The USP of web browsers isn't the content; it is the speed, privacy, and safety of the user’s information on that browser.
There is an enormous range of web browsers available out there, that carries out instant web search on any term or query you come up with.
Especially with the technicalities involved, you may find yourself like Alice in The Wonderland, trying to understand the complicated jargon to precisely determine what is best for you.
Ultimately, they all look the same; they all do the same thing. And they are all quite competitive; so, what should you go for?
We are usually not finicky while choosing our web browsers as we are used to following the crowd in such stuff. But let's halt for a minute and ponder , is our browser fitted with all the features we need or are we missing out on cooler stuff just in fear of not changing?
With this compilation of the most popular web browsers of the decade, you might become a better judge of this search by yourself as you move forward with the reading! And hopefully, by the end of it, you will at least know what you are getting or missing over others!
Distinguishing Features of the Most Popular Web Browsers
Chrome
Chrome is the king of browsers. Step into any home, and you'll find at least one device with Google's Chrome as a web browser on it.
Yes, Chrome has many distinctive features that have made it the most favorite and go-to browser for almost all internet users.
Let's dive in deep to understand what makes Chrome so special:
Firefox
A close stride to Chrome, Mozilla Firefox has a great competitive edge. The newer upgrades are commendable and add to greater user experience.
Firefox Quantum is the new face of Firefox browsers with several features:
Safari
macOS users are bound with the blessing of the Safari web browser. It isn't quite the top one, but it has features that you’ll definitely enjoy:
Edge
Microsoft Edge is a web browser with great potential. It is an integrated default web browser made for Windows 10.
Being a sick horse in the race, Edge was renovated and relaunched in February 2020, replacing the legacy browser. Its distinguishing features include:
Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, or Safari: Which Browser Is Best?
The Comparative Study
After listing the most distinguishing features of the browsers for you to understand them better, the next step is to compare them with each other on the most important criteria to judge the best in the race:
Security and Privacy
Microsoft Edge has surpassed its predecessor in terms of Security with the new Windows Hello feature that authenticates a user and the website they are trying to connect. Microsoft SmartScreen also helps protect against phishing websites or applications. On the other end, Firefox doesn't have the fancy tech for security issues.
Rather, it relies only on a community approach. In terms of hacking, Edge comes as the least secure browser, cracked in 5 minutes. Followed by Safari, which was compromised 3.5 times. Firefox was once beaten, and Chrome is still a mystery! However, Chrome lacks in providing privacy. User information is exposed to too many tracking activities.
Firefox has good privacy with a private mode enabling you to discard a session’s history and cookies and hide your activities from third-party tracking sites. Safari and Firefox also use fingerprint sensors to prevent user tracking.
Speed
the startup speed of the browsers measuring the execution of JavaScript's newest features is tested using the Ares 6 test.
With a speed of 114.67 ms, Chrome ended up as the fastest browser. Firefox followed with 182.58 ms, while Edge was the slowest at 232.13 ms. On macOS, Safari was the fastest finishing in 31.89 ms, followed by Chrome at 50.47 ms and Firefox at 121.34 ms.
Storage Space
In the disk space usage test, Edge ended up using 319 MB, Firefox used 187 MB, and Chrome used 437 MB, becoming the most space consuming browser.
Standards Compatibility
A rough measure of this is the HTML5 test. This scores the browser's compatibility with the moving target of web standards. Out of the maximum score of 555, Chrome scored 528, while Edge had an edge with a score of 535. This is because Edge supports Dolby Digital and screenshots. Firefox was third with 491 and Safari with 471.
Graphics
Using MotionMark as a benchmark for a browser's ability to animate complex scenes at a target frame rate, the higher the score, the better it is. Edge led the way with 151.23, closely followed up by Chrome at 147.55. Firefox scored only 94.26. On macOS, Safari scored 455.20, while Chrome and Firefox were at 324.86 and 107.76, respectively.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness to web apps is an important criterion for judgment.
Using the Speedometer test as a benchmark, Chrome was found to be the most responsive with a score of 81.4 runs a minute. While Firefox and Edge barely made it to 34.6 and 32.33 runs per minute, respectively. On MacBook, Safari beat Chrome with 130 runs per minute against Chrome's 116 runs a minute.
Design
Chrome has the most minimalistic design. With paler color tones and softer edges, Chrome has a smooth feel. The tabbed browsing adds to the UI. The Omnibox search is another striking feature. Firefox is more angular and has a darker theme. Also, it is easy to customize. Edge, however, isn't as appealing with larger tabs and other distracting features.
Mobile Compatibility
All these browsers are quite handy to operate on multiple platforms and have a smooth transition between laptops and mobile phones.
Chrome has single id access that enables quicker and easier access on all devices via a mail account. Firefox is a bit difficult with the requirement of having to create a separate account. Edge has limited access as it is stuck being the default browser of Windows 10 but is smooth in transition when it gets an opportunity.
Verdict
Given the features, evidence, and facts, it wouldn't be wrong to say that Chrome is by far the most consistent, reliable, secure, fast, smart, appealing, and versatile browser of all.
Chrome aced it in most benchmark tests and performed excellently on macOS too. In comparison, there is no doubt that Safari is the best bid for macOS, but Chrome is quite a competitor. Firefox has a good run. It has closely been beaten on some scores.
It gives good competition to Chrome but still has got a long way to go. By far, Edge is the least competitive and has a long journey to get to compete with Safari and Chrome.
