The best web browsers (on most platforms)
Web browsing is as old as the Internet itself. In fact, that’s how we all communicate with one another, by surfing the web. We don’t need to tell you how important it is to have the right web browser for you. You already know. So let’s cut the nonsense and get right down to it. Here are the best web browsers for most modern platforms.
Windows, Mac, and Linux
The thing is that desktop web browsers don’t change between the various platforms. The same ones that rock on Windows also rock on Mac and Linux. Each one has a few decent platform-specific ones, like Apple’s Safari, Microsoft’s Edge, and Midori on Linux. However, the best of the best are usable across all of these platforms (to an extent for Linux, anyway). We have the individual lists linked up below if you want to see them!
- Here are the best Apple web browsers!
- And the best web browsers for Windows!
- Finally, the best web browsers for Linux!
Firefox is an outstanding web browser on most platforms. It has all of the basic features along with modern touches like cross-platform syncing (with every OS listed on this page), privacy browsing, add-ons, extensions, themes, and more. Firefox received the Quantum update in 2018. That added to its looks and its performance, even if it's been a little buggy on the onset. This one is even the default browser on some Linux distros. It's completely free on every platform and it's also open source.
Google Chrome is the world's most popular web browser for a reason. It's quick, it has modern features, and it's available on a ton of platforms. Some of its features include a quick update schedule, add-ons, extensions, themes, excellent cross-platform syncing, password management, and integration with Google's other products (Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, etc). It's fair to say that this is basically a whole ecosystem in one app. Chrome eats RAM like none other, but otherwise it's really good.
Opera is actually the fourth best web browser on most platforms behind the likes of Safari, Edge, and Midori, respectively. However, fourth place isn't half bad. The browser includes cross-platform support with everything on the list except iOS for right now. We're sure that's coming soon, though. The browser also has a native ad-blocker, extensions, add-ons, themes, and a turbo mode that uses less data and supposedly browses faster. It uses Google's Chromium as its open source base. Thus, it should be available on most of the same platforms as Chromium (and by extension, Google Chrome).
iPhone and iPad
Brave Browser is a very capable browser on iOS. It takes a lighter approach than most of its competitors, but it still has very desirable features. They include a native ad-blocker, HTTPS Everywhere support, script blocking, third party cookie blocking, and privacy browsing features. Other browsers have more features, but they're also heavier web browsers. This one strikes an excellent balance between lightweight and functional with decent security and privacy features. This one is also excellent on Android.
There should be no surprise here. Google's ubiquity in the desktop browser space makes it equally desirable on mobile as well. It has probably the best cross-platform support of any browser listed. The mobile version also includes voice search, Google Translate integration, an incognito mode for private browsing, and more. Admittedly, Chrome on iOS is a little bit weak in comparison to the other platforms where Google Chrome is available. Still, that cross-platform support is pivotal for those who carry around both iOS and non-iOS devices. As you might imagine, this one also rocks on Android.
Safari is an excellent option on iOS devices provided that you also own other Apple products. It's a solid browser with a decent set of features. They include above average security features, cross-platform syncing with Mac OS, and excellent integration with iCloud. It's basically just like Google Chrome but for Apple devices only. Google Chrome is still the better browser overall. Those firmly inside of the Apple ecosystem may want to stick with Safari, though. It is completely free to use and comes pre-installed on Apple devices.
Android
We didn't want to list Google Chrome in three different sections of this list. Thus, we'll talk about Firefox and Firefox Focus on mobile devices. Firefox is an above average browser It syncs with the desktop version and includes some basic add-on functionality as well. Firefox Focus is a privacy-focused browser. It features one-tap history deletion, a native ad-blocker, and tracker blocking. Both of these are excellent browsers on both Android and iOS. We would recommend Firefox over Focus unless you really want additional privacy because Firefox simply has more features.
Flynx really takes advantage of Android's open nature. It works a little differently than most web browsers. It opens links in little bubbles on the UI. They appear over everything else so you can access them very quickly. In addition, you can save sites for offline reading, open multiple bubbles at once, and a native ad-blocker. It's not great for power users who need all of the big features like cross-platform syncing. However, those who just like to click links and read stuff should be very happy with this one.
Opera has more web browsers on Android than it does on any other platform. The options include the standard Opera Browser, the smaller Opera Mini, and the new Opera Touch. All three are capable browsers with varying features. Opera Browser is your standard mobile web browser while Opera Mini focuses on a lightweight experience and data saving (useful for tiered data plans). Opera Touch is fairly new and offers cross-platform syncing with its desktop app along with a native ad-blocker and more. You really can't go wrong either way. It all depends on what you need.
Thank you for reading!
If we missed any excellent web browsers, tell us about them in the comments!
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