5 Best web browsers to use in 2021
When searching for the best web browsers for your device, it is important to consider three things – utility, speed, and privacy. Some web browsers take up many system resources on your device, while others are fairly lightweight.
Regarding privacy, some browsers provide an array of security tools to safeguard your online identity and information. Other browsers let cookies and ads have many free reigns.
Bearing all this in mind, we have come up with this guide to make choosing the best web browser easier for you.
Here’s a quick rundown of the best web browsers:
- Mozilla Firefox – Best privacy
- Microsoft Edge – Superfast
- Opera – Multipurpose
- Google Chrome – Most Popular
- Vivaldi – Great for customization
#5 Vivaldi
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Create and customize your browser with useful docking and tab-stacking.
Browser Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android (beta)
Pros
- Great for customization
- Innovative interface features
- Can support Chrome extensions
Cons
- Not great for laid-back internet users
- Vivaldi is a creation of former Opera developers. Much like Opera, this web browser functions considerably differently from other mainstream browsers.
What to Know About Vivaldi
Vivaldi is big on customization. This means users have free reign to customize nearly any and everything they want. For instance, users can alter how the navigation functions and even the user interface appearance.
The Vivaldi browser is powered by Chromium, which means users can utilize pretty much all Chrome add-ons. However, this web browser is considerably different from other Chromium-centered browsers.
Users can adjust the functionality of tabs, their grouping and carry out so many other customizations. For example, users can stick toolbars wherever they prefer and pin sites to the sidebar.
They can create a notes panel in addition to the regular history and bookmarks elements. They can customize how the browser search works and even give nicknames to search engines.
With this browser, users can view their browser history outlined in graph form to see what sites they visit most and how much time they spend on these sites.
The browser tab stacks are a welcome feature for users who have issues keeping multiple open tabs. Tab browsing becomes easier with this feature.
Vivaldi web browser is great for people who enjoy tinkering with interfaces and users who have a precise idea of what they want their browser to be and don’t mind making it work.
#4 Google Chrome
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Arguably the most popular browser, but it consumes way too much system memory.
Browser Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Pros
- Cross-platform capability
- Fast performance
- Ultra expandable
Cons
- Consumes too many resources
- The battle between Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge is a rather close one. Chromium powers both browsers, but the former eats way more memory than the latter.
What to Know About Google Chrome
Google Chrome may be the most popular web browser, but it is notorious for the way it takes up system resources. It is moderately functional on a low-powered hardware device with limited RAM, whereas Microsoft Edge runs smoother. Furthermore, unlike Firefox, Chrome is less efficient in how it blocks ads.
However, Chrome is still one of the best web browsers on the internet. Its new Tab Freezing feature is made to automatically deal with the lagging performance by ‘freezing’ background tabs. This way, system resources are not used up needlessly. Still, this barely makes a dent in Chrome’s consumption of system memory.
Resource chugging aside, the current version of chrome is actually above average. This Google browser offers cross-platform support and sync. It also comes with a terrific collection of add-ons and autofill features. For web developers, Chrome offers a great range of open source tools.
Google Chrome web browser can send you warning alerts if your email has been maliciously tampered with. In addition, it has a secure DNS lookup for compatible providers (Google’s Public DNS is one of them).
Chrome blocks tons of potentially harmful, dangerous mixed content such as scripts and images on supposedly safe connections. This web browser also can enable the WebXR API for AR and VR.
Finally, the Chrome Dark mode is great for protecting users’ eyes, particularly at night time.
To sum up, Google Chrome is decent, but Microsoft Edge seems to offer a better user experience, and Firefox offers better privacy protection.
#3 Opera
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
A refined web browser that is excellent at amassing content from the web.
Browser Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Pros
- Solid security options
- Pleasant interface
- Proxy is in-built
- In-built Ad blockers
Cons
- Opera Turbo is no longer available
- Opera Web Browser is one of the best web browsers for beginners, internet amateurs, and users who want a multipurpose browser.
What to Know About Opera
The instant you launch the browser, its splash screen lets you use the in-built VPN, switch on the ad blocker, and enable in-browser messaging from the sidebar. The screen also lets you switch on Crypto Wallet for cryptocurrency and toggle between dark and light mode.
Opera is a Chromium-based browser, which means it offers impressively fast performance, and add-ons can be used from the Chrome library. This web browser also provides a bunch of fascinating features.
One of these is called Flow. This feature is made for users who want to later return to view things they found on the internet.
If you are a user that often emails or sends links to yourself, Flow eases the process by letting you share content from Opera on your phone to Opera on your computer.
There are other beneficial features, but Opera Turbo is no longer available in the desktop browser version, but one of the best Opera features. This feature compresses internet data (like images) to allow pages and sites, but one of the best Opera features is quicker on low-quality connections. Opera Turbo is now only on the Opera mobile browser.
Nonetheless, users get a nifty battery-saving mode, so your laptop battery is not heavily affected even if your downloads or pages aren’t loading fast.
Lastly, for users who are gamers, Opera GX would be a better browser to use. The Opera Gx is made expressly for gamers and offers Razer Chrome Support as long as Twitch integration.
#2 Microsoft Edge
Photo Credit: Microsoft.com
A surprisingly impressive replacement for Internet Explorer.
Browser Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux coming soon
Pros
- Super-fast
- Sites can be saved as apps
- Straightforward privacy tools
Cons
- Annoying default browser requests
- Microsoft created this browser with Chromium at the core of its production. It replaced internet explorer as the Windows’ default web browser. There are versions of the browser available for Mac, Android, and of course, iOS.
What to Know About Microsoft Edge
The freshly released Chromium-powered web browser is remarkably faster than its forerunner. It comes with numerous useful features such as an Opera-style start page, Read Aloud and cast media capability. Users can easily cast media, like inline videos, to Chromecast devices.
The new browser also offers an excellent range of add-ons such as built-in ad-blockers, password managers, and so on. Users can also download web pages, which can run as independent apps without opening the full browser. This feature is particularly useful for sites like Twitter and Google Docs.
In terms of customization, the Microsoft Edge web browser offers tons of options. Some of these include the Privacy and Services page, which clarifies any puzzling settings, and the Site Permissions page, which offers substantial control over the functionality of sites. With this control, users can regulate pop-ups, media auto-play, MIDI device access, and adblocking.
Most internet users (understandably) abandoned internet explorer for Chrome and Firefox, but the Microsoft Edge browser is proving to be one of the best web browsers available. It is more than just a substitute for explorer and can firmly hold its own in the battle of browsers.
Microsoft Edge acts like Chrome and looks like Chrome, but its speed sets it above chrome, as well as its excellent customization options.
#1 Mozilla Firefox
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
The best web browser for users who want substantial privacy protection and efficient use of system power.
Browser Specifications
Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Pros
- Cross-platform sync
- Ultra Flexible
- Excellent privacy protection
Cons
- Slightly slow
- For a long time, Firefox has been known as the best multi-purpose browser on the internet. The current version (version 90) can send you a warning alert if your email address has been involved in a recognized data breach.
What to Know About Firefox
The Firefox web browser blocks” fingerprinting” browser tracking and irritating “allow-notification” popups. The browser also offers the picture in picture video mode in the Mac version.
This browser allows for a great range of customizations in terms of appearance, plugins, and extensions. The newest update to the browser significantly enhanced its performance to almost rival that of chrome. This means, even on low-level hardware, it runs fairly smoothly.
It also offers super flexible browsing options such as private browsing and cross-platform syncing.
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Conclusion
The web browser you choose to work with can significantly impact your productivity and general internet surfing experience.
Microsoft Edge and Firefox Mozilla are neck and neck for first place in the list of best web browsers. Firefox is excellent at privacy protection and offers great anti-tracking tools. On the other hand, Microsoft Edge is faster and consumes way less RAM than Google Chrome while supporting nearly all Chrome extensions.
From our list of best web browsers to use in 2021, there’s something for everyone and their browser needs. However, if none of these browsers work for you, feel free to try other lesser-known mobile browsers and windows/mac browsers like Apple Safari browser, Tor Browser, Maxthon Cloud Browser, and Lynx Browser.
FAQs
Do all browsers offer private browsing?
Most browsers now allow users to switch between private and regular browser tabs seamlessly. Most major browsers such as Firefox, Mozilla, and Google Chrome provide private or incognito browsing. To enable private browsing, check your browser settings or tab options.
What web browser is the best to use in 2021?
Although tons of web browsers are available for download on your Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, or iOS device, the best browser is a tie between Microsoft Edge, Firefox Mozilla, and Opera Browser. Google Chrome browser is a close second. However, the best browser for you is one that suits your browsing needs.
