The right web browser can make a huge difference to your everyday browsing – whether your priority is faster performance, better security or more flexibility. The browser you’re currently using might not be the best even on the best laptop, but you’ve probably become use to its idiosyncrasies without realising there are better options on the market. For example, did you know that more than 72% of browser users choose Google Chrome? Microsoft is even scrapping its Edge browser and building a new one on Google’s open-source Chromium to try to catch up. Here’s a browser comparison table — which Internet browser is you?
What do you need your browser to do?
Speed, convenience, security, easy to use — you want your browser to make your internet life easier. You don’t want to think about it. You want it to save passwords, sync data, support extensions, and just plain work. All while using as little of your computer’s RAM as possible so it doesn’t slow you down, even when you have a ton of tabs open.
All leading browsers meet most but not all of those needs. The main differences have to do with security, privacy, RAM usage, and the little things that make people love them (or hate) them.
Which browser is better overall?
Look at these comparisons to see which browser gives you what you want most. And who’s to say you should only use one? Having a second browser on board is always a good idea.
| Security (prevent malware, etc.) | Privacy (protect activity, etc.) | Loved / Hated because… | |
| Chrome (72.38%) | Tests range from least vulnerable to most vulnerable; Updates every 42 days; Security updates every 15 days | Questionable record monetising browsing data but highly customisable Privacy controls | Stable, customisable, and works well with G-suite / Privacy issues |
| Mozilla Firefox (9.1%) | Stops most malicious activity in tests; Updates every six to eight weeks; Security updates every 28 days | Strong incognito mode and privacy tools | Blocks tracking by default and owned by a nonprofit / Inefficient (basically unusable) on Macs |
| Internet Explorer 11 (5.38%) | Has improved its lousy track record; Last app update was in 2013; Security updates every 30 days | Privacy Settings and SmartScreen option | Been around a long time / Slower than other browsers |
| Safari (5.06%) | Fewest vulnerabilities in most tests; Updated once in 2017 and twice in 2018 (along with the Mac OS); Security updates every 54 days | Strong privacy, manage in preferences | Fast and secure / Only on Apple products and not very customisable |
| Microsoft Edge (4%) | Stops most malicious activity in tests; Updated twice in both 2017 and 2018 (along with the Windows 10); Security updates are not on a schedule | Privacy information and settings instructions | Office 365 integration / Not backward compatible |
| Opera (2.18%) | Updated seven times in 2017 and nine times in 2018; Security updates every 30–42 days | Has built-in (but slow) VPN | Turbo boost for speed and VPN / Doesn’t work on old websites |
Google Chrome
By just about any metric, Google Chrome has been the browser of choice for most internet users over the last couple years. It’s easy to use and its graphics interface has a low profile. However, if you want to customise Chrome with extensions and apps, there are more than enough options. The bottom line is: this is the best browser for users who spend a lot of time in G-Suite documents, or want the security benefits of frequent patches and updates.
Pros
- – Compatible with all platforms and devices
- – You can search the web from the address bar
- – Synchronisation makes settings available on every device
- – Desktop version doesn’t navigate as fast
Cons
- – No telephone support
- – Program files are large, and the browser uses more system resources than others
Apple Safari
We might as well start off with the one, glaring drawback of Safari: It’s available only to Apple users. However, if you are working on a macOS or iOS device, Safari has a lot going for it. Ad blocking is built right into the browser, as well as RSS support for aggregating lots of information in one place. And because tabs can be automatically synced across all your Apple devices, we highly recommend Safari for anyone in a Mac environment.
Pros
- – Designed for Mac devices
- – Loads webpages quickly
- – Offers telephone support
Cons
- – Not compatible with Windows operating systems
- – Can’t customise toolbars
- – Voice interaction works only with mobile devices
Microsoft Edge
Note that Edge is a different browser than Internet Explorer. The latter still exists, but we’ve decided to skip it for various reasons. Although Edge works only on Windows 10 systems, it has two things going for it. First, Microsoft has announced a feature that will incorporate virtualisation into Edge to quarantine downloads for testing before opening on your computer. Second, the Windows 10 browser comes with some fantastic Office 365 integrations. We highly recommend Edge for users working in a business enterprise environment.
Pros
- – Secure browser
- – Fast
- – Lean
Cons
- – Compatibility issues for older Windows machines
Opera
We’ve saved the most controversial for last. The Opera browser isn’t one of the most popular browsers available, but it does deserve consideration. Although it requires more customisation and under-the-hood-work than its competitors, its privacy settings are unmatched. With a built-in virtual private network feature and some of the most robust ad blocking on the market, Opera is a great way to take a break from cookies and targeted advertisements.
Pros
- – Uses the same base program as Google Chrome
Cons
- – Not recognised by older websites, which may block your access to them
The bottom line
Do you remember Netscape? It lost the first browser war to Internet Explorer. Then came Safari, Opera and Firefox in the mid-2000s and thus the second browser war began. Chrome launched in 2008 and started gobbling up market share until it surpassed all the others in 2012 and officially won the war in 2017. Microsoft’s Edge barely made a dent in the market after its release in 2015, which explains its demise. There’s no way to predict the future but it looks rosy for Chrome. It’s even working on a way to get rid of URLs — yes, you read that right — in an effort to protect against cybercrime.
