Google Chrome is immensely popular, but it isn’t the only web browser out there. We have 5 other options for you to pick from
Browsers Better Than Google
Bing is yet another Google alternative. Bing’s video search is significantly better than that of Google, giving you a grid of large thumbnails that you can click on to play or preview if you hover over them. Bing often provides twice as many autocomplete suggestions than Google does. Chromium is free and open-source software developed by the Google-sponsored Chromium project.The source code can be compiled into a web browser.New versions of the code are published daily. Google uses the code to make its Chrome browser, which has more features than Chromium. Many other browsers are also based on Chromium code, most notably Microsoft Edge and Opera. Mojeek – The only true search engine (rather than metasearch engine) that has its own crawler and index (based in the UK). YaCy – A decentralized, open source, peer-to-peer search engine. Givero – Based in Denmark, Givero offers more privacy than Google and combines search with charitable donations.
Google Chrome is the clear winner when it comes to web browsers. Chrome, a cross platform web browser, has a 71% share of the market in PCs and 63% across all platforms, according to StatCounter.
The application was first released in 2008 for Microsoft Windows and was later also made available for Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android.
In spite of Chrome's prominence, there are some other web browsers that can prove to be good alternatives. We taken a look at some of them:
1. Vivaldi
This cross-platform web browser hit the market in 2016 and is available for Windows, Android and Linux users. There plans to make foray into iOS too in the near future. In terms of speed, Vivaldi is quite fast and boasts of having great privacy control. However, what really works in its favour is the amount of customisation it allows.
2. Firefox Quantum
Possibly, the next most popular browser after Google Chrome. Firefox uses Gecko layout engine in order to render web pages. It first hit the market in 2002, but received a massive update in 2017 with which it launched its quantum update. Firefox basically improved speed and overhauled the entire design of the browser with the update.
The browser is available on almost all devices and operating systems such as Windows 7, Mac OS X 10.9, Android Jelly Bean, iOS 11.0 and their updated versions.
3. Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge now has latest features and an entirely new interface.
It may be noted that 2020 is the first time Microsoft has done a major revamp of its browser since 1995. Windows 10 users, however, have a major advantage as this comes as a part of an update and as a result one need not download any other third party browser.
4. Tor
Developed in the mid-90s by a United States Naval Research Laboratory employee, Tor lets people browse the internet anonymously. It runs the internet traffic through an overlay network that consists of more than 7000 relays to conceal a person's usage and location.
5. Brave
This is an open-source web browser based on Chromium. It blocks all and any kind of ads and website trackers. Brave is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS users.
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Combined, Chrome and Firefox are the browsers of choice for most online users. Chrome accounts for more than 57 percent of web users, while Firefox is the browser of choice for more than 5 percent of web users.
Although Chrome and Firefox are very popular, it doesn't mean you have to use them. Depending on your needs and browsing habits, there may very well be another browser that’s a better fit.
Here are six alternative browsers worth considering.
1. Vivaldi
The Vivaldi browser is a dream for anyone who values customization. Vivaldi enables you to change tab positions, color choices, start page images and more. Users of the Opera browser will be familiar with Vivaldi's interface to some extent, since Opera's former CEO helms Vivaldi.
Other remarkable features include a built-in note-taking app, a secondary web page side panel and compatibility with extensions in the Chrome Web Store. Additionally, the browser has features that make navigation easy, such as saved tab sessions, tab stacks and mouse gestures.
However, Vivaldi can use a substantial amount of memory compared to Chrome or Firefox, with syncing passwords and settings also proving more difficult.
2. Torch
Media lovers may embrace the Torch browser, which places multimedia at the top of its priorities. Torch touts a 'Media Grabber' feature, enabling you to download media from the web with a single click.
Additionally, the browser touts a built-in torrent manager, Torch Torrent. Plus, impatient media viewers can watch videos before they finish downloading, courtesy of Torch Player.
Torch offers ample options for media lovers, though those who use the web for lighter experiences, like reading and sending emails, may find the browser's abundance of features overbearing. Some users also report stability issues when installing.
Browser Like Google
As Torch is based off of Chromium, it will look familiar to Chrome users and is compatible with extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
3. Epic Privacy Browser
If privacy and security are your top priorities when browsing the web, the Epic Privacy Browser may be the browser for you.
Touting itself as the world's only private and secure browser, the Epic Privacy Browser features a free built-in VPN, protecting your browsing history from data collectors and your ISP, even when you're on public Wi-Fi.
Other browsers have incognito modes, but Epic promises an even more secure experience, with the ability to block WebRTC calls and special fingerprinting techniques websites use to extract data.
As Epic is also based off of Chromium, it is compatible with extensions from the Chrome Web Store.
4. Ghost Browser
Ghost Browser presents an interesting approach for those seeking to separate their online browsing experiences. For example, you can have separate tabs for your work account and personal account, helping reduce distractions.
Tabbed projects are also available, which is very useful when you're working on a project and want to bring up all relevant bookmarks in a single click. Plus, Ghost Browser is a Chromium browser, so it's compatible with the Chrome Web Store.
Although Ghost Browser has a free version, its options limit users to three sessions at a time and do not include an incognito mode, so the $10- to $20-per-month cost for the upgrade may deter some users.
5. Midori
If you're seeking a lightweight browsing solution, Midori is worth strong consideration. The browser touts high speed, while still having the ability to handle web technologies like CSS 3 and HTML 5. Plus, Midori is compatible across a variety of Linux distributions.
Although Midori may lack the media options and customization of other browsers, it remains one of the fastest-responding and lightest-weight browsers available.
6. Opera Neon
Opera Neon strives to provide a peek at future browsing, with a futuristic and sharp interface complementing features like responsive tabs and improved visual functions, like a split-screen mode, video pop-out, a built-in snap-to-gallery tool and a newly built Omnibox.
The browser is still in its early stages, and is therefore more unstable, though its features offer an exciting look at the potential of future web browsers.
A multitude of browsers exist beyond Chrome and Firefox, all offering different emphases that may be a great fit for your browsing preferences.
Try these six as a starting point, or branch out and see what else you can find on your own.
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