When surfing the Internet from mobile or pc we all have our preferences. Millions of users around the world use Google Chrome, while others opt for Firefox, Opera or any other alternative, including browsers that are included natively in their devices.
Anyway, there is no better browser than another, but each one stands out in different aspects and that is why choosing the best web browser is an almost impossible task.
What is simple, on the other hand, is to select the best browsers based on its pros and cons and that’s what we have done in the list down below.
Google Chrome – Most Popular
Google’s browser is the quintessential app to surf the Internet on Android. Google Chrome is still one of the best browsers for Android, in any of its four different versions.
Pros:
- Good speed
- Light interface
- Well adapted to Google services.
- Compatible with all Operating Systems and Smartphones.
- A fantastic Javascript engine. Origin of Node.
- Impeccable development tools.
- Interesting native extensions: like Gmail without connection, Google Docs (an Office), videoconference, desktop sharing, videogames … (Among many others).
Cons:
- Google tries to force you to use it.
- Too many updates, although they are automatically applied.
- Great use of RAM, which can be a problem for limited computers (Less than 1Gb).
- Part of proprietary code despite coming from free software. What are you hiding?
Mozilla Firefox – Browse Free
Another of the great classics in terms of Android browsers is Firefox. The open-source platform of Mozilla has had its edition for Android for years, and just a few months ago received one of the most important updates in its history, called Firefox Quantum.
Pros:
- Committed to offering a good product. Your engine has been cleaning and optimizing with Quantum.
- All the extensions you could want.
- Good compatibility
- Fantastic customizable interface.
- Smartphone version very interesting.
- It consumes less memory than Chrome, and now with Quantum less RAM than before.
- Very interesting integrated software: screenshots, Pocket, extension monitor, independent download manager …
- Philosophy of Free Software in its pure state.
Cons:
- You may notice that some web designers give Chrome more priority than Firefox, so you will find some pages that give you problems.
- Flamboyant interface. I’m sure you can get more space with the same buttons in the window.
- The updates arrive very slowly.
Opera – Saver in Everything
Opera is a browser that has earned a place to be among the best. It has built-in features that in Chrome or Firefox extensions are required. It is a browser that protects your data; it is quick and easy to use.
Pros:
- Turbo mode Ideal for slow connections.
- Versions for great Smartphones.
Cons:
- Owner code. Although in this case, it is understandable since the company lives on software.
- Few updates. They have a hard time releasing new versions, and for Linux, they arrive late.
- The loss of your magnificent integrated mail client.Now it is independent, but it is not the same.
- It does not offer anything new. Except for one bar to the left when you start it.
QupZilla
Although it began with educational pretensions, it has been growing until it has acquired its own identity.
Pros:
- Use of Qt5.
- Compatible with all operating systems.
Cons:
- It does not have many updates. The last one wasfive months ago.
Chromium
It is a safe and fast alternative browser to other browsers available in the market. It is faster since it has the turbo mode that is enabled when the Internet speed slows down.
Pros:
- Being the parent project of Chrome, we can say that it has everything good.
- 100% free.
- Priceless difference with Chrome by the user.
Cons:
- In Windows, the updates are uncomfortable.
Midori
The Opensource web browser par excellence behind Firefox. The most recommended of the list.
Pros:
- Careful and beautiful interface.
- Regular updates
- Compatible with Windows and Linux.
Cons:
- They do not contribute anything remarkable.
- It is not compatible with Mac.
Pale Moon
Firefox Folk It could be considered as a Firefox removing all but the essential.
Pros:
- Good performance.
- The best of Firefox but on a diet.
Cons:
- It has no personality. The interface is cloned to Firefox.
- Javascript can give some scare.
Microsoft Edge
It is the web browser that was developed by Microsoft in the early 2015. Initially, it was functional for window 10 only but in 2017 it became functional for Android and iOS as well.
Pros:
- Impeccable integration with Windows 10.
- Good performance of Javascript. Also, its engine is free.
- Compatible with Chromium in the way of rendering the pages, which improves the browsing experience.
- It is installed as standard in the new Windows operating systems.
- Efficient RAM consumption.
Cons:
- Future with changes, at this time developers, are changing their engine to Chromium.
- Poor extensions.
- Only compatible with Windows.
- Much of the code is proprietary, at least for now.
Safari
Safari is famous as a graphical web browser that was developed by Apple. In 2003, it was first released on desktop. Later in 2007, when Apple launch its iPhone, they released the Safari mobile version as well.
Pros:
- Sublime integration with Mac OS X and iOS.
- Clean, clear and simple interface.
- Intelligent use of the touchpad.
- If you have Mac OS, the fastest browser without a doubt, they do not stop optimizing it.
Cons:
- Owner code, like all Apple software.
- It is usually a bit outdated.
- Only for Apple. And possibly it will always be like this.
- Basic extensions.
- His only intention to exist is to give a nice browser and basic tools for Apple developers. The operation is basic compared to the competition.
- Always behind standards. You will find that it is not always going to work for you in some places.
Tor
It is a web browser made for the specific purpose of anonymity. It provides access to so-called dark web without breaching privacy.
Pros:
- 100% anonymity
- Your private data is safe
- Provides entry point for tor (the onion router)
Cons:
- Can be used for illegal purposes
Conclusion:
Which one is the best web browser? As you can see, there are several factors to assess. I cannot give a verdict. The best web browser is the one that best suits your needs.
Performance is not as important as you feel comfortable while surfing the net is. When we talk about speed between one and the other, they are only a difference of thousandths of a second, barely perceptible. What slows down is your internet connection and team power, not the browser.