the 2010s that Microsoft’s web browsers did so poorly. Internet Explorer used to dominate the browsers of people accessing the Internet but that has changed. Edge was a complete redesign of Internet Explorer but even that was not enough and in a case of “if you can’t beat them, join them” Edge was again redesigned, this time to have a similar feel to Chrome using the Chromium engine.
The new Edge offers many of the advantages that Chrome delivers like customization and security without needing as many system resources. Will it be enough? With many people entrenched using their favorite web browser Edge has a long climb to get back to the top. It of course has a huge advantage that other browsers don’t have since it comes preinstalled with Windows 10.
Mozilla Firefox
Firefox has been around for awhile. It’s been around since 2002 and has been built and rebuilt over the years with a new interface and a cleaner and more modern take on browsing the web. The most recent iteration was an almost complete rebuild of the browser. Firefox is fast, customizable and privacy-centered with many of the same options that Chrome has. In fact there are some websites that work better on Firefox than they do on Chrome.
For many privacy-focused users Firefox is what they are looking for. Since Mozilla is a non-profit it does not have the same motivation to sell user data. A new version is also in the works that is designed to browse the web in virtual reality. It may not be the fastest but Firefox may be poised to gain some serious ground in the 2020s.
Next Tier
Opera
Opera is one of the oldest and most innovative browsers on the web. Do you like tabbed browsing? Of course you do. Is that speed dial feature something that you can’t live without? It’s great isn’t it. Is your browsing life easier thanks to ad blocking? You betcha! If you like those features you should know that Opera pioneered all of them. It also pioneered a predictive website preload ability, an instant search feature and the ability to stash webpages to read later without signing up for a separate feature.
Opera is built on the Chromium engine and it is fast and light with numerous built-in features and extensions available. In fact what is available for Opera is similar to Chrome. Like other browsers as well Opera focuses on security and it has a built-in VPN. To help with speed a feature compresses web traffic and routes it through Opera’s servers which help with speed, especially if you are on a slow or mobile connection by reducing the amount of data transferred. It is a shame that only 1% of web traffic uses Opera.
Safari
If Apple had the same reach that Windows does this would be a more popular browser but it doesn’t. Of course this browser can be downloaded on Windows and it comes on any Apple product but it is not one of the top choices. Safari is not the fastest browser but it is pretty fast while focusing on privacy and security. It is easy to use with a simple and clean navigation layout with numerous plugin extensions available to customize it, though not as much as other browsers.
Downsides for the Safari browser are few but can be significant. Updates for the browser are few and far between, meaning if a vulnerability is discovered it may take some time to get a patch. Also not all webpages support Safari as well and not all programs (like Flash) work properly with it.
Up And Comers
Vivaldi
No two users of this browser have the same setup. Vivaldi was released in 2016 as an open-source browser targeting technically inclined Opera users who did not like the changes on that browser. Just about everything on this browser is customizable and delivers a unique browsing experience. Security and privacy are a huge focus with a non-tracking search tool and privacy mode option. It also features a built-in note taking feature as well as the ability to dock websites as side panels and the ability to group tabs to avoid a crowded tab list.
Like many other browsers Vivaldi is built on the Chromium engine and extensions are available from the Chrome Web Store, though some many not work. This is one of the up and coming web browsers and time will tell if it can challenge one of the big boys in the future.
Brave
If security and privacy is your main concern on the Internet then Brave might be for you. Brave is one of the new kids on the block with a full release in 2019 so if you have never heard of it that is understandable. It blocks all ads which greatly speeds up browsing instead using a different model in which users receive tokens (based on a cryptocurrency model) when they view alternative ads that Brave pushes to them. No user tracking is done meaning it offers a private web browsing experience all of the time without having to enable privacy mode.
There are plenty of other web browsers out there. Too many, almost. Like with many things people do not want to change something when they become used to it and comfortable with something. Maybe you are looking for something new or just bought a new computer and want a fresh start. When it comes to web browsers there are a lot of choices but it can be a big choice when it comes to your time on the Internet. The list is also going to change as the decade goes on and new entries join this list. It is going to be an exciting decade!