Comparing Popular Web Browsers

For the vast majority, the Windows platform makes Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) the first and default web browser we experience, and many of us recognise that IE will be the most compatible for applications they use, online and offline.

Yet, compatibility alone is a weak argument for sticking to IE, as there are rival web browsers that keep up with IE in this department whilst stronger in other areas.

IE 6 took some time to stabilise, but once it did, it had a fairly long shelf life with many avoiding IE 7, which transpired to have high profile security issues and other bugs. IE 8 ended up overcompensating on security, and users to this day continue to face problems with installation causing crashes (and Microsoft provides advice on how to rectify this), and a problematic security mechanism.

IE 9, although has been released, is still in development. It is however, thought to be very fast where previous IE version were extremely slow to render certain kinds of pages.

Mozilla’s Firefox has long since been IE’s strongest and most damaging rival, now at version 3.6.6, and the most popular alternative to IE. Not only is it more platform independent which IE is not, but Firefox has been getting it right from the start with privacy, compatibility, stability and speed. It does, however, get criticism for its less than intuitive user interface.

Firefox can still suffer from compatibility issues but plugins are constantly being developed, so it is hard to argue against even if you are a Windows user.

IE and Firefox are not the only ones on the market though, with Opera, Safari, Maxthon and the fast-developing Google Chrome all with their own strengths. There is of course Netscape’s Navigator for the nostalgic.

Maxthon and Safari are low-key but robust web browsers that have been around a long time. They are lightweight and have more user-friendly interfaces than Firefox if you are a new user to any of these browsers; however Maxthon is only compatible with Windows OS and Safari cannot be used on Linux/Unix.

Opera has been around for just as long, but have emerged as the leader in mobile browsing, with Opera Mobile far lighter, compatible and smooth to use than other mobile browsers offered. Its desktop version lags Firefox as a heavyweight rival to IE, but this depends on the web applications you may need to use.

Finally, we look at Google Chrome. Supported and developed by the giant that is Google, it has been catching up quickly to be a credible rival to IE and Firefox. However, the inexperience and application compatibility limitations cause Chrome to fall short, continually requiring installing plugins which are packaged with more established browsers.

 

Chrome, though, exploits Google’s strengths to give something different. While most major browsers have search engine facilities, google has incorporated its smart-suggestion auto-complete search engine into the address bar. The facility enables you to simply type in letters for your target website or search item, and it will suggest top google searches (and complete website URL), your latest searches matching what you are typing, and frequent websites stored in your latest history – all in lost that drops down from your address bar for you to select from.

 

Chrome is also fairly fast to load long pages with lots of content and frames. However, its shortcomings can be frustrating to both the experienced using intensive applications, and also the inexperienced that may not be able to appreciate how Chrome can crash or does not work with all applications. It does nonetheless have a good recovery mechanism if your browser crashes, letting you restore the pages that did not shut down naturally.

 

Most of these browsers are able to import and export (many can synchronise) your favourites between different web browsers, and most now support multiple tabs in a single browser window. The differences – being strengths and weaknesses – really do depend on the type of user.

 

For those with regular browsing and searching habits, chrome provides a simple, fast, easy to use, and innovative way to carry out basic browsing tasks. But for intensive applications, particularly interactive, flash, sophisticated multimedia and gaming, IE and Firefox lead the pack; while for security different browsers from the giants to low key cater different needs.

 

In all, it is perhaps best to keep a few different browsers on your computer for different purposes, which itself can offer a little extra security in unfortunate case your activity is somehow monitored and you are a victim of phishing.

 

A list of known web browsers available:

 

Internet Explorer

Firefox

Chrome

Safari

Opera

Netscape Navigator

Camino

SeaMonkey

iCab

K-Meleon

Amaya

Galeon

Maxthon Browser

Flock

Konqueror

Midori

uzbl

Voyager

Dillo Web Browser

Slim Browser

KidRocket

Iron Browser

GNU IceCat

PhaseOut web browser

OmniWeb

The Omni Group

Crazy Browser

ShenzBrowser

Swiftweasel

Shiira

Avant Browser

xB Browser

Sleipnir

space time

Browse3D

3B Room

Bitty Browser

Lobo Java Web Browser

Elinks Text WWW Browser

Epiphany

Grail

Ibrowse

Lynx