Using the right web browser for the task at hand can significantly enhance your web browsing experience. Whether your priorities are speed, security or browser extensions this article can help you decide on the best browser for you.
We understand that it’s common for people to have a favourite browser and it’s rare to find someone who uses a variety. The browser that you are currently using may not be the best, but you have probably become a custom to it and its features. However, you could be missing out on better options that could make your life much easier.
We have put the five most common web browsers to the test to identify which browsers tick what boxes. If your current browser doesn’t make you as productive as you could be, use this article to see if there is an alternative that will better suit your needs.
Google Chrome
Google has created an efficient browser that often ranks as one of the best and its user base is only growing. One of the main reasons it is so popular is that it provides users with the ability to sync all their account settings, bookmarks and extensions etc., across multiple devices. In addition to this the appearance of the browser is user friendly as the top ribbon was designed to take up minimal screen space, allowing for an extremely clear browsing experience.
The amount of personalisation within Chrome is what makes it so unique. There are plenty of extensions which can easily be installed in seconds and there’s an extension for almost everything. Chrome also provides a vast amount of parental controls and settings to personalise, enabling you to achieve maximum efficiency.
Google are currently working on a range of updates to Chrome. One of the most talked about updates will warn users if a website is not using HTTPS encryption, informing them that it is not secure and any data they submit could be intercepted. As a result, websites without HTTPS encryption will suffer as people will become weary when using their site. Read more about this update and how it will affect your business here.
Just like anything else, Chrome does have its drawbacks. It is one of the most resource intensive browsers as it uses a substantial amount of RAM. Therefore, if you are using a machine with a limited amount of RAM, especially if it is less than 4GB, Chrome won’t perform as well as other browsers.
In conclusion, if you find it beneficial to tailor a web browser to your needs and have at least 4GB of RAM then Chrome could be the best browser for you. However, if personalising the browser you use is not a concern of yours or you have less than 4GB of RAM then it is worth looking into the other browsers on our list.
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is the default browser which comes installed with Windows 10 and is unavailable on any older operating system (OS). Internet Explorer (IE) is still installed as it provides legacy support for old websites and technologies, which some businesses still rely on today.
Edge is much more streamlined than IE and does have some similarities to Chrome. It also works with Cortana which comes pre-installed on all Windows 10 machines. Using Edge provides a much more pleasant experience than IE, it is a very fast web browser and Microsoft has stated that any security problems with IE won’t be present in Edge.
The downside with Edge is how much Microsoft forces it upon Windows 10 users, it is set as the default browser for things, such as opening links in emails.
Firefox
Firefox has definitely been making a small comeback over the past couple of years. Its new update really is impressive, and a lot of Chrome users seem to be switching due to the similarities. An interesting fact is that Firefox was released before Chrome.
Firefox has a lot of support for extensions, but a few years ago it was renowned for being slow, until last year, when Firefox released “Firefox Quantum” which included a total overhaul of the browsers code, enabling the speeds to be comparable with Chrome.
Firefox has now also been seriously boosted in terms of its privacy settings. Mozilla is a non-profit organisation and therefore does not sell your data. The browser is regularly updated by its developers to ensure optimum privacy and to ensure that Firefox do not come under any scrutiny for the way they treat user data.
Firefox isn’t always the fastest but it is secure and uses less memory, meaning it is certainly a worthy contender for the best browser of 2018.
Opera
Opera is probably the least used browser on our list, but that certainly doesn’t make it the worst. It is very much an underrated browser, especially if you are aware that you have a slow connection. It is a fast launching browser and it does everything that all other browsers can do.
Opera just isn’t as popular as the others. Edge comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and almost everyone uses Chrome or Firefox, it seems to be a small fish in a big pond, but there are reasons to at least have it installed.
There is a unique feature built into Opera known as the Turbo feature. This feature compresses web traffic, routing it through Opera’s servers, which will show a clear difference in browsing speed to those with a slow internet connection, or those with a connection that is currently struggling.
The features within Opera include a built-in ad-blocker, which you have the option to disable if you prefer to see ads, and a power saving mode used to enhance laptop or mobile battery life.
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer was the leading browser and in a league of its own for a long time, but times have drastically changed, and it now must compete with other browsers. Over the years it’s had its ups and downs as it topped the charts before falling behind its main market rivals. A reason for this is that older versions of IE struggled with rendering and lacked the compatibility of its competitors.
The newest version of IE has eliminated these issues. The browser is clean and powerful and now compatible with all devices. The demand on RAM and the CPU is much less than when using Chrome or Firefox.
With all the new features it has become a much better browser but that doesn’t mean that it is now perfect. IE still struggles when it comes to handing add-ons in comparison to other popular browsers. Although IE has greatly improved, if you prefer to customise your browser, Internet Explorer is unlikely to meet your requirements.
Final Thought
By now you probably have a much better understanding as to which browser best suits your needs. Here is one final short breakdown which states the best aspects of each browser.
- Google Chrome – Fast & Customisable
- Microsoft Edge – Very Fast
- Firefox – Extremely Quick & Strong Privacy
- Opera – Ad-blocker & Turbo
- Internet Explorer – Uses Little Resources & Provides Legacy Support