We spend a lot of time on our computers, whether they use Windows 11 or another operating system, mainly for web browsing. Whether it’s checking social media, doing research, writing, or anything else, the browser is the go-to application for most people. So, it’s crucial to have a good one. If you’re unsure about which browser is the right fit for you, this list should guide you.
Web browsers are everywhere these days, and most of them get the job done. There’s a bunch of good ones out there, but only a select few stand out as the absolute best. Check out our favourites listed below.
Vivaldi
Let’s kick things off with my go-to browser, Vivaldi. It’s all about productivity and hits the mark on many fronts. Just like most browsers here, Vivaldi is built on the Chromium project, making it just as efficient with websites as Google Chrome. It even supports Chrome extensions. You get all the usual features like syncing your settings, but you’ll need to set up a Vivaldi account for that. Interestingly, it won’t prompt you to sign in, so you’ve got to take the initiative if you want to enable sync.
What sets it apart is all the extra stuff it brings to the table. Vivaldi goes beyond the basics, offering a bunch of tools like an email client, an RSS feed aggregator, a notes app, a translator, a to-do list, and more – neatly tucked into a side panel on the left of the window. You can even throw in websites there for easy access to social networks or anything else you need on the fly. And don’t miss out on features like tab stacking and tiling, letting you group tabs together and view them side-by-side in one window.
Vivaldi is super customizable too. It’s got themes like Chrome, but the cool part is you can tweak almost everything. Add or ditch individual buttons from most toolbars, and switch up the button icons with custom themes or your own picks. It might seem like a lot to take in initially, but once you get the hang of it, it’s what makes Vivaldi such a fantastic browser.
Google Chrome
Of course, we can’t talk about browsers without bringing up the world’s favorite – Google Chrome. It’s pretty much the backbone for many of today’s browsers. While it doesn’t go overboard with fancy features, it’s incredibly reliable and comes with some handy perks, like syncing your history and extensions.
Chrome has this nifty feature called live captions, which means you can get real-time captions on the screen for any video or audio playing in the browser. It’s super handy, especially for folks with hearing challenges or if you’re still getting the hang of English. Sure, Windows 11 has its own live captions now, but some might argue that Chrome’s visual design is a tad neater. Also, there’s a media player button in the toolbar, making it easy to pause videos or audio from other tabs without the hassle of hunting down the right tab.
ALSO READ: Google Chrome Has Become Safer & Smarter in Terms of Performance
And don’t forget, Chrome gets a serious upgrade with a ton of extensions from its vast library. These add all kinds of cool features. Plus, there are themes in the Chrome Web Store to jazz up the browser and give it your personal touch. Whatever you’re up to, Chrome’s got your back.
Microsoft Edge
Even though it’s the default browser in Windows 10 and 11, the latest Microsoft Edge is pretty impressive. It runs on the Chromium engine, making it top-notch for web browsing and supporting all the Chrome extensions you might need. It comes with the usual features too, like syncing your history and extensions, only now it does that using your Microsoft account instead of Google.
Unlike Chrome, Microsoft Edge goes beyond just web browsing; it’s loaded with additional features. It’s your go-to for the new Bing AI chat experience, offering exclusive tools like Compose to assist you in writing emails, social media posts, and more. On top of that, it comes with handy quick-access shortcuts neatly tucked into a sidebar on the right. These shortcuts give you instant access to games, tools like a calculator or translator, the ability to send files and notes across devices, and even an AI-powered image creator. What’s cool is you can even enable this sidebar on the desktop, so you have it at your fingertips even when the browser is closed.
There are some neat extras too, like Collections that let you organize pages and items in groups. You can even follow your favorite creators on social media, such as YouTube, and catch their updates in a special section of the browser. Admittedly, some of these features might seem a bit extra, but there’s a bunch of stuff to elevate your browsing experience. While Edge isn’t flawless, it’s still a solid browser. It usually comes pre-installed, but if you don’t have it, you can grab it below.
Mozilla Firefox
Given how Google Chrome has taken over to the point that its Chromium engine is the foundation for nearly every modern browser, Mozilla’s Firefox is pretty much your go-to if you’re looking to break free from that monopoly. Surprisingly, it holds its own quite well, even though it’s built from scratch and developed independently of Chromium.
Firefox covers all the essential bases you’d want, making it a solid choice for web browsing. It comes with its own sync feature, letting you access your history and bookmarks seamlessly. You can also spice things up with extensions and themes from Mozilla’s own add-on store. While it might not have the extensive library that Chrome boasts, there’s still a good variety to choose from.
Here’s another browser that doesn’t go overboard with extra features, but it does the job well and covers the essentials. It even throws in Pocket integration, allowing you to save articles for later reading. Mozilla is also in the works with a VPN service, currently accessible in select countries globally. Firefox puts a spotlight on privacy and transparency, making it a top choice if you’re keen on keeping your data away from big corporations.
Brave
A newcomer in the web browser scene is Brave. It runs on the Chromium engine but stands out by prioritizing both performance and privacy. Being Chromium-based, it delivers a smooth web browsing experience and plays nice with your favorite extensions. What sets it apart is the option to sync your data using a custom sync code instead of the usual account system.
Brave claims to be up to three times faster than Chrome, and it’s big on privacy with features like blocking annoying ads, cross-site trackers, and even fingerprinting – a sneaky method websites use to track visitors based on their device specs, even when cookies and regular trackers are turned off. If you’re up for it, Brave also offers a built-in VPN, but it comes with a price tag.
But wait, there’s more to Brave than just performance and privacy. They throw in their own video calling service, ensuring a private connection. You can also whip up playlists for videos and online content, saving them for offline viewing. Plus, there’s a customizable news feed right on the homepage. Nothing too wild, but Brave brings together a mix of speed, privacy, and features that are pretty darn appealing.
Opera GX
Here’s a bit of a niche choice for you – Opera GX. It’s tailor-made for gamers, especially those who like to keep their browser running in the background while gaming. Opera GX is all about being lightweight, and it even lets you control how much of your system’s resources it uses—things like CPU, RAM, and network usage. This way, you can make sure your games run at their best performance.
Even though it packs a bunch of features, some of them might leave you questioning their usefulness. One cool thing to note is GX Corner – a page that keeps you in the loop about the gaming scene. It dishes out info on upcoming game launches, deals on games across platforms, and even throws in game trailers and news. Plus, it hooks you up with quick access to Twitch and Discord (and supports other messaging services) right from the sidebar, so you can stay connected with your gaming communities.
Then there are some regular features too, like pinboards for effortlessly organizing notes and images, Flow to shoot pages across your devices, and more. They even throw in a free VPN. Now, the bold visual design might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the intriguing features might just make Opera GX a tempting choice for some.
In simple terms, having options is fantastic!
In the end, all these browsers offer a reliable base for web surfing, and honestly, you can’t really make a bad choice. It boils down to picking the one that fits your needs best. For me, Vivaldi takes the cake – it’s got loads of capabilities and features that amp up my workflow, giving me the experience I crave. But hey, whatever floats your boat, there’s a pick in this bunch for everyone.
If you’re on the hunt for apps to amp up your productivity, take a peek at the top alternatives to Microsoft Office. And if you’re noticing even the lighter browsers lagging on your PC, perhaps it’s worth thinking about investing in a shiny new laptop.
