In his blog on Medium, a selection of browsers that can be used as alternatives to Google Chrome, Safari and Firefox.
Blisk Browser
Blisk Browser is built on top of Chromium and made especially for developers. It allows you to write code for mobile and desktop platforms at the same time and includes emulators for phones, tablets and various screen resolutions.
Tor Browser 6.0
Browser for anonymous surfing on the Internet. Traffic confidentiality is ensured through the use of a distributed network of servers - nodes.
Aloha Browser
The Product Hunt team describes Aloha Browser as a private and secure mobile browser with unlimited VPN. Like Tor Browser, Aloha Browser allows you to visit any site anonymously. For this, unlimited VPN access is used.
Vivaldi
The Product Hunt team describes Vivaldi as a browser with “endless features.” For example, the program allows you to take notes while browsing sites, has a built-in preview of pages in bookmarks, and simultaneous viewing of several pages.
Opera VPN for iOS
A mobile browser with a built-in ad blocker on sites, the ability to view pages anonymously, simulate visiting a site from anywhere in the world.
Min
"Smart" browser with a minimalistic design. Min allows you to perform actions directly in the address bar: for example, perform calculations, find the necessary text fragments from Wikipedia. The browser also has a built-in function to block ads on sites, "heavy" fonts and pictures.
Ghost Browser
The browser is built for developers, designers, testers and social media professionals. Ghost Browser allows you to quickly switch between different sessions on the same site, highlight tabs in different colors, and so on. Product Hunt users describe it as "Chrome on steroids".
The choice of a browser for working on the Internet is to a very large extent a matter of taste. Many users are ready to spend hours proving the advantages of their browser, but the offer is not very big. Everyone knows the "top" browsers - these are Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari. Even the most advanced users tend to prefer one of these developments.
We decided to find out what kind of injustice reigns in the virtual kingdom and whether there is at least some alternative to the giants of Internet surfing. About what browsers are and what are their features, and will be discussed in this review.
What to expect?
To begin with, let's figure out what a browser is in principle and what potential alternative web browsers can have.
As you know, the basis of browsers is the engine. The latter, in turn, is a program that converts the content of web pages into an interactive image that the user has to deal with. These engines can be either open source or closed source - this is at the discretion of the creators. If the engine is open source, programmers can use it to develop their own web browser. This is exactly what happened with Webkit (which served as the basis for Google Chrome), Gecko (Mozilla Firefox), and Trident (Internet Explorer). True, Trident is positioned as proprietary software. That is, to get access to it, you need to agree with the developers. But this did not affect the decrease in the number of Explorer twins. What's more, the Trident-based Avant browser manages to outperform its "big brother" with an improved interface and enhanced features. That's why we decided to make a selection of browsers that you may not have heard of, but which certainly deserve your attention.
For ease of understanding, we have groupedalternative Internet browsers, starting from the "most famous" representative of their technology.
Our choice
After studying the work of alternative web browsers, we have identified the best ones on each engine.
Based on Gecko (Mozilla Firefox), the most competitive will probably be Pale Moon. "Pale Moon" fills with colors the frantic speed with which he opens and loads sites.
The strongest branch from Trident (Internet Explorer) is Avant Browser. In recent versions, Avant includes the Trident, Gecko and Webkit engines at the same time, making it a versatile browser that takes the best from IE, Mozilla and Chrome.
Of all the WebKit-based browsers (Chrome), we liked the most CoolNovo. He captivates with his "understand" mouse gestures. And in general, this product is really "cool" - it is comfortable and pleasant to work with it. It not only has all the characteristics of Google Chrome, but also acquired such improvements as an uncompromising ad blocker, a built-in download manager and a privacy protection module.
We recognize that our preferences are deeply and purely subjective. From the variety of alternative browsers, you can choose a friend "to taste and color." Ready to experiment? Then go ahead!
Gecko based web browsers (Mozilla Firefox)
As you know, Mozilla Firefox uses the Gecko engine, which provides cross-platform and support for open Internet standards. In addition, it has a free distribution, so it is successfully used in various software products.
It is an optimized version of the browser for 64-bit systems - Windows 7 x64, Windows Vista x64, Windows 8 x64. This new browser is fast and not much different from Firefox in terms of functionality. But it's still worth trying this program for those who want to increase the performance of their 64-bit system.
Pale Moon- this browser version is available exclusively for Windows (XP, 2000, Vista, 7, 8 x32/x64). Basically, it's an accelerated and optimized version of Firefox. The developers tried to give the web browser not only the proper acceleration, but also made some adjustments to the user interface. We recommend this fast browser to all users who are eager to test their hardware and appreciate its capabilities.
seamonkey- this browser is based on the same project as Firefox, so they can rightly be considered "siblings". Their only difference is that SeaMonkey retained all the components that Firefox was deprived of in order to make the program as light as possible. Thus, SeaMonkey has become a program that is provided with a complete set of functions for working on the Internet. If you are a happy owner of Linux, MacOS or Windows operating systems and are ready to put up with low speed in exchange for additional program functions, then the SeaMonkey multifunctional "combine" is just for you.
Wyzo is a browser based on one of the Firefox branches. If you did not like the updates of the fourth version of the program, you should pay attention to Wyzo. By the way, this browser can offer built-in support for the BitTorrent protocol. In addition, it has an improved file uploader and full compatibility with Firefox extensions and themes. The conclusion from all this is the following - if you have a MacOS or Windows operating system and you are quite satisfied with Firefox of the 3.6 family, then the Wyzo browser is what you need.
Trident based web browsers (Internet Explorer)
Of all the existing browsers, Internet Explorer needs improvement the most. And although the latest versions of IE are distinguished by a stable and fast Trident page processing engine, the browser cannot boast of special functionality, and the introduction of new technologies, too. Therefore, IE-based products are of particular interest, as third-party developers have tried to fix the inherent flaws of the browser in this way.
Avant Browser- Internet Explorer wanted to become just as successful and multifunctional as a child. Why is our brother so good? Firstly, the browser is characterized by low resource consumption, built-in ad blocking and pop-ups. Secondly, it has a password manager, an RSS feed reader and many other features. And most importantly, the browser can use any of the three engines installed in it - Trident, Gecko and Webkit. The user is prompted to define one of them by default, and switch to others as needed (in case the specified engine cannot correctly display the contents of the web page). In addition, the user will have the opportunity to “bind” any engine to a specific site (switching will occur automatically). All in all, Avant Browser is one of the best IE compatible web browsers out there. Users who value good localization and regular updates should definitely try all the benefits of Avant Browser.
Lunascape- this browser is not only exotic, but also unique. Japanese developers have tried to give it a lot of useful features. The main thing that a web browser can boast of is the ability to use not only the Trident engine, but also WebKit and Gecko. Thus, the user can try the features of the most popular browsers in one interface. The possibilities of Lunascape are unique - from fixing a certain engine to display various sites, to changing the appearance with the help of skins and an advanced system of settings. The browser works exclusively on Windows OS. It will be a real discovery for users who love complex products that require deep learning. Lunascape is useful where there is a need to see the display of sites in different browsers.
SlimBrowser in appearance it strongly resembles IE 8, although it is regularly updated. But, unlike its counterpart, the program has a lot of popular features. This is a built-in translator, and automatic filling of web forms, an ad blocker, skin support, integration with Facebook, an advanced download manager and much more. By the way, this particular browser is one of the twelve recommended for users of the European Economic Area. However, it is difficult to call it an independent product. The developers consider it the best browser for Windows, but in fact, this is just a set of useful add-ons.
GreenBrowser - another twin of Internet Explorer. Unlike its older brother, this web browser has advanced features. Among them: URL aliases (instead of the address, you can enter the word of your choice), URL keys (hot key combinations for opening certain sites), high-speed clearing of history and cookies, an integrated download manager. In addition, the developers have introduced a handy "chip" in the form of a floating button with a capital letter "G". You can drag it to any corner of the desktop, and when you right-click, use one of the options like the download manager, save the last open page or close it. At the same time, the useful “G” point works even when the browser window is minimized to tray.
WebKit based web browsers (Google Chrome)
Popular browsers such as Google Chrome and Safari were created on the WebKit engine. The open source code allows you to use this engine in other projects. But in the spring of 2013, Google announced that it was moving to a new engine called Blink (starting with Chrome 28). Already in the summer of the same year, a stable version appeared. According to the developers, the modified Blink engine will remain open source, while it will be lightened by 8.8 million lines. Opera will also use it (already from the 14th version).
Chromium developed by the same company as Google Chrome. These browsers on a computer have a similar interface, work on the same engine, but still differ in a number of features. Unlike its brother, Chromium does not have an automatic update function, does not support Flash and some proprietary audio and video formats, and does not have a module for working with PDF. Nevertheless, the html5-enabled browser is ready to offer the user the latest experimental features that have not yet been implemented by developers in Google Chrome. Chromium is recommended for all owners of Linux, MacOS, Windows who want to be among the first to try out all the innovations and usefulness that will soon appear in Google Chrome.
Comodo Dragon- a browser that pays special attention to the security of its users. Privacy is Google's weak point. Therefore, many alternative new browsers, such as Comodo Dragon, have made privacy and security their main selling point. The program uses a connection through the SecureDNS server, which blocks malicious sites and uses an advanced anonymous surfing mechanism. The browser is recommended for those who care about improving their security and data privacy on the Internet.
RockMeIt- a godsend for those who like to hang out in social networks. Here you can chat with friends, receive updates in accounts, exchange information. The browser is distinguished by additional panels that display buttons for connected social services. The RockMeIt user profile is stored on the Facebook servers. Therefore, to get started, you need to log in to your account on this social network. The conclusion suggests itself - the RockMeIt browser must be tested by active participants in social networks, especially Facebook.
Important: In April 2013, the developers announced that they were stopping work on the project due to lagging behind the pace of Chromium development. This means that we will not see new versions of RockMeIt. But those who are interested in trying out this alternative can still download it.
CoolNovo is an improved version of Chrome with the addition of various useful features for comfortable work. This program was created by "our Chinese comrades", whom you don't feed with bread, let them improve something. Under their strict guidance, the browser learned to understand mouse gestures, received a convenient download manager, a built-in ad blocker, and many other features. In addition, the program ensures the protection of the user's personal information. Such Chinese utilities will be useful to users who want to get a "pumped" version of Google Chrome based on Linux, MacOS, Windows operating systems.
Maxthon- the elder among the programs presented in this review. Developed eight years ago, the browser managed to change the engine from Trident to WebKit and become very popular among users. Good equipment and many convenient features have made the browser so popular. Maxthon features allow you to customize the look with skins, block ads, control mouse gestures. In addition, the browser has a built-in notepad, RSS reader, download manager, automatic update service. But its main merit is that it has its own face, that is, it is an independent project. Maxthon is a great alternative to the favorite browsers, thanks to its convenience, speed and high functionality.
Amigo - developers from Mail. en Group called the social browser. This "friend-guide" is maximally integrated with the social networks My World, Vkontakte, Odnoklassniki, Facebook and Twitter . Lists of friends, news and music - all this is displayed in a special sidebar and does not require opening the sites directly. And of course, the browser is equipped with proprietary services - a search engine, mail and similar "features"from Rambler, like his "colleagues", implemented his services in Google Chrome, thereby providing users with a simple, fast and reliable web browser. For a quick search, the same address bar is used. The browser supports dynamic tabs, has incognito mode, and provides protection from program crashes and malicious sites.
Summarizing
In this review, we have tried to present browsers for the Internet that are the most worthy among alternative browsers. Of course, some of them are only able to perform certain highly specialized tasks. But others may well offer the user a wide range of unique features. Each of these web browsers will certainly find its user, who will choose for himself the best browser that has the necessary functions and capabilities.
Someone will be interested in the fastest Internet browser, someone will prefer convenience, and someone will choose the most versatile browser. Based on your needs, it's not difficult to determine which browser will best compete with the mainstream browsers. However, Avant Browser and Maxthon should be given special attention. They are significantly superior to their "colleagues" in the presence of a number of original solutions. And most importantly - they can act as an independent web browser. Anyone can download new browsers for free and enjoy all their benefits.
Every day we access the Internet through our web browsers, to which we have become very accustomed during this time. Windows OS users are probably more familiar with well-known browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, etc. In fact, there are many other browsers with a wide range of unique options.
There are browsers designed for gamers, as well as browsers for social networking enthusiasts. We'll cover 20 web browsers for Windows that you may not have known about before. By the way, they could make your life much easier.
Dooble is a new free multi-platform web browser launched in September 2009. Its goal is to provide its users with a high level of privacy and to offer them ease of use. The browser is currently available for Windows, OS X, Linux and FreeBSD. In addition to the basic set of options, Dooble has a built-in download wizard, and it also supports third-party plugins.
U is a free browser developed by Conduit. It is based on Chronium and features a user-centric design. U Browser will be especially relevant for those who like to use various social tools. With U, you can easily and easily connect with your online friends, access the apps you need, and even access your phone.
Coonwon is a browser based on Google Chrome encoding designed specifically for gamers. It has a number of options that are ideal for online gamers: automated tasks, joystick drivers, game speed control and much more.
BlackHawk is an easy-to-use web browser that harmoniously combines the speed of Chrome operations with the practical functionality of Firefox. Here you will find an exceptional approach to cookies.
Beamrise is the latest social media browser that combines chat and web browsing options. You can chat using the usual social networks, as well as make video calls in the browser itself. In addition, you will be pleasantly surprised by the wonderful animations, visual bookmarks and free texts based on Android.
NetGroove is a lightweight, fast tabbed browser powered by the Internet Explorer Engine. A distinctive feature of this browser is that you can use it directly from your flash drive without prior installation.
This is an Indian browser from Mozilla. It will provide you with the latest movies and songs, live cricket, news from various sources (regional and Hindi language sources). Among other things, no one will be able to track what you searched for and what pages you visited.
QT Web Browser is a portable, reliable, fast and lightweight web browser with a unique user interface. It is open source software based on the Nokia QT platform and Apple Webkit.
Browsezar's main focus is privacy: it does not save browsing history, cookies, passwords, cache, temporary files, etc. It is perfect for banking and cloud operations. All information is automatically deleted immediately after you have completed the work and closed the browser.
Wyzo is often referred to as The Media Browser because it optimizes online publishing. It increases download speed and allows users to download torrents with a single click. Wyzo is compatible with all popular Mozilla based browser addons.
It is fast, reliable and powerful browser. It is one of the best web browsers for Windows when it comes to saving time. Filling out forms is much easier and faster here than in other browsers. SlimBrowser has a built-in filter and the ability to remove pop-up ads out of sight.
The Avant Web Browser will please you with a pleasant and intuitive interface, as well as the absence of ads and malware. Avant is multi-processor and lightweight; it has a built-in download accelerator and video sniffer to find and download videos from the current web page. Avant's options range from incognito mode to a flash animation filter.
Superbird is a free and fast alternative to Google Chrome. The strongest point of this browser is speed, data privacy and stability. Lightweight Superbird is ready to offer its users an automatic update option and a wide range of plugins. The level of security of user data on Superbird has been improved by the fact that now no information is sent to Google or other third parties.
Comodo IceDragon is based on Firefox and is rich in various useful options. Particular attention should be paid to security on Comodo, as it scans web pages for malware. Comodo IceDragon is fully compatible with all Firefox plugins.
Free web browser that uses 3 popular rendering engines - Trident, Gecko, WebKit. Using a special button, you can switch from one mechanism to another. Lunascape is a great choice for web developers.
TORCH, like all the browsers on our list, is completely free. With it, you can search and share photos, videos, links with just one click, and download your favorite videos. Suitable for those who like to collect and store memorable events.
Midori is a fast, lightweight and free web browser that is designed primarily for users who pay special attention to the level of protection and security. The default browser allows you to search by , and also uses the interface GTK +2 and rendering engine webkit.
Maxthon is a cloud-based browser with a unique dual-core design that uses Trident and Webkit. The browser offers cloud services, modes for more comfortable reading and other useful options. Here you will find great options to keep your data safe, as well as the ability to capture the screen.
Yandex.Browser is a very simple and intuitive browser based on the Chromium technology platform. It loads pages quickly and provides plenty of space for web browsing. This browser also offers cloud browsing technology where privacy is maintained by Kaspersky Lab.
A multi-platform web browser based on the QtWebKit engine. The most successful options include: history and news feed, incognito mode, unified bookmarks library, integrated ad blocking, speed dial, cookie manager.
Despite its dominance in the browser market, Google Chrome itself is essentially a clone - a clone of the Chromium browser, aka the open source Chromium project. But since both the Chromium project and Google Chrome are the brainchild of Google, the second is more perceived as a kind of continuation of the first, more adapted to the type of product with a readiness out of the box. Any developer can use the Chromium platform for free to create their own browser. Chromium-based browsers in most cases have an internal organization similar to Google Chrome, settings, often support the installation of extensions from the Chrome store, but differ in interface design or some added functionality. Although there are such browsers that you can hardly guess about their involvement in the Chromium platform without knowing about this fact. But no matter how externally or even internally the Chrome clones differ, they all inherit from the Chromium platform its speed.
This article will focus on Chromium-based browsers. But we will not consider all of them, because there are a lot of them on the software market. Here is an overview of only dozens of browsers that support the Russian-language interface, working, in particular, in the Windows operating system and offered as part of live projects supported by developers. So, 10 interesting and not so Google Chrome clones.
Reviewers:
1. Vivaldi
The Opera browser, which has been exploiting the Chromium platform for several years now, will intentionally not be considered a Chrome clone due to the independent past of the Opera project. But the relatively new on the software market Norwegian browser Vivaldi based on Chromium, which its creators position as a modern continuation of the old Opera 12 (based on the Presto engine), will still receive the title of a clone, albeit rather peculiar. Thanks to the efforts of the developers (and these, by the way, are guys not only from Norway, but from all over the world), Vivaldi does not look like a typical Chrome clone: the browser has its own original design, a developed bookmarking system, and a flexible customizable interface. The Vivaldi browser has both ideas borrowed from Opera and completely new ideas, such as a web panel displaying mobile sites in a small sidebar or web page effects. Vivaldi allows you to install extensions from the Google Chrome store, import data from other browsers, but does not have its own bookmark and browser settings synchronization service, and does not allow you to do this using a Google account. Vivaldi, like Chrome, does not know how to work with several user profiles.
2. Yandex.Browser
Yandex.Browser should not be perceived only as a clone of Chrome, advertising the services of the first Runet search engine - Yandex. In fact, this is a convenient, philistine browser with its own characteristics. And the main feature is that the largest range of extensions exists not for Google Chrome, not for Mozilla Firefox, as many believe, but for Yandex Browser. After all, this browser is adapted for the work of extensions from both the Google Chrome store and the Opera store. Another feature of Yandex.Browser is its own service for synchronizing bookmarks and settings using a single account for Yandex services. But on the third feature - its own design design and the express panel of visual bookmarks (scoreboard) - the interestingness of Yandex.Browser, alas, ends.
3. Rambler.Browser
Rambler.Browser is a browser designed to popularize the services of another Russian search engine - as we see from the name, Rambler. This is the most clone of Chrome, and even with the idea borrowed from Yandex to promote the search engine by creating its own thematic browser. Rambler.Browser comes with the Rambler system as a default search engine, with built-in Rambler.Weather and Rambler.Mail extensions, and on the quick access panel and in the bookmarks from the start of the browser launch, we will see Rambler services and authoritative Russian Internet resources. The web browser works with extensions from the Chrome store, but does not support the synchronization of bookmarks and settings using a Google account, nor does it provide such through its own service. This is one of the uninteresting and unoriginal browsers.
4. Amigo
Amigo is a browser with integrated social media web apps that pop up in a mobile-friendly sidebar on the right. And Amigo was created to promote the web services of another large Russian company - Mail.Ru Group. The last of the services for which web applications built into the browser are provided are Mail.Ru mail, Odnoklassniki and Moi Mir social networks. Two other web applications are VKontakte and Twitter. Connected web apps in the sidebar on the right provide easy access to news feeds and personal social media communications, as well as constantly showing the user's online status until they deliberately enable offline mode. Amigo comes with its express visual bookmarking toolbar with changeable themes. The browser supports installing extensions from the Google Chrome store, but limits the user's choice of the default search engine. This can only be a Mail.Ru search. There is no synchronization of bookmarks and browser settings.
5. Orbitum
Orbitum is another Chromium-based browser with a thematic and functional focus on social networks from Russian developers from St. Petersburg. This browser, like the previous participant in the review, provides quick access to social networks in a mobile format on the sidebar on the right. Web applications of social networks VKontakte and Odnoklassniki are built into the browser. Facebook was also on the list earlier. By connecting the web applications of these two social networks, the user will get quick access to personal correspondence, and in the case of VKontakte, also access to the audio recording player. Another notable feature of Orbitum is the built-in torrent client, which will not only download the file from the torrent tracker, but also play the media content of the torrent distribution online. A simple express panel of visual bookmarks is preinstalled in the browser. Orbitum has its own bookmark and browser settings synchronization service.
6. Satellite
For the fifth consecutive domestic product based on the Chromium platform, the Russian browser Sputnik. Moreover, the product is not just domestic, but also state-owned, because the creator of the browser is a subsidiary of Rostelecom. The state resource, as we see, was not aimed at creating a unique software product. The Sputnik project was based on a long-established scheme: its own search engine, its own web services, its own Chromium browser, which has a couple of noteworthy features built into it. The browser has an interface with widgets of the Sputnik project web services, the search engine of the same name is installed by default. True, it can be changed in the settings to another. There is no synchronization of bookmarks and settings in the browser, and with the installation of extensions from the Chrome store, not everything is going smoothly. Optionally, extensions can be installed, as it were, but most of them simply will not pass the security check. And in order for such a check to be passed for each individual extension, you need to ask the Sputnik developers about this through the feedback form. Additional functionality is built into the browser. This is a tool for filtering search results in order to protect the user from dangerous sites, the so-called ad blocker - an ad blocker on web pages, as well as a children's mode for parents to control their children's web surfing.
Download link from the official site: comodo.com/home/browsers-toolbars/chromodo-private-internet-browser.php
Chromodo, also known as Comodo Chromium Secure Browser, is a Chromium-based browser from the American developer company Comodo, known in the software market for its computer protection products, in particular, antivirus and firewall. The new Chromodo has replaced another Chrome clone, the Comodo Dragon. Both browsers are built to complement Comodo's security software. And both of them carry the idea of offering a fast web browser to the user audience, but with security technologies that surpass those of the Chromium platform - with enhanced protection and a high level of privacy. Chromodo, compared to its predecessor Comodo Dragon, has received improved user data protection technology. In addition to the regular version that installs on a Windows system, Chromodo can be unpacked into a portable version. Chromodo doesn't have its own interface. Launching the browser, we will see the usual Google Chrome with four pre-installed extensions. Two of them are extensions for sharing content on social networks, and the third is a media file uploader. And only the fourth extension - Comodo Web Inspector - at least somehow touches on the issue of security. Comodo Web Inspector is a scanner that detects malicious codes on web pages and warns you about bad reputation sites. Chromodo supports installing extensions from the Chrome store and syncing browser data with your Google account.
8. Torch
Torch is a generic Chromium browser with media features and a built-in torrent client. A simple, nicely designed torrent client as part of a browser will allow you to download distributions on torrent trackers using their torrent files or magnet links without additional software installed on your computer. The browser has a built-in downloader of media files from various web resources, in particular from YouTube. On the toolbar, in addition to the buttons for the downloader and the torrent client, we also find buttons for quick access to Torch services - a web portal with flash games and a web music platform. In Torch, you can install extensions from the Chrome store and use the browser data synchronization service using your Google account.
Epic Privacy Browser is a Chromium browser from India, the main feature of which is the protection of user data. This browser does not store a cache, blocks third-party cookies, does not keep a history of visits, and deletes all data at the end of the session. Epic Privacy Browser has a built-in function to run an anonymous proxy server. And there is another tool - Umbrella Button, also designed, in particular, to support privacy. Umbrella Button can enable and disable plugins, encrypt data, block ads, and more. Epic Privacy Browser is not updated, does not support synchronization of bookmarks and browser settings, does not provide for the creation of multiple profiles, and only works with Epic's own search engine. The browser also does not allow you to install extensions from the Chrome store and other themes to replace the nondescript pre-installed one. You can only install extensions from a narrow list of extensions provided for Epic Privacy Browser, which include, for example, Evernote's web clipper and reading mode, Xmarks bookmark sync, LastPass and RoboForm password managers.
10. Sleipnir
Sleipnir is perhaps the most interesting Chromium browser, and not even from the dozens of Chrome clones discussed in this article, but from among all of them available on the software market. The Sleipnir browser from the Japanese developer Yasuyuki Kashiwagi, the founder of the Fenrir IT company, is even harder to call a Chrome clone than in the case of the first participant in the review, Vivaldi. Internally based on the Chromium platform, the external design of Sleipnir resembles the Safari browser, the menu organization is somewhat similar to that of the old versions of Mozilla Firefox, and the settings section is completely made in the style of the Linux OS.
More or less original in Sleipnir is a panel of active tabs with thumbnails of open web pages and the effect of rebuilding them on hover, as well as an express panel with visual bookmarks, which includes the possibility of grouping them thematically. The display of web addresses of sites (unconventional for Chrome and its clones) is placed in the upper right corner, a little lower in the form of a search bar is the omnibox.
Synchronization of Sleipnir bookmarks is carried out using Fenrir Pass's own cloud web service, which also offers content sharing on social networks and sending interesting web publications to the Pocket delayed reading service. The Sleipnir browser supports installing extensions from the Chrome store.
Have a great day!
05/01/2019 17:33
Each person has a unique taste, preferences, and requirements. If one thing gets to a hundred people for testing, then everyone will announce a different result. Some opinions will be similar, others will differ, and this is natural. In the field of software, everything is exactly the same. A browser is a program that a person uses to surf the Internet. We launch it every day, so it is important to choose a convenient browser that will meet all the requirements.
Using the browser, you can search for any information, listen to music, watch movies, and play your favorite games. Any rating will be controversial, but let's try to rank the best browsers. In the article, we will analyze the criteria for choosing a good browser for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10. We will study in detail the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. Based on our rating, you will be able to choose a good browser for yourself.
Google Chrome 1st place
This is the most popular browser of all that exist today. The program can be called the best and fastest on the Windows operating system. Its opening took place in 2008. Chrome was based on the popular Safari browser at the time, based on the WebKit engine. It was formally crossed with the V8 javascript engine. Subsequently, this hybrid was renamed Chromium. Such well-known companies as Google, Opera Software, as well as Yandex and several other major developers participated in further development. Google was the first to create its own version of the browser on Chromium. A year later, it was installed on 3.6% of computers worldwide. He began to quickly gain popularity, today he is the undisputed leader and occupies 42.21%. It is worth noting that most of them are smartphones in which the browser comes pre-installed.
Advantages:
- High speed. Chrome is significantly superior to competitors in terms of browser speed, as well as the processing of displayed resources. In addition, there is a handy page preloading feature, which further increases the speed of work.
- Safety. The company has implemented reliable technologies that ensure the safety of using the browser. They continue to develop actively. The browser has a database of phishing and malicious resources, which is regularly updated. The browser works according to a unique scheme in such a way that not a single process is involved, but several at once, but with lower privileges. Downloading files with resolution .bat, .exe or .dll requires additional confirmation, which reduces the chances of downloading a virus.
- There is an "Incognito" mode. This is a very convenient feature when you need to view a large number of sites, but at the same time leave no traces of their visit on your computer.
- Thoughtful interface. It is quite simple and contains everything you need, without unnecessary elements. Chrome is the first browser where the ability to quickly access appeared. On the panel you can see the most visited resources. Another feature is the sharing of the address bar and the search engine. Later, this feature was implemented in other browsers.
- Stable work. Recently, there have not been such cases when Google Chrome crashed or slowed down a lot. This can only happen if there are viruses in the system. In many ways, the security and stability of work is increased by using several processes that are separated from each other. If one of them stops its work, the rest continue to function.
- There is a task manager menu "Additional Tools". Almost no one knows about this chip. Thanks to a handy tool, you can track how many resources are occupied by an entire tab or a separate plugin. You can find and fix the source of the problem if the application starts to slow down.
- Large selection of extensions, many of which are free to download. There are also many plugins and themes. The browser can be configured depending on personal preferences, which is very convenient.
- It is possible to automatically translate pages. For this, Google Translate is used.
- The program is updated automatically without disturbing the user.
- Search queries can be specified by voice; for this, the service " OK Google».
- Starting with version 42.0, support for NPAPI plugins was stopped, including the rather popular Flash Player.
- The application requires at least 2 GB of RAM to run smoothly.
- Most of the extensions, as well as plugins, are made in a foreign language.
- A significant load on the hardware contributes to the short battery life of laptops and smartphones.
I do not like the fact that all user data is stored on American servers (most likely now the data is stored on Russian servers). It stores mail, personal contacts and search information. True, we should not exclude the possibility that other browsers do the same. You need to take precautions as much as possible, then you will have nothing to fear. If you do not want to disclose your own data, but still continue to use Chrome, then use SlimJet or SRWare Iron, we will talk about them below.
Yandex.Browser 2nd place
The browser has the shortest history, it was opened in 2012. It is very popular in Russia. The browser supports integration with Yandex services which are very convenient to use. The default search engine is Yandex. The interface turned out to be quite original, although it was created on the Chromium engine. The quick launch bar immediately catches your eye. It is made in tile style.
The user can place up to 20 tiles. The browser uses "Smart Line", which not only transfers the entered phrase to the search engine, but also automatically selects the required site if the name matches. Unfortunately, so far this function only works with large resources. Mouse manipulation is supported, with which you can control web browsing with simple movements.
Advantages:
Flaws:
- Not everyone will like the original interface.
- Binding to various Yandex. Without them, the program is deprived of many opportunities.
- Rarely, but still there are problems with transferring settings and history.
Mozilla Firefox 3rd place
Now Mozilla is the most popular foreign browser, and in Russia it ranks third. Over the past few years, he began to lose ground, but only slightly. The first version of the program appeared in 2004, since then there have been many changes. The application engine is Gecko - it is freely available and continues to be improved by developers. Formally, this is the first browser that had a huge database of extensions even before the advent of Chrome. He was among the first to implement the maximum privacy mode that Google invented.
Advantages:
- A simple and very user-friendly interface, in which there are no unnecessary details.
- A convenient settings system that allows you to radically change the browser, customizing it to your liking.
- A large number of various plugins. You can choose them for every taste, because at the moment there are more than 100,000 of them.
- Cross-platform. The browser can be downloaded for any operating system that is used on modern technology.
- Reliability. I got into such situations when the user caught a banner that blocked the work of all browsers, but Firefox continued to function.
- The maximum level of security and privacy of personal data.
- Comfortable bookmarks bar.
- The program may refuse to track information about you by various sites. You can set up private browsing. In addition, there is the Master Passwords feature, which additionally protects your records on certain resources.
- Updates happen in the background without the need for user intervention.
- Compared to Chrome, the interface slows down a bit and takes longer to respond to user manipulations.
- Performance is average;
- The lack of support for scripts on some resources, as a result of which the content may not function correctly.
- The application requires a large amount of RAM to run.
Opera 4th place
This is the oldest browser, which was opened back in 1994. I started using it about 15 years ago, and now I use it as needed. Until 2013, Opera had its own engine, but now Webkit + V8 is used. Exactly the same technology is used in Google Chrome. In 2010, the company opened a mobile version of the program. Now it is the fourth most popular browser in Russia, and it ranks sixth in the world.
Advantages:
- Excellent speed and page display. The features of the browser include the turbo mode, which significantly increases the speed of loading pages through the use of cloud technologies. At the same time, traffic is significantly saved, which is very important when using the mobile version.
- There is a convenient express panel with saved bookmarks. This is a modified Speed Dial tool that we saw in previous versions of the browser.
- Opera Link technology, which is needed to synchronize various devices.
- Lots of hotkeys for easy control.
- Internet browser Opera Unite.
- A large amount of RAM is required for efficient operation. If you open several tabs at the same time, then Opera will start to slow down. Even the reliable Chrome engine does not improve the situation.
- On many sites, incorrect work of scripts and various forms is observed. There are a lot of complaints when working with WML.
- Stability is not a strong point of the browser. The company could not get rid of periodic failures and freezes.
4. Own system of bookmarks, which was nicknamed "Piggy Bank". This is quite an interesting solution, but poorly implemented.
K-Meleon 5th place
This application has been developed since 2000. In fact, it is a relative of Mozilla Firefox, they use the same engine. You ask why he entered the rating, if they practically do not differ? The fact is that they have strong differences. For example, today K-Meleon is the lightest browser for the Windows system. Such results were achieved due to the peculiarities of its development. Initially, the program was only supposed to demonstrate the capabilities of the new engine. As a result, the company was able to achieve economical consumption of PC resources.
Advantages:
- Small requirements for PC resources, including a low amount of RAM.
- The use of the native Windows interface, which significantly saves time and resources spent on the interface.
- High speed.
- Good personalization options, and for this you do not need to use third-party extensions. Everything is set up with macros. It will be difficult for a beginner to master, but in your free time you can figure it out.
- There is a wide range of builds. You can choose an extension with the desired set of functions.
- You can create multiple profiles for different users.
- Pretty clumsy interface. If you compare it with the leaders of the Top 5, then this browser has too simple design.
- Rarely, there are problems with displaying the Cyrillic alphabet, but the situation has been fixed in the latest updates.
Internet Explorer
This is a free browser that is included with the integrated Windows software. Microsoft has been involved in development since 1995 and to this day. Therefore, the browser was one of the most popular in Russia, but then Chrome appeared. Now he has greatly lost his position and takes 5th place in popularity. The reason can be considered the completion of its development. Along with Windows 10 came the development of the company - Spartan.In its entire history of the browser, it has never been considered the best, everyone knew about the large number of vulnerabilities that various viruses used. For a very long time, it has been a vulnerable point of every computer running the Windows operating system. The situation changed for the better with the release of Internet Explorer 10, it is included in the Windows 8 package. All the holes were finalized in it and, subject to certain rules, the browser was considered safe.
Version 11 appeared along with the Windows 8.1 update, it is the latest in the line. In terms of speed, it can be compared with competitors, but still slightly inferior to them. Now there is a privacy mode, a preliminary rating, and caching is also supported, it allows you to increase the speed of the browser. Despite the successful innovations, the browser is only losing its position. In my work, I use Internet Explorer only to enter the web interface of my home router and other network equipment. There is a simple explanation for this, this is the browser developers use, so the markup is designed for it. To view Internet resources, it is better to use a different browser.
Now there are many browsers that we did not mention in our review. We have presented our selection of the best browsers, but everyone may have a different opinion. The review presents only those browsers that I had to deal with. They are completely free to download and use without any restrictions. The current version can be found on the official website. If you can suggest worthy browsers that should be in the Top 5, then indicate your options in the comments.
