Top 7 Best Web Browsers in 2024: Everything You Need to Know

In a time of digitalization, web browsers give access to the Internet. Web browsers allow Internet users to perform online tasks. They also handle user information and dictate how the data will be used across online spaces.

With over 200 browsers in the market, choosing the best browser for your needs can take time and effort.

Techjury did the back-breaking part of looking into the best web browsers. We also listed their pros and cons and other important factors below.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• A good browser must have good privacy measures, browsing speed, and accessibility. 
• Chrome is the best browser for beginners due to its simple interface and fast loading speed.
• Firefox browser is the best pick for a customized but private browsing experience.
• Opera is the best standalone browser, with countless built-in privacy, communication, and casual browsing features.
• Edge is the #1 browser for Windows users with pro-Windows features and tools.
• Safari is the top browser for Mac users, with an Apple ecosystem for easier browsing. 
• Brave is the best browser for convenient but private browsing.
• Tor is the finest browser for researchers needing access to the Tor network and geo-blocked content. 

Top Web Browser

According to Security Ninja, there are three essential factors in choosing a good web browser.  

• Privacy and security measures
• Loading speed in running content
• Ease of use and accessibility 

Check the following comparison table for an easier comparison of today’s Top 6 browsers.

Chrome	Pro-security features:  sandboxing methods  2-factor authentication Non-security-friendly features: Behavioral targeting from user’s data.  Cookie tracking	Browsing Speed:  144.9 runs/minute  Graphics Capability (MotionMark score): 553.4 runs/minute	Customizable browser extensions Chromium-based site compatibility Cross-device auto-syncing Personalized browsing experience
Firefox	Pro-security features:  2-factor authentication  sandboxing methods  Cookie tracker blocking Anti-fingerprinting methods Customizable privacy-enhancing features Containers feature similar to user profiles Firefox Focus for mobile devices	Browsing Speed:  98.4 runs/minute  Graphics Capability (MotionMark score): 258 runs/minute Firefox is great for regular browsing, but users should try alternative web browsers for graphics-heavy activities.	Pocket button to save pages for later Reader View mode that removes ads from pages Cross-device webpage sharing Built-in PDF editors  Theme customization feature
Opera	Pro-security features:  Built-in VPN to protect user’s IP address and location without dragging down the speed  Built-in crypto mining script blockers	Browsing Speed:  108.2 runs/minute  Graphics Capability (MotionMark score): 453 runs/minute	Built-in VPN, social media, and messaging apps  Cross-device syncing of active apps and settings  Exclusive crypto wallet  Built-in and free ad blocker  Access to Chromium-based websites
Microsoft Edge	Pro-security features:  Limits data collection to diagnostic data for product and service updates Blocks cookie trackers Limits data from spreading across third-party servers Built-in Defender SmartScreen for malicious websites and downloads The InPrivate feature collects data, passwords, and cookies but deletes them after the session	Browsing Speed:  131 runs/minute  Graphics Capability (MotionMark score): 548 runs/minute	Access and compatibility with Chrome web extensions Compatibility to Chromium-based websites User profiling for cross-device syncing  Built-in screenshot, theme customization, and couponing apps Side tab bar set-up Energy-saving feature when used with Windows and Microsoft devices
Safari	Pro-security feature:  Avoids data-exploiting sites with Intelligent Tracking Prevention  Limits user info from being spread to other sites and servers Customizable data privacy and collection options Blocks 3rd party cookies and cross-site tracking	Browsing Speed:  133 runs/minute  Graphics Capability (MotionMark score): 1057 runs/minute	Built-in pop-up blocking Built-in application on Mac and Apple users Cross-device syncing with iCloud access for logins, bookmarks, history, etc.  Supports ‘shared with you’ content from iMessage content  Handoff feature for cross-device browsing
Brave	Pro-security features:  Real-time metrics on blocked ad and cookies trackers Partial Tor network protection and integration.  Anti-fingerprinting methods Cookies tracker blockers.  Auto-updates for security software. 2-factor authentication Sandboxing	Browsing Speed:  108 runs/minute  Graphics Capability (MotionMark score): 452 runs/minute	Chromium-based site compatibility Access to Google’s browser extensions Cross-device syncing of bookmarks, history, and web settings Runs well even on older hardware Strong rendering and quick load time
TOR	Pro-security features:  Full Tor Integration Anti-fingerprinting methods. Partial tracker blockers  Automatic updates for security software 2-factor authentication  Partial sandboxing	Browsing Speed:  67.11 runs/minute  Graphics Capability (MotionMark score): 430.5 runs/minute	Free and open-source platform Easy to download and install Supports visits on onion websites and platforms De-centralized operating system that is stable and reliable

Chrome – Best Web Browser for Beginners and Daily Users

Since its release in 2008, Chrome holds over 60% of the global market share of web browsers. 

Learn more about the Chrome browser features, which drew global Internet users through the following sections.

Pros of Using Chrome

About 6 of 10 browser users prefer Chrome for its speedy, simple, and uncomplicated interface. With Chrome, you’ll get a wide array of free and advanced features accessible, such as:

• Free account
• Customizing profile themes
• Enabling cross-device syncing of bookmarks, history, favorites, etc.

Moreover, Chrome is student- and workplace-friendly. Businesses and marketers also use this browser to gear their products and brands for Chrome’s search engine—Google. As a result, most marketing and SEO firms now optimize content for Chrome’s coding.

Cons of Using Chrome

One downside of using Chrome is its not-so-privacy-friendly features, like:

• Behavioral targeting
• Tracks cookies from visited sites to optimize ads shown to users
• Collects users’ data from Google services (i.e., Gmail, Drive, Docs, etc.)

Chrome uses the information collected through these features for ad targeting. Collecting them helps create a more personalized browser experience.

Users who are particular about their data privacy might want to skip Chrome. If you still decide on Chrome, take security measures such as:

• 2-factor authentication
• Auto-updates on security software

Firefox – Best Web Browser for Customized Private Browsing

Firefox’s strong qualities are its privacy and security features. However, most secure browsers like Firefox are slow in browsing speed. That is due to data encryption dragging the speed down, making it more complicated to browse with a VPN or enter P2P networks. Still, Firefox remains user-friendly, free, and customizable like Chrome. 

Below are the features and specifications that Firefox offers its users.

Pros of Using Firefox

Firefox takes privacy and security to another level by blocking cookie trackers. It also implements anti-fingerprinting measures, which prevent online tracking. 

Moreover, Firefox has a customizable privacy-enhancing feature. It allows users to decide on the browsing security level they want.

Source: Freedom Press 

Firefox also has a “Containers” feature that individualizes the browsing experience. It keeps browsing history, cookies, and browsing data isolated from other Containers. 

Source: Mozilla Add-ons

This browser’s Focus mobile app protects mobile users. The app blocks cookies and deletes search history once a browsing session finishes. 

Source: Lifewire

In addition to being a private browser, Firefox offers Pocket for free. This feature makes it easy for users to save online pages for online viewing later.

More qualities that Firefox offers are its PDF editor and Reader View buttons. The latter clears ads on a page, limiting user distractions.

Cons of Using Firefox

Speed is the platform’s most significant area for improvement, especially its running graphics speed. Meanwhile, Firefox’s browsing speed falls under average.

All in all, Firefox is best for daily private browsing. As for heavy activities like live video streaming and online gaming, users must take these elsewhere.

Opera – Best Standalone Web Browser

The Opera browser has been in the market since 1995—making it one of the longest-running browsers in 2023. It’s commonly identified with its sleek and sophisticated look that strays from the standard appearance of browsers.

Check the sections below to learn about the pros and cons of using Opera in 2023.

Pros of Using Opera

In a highly competitive web browser industry, Opera attracts users as the best standalone browser. Browsers usually need web extensions or additional subscription services. Meanwhile, Opera offers the following free and built-in features: 

• VPN 
• Ad blocker
• Social media and messaging apps 
• Exclusive Opera cryptocurrency wallet

Virtually Private Networks (VPNs) protects the user’s IP address and other identifying information. This tool could cost an average of $10/month. However, Opera users can avoid paying for a VPN because it’s already built-in on the browser.

Moreover, Opera’s built-in VPN feature causes less drag on speed, latency, or site incompatibility. 

Overall, Opera is considered the industry’s third fastest and graphics-capable browser.

Cons of Using Opera

Despite its appealing security features, many users left the Opera platform in 2016 after a Chinese investment firm bought it. These users were afraid Opera has become a hub for dangerous spyware.

In an article from Make Use Of, Opera cleared allegations of data privacy exploitation. They pointed out the company’s operations location in Norway.

Outside security issues, Opera users seek more customizable options like Chrome’s browser extensions and higher browsing speed. However, its low number of users often discourages extension developers from creating Opera-compatible extensions.

Edge – Best Web Browser for Windows Users 

The Edge’s developers learned from Internet Explorer’s downfall, making them prioritize website compatibility and speed. As a result, Edge is back as one of the best browsers in 2023—especially for Windows users.

Learn more about Edge’s features and specifications below.

Pros of Using Edge

Microsoft’s web browser has an impressive performance and speed, almost at level with Chrome. However, Edge is far superior regarding privacy and Windows compatibility. 

Besides being speedy and readily available on Windows devices, Edge has energy-saving features when used on Windows devices. The browser is also available for non-Windows device users like MacOS. 

For ease of use, Edge’s mobile version also syncs the following across devices:

• History
• Favorites
• Passwords

Like Opera, Edge offers free screenshotting, theme customization, and couponing apps for online shopping sites.

Microsoft also added a Collections tool for easier idea-tracking. It’s a notepad tool that collects online elements for later use, such as:

• Links
• Ideas
• Pages
• Images

Edge also offers a Microsoft Defender SmartScreen. This feature protects users from malicious websites and unsafe downloads.

Source: Digital Trends

Cons of Using Edge

One of Edge’s areas for improvement is Privacy. Edge uses diagnostic data to improve user experience on products and services. Diagnostic data includes user history and website visits. 

There’s only so much users can do with Edge’s privacy issues. For instance, InPrivate tabs are available for users who want to keep the following information from Edge’s systems:

• History
• Browsing cookies
• Other identifying data

Still, previous activities suggest that Edge’s developing company, Microsoft, collects user information from Windows devices not using Edge. 

Safari- Best Web Browser for Mac Users

Apple and Mac devices have Safari as their default browser. The Safari browser works closely with the Apple ecosystem to make the user browsing experience top-tier. 

Dive into the specifics of Safari’s browsing features through the paragraphs below.

Pros of Using Safari

Mac users can utilize other browsers. However, Safari is the only browser to sync bookmarks, history, and login details to iCloud for cross-device syncing.

Safari is also readily available on all Apple devices, so there’s no need to download it.

Here are a few of the most user-friendly features of Safari in 2023:

• Ad-free Reading Mode
• Built-in pop-up blockers 
• Integrated Shared With You content from iMessage
• Cross-device browsing through the Handoff feature 

Safari is right behind Chrome regarding speed; at the far side of Edge when it comes to privacy. Its Intelligent Tracking Prevention protects users’ data by automatically avoiding and filtering out websites with cross-site tracking. 

Apple is also among the few companies that blocked third-party cookies. iCloud+ users also have access to Private Relay, which masks IP addresses to prevent online identification as a VPN does. 

Cons of Using Safari

As an exclusive Apple and Mac browser, Safari’s usage has limited users according to device type. As of 2023, Safari is the only browser exclusive to one device type. 

Safari uses a WebKit instead of the typical Chromium engine to run its processes. Since most websites and digital platforms cater to Chromium browsers, many websites are inaccessible through Safari. 

This limitation also extends to available plugins and browser extensions for Safari. The platform is incompatible with Chrome-based extensions and only carries limited plugins compared to Chrome’s directory. 

Lastly, Safari uses a closed-source code build-up, making it inaccessible for developer customization. 

Brave – Best Web Browser for Convenient Privacy

After its release in 2016, Brave established the balance between high-speed and quality browsing performance. At the same time, it maintained privacy and security.

Check out the following sections for more details on the pros and cons of Brave usage.

Pros of Using Brave

If you’re looking for a privacy-focused web browser that stays user-friendly, Brave is the browser for you.

It has total security with its Tor integration and works against the following:

• Sandboxing features
• Browser fingerprinting

This browser also has built-in ad and cookie tracker blocker. It also displays real-time metrics of the ongoing blocking on its homepage. 

Source: Freedom Press

Brave remains the only user-friendly browser with Tor integration. It’s also the industry’s fourth fastest and most graphically capable browser.

Overall, Brave is like Chrome if the platform focuses on privacy. 

Cons of Using Brave

Brave naturally carries a wide selection of user-friendly and pro-security features. However, users seek more plugins and web extensions.

The platform’s build-up is only compatible with limited web extensions, most of which are from Chrome’s Web Store.

Most of the content available online is supported by advertisements and commercial sponsors. Brave has received concerns from many content creators regarding its ad-blocking features. They protested against Brave’s usage of ad-stripping features to access free online content.

TOR – Best Web Browser for Heavy Researchers

Tor is considered a private browser; one of the safest for accessing the dark web. Its robust security features offer stability and reliability for users exploring the Onion network safely. 

Learn about the Tor browser and its pros and cons through the following sections. 

Pros of Using Tor

Tor is the browser for anyone looking for unrestricted access to geo-blocked content on the web. It’s dubbed the “most secured browser,” offering the ultimate security package with the following features:

• Sandboxing 
• Tracker blockers
• 2-factor authentication
• Anti-fingerprinting methods

Tor’s traffic is also routed through the Tor network, keeping users anonymous. 

Source: Freedom Press

Tor Browser also has customizable Security Settings. It helps users choose the severity of their privacy. 

Source: Freedom Press

Besides the platform’s security features, Tor is easy to access and download. Users can donate, but the platform is free despite its robust security features. 

The Tor browser network runs with volunteers’ help worldwide, making it more stable and reliable from being taken down. Tor also operates with a de-centralized server, so it’s less prone to server crashes. 

Cons of Using Tor

Tor’s privacy comes at the expense of its speed and ease of access. While it’s ranked within the top 5 for most graphically capable browsers, Tor is among the slowest regarding browsing speed. 

Having to carry data across multiple layers of encryption means longer data transit, higher latency, and longer website loading time.

Tor is also unavailable for non-Android mobile devices and lacks compatible web extensions.

Overall, it’s good for maintaining privacy and anonymity online whenever doing risky research and avoiding censorship. However, it’s not the best for daily browsing.

Conclusion

Your web browser of choice will depend on your priorities and needed function. Web browsers carry your interactions and tasks to the Internet. Given that, it’s essential to research and weigh which one will serve your needs best.

Choosing the right browser according to your work and priorities can mean maximum efficiency, privacy, and in some cases—savings.

A wrong browser could mean losing time, money, and resources. Lack of data privacy measures can lead to data exposure and being a victim of cyber crimes if left unchecked.

FAQs

By Raj Vardhman

Raj Vardhman is a tech expert and the Chief Tech Strategist at TechJury.net, where he leads the research-driven analysis and testing of various technology products and services. Raj has extensive tech industry experience and contributed to various software, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence publications. With his insights and expertise in emerging technologies, Raj aims to help businesses and individuals make informed decisions regarding utilizing technology. When he's not working, he enjoys reading about the latest tech advancements and spending time with his family.