Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers today. But do you know other browsers besides Google Chrome have faster speeds and excellent performance? While many devices offer Chrome as their default web browser, you can try other options for increased privacy, better function, and an intuitive user experience.
The best internet browsers for 2024 make it easy to access social media, scroll through web pages, and receive or send emails. What’s more? They offer several customization options to give you an excellent online experience.
We’ve compared various web browsers based on their security, speed, system requirements, and user interface. This comprehensive guide will discuss their features and explore their pros and cons to help you select the best browser. Here’s our list of best web browsers for 2024.
Best Web Browsers for 2024 – Quick List
In a hurry? Take a look at the best internet browsers for 2024:
- Mozilla Firefox: The most secure, free, and fastest browser for PC users.
- Google Chrome: Excellent for internet users who want fast performance and easy internet surfing.
- Safari: Best browser for iOS and Mac users.
- Brave: A privacy-focused browser offering functionality for all-around security.
- Microsoft Edge: The most suitable browser for Windows 10 and 11 users.
- Opera: The best browser for people who love to access social media often.
- Vivaldi: It’s a reliable browser for multitasking because it has many built-in tools.
- UC Browser: It boasts fast page loading, efficient performance, and data compression on any mobile device.
- Aloha: A free software excellent for Android mobile phones and tablets.
- Tor browser: The browser is best known for enhancing security and privacy on the internet.
What is a Browser?
A browser is a software application that lets users access and surf through the World Wide Web. It allows you to explore web pages, access various resources, retrieve information from the internet, interact with online content, and more. Users utilize the browser to ask for a web-based source, and the browser retrieves and displays the requested resource in a readable format.
The concept of web browsers began with Tim Berners-Lee’s WorldWideWeb. However, many people knew it as the Mosaic browser. Through this, internet users could enjoy features like inline images and online text files. Later on, the name was changed to Netscape, which had a friendly user interface and SSL.
During the period when browsers were initially introduced, many people saw it as software that significantly enhanced their browsing experience. Now, browsers are apps that allow you to engage with a vast array of content worldwide. In other words, browser software bridges your device to the internet. It usually includes images, videos, and multiple websites.
Browsers usually use HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) ) to request and receive data from web servers, letting you interact with and enjoy content on the internet. They also offer functionalities for cross-platform syncing, allowing users to history and bookmarks on multiple devices.
Here are the essential features a typical web browser provides to enhance your experience while navigating the internet:
1. Address Bar
Once you open your browser, the address bar is the field at the bottom of your mobile screen, which is easy to reach. On the other hand, you’ll find this bar at the top of the screen on your PC and TV devices. The address bar is where you enter a website address or URL link.
You may also refer to this feature as the browser’s search bar, as it allows you to initiate a search to find various resources on the internet. The address bar helps you view your recently visited page on your browser or determine the security status of a webpage. A padlock icon or “HTTPS” often indicates this in the URL.
Another outstanding function of the search bar is auto-completion. When you start typing in the address bar, your browser will provide suggestions based on your bookmarks and search query.
2. Browser Cache
While browsing, you may have come across caches and cookies. These functionalities serve as temporary storage in your browser, reducing a website’s load time and improving your browsing experience. How do they work? The browser downloads elements like stylesheets and images in its cache whenever you visit a site.
So, if you visit that same page, you will use the cache to reload these resources faster rather than fetching the page directly from the server. The best part is that a browser cache lets you access previously visited pages even if you lose your internet connection.
3. Tab-based Browsing
The tabs in browsers allow you to visit and open multiple web pages simultaneously. For example, if you want to perform research, they provide an organized way to manage and switch between various websites to access the content. With them, you can also open multiple hyperlinks in a website without leaving the page. All you need to do is right-click on the links and select the option to load in a different tab.
4. Configurations and Settings
Modern browsers give users customizable options to adjust and tailor their browsing experience. That means you don’t need to use your browser’s default settings while browsing. You can change the theme, such as font style and text size.
There’s also the option to manage how the browser displays images on web pages and include extensions or plugins. To access various configurations and settings, go to your browser’s menu. Depending on your browser, you’ll find this at the top-right or top-left corner.
5. Easy Navigation
Browsers provide multiple buttons for navigation to make surfing the internet enjoyable. Some include the back, forward, reload, home, menu, bookmark, and close tab buttons. Each button makes managing your browsing history and navigating between pages easy.
For example, the back button takes you to the previous web page, while the forward button takes you to revisit a page if you’ve clicked the back button. You can also use the reload button to refresh a web page. Remember, the location of these buttons may vary between browsers, but you’ll often find the back, forward, and reload ones at the top of the browser.
How Do Web Browsers Function?
A web browser typically enables you to access the internet. It requires users’ input, such as a web address or URL, to retrieve resources from the internet. For example, you can input a URL, such as “ https://www.extremevpn.com/, into your browser’s address bar to initiate a search.
Through this action, the browser determines the exact location of the website you want to visit using a Domain Name System (DNS). After this, the software uses Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP) to send a message to the website, asking for the webpage you want. Immediately when your preferred website receives the message, it gathers its webpage content and sends it back to your browser.
Your browser assembles the information, creating the web page you requested. Then, it shows the webpage on your screen. This way, you explore and interact with the content of your preferred web page. In other words, a browser fetches and organizes information and presents it to you for an optimized internet experience.
Note that for a browser to actualize the functionalities above, it has three technical architectures, which include:
- Interpreters: They’re responsible for ensuring a web page displays as intended. Every browser’s interpreters understand web technologies like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
- Controller: This part plays a crucial role in interpreting user input. The controller ensures that the browser responds accurately when you request actions like loading, navigating, and displaying web content.
- Client-side protocols: Protocols generally enable communication between your browser and the web server. There are two types: HTTP and Hypertext Transport Protocol Secure (HTTPS).
Other crucial components of a browser include user interfaces (UI), backend engines, data storage, cache, the networking backend, plugins/extensions, and rendering engines.
Best Web Browsers Today – Detailed List
Here are the best internet browsers to use in 2024, with their features, strengths, and weaknesses:
1. Mozilla Firefox
Free
Prevents third parties from collecting your information
Lacks speed, and the extension compatibility can vary
Key features of Mozilla Firefox include;
- Privacy and security: Firefox prioritizes users’ privacy by blocking annoying pop-up ads, social media trackers, crypto miners, and fingerprinting. By default, it blocks third-party cookies and comes with a password manager.
- Compatibility: Unlike other browsers, Firefox is available on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android and iOS. Plus, it lets you sync your data across every version, even if you use a free Firefox account.
- Extensions: Thanks to the browser’s new updates, you can add several extensions to cater to your online needs.
- Usability: If designing your toolbar or menu is a nightmare, then Firefox is for you. The browser has several colors, font styles, and text customization tools to give your homepage a new look.
- Updates and support: This feature makes Firefox an excellent choice for internet users. The browser never stops updating its services. Its standard release is four weeks. That means every four weeks, there’s a new version of Firefox released.
- Speed: Mozilla Firefox’s speed isn’t fast compared to Chrome and Safari, but it’s decent enough to give you a fully equipped web browsing experience.
Mozilla Firefox is a free, open-source web browser popular for its security and fast speed. It’s one of the strongest contenders in internet browsing, as it focuses on providing users with updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and ensure privacy.
What sets Firefox apart from others is its secure platform for developers and users. The browser adds not one or two but three layers of privacy protection. Though it’s not fast, it compensates with online privacy.
2. Google Chrome
Free
Supports a vast library extension and syncs across multiple devices
Consumes much of your device’s storage
Key features of Google Chrome include;
- Privacy and security: Chrome is infamous for collecting every information about users. Although the aim is to improve its services, this is a flaw in itself, which has raised privacy concerns.
- Compatibility: If you use all your devices, including your TV, to surf the web, you’ll appreciate Chrome’s cross-platform features. It’s available on Microsoft, Linus, and Apple macOS, as well as the iOS and Android operating systems.
- Extensions: You’ll find a comprehensive library of extensions on Chrome. The browser integrates with all its products, like GSuite, Google Maps, Google Play, and more.
- Usability: Chrome is, by all means, a simple and minimalistic browser. It has fewer buttons and offers customization options like voice search and data saver.
- Updates and support: This browser releases security updates every six weeks. However, it releases patches daily. Once Google notices a bug in Chrome, it’ll automatically fix it as soon as you leave and reopen the app.
- Speed: Chrome is extremely fast, particularly when loading sites launched by Google, such as YouTube and Gmail.
Chrome ranks among the most popular browsers on the internet. Since its launch in 2008, it has extended to iOS, Android, Linux, and Mac devices. The browser is easily accessible and is usually many people’s go-to online navigation option. Chances are you’re reading this article using Chrome now.
While Chrome is easy to use and fast, making it the main browser for many internet users, it’s not the most secure option on the web.
3. Safari
Key features of Safari include;
- Privacy and security: Aside from Firefox, Safari is another browser you can rely on Safari for confidentiality. It boasts a password manager, ad blockers, intelligent tracking prevention, incognito mode, fingerprinting defense, and more.
- Compatibility: Safari is the default Mac, iPhone, and iPad browser.
- Extensions: Unlike Google Chrome, Safari has limited plugins and extensions. Besides, it’s incompatible with some browsing websites.
- Usability: The software has a minimalistic and intuitive design.
- Updates and support: Safari has regular updates to stop attacks from hackers and patch new security vulnerabilities. Its releases update roughly between four to six weeks.
- Speed: Safari has superfast speeds, especially on Macbooks. However, Chrome remains faster than it.
If you use Apple devices, you must be conversant with Safari. The browser has excellent speeds and focuses on ecosystem integration and privacy. That means there’s no Apple device you won’t find Safari on. And the best part is it’s lightweight, letting you load web pages quickly.
Safari is best known for its power efficiency, unique design elements, and security features. However, we don’t recommend you opt for Safari if you use Android and Windows devices.
4. Brave
Key features of Brave include;
- Privacy and security: Intrusive ads can be a pain and affect your browsing experience. Luckily, Brave software has an in-built ad blocker, password manager, fingerprint prevention, tracker blocker, IPFS integration, script blocker, and more. What’s more? It includes Tor technology in its privacy browsing mode, giving you extra encryption.
- Compatibility: You should have no issue accessing Brave as it’s available on Mac, Linux, and Windows computers in addition to Android and iOS smartphones.
- Extensions: Similar to Chrome, it offers a library of add-ons.
- Usability: It has a modernized interface alongside vertical tab support.
- Updates and support: Brave’s update release ranges between three to four weeks.
- Speed: The software claims to be one of the fastest browsers worldwide. However, benchmark tests like Speedometer, Motion Mark, and JetStream 2 indicate Chrome is faster.
Brave is your best bet if you’re looking for an open-source browser with excellent speed and robust performance. The software was initially developed as a blockchain/cryptocurrency-focused browser, which lets internet users earn Basic Attention Tokens (BAT) for browsing. You can use Brave daily as a content writer or creator and make money.
You’ll appreciate Brave’s enhanced tracking and ad-blocking functionalities if you’re a privacy-focused individual interested in blockchain’s security advantages. However, it’ll be a nightmare to use if you’re fond of forgetting your passwords or losing your search history, considering you may not always get the “forgot password’ option on the browser.
5. Microsoft Edge
Free
Built-in productivity tools, and new AI features
Compatibility issues with specific web applications
Key features of Microsoft Edge include;
- Privacy and security: Its Defender SmartScreen functionality protects you from cyber threats and malware. Microsoft Edge also has a kids mode, phishing prevention, and password manager.
- Compatibility: Aside from Microsoft devices, it works on other platforms.
- Extensions: It has extension support and offers plugins for a password manager, tracking blocker, translation services, price checker, and voice search tools.
- Usability: Microsoft Edge has several styling and customization options alongside a simple UI.
- Updates and support: Brave’s update release ranges between three to four weeks.
- Speed: This browser app is considerably fast.
Microsoft Edge was launched in 2015 as Internet Explorer’s successor. Like Safari is to the Apple ecosystem, Edge is to Microsoft devices. But the difference is you can use this browser across all operating systems.
Since Microsoft Edge is built on the Chromium engine, it gives users a fast and responsive browsing experience. With innovative features like an Image editor, split screen, and block autoplay videos, you get complete control over what the browser can do. Sadly, there are privacy concerns about Edge collecting users’ data for various purposes.
6. Opera
Free
Value customizability and privacy
Often loads web pages incorrectly
Key features of Opera include;
- Privacy and security: In terms of security, this browser has an AI assistant that lets you access ChatGPT, built-in messengers for Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp, and ad-blockers. Besides, Opera is the first browser to include a free VPN in its services.
- Compatibility: The Opera browser is available on Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, and Java phones.
- Extensions: Opera has an official store that integrates well with various Chrome Web Store extensions. Since the software comes with multiple features, it’s unlikely you may need extensions.
- Usability: Through the browser, you can change how you find information online. It has flexible navigation thanks to its modular UI.
- Updates and support: This browsing app provides update releases weekly.
- Speed: During our speed performance test, Opera came in third, closing following Microsoft Edge and Chrome.
Opera is another Chromium-based browser with speedy performance and several add-ons. It was launched on Windows in 1995 and has been listed as an outstanding alternative to Chrome.
Opera is an excellent choice if you prefer a browser with social media tools and a VPN client. However, you may find its interface distracting as it has multiple menu options at the top and bottom of the page.
7. Vivaldi
Free
Supports about 53 languages and is resource-intensive
Not as fast as other web browsers
Key features of Vivaldi include;
- Privacy and security: Its security features include a password manager, ad-blocker, and trackers.
- Compatibility: Vivaldi is available on Mac, Linux, and Windows PCs.
- Extensions: With it, you can access Chrome’s full library extension.
- Usability: This browser software is about customization. That means you can tweak how your interface appears down to the navigation settings. It lets you adjust pages’ color schemes and fonts, stick toolbars, pin websites to the panel, and view several pages simultaneously without switching tabs.
- Updates and support: This browsing app provides update releases weekly.
- Speed: Considering Vivaldi is a new browser, it’s not as fast as its competitors.
This is among the newest browsers on the internet today. Vivaldi was introduced by Opera developers in 2016, focusing solely on computers. The software offers unrivaled customization options to make your browser more appealing and functional.
If you prefer a browser with multiple in-built productivity tools and customization options, you’ll appreciate Vivaldi. However, it’s not the best regarding speed and memory capacity.
8. UC Browser
Key features of UC Browser include;
- Privacy and security: UC Browser has an ad-blocker and incognito mode, allowing you to surf the internet without saving your browsing history. Sadly, this app uses outdated SSL protocols and cryptography. Hence, it may not be ideal if you’re a privacy-focused internet user.
- Compatibility: UC Browser is available on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
- Extensions: You can access Chrome’s full library extension with UC Browser.
- Usability: The software has a customizable homepage, letting users add shortcuts to access their frequently visited websites.
- Updates and support: This browsing app provides update releases periodically.
- Speed: You can load web pages faster thanks to UC Browser’s data compression and cloud acceleration tech.
The UC Browser was developed by the Chinese mobile internet company UCWeb, a subsidiary of the Alibaba group. This browser is popular among Android mobile phone users.
UC Browser provides users with data-saving tech and quick video downloads to make browsing efficient. Unfortunately, it’s not the best option for Internet banking and personal work, as its system has security vulnerabilities.
9. Aloha
Free
Built-in ad-blocking functionality
Rasises security concerns
Key features of Aloha include;
- Privacy and security: This browser has built-in ad-blocking functionality to prevent popups and banner ads from loading on web pages. And that’s not all. It offers you VPN settings to hide your location while using the internet.
- Compatibility: Aloha is available for Android and iOS devices.
- Extensions: The app has a limited extension library.
- Usability: The app has a modern, sleek UI with simple-to-understand settings and icons. Moreover, you can customize Aloha’s appearance with various available themes.
- Updates and support: This browsing app provides update releases weekly.
- Speed: The software promises fast speeds.
Aloha is another free browser with a built-in VPN for secure browsing.
Aloha provides users with features like incognito mode, touch ID and face ID mode, downloads manager, and file manager to fulfill their browsing needs. However, like the UC Browser, it has security concerns. We advise that you stay informed about its updates and security practices.
10. Tor Browser
Free
Adds extra security to your internet browsing
Slow browsing speed due to multiple layers of encryption
Key features of the Tor Browser include;
- Privacy and security: As a browser established to give people private access to the internet, it provides anonymous browsing, encrypted connections, and defenses against online tracking.
- Compatibility: You can currently find the software on MacOS, Windows, Linux, and Android devices.
- Extensions: The Tor browser lets you access Firefox’s library of add-ons.
- Usability: Its UI is simple to navigate.
- Updates and support: The browser’s developers release updates at intervals to resolve security patches.
- Speed: The Tor Browser has slower browsing speeds compared to its competitors.
If you’re conversant with The Onion Router (Tor) Browser, you must know it’s designed for users who prioritize security over convenience. This software is based on the Firefox browser and configured to protect users’ online activities and identities.
Tor Browser anonymizes your network, be aware that it may not be suitable for everyday browsing because it has security risks. Therefore, it’s best to couple the browser with a fast and reliable VPN like ExtremeVPN.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Default Browser
Rather than waiting hours to load a webpage or using one that bogs down your device, you should look out for certain factors in a browser. The best web browsers for 2024 come with functionality for speed, security, and ease of use, giving you an excellent browsing experience.
Here are the criteria we followed to select our top browsers for 2024:
- Ease of use: You don’t want to use a browser with a complex interface that’s difficult to navigate. Ensure you pick browsers with straightforward controls, letting you bookmark pages, modify settings, and open tabs without hassle.
- Security and privacy: An ideal internet browser should protect you from hackers and cybercriminals. It supports password management, private browsing, security certificates, and automatic updates to help you avoid phishing scams and malware.
- Speed: Instead of waiting for content to appear on your screen, opt for fast web browsers. This way, you can increase your productivity and switch between multiple web pages without experiencing frustrating delays.
- Extensions/Plugins support: Your web browser should support tools that allow you to customize your browsing experience and add extra resources while performing online tasks. They include password managers, ad blockers, grammar and spell checkers, VPNs, video downloaders, and more.
- Compatibility: Does the browser work excellently on your device? Each browser on our list is cross-platform compatible, so you can use them across your smartphones, desktops, laptops, and tablets.
NOTE: You may need a VPN (virtual private network) to add an extra layer of security to your browsing session. For this reason, it’s best you use a premium service like ExtremeVPN. We offer servers in over 6,500 locations spread across 78+ locations, alongside world-class features like 256-bit encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, split tunneling, and a kill switch, making your data impenetrable.
Conclusion
Indeed, the most widely used web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari focus on ensuring you have good web protection. Gone are the days you had to perform due diligence in checking whether the website you want to visit is secure.
Using any of these best web browsers, you can automatically block ads, malware, and third-party tracking cookies in no time. Rest assured, every browser on our list prioritizes speed, privacy, customizability, and platform support to give you a seamless, optimized experience.
So, bear in mind that for each of your needs, there’s a browser for you. In terms of security and privacy, Firefox is an excellent pick. For support across all devices, you’ll appreciate Chrome. However, Safaris is the way to go if you use any Apple product.
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