Choosing the Best Web Browser for You

Since there are so many available, you may have a difficult time choosing the best web browser for you. Since they each have unique advantages and disadvantages, it can become overwhelming to find exactly what you’re looking for. Therefore, we put together this handy guide to help you find the best web browser (for you).

Things to consider

When choosing a browser, you should decide which factors are most important to you. Since everyone has their own priorities, certain considerations will be more important to you than someone else. You should probably choose 2 or 3 aspects to focus on, rather than expecting a perfect match on every point.

• Speed
• Customization
• Extensions / Addons
• Bandwidth
• OS Compatibility
• Device Compatibility
• Developer Tools/Needs

Google Chrome

Google Chrome is probably the more secure web browsers around. Chrome offers extras such as: Site verification, On-page translation, Incognito Mode, and multiple tab organization.

Speed – Chrome has fast boot up and loading times.

Customization – Chrome lets you customize your dashboard

Extensions – Chrome offers a variety of extensions

OS Compatibility – Chrome supports most Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.

Device Compatibility – Chrome Mobile supports some Android phones, iPads, and iPhones. Chrome does not support Blackberry or Windows phones.

Developer Tools/Needs:

• Good support of HTML5
• Each tab is a self contained process. This means that if one page starts to lag, Chrome can isolate the problem rather than crashing outright.
• Chrome offers developer tools for programmers
• Plugins are easy to code using only HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox has a simple interface with one-click buttons. Firefox offers extras such as: Firefox Hello (A video chat service compatible across browsers), and “Crash Protection” for plugins to automatically restart after crashing. Because Firefox adheres strictly to the W3C standards, it remains one of the most universally accessible browsers on the market.

Speed – While Firefox is fast and getting faster, Chrome is still in the lead.

Customization – Firefox has an “Awesome Bar” that learns from your Internet searches and finds content tailored for you. They also offer themes to customize the look of the browser.

Add-Ons – Firefox offers a variety of add-ons

OS Compatibility – Firefox supports most Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.

Device Compatibility – Firefox Mobile supports some Android devices. Firefox does not support iPads, iPhones, Blackberries, or Windows Phones.

Developer Tools/Needs– Add-ons use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Opera

While Opera is known for speed, another cool feature is it’s easy navigation using Opera Mouse.While clicking and holding down your mouse button you can move the mouse back and forth to jump pages, or up and down to scroll. Most noteworthy, it now comes with a built-in free VPN client for secure browsing.

Speed – Opera is the fastest browser because of it’s use of  Carakan JavaScript

Widgets – Opera offers widgets that run on Windows, Mac, and Linux desktops

Bandwidth – Opera offers Opera Turbo that uses less bandwidth

OS Compatibility – Opera supports most Windows, Mac, and Linux systems.

Device Compatibility – Opera Mobile/Mini supports most Android devices. Opera does not support iPads, iPhones, Blackberries, or Windows Phones.

Developers Tools/Needs – Widgets have tools for easy coding

Safari

Safari is optimized for Mac users. It features a favorites and bookmarks bar. Another great feature is its reader mode, which can render pages in an easy to read text-only format.

Speed – While Safari is pretty fast, it still lags far behind Chrome.

Extensions – Safari has extensions but not as many – more are coming. While we wait, the ones available so far are pretty useful.

OS Compatibility – Safari is geared towards Mac users but some versions do work on Windows. Safari does not support Linux.

Device Compatibility  – Mobile Safari supports most iPads and iPhones. Safari does not support Android, Blackberry, or Windows Phones.

Developer Tools/Needs – Safari uses webkit which may appeal to developers, and it is pushing HTML5.

The Death Of Internet Explorer

Finally, there is a good reason why I left this Browser out of the comparison. Since January 12th, 2016, Microsoft no longer supports any version of Internet Explorer except 11. Consequently, you should uninstall IE from your system immediately. Because Microsoft won’t release any new security patches, exploits will go unfixed. Furthermore, leaving outdated software on your system potentially opens up doors for hackers.

Sources:

All Browser Logos from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Learn more specifics about Device compatibility: Cross Browser Testing.

Developer Browser Cross-Compatibility Tools

• BrowserShots  
• DotBobi Virtual Developer Lab
• Browsera
• CrossBrowserTesting
• Browser Sandbox