Choosing the best web browser 2024

1. Google Chrome

The best choice for Android users

This browser has an active base of over 2.6 billion users. It is the fastest for almost all use cases. Google Chrome users have access to bookmarks, search history, tabs and passwords that can be saved and automatically entered on different sites. With the advanced address bar, it is possible to navigate through URLs and find important information (like weather, etc.). Different URLs can be grouped, sorted and managed.

Google Chrome allows you to create, manage and switch between multiple profiles. The browser can also save and synchronise your login credentials across devices. And with automatic updates in the background, all you have to do is open the browser and use the updated version.

Features:

• Generates random passwords that are used during registration on different websites.
• Makes it easier and more productive for users with Google Workspace (formerly Google Suite) with applications such as Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, Meet and Chat for communication.
• Keeps security up to date.
• Automatically suggests articles and web content that match your interests.
• Allows you to use eye-catching illustrations as a theme for your home pages.
• Available in 4 more variants (Enterprise, Beta, Dev and Canary) for different use cases.
• Supports over 150 languages.

Pros:

• Makes offline integration with apps like Gmail and Docs possible so you can work even when there is no Internet.
• Allows you to choose themes and colours (e.g. dark mode) according to your needs.
• Allows you to easily translate web pages into the language you want thanks to the inbuilt “Google Translator” feature.
• Gives you the ability to stream content from your device to another using the inbuilt Chromecast.
• Has a large and varied number of extensions — from screenshot and ad blockers to gaming add-ons and SIP telephony.

Cons:

• Collects a lot of user data.
• Does not support ad blocking and JavaScript-based trackers.

2. Opera

The best browser with a built-in VPN

Opera web browser reaches 300 million users. It allows you to set up special mouse gestures to quickly execute standard commands: open, close, refresh, save pages, and more. Thanks to the “My Flow” function, users can easily and safely share files of any format. And such a security feature as “Paste Protection’” helps prevent clipboard hacking and leakage of confidential data.

In Opera, you can group tabs to organise separate spaces and switch between tab groups with a single click. Data Saving mode reduces network usage and shortens page load times. With Opera Unite technology, users can conveniently share information with each other: quickly share a file, show a video online, send a photo.

Features:

• Has an inbuilt free VPN service that gives you the ability to browse websites privately with a speed limit.
• Has a battery saver mode, enabling which extends your laptop's battery life when unplugged.
• Allows you to save your browsing in an organised group and pin tabs according to your work.
• Has an inbuilt crypto wallet.
• The “Value Converter” tool helps you convert any currency, unit or time zone from one scale to another.
• There is an inbuilt ad blocker, which besides its main function loads pages quickly and includes protection against cryptocurrency mining.
• It supports 100 languages.

Pros:

• Allows you to browse the web privately without saving cookies and history on your device.
• Gives you the ability to synchronise bookmarks on different browsers.
• Available to highlight duplicate tabs (with the same URLs) accidentally opened while multitasking.

Cons:

• Poorly supports websites with outdated code.
• Slow and inefficient inbuilt torrent programme.

3. Firefox

The best browser for using media

Mozilla Firefox has over 362 million users. This browser contains a handy bookmark manager that you can use to organise, search, update and synchronise your saved links across all your devices. The Read Mode feature allows you to read without distractions on any web page.

The “Picture-in-Picture” feature lets you detach videos from a web page and view them in a separate window while you work in other tabs. And Private Browsing mode ensures that your online activity and web browsing history are not stored on your computer.

Features:

• Allows you to block tracking of extraneous content by selecting strict, standard or special content blocking mode.
• Prevents websites from tracking you with the “Do Not Track” option.
• Gives you the ability to synchronise your bookmarks, passwords and open tabs across all devices.
• Available in 100 languages.

Pros:

• Enhances users' online security with pop-up blockers and phishing and malware alerts.
• Available for customisation thanks to a large library of add-ons.
• Firefox Private Relay masks a user's email address to keep it private and prevent spam.

Cons:

• Web pages load slowly.
• Limited direct support.

4. Microsoft Edge

The best option for ease of use and easy customisation

The web browser that first appeared as a successor to Internet Explorer has now completely replaced it and reaches over 330 million users. For robust privacy control, Microsoft Edge offers three settings to choose from: basic, balanced and strict privacy. As for Internet security, the browser detects misspelled URLs and protects users from getting to malicious sites.

It is one of the first browsers with an inbuilt artificial intelligence feature called Copilot. Also inbuilt in Microsoft Edge is a robust PDF editor that allows you to view, edit and share PDF files. Thanks to the Collections feature, you can save ideas that arise while browsing the web here. And the integrated virtual voice assistant, Cortana, helps improve productivity. In addition, the browser has a “Read Aloud” feature that enables blind people to use it effectively.

Features:

• Puts unused tabs to sleep mode to improve device performance and reduce system resource consumption.
• “Kids” mode helps filter children's content.
• Allows page-specific content and smart summarisation to be displayed in the sidebar and feed.
• Has a password monitoring feature that protects and notifies users when passwords are compromised.
• Equipped with tools that can read aloud news, sports stories, podcasts and other web pages.
• “Immersive Reader” feature provides a more comfortable reading experience by resizing text on the layout.
• Allows web pages to be translated into 81 languages.

Pros:

• Regularly updated and protects users from the latest security threats.
• Special page layouts customise the appearance of the page and make the content easier to read.
• Allows you to browse the web without saving history and cookies thanks to InPrivate search.
• Compatible across devices, making it the fastest browser for Windows 10.

• Does not support applications with Internet Explorer (e.g. camcorder plugins, authorisation plugins, etc.).
• May crash on pages with a lot of media content.
• Incompatible with older versions of Windows.

5. Safari

The best web browser for macOS and iOS users

Today, more than 1000 million users exploit Safari for their work. This web browser has options to prevent tracking between sites and hide IP address from trackers. Interestingly: Safari allows you to extract text from online images, as well as recognise objects in images. And with proper support for 4K HDR video playback, you can easily view a wide range of media files in good quality here.

With the “Universal Clipboard” tool, you can share text, images, photos, and videos between different Apple devices. A reading list is also available in the browser, allowing you to save web pages and read them without Internet access.

Features:

• Supported on all Apple platforms (macOS, iOS and iPadOS).
• Allows you to use Face ID or Touch ID on your iPhone to securely log in to supported websites.
• Sandbox technology prevents malware from damaging your Mac while browsing.
• Does not open HTTP sites, unlike more content-secure HTTPS sites.
• Available in 18 languages.

Pros:

• Allows you to easily synchronise tabs and web browsing history between multiple Apple devices using Handoff.
• Prevents websites from tracking users by using device intelligence.
• Has built-in support for Apple Pay and Touch ID.

Cons:

• Has limited extensions in its library.
• Lacks customisation and personalisation options.
• Many sites work incorrectly or do not work at all in the mobile version of the browser.

6. Brave

The best web browser in terms of user security and privacy

Brave currently has an active user base of over 57 million users. This web browser is capable of blocking all adverts and disabling all JavaScript-based trackers. The inbuilt private mode allows you to browse the web through an anonymous network and bypass geo-restrictions.

Brave users can import bookmarks, extensions and passwords from a previous browser. The Interplanetary File System (IPFS) makes file sharing over an unsecured network secure, allowing unlimited private audio/video calls for free.

Features:

• Allows you to customise your news feed based on selected sources.
• Supports many decentralised applications (DApps) with EVM compatible networks.
• Integrates with Web Torrent and allows you to download torrent files directly in your browser.
• Provides crypto incentives for using this browser.
• Available in over 150 languages.

Pros:

• Focuses on privacy by blocking all adverts and trackers that collect personal data.
• Allows beginners to get familiar with cryptocurrencies.
• Robust firewall and VPN increase security by encrypting and protecting user data.

Cons:

• Private tabs feature doesn't make users anonymous online, making it easy for observers to collect traffic.
• Carries a security risk to your system due to late and inconvenient update methods.

7. Vivaldi

The best choice in terms of multitasking and management

Vivaldi has over 2.3 million active users. It is an advanced browser that can selectively share part of any web page. The screen sharing mode can work on multiple pages at the same time without changing your account. The “QR generator”’ feature allows you to share different web pages as QR code images on social networks.

Also in Vivaldi, you can sort tabs and group them into two-level stacks. Users have the option to customise their email to manage it more efficiently. And this web browser also blocks annoying alerts that appear when a website or web page is opened.

Features:

• Has huge tab functionality (grouping tabs into stacks, scrolling tab bar, selecting loading style, laying out multiple pages on one screen, etc.).
• Accelerates actions with customisable keyboard shortcuts, mouse gestures and macros.
• Has its own email client, calendar, notes, to-do list and news client.
• Supports 108 popular languages.

Pros:

• Offers extensive personalisation and customisation options.
• Allows you to download a backup encryption key to restore your browser data.
• Improves your device's performance by reducing RAM usage by manually putting tabs to sleep.

Cons:

• Not available for iOS devices.
• The sheer number of configuration options can be confusing for newbies and inexperienced users.

8. Tor

Best anonymous web browser

The number of users of this browser is almost 2 million. Tor is one of the best free and open source browsers that guarantees a high level of security and privacy on the Internet: it regularly deletes unnecessary cookies and service programmes and blocks trackers. Robust artificial intelligence technology offers new features and hints while browsing, improving user productivity.

Tor can be used to access sites blocked through network or geographical restrictions. By encrypting personal information, it ensures each user's privacy while browsing. The browser is also suitable for developers and system administrators, as it is convenient for testing various systems and applications.

Features:

• Can be used directly from a USB stick without the need for local installation.
• Encrypts data on the sender side and automatically decrypts it on the receiver side.
• Uses “Onion Routing” technology, which makes your IP address anonymous and makes it harder to track your location.
• Available in 30 languages.

Pros:

• Provides enhanced online privacy and encrypts traffic, so it's impossible to trace a user's identity from their Internet footprints.
• Automatically blocks JavaScript-based trackers for maximum privacy.
• Provides users with support in an active online community.

Cons:

• Slows down Internet speed due to the fact that user's traffic moves between different nodes and is encrypted multiple times.
• It is not recommended to install new add-ons as they threaten your privacy and security.

How to choose the best web browser for your needs?

When choosing the most suitable browser, we advise you to pay attention to key factors such as:

1. Security. This is one of the most important factors to choose as the risk of hacking or cyber-attack for browsers is increasing daily. Most web browsers track you in one way or the other, compromising your privacy. But you can choose one that tracks you less.
2. Updates. These are critical for any browser, because they allow you to fix bugs, improve security, and introduce new features.
3. Personalisation. Customising web browsers helps improve your productivity while you work.
4. Ease of use. With a web browser, it should be easy to browse, customise tabs and manage them. Another plus is when the browser provides features such as email and supports most file formats.
5. System load. The amount of RAM and hardware that the browser consumes from your system while running matters.

We have looked at the best browsers depending on the purpose of using them. Now it will be easier for you to choose and download the one that will maximise the efficiency of the tasks you need.