Which is the best browser for 2021?
Whether it is for work or play, the right web browser makes all the difference. In this blog, we asked the experts: which is the best browser in 2021?
You’re reading this in a web browser. In fact, almost three-quarters of the time that we spend on our computers, are spent in a browser environment, whether we are working or playing. It’s probably the most important application that we use, but how much thought have you given to your choice of browser? In our experience, many people are happy to just use the browser that comes pre-installed with their operating system or the one that they’ve been loyal to for years.
With most users hoping to improve speed and security, we’re are covering the best browser in 2021.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome holds the title of the world’s favourite web browser, partly thanks to its strong integration with our favourite search engine, Google. Why do we love it?
- Cross-platform
- Incredibly stable
- Brilliantly presented to take up the minimum of screen space
These all contribute to a very enjoyable browsing experience. Developers love Google Chrome as well, as its developer tools are second to none. This has lead to some invaluable plugins, including Evernote Web Clipper, The Great Suspender and Pushbullet.
But even Chrome has its downsides. It’s a RAM-hungry beast and doesn’t perform as well on older and slower machines. Additionally, since it is Google, some users may not be 100% comfortable with how their browsing data is being used (or misused).
Safari
Safari is the default browser for iOS and Mac and it is considered a strong choice when it comes to browser selection. However, its interface has some non-standard elements on both mobile and desktop. This browser was the first with a reading mode. Essentially, it cleared unnecessary clutter such as ads that you didn’t want to see. Every other browser since then has implemented this feature, except for Google Chrome. It also has added fingerprinting protection which prevents web trackers from identifying you from your system specs.
Other benefits include the ability to sign in with the Apple feature, to replace Google and Facebook web authorisers. Safari integration makes a lot of sense if using iPhone or Mac, due to the Apple handoff feature, letting you continue your browser session between devices. However, there are a couple of downsides with Safari. Some would include having a small library of browser extensions, compared to its competitors.
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox recently went through its biggest update, addressing many of the issues that had caused it to slip down the rankings in recent years. It’s long been known for its flexibility and support for extensions. However, in recent years it had started to lag behind the competition in terms of speed, with many users deflecting to Chrome in frustration. The latest release competes favourably in speed tests, while the browser is streamlined and clearly takes influence from the popular Google browser.
As Mozilla is a non-profit organisation, so far less likely to sell your data than more unscrupulous organisations. They haven’t been complacent with their success either, making regular updates to help protect their users’ privacy. Internet companies come under increasing scrutiny over the way they treat people’s data. Recent additions include support for password-free logins and automatic blocking of ad trackers. New versions of their browser are frequently made available through their Test Pilot programme, which allows you to be amongst the first to explore their latest innovations.
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft was once the king of web browsing, with their now obsolete Internet Explorer browser achieving up to 95% market share in 2003. Mostly thanks to it being pre-installed on all new Windows machines. It experienced a revival last year when Microsoft partnered with Google to release a new version of Edge based on the Chromium engine.
Microsoft is a long-standing master of the user experience and has brought its decades of experience in developing operating systems into the development of their latest browser, such as smooth scrolling and faster browsing on older systems. The new incarnation of Microsoft Edge isn’t just for PC users either, as it also supports Android, iOS and macOS.
So which is the best browser 2021?
Well, it’s not as simple as choosing just one. All of the browsers that we’ve outlined here have advantages for different markets. Firefox’s recent regeneration definitely deserves a second look. However, with Chrome being the worlds favourite web browser, its incredible stability and overall very enjoyable browsing experience, it would be our first pick out of the bunch.
Having trouble negotiating the world of web browsers? Speak to our experts and they’ll help you find the right browser for you.
