Pagoda Blog

While Google Chrome still takes the cake for the highest number of users, there are plenty of other web browsers to choose from. But what sets each browser apart and how do they approach privacy protection without compromising functionality? Let’s look at 7 of the top web browsers (in no particular order) and how they compare. 

 

Google Chrome 

For many internet users, 3.45 billion to be exact, Chrome is the default browser — it boasts fast load times, compatibility with almost any website and platform, and an intuitive interface. It doesn’t boast, however, a built-in VPN or a reading mode. We may soon also see a removal of ad-blockers, making Chrome even more distracting with pop-up ads, sidebar ads, and embedded ads throughout your browsing experience. 

 

Chrome is working on some additional privacy features such as the removal of tracking cookies. This would be replaced, however, with Google’s own form of tracking which may or may not offer more privacy than the current setup. 

 

Overall, Chrome’s focus seems to be squarely on advertising with less consideration for user privacy and even experience. Chrome is still a fast, reliable browser, however, and it's worth noting that nearly all of the alternative web browsers use Chrome’s webpage rendering code, Chromium. 

 

Apple Safari

Speaking of reading mode, Safari was the first to offer this helpful feature. It also started the conversation around fingerprinting protection. Fingerprinting is when web trackers identify you by your computer hardware, software, add-ons, and preferences. This form of tracking is more invasive than cookie tracking and is blocked by several browsers. Unfortunately, Safari doesn’t fully block this type of tracking whereas competitors like Firefox do.  

 

Safari does have something akin to a VPN for iCloud+ subscribers called Private Relay. According to Apple, Private Relay prevents websites from seeing your IP address and exact location and also prevents network providers from collecting your browsing activity.  If you’re an Apple user with a Mac and an iPhone, Safari’s hand-off feature allows you to conveniently continue browsing where you left off between devices.  Last but not least, Safari uses WebKit to render webpage code, making it one of the only Chrome competitors that is not Chromium based. 

 

Microsoft Edge 

Previously, Edge users complained of incompatibilities with some websites, but the current Microsoft Edge uses Chromium, so compatibility is no longer an issue. You can use Edge with both Apple macOS and Windows 11 and earlier. Edge has an efficiency mode to extend laptop battery life. One neat feature of Edge is its Collections tool. With Collections, you can drag webpages and images and write notes and share them to Excel, OneNote, or Word. Its reader mode is also top-notch, with no distracting ads plus a read aloud feature. 

 

Some other notable features of Edge include a side panel with Bing AI chat search, a toolbar where you can store favorite native and third-party apps, automatic coupons for ecommerce sites, and a built-in screenshot tool.  

 

Mozilla Firefox 

Firefox is a well-established and trustworthy web browser alternative to Chrome and Safari. Like Safari, Firefox runs on its own open source code rather than using Chromium. An open-source project from the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, its code is updated entirely by volunteers. If this has you worried, don’t be. These volunteers are more dedicated and passionate than most paid employees, creating a well-oiled web browser known for its commitment to privacy and a treasure trove of customizable settings and available extensions. 

 

One nifty extension is the Multi-Account Containers that allows you to stay signed into more than one account on the same site. Typically, you’d have to open a new private or incognito browser in order to log into a new account without getting kicked off the existing login. For an extra fee you can use Mozilla’s password management service, Lockwise, and its VPN. Firefox’s Enhanced Tracking Protection’s Standard setting blocks fingerprinting, social media trackers, cross-site tracking cookies, cross-site cookies and tracking content in Private Windows, and cryptominers. 

 

Fun fact: Firefox was the first to offer a private browsing mode that hides your browsing activity from other users who have access to your device but also from other websites.    

 

Tor 

The Tor Project, like the Firefox Mozilla Foundation, is a nonprofit organization. They also offer open source code (based on Firefox’s code) and are committed to user privacy and security. Tor is best for anonymity, with complex encryption that hides your online activity within multiple layers. When browsing online in Tor, your activity is completely obscured, only revealing to anyone who might gain access to your device or network that you are using Tor. 

 

This browser also blocks all third-party trackers and any cookies and browsing history clear automatically once you close a tab. It is compatible with most standard websites but the excess rerouting and encryption does make for much slower load times. This browser is the go-to choice for individuals who require complete anonymity, such as those in countries where free speech is repressed.  

 

Brave

While Brave blocks web ads by default you can now get rewarded for viewing ads. Brave gives you cryptocurrency tokens (BAT or Basic Attention Token) in exchange for allowing advertising during your browsing experience. The ads pop-up in the sidebar of your browser window so are much less intrusive than traditional pop-up ads. Brave is based off of Chromium, Google’s open source project also used for Chrome. It is rated highly when it comes to privacy, including a VPN service, Tor mode, and the ability to create a randomized browser fingerprint, keeping your identity anonymous when online. A feature called Shields blocks third-party tracking cookies and ads and Brave even has its own private search engine.  

 

Opera  

Opera introduced now popular browser features such as pop-up blockers, tabs, built-in search, and page zooming. It is also the first browser to offer its own built-in VPN and has a built-in ad blocker. The ad blocker not only makes for a more enjoyable reading experience but also uses less data. This makes Opera a good choice on mobile if you’re on a limited data plan. 

 

Page loads are fast and because Opera uses Chromium’s page-rendering engine, it is compatible with most sites. Some unique features include its own cryptocurrency wallet and the quick-access sidebar where you can store frequently used apps. 

 

Which browser will you choose?

There are far more web browsers out there than those listed above, but these 7 are a good place to start. Depending on your privacy needs and the type of work you do online, there are useful features in each browser. Remember, you can always test out a browser for a limited time and then switch back to what you’re comfortable with or try a new browser experience until you find the perfect fit.     

Feature photo by Nathana Rebouças on Unsplash

 

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