An internet browser is an application that allows you to access the internet on your device. Also known as web browsers, these applications have become a critical piece of day-to-day life. You probably use one several times every day to access certain websites or search for answers to questions you may have using a search engine. Browsers retrieve requested files from a web server and display them on the user’s screen, which could be a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc. In short, web browsers are the window through which you see the internet. Some of the most common current internet browsers are Chrome, Safari, Edge (which replaced Internet Explorer), Firefox, Opera, and Samsung Internet. With all of the different options available, it can be tricky to know which one might be the best for you. Since you will probably be interacting with your internet browser very often, it is important to make an informed decision when choosing one. Of course, you can use multiple at a time. It might actually be smart to have at least two internet browsers ready to use, just in case something isn’t working in one that might work in the other. However, most people do have one main browser that serves as their “go-to.”
When searching the internet for which browser is the most popular, one is bound to find very mixed results. Some say Google Chrome is the best, others say Firefox, and some even praise lesser-known browsers like Tor Browser, Brave, and Vivaldi the most. Each browser has different processes in place when it comes to tracking, saving information, protecting your privacy, maintaining the security of your equipment, and so on. Let’s take a look at the unique features that each internet browser claims to have.
Chrome
According to Google, Chrome has many features that’ll help you get things done and stay safe online. When searching for something in the address bar, Chrome will autofill certain requests. For example, when searching for the weather in London, Chrome will give you the information in the suggested searches before you’ve even pressed enter. Additionally, Chrome will generate and store passwords, warn you of online breaches, and has the ability to sync across devices. These are just a few of the features that Chrome has implemented within the browser. Some advantages to using Chrome include a customizable interface, high speed browsing, and a wide range of available browser extensions. Chrome will also be the most compatible when trying to use other Google products. Though, it does have some disadvantages. Chrome is known to take up a lot of space on your computer while it is running. Also, Google is known for collecting and selling user data, so there can only be a limited expectation of privacy on their internet browser. It would not be unlikely to find targeted ads within Chrome.
Safari
Safari is the internet browser that can be found on all Apple devices. They claim that the browser provides robust customization options, powerful privacy protections, and optimizes battery life. They also claim that it is the world’s fastest browser. Safari comes with built-in tracking prevention to prevent trackers from following you across the internet, and provides privacy reports to show you exactly what it has been doing to protect you. Like Chrome, you can also create tab groups, install extensions, and customize the platform to work for you. These are just a few among the many features that Apple takes pride in with Safari. Some advantages to using Safari include high speeds, high compatibility with other Apple products, the “handoff” feature that allows users to continue browsing in the same session through different devices, the translation feature that can translate web pages, and its built-in privacy and security tools. Though, Safari has been criticized for its small library of extensions, limited options for synchronizing data, and that it is only available on Apple devices.
Edge
Microsoft has an extensive list of features that they cite for their browser Edge. Edge was initially released in 2015, while Internet Explorer, Microsoft’s original browser, was still functioning. However, support for Internet Explorer ended in June of 2022 and Edge officially took over as Microsoft’s internet browser. According to Microsoft, Edge has world-class performance and speed features, built-in security features, has built-in tools to help with productivity, and is the best browser out there for gamers. It is also the best browser if you like to use Bing as your search engine – another Microsoft product. Microsoft uses AI to enhance Edge and provides built-in features in Edge for shoppers that find coupons and compare prices. They also claim to have a comprehensive set of learning and accessibility tools like the read aloud feature. Some advantages of using Edge include a decent sized library of extensions, tracking prevention and other privacy features, and customizable user profiles. A disadvantage of using Edge is its lower overall performance than browsers like Chrome or Firefox. Additionally, privacy is only limited since Edge is run by a for-profit company, Microsoft, that uses your data to make money, like Chrome.
Firefox
According to Mozilla, Firefox is a fast, lightweight, privacy-focused browser that works on nearly any device. Firefox uses less memory than Chrome, has built-in security measures to protect your privacy, and has a variety of other features like their password manager, browser synchronization, extensions, customizability, private browsing mode, PDF editor, ad tracker blocking, pop-up blocking, security threat warnings, etc. Overall, Firefox is considered to be one of the fastest and most secure browsers out there, even above Edge, Safari, and Opera. It offers a straightforward, comfortable user experience that you may not be able to get from other browsers. However, Firefox users have been prone to experiencing compatibility issues with certain websites where users of other browsers may not. Firefox is a bit less popular than Chrome and Safari, so some website builders may not prioritize configuring their website to display properly in Firefox. Also, although Firefox does take less RAM than Chrome does to run, it still takes a significant amount.
Opera
Opera claims that it offers a user experience that just cannot be achieved by other browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Edge. Its proof is that it does not come pre-installed on any devices like those other browsers do, meaning that users choose it over the defaults because of its excellent performance. They also pride themselves on their ability to adapt and innovate. According to the company, Opera is faster, safer, and smarter than other browsers. It is designed for security, privacy, and flexibility. With Opera, you can organize tabs into groups, Chat with AI for free, message from the sidebar, and browse without ads. It also offers a free VPN, flow file sharing, and several other features that provide an innovative, forward-thinking experience. Some strengths of the browser include compatibility with most operating systems, available in 50+ languages, and a wide range of built-in services. Opera’s main weakness is its lesser popularity, meaning it is at a disadvantage when it comes to its more popular competitors. It is also considered to be a bit slower than other browsers, it updates less often, and there are fewer customization options.
Samsung Internet
Samsung internet is the browser that can be seen on Samsung Galaxy devices. They describe themselves as a simple, fast, and reliable web browser for your phone and/or tablet. They claim to have secure web browsing with secret mode, biometric login and content blocking. Although Samsung Internet is designed for Samsung devices, they have been branching out to other platforms more recently. Some features of Samsung Internet include the ability to save webpages for later offline viewing, an organized set of history data, a variety of optional extensions, login/credential memory, and a built-in video assistant extension. Some users have criticized Samsung for not allowing users to delete the app from their phones if they choose to use a different browser, though. It also does not have a built-in language translator like Chrome does, or a built-in data saving feature. Though, some do prefer its speed and reliability over Chrome. This browser doesn’t come with a ton of built-in features, but many can be supplemented by downloading extensions.
There are several other browsers out there that may be worth checking out, like Tor Browser, Brave, Vivaldi, Epic, or DuckDuckGo. Each browser has different priorities when it comes to customizability, security, privacy, and other features. It is important to be informed before choosing which browser may be best for you. Plus, the features of these browsers are constantly changing and evolving, and newer, more specialized browsers are rising in popularity. It’s nice to know that, since not everyone is the same or has the same needs, that you can likely find and choose the browser with the options that best fit your internet browsing needs.
Read our previous blog post here: Most Spoofed Brands In Cyber-Attacks
