Best Free Web Browser
Back in the early 1990's when the World Wide Web was young, there was only one web browser worth using: Netscape, which evolved from Mosaic. Then Microsoft gave us Internet Explorer and subsequently started including it with their OS. Thus began the browser wars, and IE eventually emerged as the clear winner.
Today Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) is a competent browser with enough features to meet the needs of most users, but it's difficult to recommend due to on-going security concerns. In the past IE has been a focus for security attacks, and there is little to suggest that this will change with newer releases of IE. Additionally, Microsoft has a poor track record for speedily fixing IE defects, and this has left users open to drive-by attacks and other forms of zero-day exploits. This has opened the door for a new set of browsers that are feature rich, very secure, and super fast.
When it comes to web browsers, everyone has an opinion. Every web browser will have a specific feature set that appeals to some while not appealing to others. The criteria used for selecting browsers in this review are the following:
- Browser speed - How fast it can load a page. Important in any browser, but not the only criterion for judgement.
- Security - How well the browser can handle exploits in web coding as well as keeping your online information safe.
- Ease of use - How intuitive and easy to use is the browser?
- Feature set - What kind of features are available to enhance the browsing experience (Example: Tabbed browsing, handling of bookmarks, etc.)?
- Flexibility and Expandability - Can the browser handle non-compliant HTML pages? Is it expandable through add-on programs? Does it display included content (such as flash video) properly?
When it comes right down to it, the best web browser is one that allows you to view the Web the way that YOU want. The browsers listed below are, in this editor's opinion, some of the best at doing this by offereing ease of use, flexibility, expandability, security, and great feature sets, while simultaneously doing their prime function of displaying HTML pages.
Mozilla Firefox 3.0 is my first choice. It's safer than IE, so safe in fact that many users have reported no spyware infections since they started using the product. It also browses a tad faster than IE, is very stable and is more standards compliant. Firefox 3.0 has fixed a whole slew of issues that its predecessor suffered. Firefox 3.0 now starts up much faster than 2.0, handles memory better, and is the first official release of a Mozilla browser to pass the Acid 2 Web Standards test. With tabbed browsing and over 2000 free extensions (add-ons) that allow you to customize your experience, it provides the most flexibility, expanibility, and features of any browser to date. Firefox is now my everyday browser, though I still leave IE7 on my PC for the occasional web site that's designed around IE's non-standard features. If you need any further convincing then check out Gizmo's IE to Firefox migration guide.
An equal first choice is Opera. It's a speed demon; probably the fastest of all the common browsers. But it's much more than that; it's full featured, standards compliant and safe. Just as Firefox is extensible through add-ons, Opera can be enhanced using Widgets, though there are not nearly as many of these available as there are Firefox extensions. Then again, it doesn't need as many extensions because a lot of the features added by Firefox add-ons are already built into the standard Opera browser. There's just so much to like about Opera V9 that you could easily create a case that it's better than Firefox. Indeed, Opera used to be my first choice, and if I could get an Opera replacement for some of my key Firefox add-ons, I'd probably switch back.
For awhile I have been looking at Apple's Safari Browser. I have to admit I was hesitant to try this at first because of rumors that, while it ran great on Apple's OS X, it was unstable on Windows PC's. I also heard that its ability to render web pages correctly was not quite up to scratch. I could not have been more wrong. Safari is a very capable browser that is incredibly fast at loading pages. It was easy to install and use and of the browsers listed here, it scored the best on the Acid 3 Web Standards test. My only criticisms are that the interface is too "Mac" looking, which for long time Windows users may not be their cup of tea, but could be a plus for those moving from a Mac to a Windows XP or Vista PC. Also, there is no way to add plug-ins to enhance the browser, and weighing in at over 18 Mb, it is a large download for a web browser, but these are minor points. Safari is an excellent browser which will only get better with time.
Users who don't want to drift too far from the Microsoft stable can get some of the feature advantages of Firefox and Opera by using one of the many customized shells for Internet Explorer, such as Maxthon and Avant. The main selling point for these products used to be tabbed browsing, but now that this is available in IE7 it's hard to create a case for their general recommendation. Still, if you need a specialized feature they are worth considering. On the downside, these shells share most of the same security problems as IE because they utilize the IE engine.
Last but not least is K-Meleon, a slimmed down cousin of Firefox that's optimized for Windows. Of the four browsers reviewed here, K-Meleon is the quickest loading and, along with Opera, the fastest for surfing. There are only a limited number of add-ons and plug-ins available, so you are pretty well limited to the features available in the standard product. If you're the type of person who prefers performance to bells and whistles, then you should definitely try K-Meleon.
Mozilla Firefox
Website: http://www.mozilla.org/
Download link: http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
Author: Mozilla Corp.
Current version: 3.0.4
Version date:11/13/2008
License: Free - Mozilla Public License
Download File size: 7.14 MB
Operating systems supported: Windows 98-Vista, OS-X, Various Linux Distros
Additional software required: None
64 Bit version available: No
Portable version Available: Yes - Available here
Non-English languages supported: Many; Available via downloadable language packs
Other relevant information:
Firefox Extensions: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browse/type:1
Gizmo's IE to Firefox Migration Guide: http://www.techsupportalert.com/firefox.htm
Changing the Language Pack: http://support.mozilla.com/kb/Changing+the+language+pack
Opera
Website: http://www.opera.com/
Download page: http://www.opera.com/download/
Author: Opera Software
Current version: 9.6.2
Version date: 10/30/2008
License: Free
Download file size: 5.39 MB
Operating systems supported: Windows 95-Vista, Mac OS 7.5-OS X, Various Linux Distros, OS/2, QNX, Various Mobile Phones, and Palm OS 5
Additional software required: None
64 Bit version available: Unknown
Portable version available: Yes - Available here
Non-English languages supported: Many - Available via downloadable language files
Other relevant information:
Opera Language Files: http://www.opera.com/download/languagefiles/
Safari
Website: http://www.apple.com/
Download page: http://www.apple.com/safari/download/
Author: Apple
Current version: 3.1.2
Version date: 6/17/2008
License: Free
Download file size: 18.6 Mb
Operating systems supported: Windows XP,Vista, Mac OS X
Additional software required: None
64 Bit version available: Unknown
Portable version available: No
Non-English languages supported: None
Maxthon
Website: http://www.maxthon.com/
Download page: http://www.maxthon.com/download.htm
Author: Maxthon (Beijing) Ltd.
Current version: 2.07
Version date: 12/28/2007
License: Free
Download file size: 2.9 MB
Operating systems supported: Windows 98-Vista
Additional software required: At least MS Internet Explorer 6
64 Bit version available: No
Portable version available: Yes - Available here
Non-English languages supported: Many - Available via downloadable language packs
Avant
Website: http://www.avantbrowser.com/
Download page: http://www.download.com/Avant-Browser/3000-2356_4-10150342.html
Author: Avant Force
Current version: 11.7 build 12
Version date: 9/20/2008
License: Free
Download file size: 1.95 MB
Operating systems supported: Windows 95-Vista
Additional software required: At least MS Internet Explorer 5.5
64 Bit version available: No
Portable version available: Yes - Available here
Non-English languages supported: Many
KMeleon
Website: http://kmeleon.sourceforge.net/
Download page: http://kmeleon.sourceforge.net/download.php
Author: amutch, boisso, kkohler, ron_aegis, ulferikson
Current version: 1.5.1
Version date: 10/16/2008
License: free GNU General Public License
Download file size: 5.2 MB
Operating systems supported: Windows 95-Vista
Additional software required: None
64 Bit capable: No
Portable version available: Yes - Available here
Non-English languages supported: German, French, Spanish, Russian
Related Topics:
- Best Free HTML Editor
- Best Free Download Manager
- Best Free Browser Protection Utility
- Best Free Browser Scrubber
- Best Free Bookmark Cleaner
- Best Free Add-ins for Internet Explorer
- Best Free Parental Filter
- Best Free Web Site Ripper
- Best Free RSS Reader-Aggregator
- Best Free Download/Upload Meter
- Best Free Search Toolbar
- Best Free Popup Stopper Updated
- Best Free Website Link Checker
- Best Free Web Form Filler/Password Manager
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Joe Bennett. Registered site visitors can contact Joe by clicking here.
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Hi everyone,
I have been a long time Firefox user. Has anyone had problems with Firefox 3.0 to 3.0.4 crashing ? I've uninstalled and reinstalled, downloaded & installed the new 3.0.4 version, and it just keeps crashing. I've sent many crash reports but they have not fixed the problem.
I will be surfing along fine, then for no apparent reason, Firefox just crashes and I have to restart the browser.
I got tired of the crashing and downloaded Opera and find it just as good as Firefox (currently better since it's not presently crashing on my system)
John
I am not having any problems with firefox. I have updated it and using it since days. I agree with Joe, you should post ur PC specifics. Maybe the problem is with ur PC.
Anupam Shriwatri, India
I'm not having any problems with the most recent version of Firefox. Of course its hard to compare and troubleshoot without specifics like your hardware and OS configuration. Feel free to post your problem and details in the forums. There are lots of editors here that would be happy to help you out.
-Joe
Hi I like Google Chrome but FF is my main one . read this link
www.srware.net/en/software_srware_iron_chrome_vs_iron.php
This is the version of Google I use . Why because they have made it more private as we all know Google tracks every search and keeps the details on there servers for years .. thus I also use Scroogle.org as my Google search page Scroogle scrapes Google but with no cookies or other devious tracking
Xtravo explorer (www.jawoco.com)
It is a very user friendly browser with decent features.
It has document explorer and image grabber. Document Explorer helps you to discover the webpages coding and more.
Image grabber grabs all images it can from the website.
Rest, its tabs are small and nice and.....It is a overall a good browser i must say.
Opera and Kmeleon are for smart people ...
I would like to inform all about a new browser:
Xtravo Explorer (www.jawoco.com)
I came across it at the Softpedia website and saw many good comments. I downloaded and gave a little try. It has a different GUI but the performance is quite well. It is still in the beta stage. Complete freeware. Only cons is that it requires .NET Framework 2.0.
But I think it might be included in the list.
Another one is Sleipnir (http://www.fenrir-inc.com/other/sleipnir/) - freeware.
It has a very special feature: You can choose between Mozilla and IExplorer rendering. Works quite well and remarkably fast. It is worth to give a try.
Ercu
Turkey
I was a mozilla fire fox freek until the last two updates. Continuous freezing/not responding, this is to the point where I am continually rebooting.
I have tried safari, opera, google chrome, and ouit of the three google chrome is the best, simple zippy and even my wife has no problems.
I have also found a web browser called FLOCK, this works on the mozilla engine format, you can transpose all your firefox add-ons and the google toolbar, and other features also. I have run it now for two days with no lock-ups/freezing and it is very fast. Not sure if it is part of the firefox group but I am very pleased with it so far
submitted by eric
Anyone tried CometBird?
Firefox 3.0.4 is out!
Google Chrome is in beta, but it is the browser that I use 98% of the time. It is blazingly fast, you can kill a misbehaving tab without the entire browser going down, enter both searches and URLS in one box, an incognito/anonymous browser mode so nothing incriminating gets stored on your computer.
Back to speed though, it is fast. Fast to start, and fast to display webpages. It starts probably 3 times faster than Firefox, and 5 times faster than IE.
Even though it is in beta, it has not crashed on me once. There are some pages that it has difficulty with, but I am sure that later versions will have this rectified. Maybe Google will dominate the browser market - when you get that many eyeballs to a website in a day and proper marketing, Chrome will become the browser of choice.
I heart google chrome. It's damn near everything I need in a browser. Stable, Quick and Secure. I only wish it had an ad block like plugin!
Opera 9.62 is out!
I find Chrome the clearest,simplest and fastest to use,and Opera is good,and they have just hired a guy(who made the Firefox symbol )to make the 10 model a lot prettier and easy to use.But overall can not miss the add-ons of Firefox,so that's the one I use.
Opera 9.61 is out.
Opera and Firefox are my personal favorites. They are fast, convenient, Opera is more feature rich, but Firefox is more extendable. Safari I have a few issues with, mainly not being asked where to save downloads.
Google Chrome has potential though. Its an amazing browser in its first beta stage, while still lacking some vital features. And if it gets better at the same rate, It may be up there with firefox and opera.
I just recently came across Orca browser. Based on Firefox, but put together by the folks at Avent (The Avent browser). Orca seems to be firefox but with all the add-ons already pre-setup. So far, so good. It is the beta 3 version...but I like what I have seen so far.
I find Chrome handy just for launching Gmail from GmailNotifier in my system tray. Quick and convenient.
K-Meleon has been updated to version 1.5.1.
Google Chrome is by far thee best out, even at its beta stage!
it has its own built in task manager and is the only browser out there that can work of 2 cpu's if you have dual core
well done google for another fine product!
Danny Banks
Opera 9.60 is out :D
Anupam Shriwatri, India
Why their is no Google chrome?
See:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/review-my-first-thoughts-google-...
In general, we're reluctant to recommend beta sware.
TheWorld Browser v2.3 build 2.3.1.1 Released
Add:
Now you can resize the Search box with mouse drag.
Address auto-complete function can show typed urls of address drop list now.
Fix:
A bug of quickpath function in start page.
A bug of popup block function.
a bug of address auto-complete function.
I tried TheWorld Browser but I can't figure out how to use the ad filter. I use IE7Pro add-on for IE 7 for my filtering. It's much more comprehensive and provides more options. I can't find anything as good with Firefox, Opera, Chrome, or Safari. SlimBrowser has a good filtering tool built in, just not as good as the IE7Pro add-on.
http://www.ie7pro.com/
How about TheWorld Browser v2.3.0.7!
Who can compare TheWorld and Maxthon? First Thanks!
I tested Safari and I have to say it is faster than Opera but it lacks support for java, plugins etc. Has anyone else tried Safari?
Opera 9.6 beta out now. Not much different, but a bug i used to have with youtube is gone.
TheWorld Browser (http://www.ioage.com/en/index.htm)
Better than Maxthon. I think so!
what about IE8?
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