What browsers are there for the computer: ranking of the best and worst. Which browser is better: comparison of web browsers running on desktop and mobile devices What browsers exist for Windows

Good day, friends! Sorry that there have been no updates on the blog for a long time, I promise to improve and delight you with articles more often. Today I have prepared for you ranking of the best browsers of 2018 for Windows 10. I use this operating system, so I will focus on it, but there will not be much difference for users of previous versions of Windows.

On the eve of last year I did. Now the situation has changed a little, which I will tell you about in this article. I will be glad to see your comments and remarks. Go!

Best browsers 2018: ranking for Windows

I don't think it will come as a surprise to anyone if I say that more than 90% of the population uses the Windows operating system on their computers. The most popular version remains, which is understandable due to the huge list of advantages (but more on that in another article). I literally switched to it a couple of months ago and therefore this article will be especially relevant for Tens users.

1st place - Google Chrome

Google Chrome is once again the leader among browsers. It is quite powerful and efficient, just ideal for owners of modern computers. According to open LiveInternet statistics, you can see that almost 56% of users prefer Chrome. And the number of his fans is growing every month:

Share of Google Chrome usage among users

I don't know what you think, but I think almost 108 million visitors can't be wrong! Now let’s look at the advantages of Chrome and reveal the secret of its truly wild popularity.

Tip: always download programs only from the manufacturer’s official website!

Advantages of Google Chrome

• Speed. This is perhaps the main reason why users give their preference to it. I found an interesting speed test of different browsers. Well done guys, they did quite a lot of work, but the results are quite expected: Google Chrome is the leader in speed among its competitors. In addition, Chrome has the ability to preload the page, thereby making the work speed even faster.
• Convenience. The interface is thought out to the smallest detail. There is nothing superfluous, the principle is implemented: “open and work”. Chrome was one of the first to implement shortcut functionality. The address bar works in conjunction with the search engine selected in the settings, which saves the user a few more seconds.
• Stability. In my memory, only a couple of times Chrome stopped working and reported a failure, and even then the cause was viruses on the computer. This reliability of operation is ensured by the separation of processes: if one of them is stopped, the others are still running.
• Safety. Google Chome has its own regularly updated database of malicious resources, and the browser also requires additional confirmation to download executable files.
• Incognito mode. This is especially true for those who do not want to leave traces of visiting certain sites, and have no time to clear their history and cookies.
• Task Manager. A very convenient feature that I use regularly. It can be found in the More Tools menu. Using such a tool, you can track which tab or extension requires a lot of resources and complete the process to get rid of the “brakes”.

• Extensions. There are a huge number of different free plugins, extensions and themes for Google Chrome. Accordingly, you can literally make your own browser assembly that will meet exactly your needs. A list of available extensions can be found at this link.

• Built-in page translator. An extremely useful function for those who like to surf the Internet in a foreign language, but do not know foreign languages ​​at all. Translation of pages is carried out automatically using Google Translator.
• Regular updates. Google carefully monitors the quality of its products, so the browser updates automatically and you won’t even notice it (unlike updates in Firefox, for example).
• Okay Google. Google Chrome has a voice search feature.
• Synchronization. Let’s say you decide to reinstall Windows or buy a new computer, but you’ve already forgotten half of your passwords. Google Chrome gives you the opportunity to not think about it at all: when you sign in, all your settings and passwords will be imported to your new device.
• Ad blocking. I wrote a separate article about this.

Disadvantages of Google Chrome

But everything can’t be so rosy and wonderful, you ask? Of course, there is also a “fly in the ointment”. The main disadvantage of Google Chrome can be called it "weight". If you have an old computer with very modest performance resources, it is better to stop using Chrome and consider other browser options. The minimum amount of RAM for Chrome to work correctly should be 2 GB. There are other negative features of this browser, but the average user is unlikely to be interested in them.

2nd place - Opera

One of the oldest browsers, which has recently begun to revive. The heyday of its popularity was in times of limited and slow Internet (remember Opera Mini on Simbian devices?). But even now Opera has its own “trick” that none of its competitors have. But we will talk about this below.

Advantages of Opera

• Speed. There is a magical function of Opera Turbo that can significantly increase the loading speed of sites. In addition, Opera is perfectly optimized for working on slow computers with weak technical characteristics, thus becoming an excellent alternative to Google Chrome.
• Saving. Very relevant for Internet owners with restrictions on traffic volume. Opera not only increases page loading speed, but also significantly reduces the amount of traffic received and transmitted.
• Information content. Opera may warn you that the site you want to visit is unsafe. Various icons will help you understand what is happening and what the browser is currently using:

• Express bookmarks bar. Not an innovation, of course, but still a very convenient feature of this browser. There are also hot keys for instant access to browser control directly from the keyboard.
• Built-in ad blocking. In other browsers, blocking endless ad blocks and intrusive pop-ups is implemented using third-party plugins. Opera developers took this into account and built ad blocking into the browser itself. At the same time, the speed of work increases by 3 times! If necessary, this feature can be disabled in the settings.
• Power Saving Mode. Opera allows you to save up to 50% of the battery power of your tablet or laptop.

• Built-in VPN . In the era of the Yarovaya Law and the heyday of Roskomnadzor, there is nothing better than a browser with a free built-in VPN server. With its help, you can easily access prohibited sites, or you can watch films that are blocked in your country at the request of the copyright holder. It is because of this incredibly useful feature that I use Opera all the time.
• Extensions. Like Google Chrome, Opera boasts a large number (more than 1000+) of different extensions and themes.

Disadvantages of Opera

• Safety. According to the results of some tests and studies, the Opera browser is not safe; it often does not see a potentially dangerous site and does not save you from scammers. Therefore, you use it at your own risk.
• May not work on older computers, high system requirements.

3rd place - Mozilla Firefox

A rather strange, but still popular choice for many users is the Mozilla Firefox browser (known as “Fox”). In Russia, it is in third place in popularity among PC browsers. I won’t judge anyone’s choice; I myself used it for quite a long time until I switched to Google Chrome.

Any product has its fans and haters, Firefox is no exception. Objectively, it certainly has its merits, I will consider them in more detail.

Advantages of Mozilla Firefox

• Speed. Quite a controversial indicator for Fox. This browser is quite fast until you install a few plugins. After this, your desire to use Firefox will disappear for a certain period of time.
• Side panel. Many fans note that the sidebar (quick access Ctrl+B) is an incredibly convenient thing. Almost instant access to bookmarks with the ability to edit them.
• Fine tuning. The ability to make the browser absolutely unique, to “tailor” it to your needs. Access them through about:config in the address bar.
• Extensions. A huge number of different plugins and add-ons. But, as I already wrote above, the more of them are installed, the more the browser slows down.

Firefox Disadvantages

• Tor-mo-za . This is exactly why a huge number of users abandoned using Fox and preferred any other browser (most often Google Chrome). It slows down terribly, to the point where I had to wait for a new empty tab to open.

4th place - Yandex.Browser

A fairly young and modern browser from the Russian search engine Yandex. In February 2017, this browser for PC took second place in popularity after Chrome. Personally, I use it very rarely; it’s difficult for me to trust a program that is trying to deceive me at any cost and almost force me to install itself on my computer. Plus, sometimes it replaces other browsers when downloading from non-official sites.

Nevertheless, this is a completely worthy product, trusted by 8% of users (according to LiveInternet statistics). And according to Wikipedia - 21% of users. Let's look at the main advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Yandex.Browser

• Close integration with other Yandex products. If you regularly use Yandex.Mail or, then Yandex.Browser will be a real godsend for you. You will essentially get a complete analogue of Google Chrome, only ideally tailored for another search engine - the Russian Yandex.
• Turbo mode. Like many other Russian developers, Yandex likes to sneak ideas from its competitors. I wrote about the magical function of Opera Turbo above, it’s essentially the same here, I won’t repeat it.
• Yandex.Zen. Your personal recommendations: various articles, news, reviews, videos and much more right on the start page. We opened a new tab and... woke up 2 hours later :) In principle, the same thing is available with the Visual Bookmarks extension from Yandex for other browsers.

• Synchronization. There is nothing surprising about this function - when you reinstall Windows, all your settings and bookmarks will be saved in the browser.
• Smart line. A really useful tool is answering questions directly in the search bar, without having to go to the search results and search on other pages.

• Safety. Yandex has its own technology - Protect, which warns the user about visiting a potentially dangerous resource. Protect includes several independent protection modes against various network threats: encryption of data transmitted over WiFi, password protection and anti-virus technologies.
• Customizing the appearance. Choose from a huge number of ready-made backgrounds or the ability to upload your own picture.
• Quick Mouse Gestures. Managing the browser has become even easier: just hold down the right mouse button and perform a specific action to obtain the desired operation:

• Yandex.Tableau. It is also a very convenient tool - on the start page there will be 20 bookmarks of the sites you most visit. The tile panel for these sites can be customized as you wish.

As you can see, this is a truly complete modern tool for browsing web pages. I think that its share in the browser market will constantly grow, and the product itself will continue to develop.

Disadvantages of Yandex Browser

• Obsessiveness. No matter what program I try to install, no matter what service I access, there it is: Yandex.Browser. He follows right on his heels and whines: “Set me up.” Constantly wants to change the start page. And he wants a lot more. He looks like my wife :) At some point it starts to infuriate.
• Speed. Many users complain about the speed of opening new tabs, which even eclipses the infamous glory of Mozilla Firefox. This is especially true for weak computers.
• No flexible settings. Unlike Google Chrome or Opera, Yandex.Browser does not have wide adaptation capabilities to suit your own individual needs.

5th place - Microsoft Edge

The youngest modern browser, was launched by Microsoft in March 2015. This browser replaced Internet Explorer, which was hated by many (which is quite strange, since according to statistics, IE is the safest browser!). I started using Edge from the moment I installed Ten, that is, quite recently, but I already had my own idea about it.

Microsoft Edge has rapidly burst into the browser market and its share is growing every day

Advantages of Microsoft Edge

• Full integration with Windows 10. This is perhaps Edge's strongest trait. It runs as a full-fledged application and uses all the capabilities of the most modern operating system.
• Safety. Edge has taken over from its “big brother” IE the strongest features, including safe web surfing.
• Speed. In terms of speed, I can put it in third place after Google Chrome and Opera, but its performance is still very good. The browser is not annoying, pages open quickly and load in a couple of seconds.
• Reading mode. I most often use this function on mobile devices, but perhaps someone will find it useful in the PC version.
• Cortana voice assistant. To be honest, I haven’t used it yet, but rumor has it that it’s significantly inferior to “Okay Google” and Siri.
• Notes. Microsoft Edge includes handwriting and note-taking functionality. Interesting thing, I must tell you. Here's what it looks like in reality:

Create a note in Microsoft Edge. Step 1.

Create a note in Microsoft Edge. Step 2.

Disadvantages of Microsoft Edge

• Windows 10 only. This browser is available only to owners of the latest version of the Windows operating system - “tens”.
• Sometimes it's dull. For me it happens like this: you enter the page URL (or make a transition), a tab opens and the user sees a white screen until the page is completely loaded. Personally, this bothers me.
• Incorrect display. The browser is quite new and some old sites “float” in it.
• Poor context menu. It looks like this:

• Lack of personalization. Unlike other browsers, Edge will be difficult to customize for specific needs and tasks.

What browser do you use? I'm waiting for your options in the comments. If you have any questions, ask, I will answer as best I can!

Choosing a browser is simple: just download any of the most popular ones and, sooner or later, you will definitely get used to it. But in order for the process of learning and further use to be as comfortable as possible, you must know what to look for and count on. Here is a list of the most famous free browsers for Windows 7/8/10. Downloading them and trying them yourself is the best option, but don’t be lazy to read the entire text and save time.

Google Chrome - the forefront of web technologies

Google Chrome is the most popular browser today, installed on almost every computer. At first, Chrome gained popularity for its speed and flexibility in settings, including through the installation of browser extensions. Now this is not the fastest browser, but the most functional with support for all innovations in web technologies. A truly huge library of add-ons allows you to get any functionality.

Chrome has the Chromium engine under its hood, which has become the standard for modern browsers. Most popular browsers are made using the Chromium engine. The engine is responsible for rendering the code of pages and scripts -> into a visible page on the monitor screen.

Browser advantages:

• All kinds of extensions that can replace standard programs
• Failure control allows you to keep your browser working even if there is an error in one of the open windows
• Warning the user about visiting malicious sites
• Import settings from any browser
• Multilingual interface
• Automatic updates
• There is a developer toolbar
• with a Google account
• The built-in task manager allows you to assess which tabs are consuming a lot of processor and memory resources

• Bookmarks are not very convenient, there are no built-in visual bookmarks, but there are
• Works poorly with many open tabs, and eats up a lot of memory, but frees it up the fastest after closing them.

Currently, Google Chrome is considered the best browser for Windows 7 and Windows 8/10. But to each his own. For example, I don’t like the uninformative download manager when opening many tabs. True, there is an extension called The Great Suspender, which, after a specified time, frees memory from unused tabs. But Chrome doesn’t close them, and to see these pages again, you just need to refresh them.

Chrome launches the fastest in Windows 7, but in Windows 7 and 10 things are bad - the loading time increases up to two times!

Opera is the best choice

There is perhaps no browser that is clearer, more understandable and easier to learn for a beginner than Opera. Although Opera now runs on the Chromium engine, it has everything you need for surfing without installing additional extensions.

I used to use Opera because of its convenient visual bookmarks (tiles with the most necessary sites on an empty tab) and the file download manager. Here it is done very conveniently and clearly. Opera is the best browser for working with many open tabs, and in general. You can keep several dozen sites open, and this will not particularly affect the speed of work.

Particularly useful in today's realities, built-in and unlimited traffic. And plus there is a “Turbo” function for compressing transmitted data for . But here you need to experiment. Sometimes, on a slow connection, the opposite effect occurs - the speed decreases even more.

A browser is an application required for any digital device with Internet access. Its importance is so great that some devices, such as ChromeBooks, run on an operating system that is 99% browser-based.

It plays no less a role on regular PCs, because the choice of application will determine how comfortable you will feel online. This review includes 12 time-tested web browsing apps that you can install on your home computer or laptop.

Google Chrome - The Best of the Best

Google Chrome

Chrome is the most common browser from Google. Evolving since 2008, it not only became the choice of Windows users, but also popularized the WebKit engine, which powers the vast majority of modern browsers.

Promoted as the “fastest browser,” Chrome truly deservedly held this title for a long time, but other programs did not stand still and today this application is gradually losing popularity due to its “gluttony.” Poor organization of work with RAM makes its use uncomfortable on a PC with 4 gigabytes or less of RAM. The developer is trying to turn the situation around, but with varying degrees of success.

The browser supports working with multiple profiles, so several people can work on one PC, each of whom will have their own settings, remembered passwords, theme, etc. A significant advantage is the store of extensions, the number of which exceeds those of competitors.

• Functionality
• Large selection of extensions
• Google Services

Mozilla Firefox - Best Alternative

Mozilla Firefox

The only full-fledged Chrome competitor using its own Gecko engine. The history of this browser began in 1998, when part of Netscape's code was open-sourced to third-party developers. For some time, the Mozilla browser (known today as SeaMonkey) was developed based on the source code, and in 2003 the Phoenix project separated from it, which then became Firebird and, in February 2004, Mozilla Firefox.

The share of this browser began to decline with the advent of Chrome, but has been gradually regaining its position over the past few years. Having the same capabilities as the Google application, Firefox is more careful with RAM and does not suffer from performance drawdowns, working at the same speed under any load.

The browser supports all modern web technologies, there is a store offering extensions and themes. Recently, support for WebExtensions has appeared, with which you can quickly transfer any extension from Chrome. Like its competitor from Google, the program has cloud storage for bookmarks, passwords and user settings.

PROS:

• Functionality
• Large selection of extensions

VIDEO: Setting up anonymity in the Mozilla Firefox browser

Setting up anonymity in the Mozilla Firefox browser

TOP 12 Best browsers for the Windows 7/10 operating system | Review 2019

Microsoft Edge - Optimal for Windows 10

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft's underrated browser comes with Windows 10. Introduced in 2015, it replaced Internet Explorer, which many users used only once - to download another browser. Along with the browser, the manufacturer introduced a new engine - EdgeHTML, which is characterized by high performance and resource efficiency, however, at the end of 2018, the developer announced that in future versions the proprietary engine will have to be abandoned in favor of Chromium - how this will affect the operation of the application is still difficult to say .

Edge has built-in ad blocking capabilities and the ability to quickly share links and notes on social networks. There is an application store, but their number does not exceed several hundred.

The browser is interesting to those who are not burdened with attachment to its competitors and do not have a large amount of information in the cloud storage of other applications. Highly recommended for use on weak PCs and tablets running Windows 10.

PROS:

• High integration with Windows 10
• Performance

VIDEO: Review of the Edge browser on Chromium

Edge browser review on Chromium

TOP 12 Best browsers for the Windows 7/10 operating system | Review 2019

Opera - Built-in VPN

Opera has long been a popular browser in the CIS countries, but since 2010 it began to rapidly lose ground. Some users switched to the increasingly popular Chrome, while others left after the native Presto engine was replaced by Blink (a version of WebKit) in 2013. From that moment on, Opera began to come as close as possible to Google Chrome, differing from it only in the icon, name and several additional functions.

The browser has its own cloud storage for profiles, containing passwords, form data, bookmarks and other user information. There is a separate application store, but you can also use Chrome WebStore - due to the same engines, browser extensions are fully compatible.

The second wave of popularity came to Opera after it added a built-in VPN function that allows you to bypass blocks and hide your IP address from servers. Many users also use Opera Turbo, a traffic compression technology designed to speed up page loading, but the latter does not work very stably, often slowing down loading rather than speeding it up.

PROS:

• Functionality
• Built-in VPN
• Large selection of extensions

VIDEO: 8 features of the Opera browser that make it worth starting to use it

8 features of the Opera browser that make it worth starting to use it.

TOP 12 Best browsers for the Windows 7/10 operating system | Review 2019

Chromium - Open Source Alternative

Chromium

This browser is an open version of Google Chrome, which is based on Chromium. All the features present in Google's solution are here, with the exception of a few differences related to copyright issues.

The browser is demanding on RAM and behaves poorly on PCs equipped with 4 GB or less of RAM. Built-in support for profiles using Google services (since this company is one of the leading developers), an extension store is available (Chrome WebStore).

PROS:

• Functionality
• Large selection of extensions

Vivaldi - Highly customizable browser

If you take the leading developers of Opera, force them to abandon their own product and give away the source code for the Chromium browser, you get Vivaldi. This characteristic not only describes the essence of the browser, but also tells its history, which began in 2011, when John Stephenson von Tetzchner (founder of Opera Software) left the company, not agreeing on a number of issues with the board of directors.

The browser was created to recreate the capabilities of older versions of Opera (up to 12 inclusive) on the Blink engine. The resulting product is able to perceive mouse gestures, quickly manage the page loading process, and also perform other actions that were “proprietary” for Opera Presto.

Otherwise, it is the same Chromium, with characteristic demands on RAM, a system of extensions, as well as cloud profile storage (from Vivaldi Technologies).

• Functionality
• Continuing the traditions of Opera Presto
• Large selection of extensions

Torch Browser - Optimal for downloading torrents

Torch Browser

If this browser had appeared 15 years ago, it would be a leader today. The main difference between this application and its competitors is its focus on downloading information. Torch can download regular files, torrents, as well as streaming audio and video. For this, the program does not require external plugins or extensions - all functions are available immediately after installation.

Downloading regular files occurs in several threads, as was common in the days of Download Master, ReGet, FlashGet and analogues. This allows you to increase the maximum download speed up to the possible limit of your tariff plan. The application has a built-in Torrent client with a built-in search system for the necessary files. The browser can also download online video and audio from sites such as Vine, Instagram, Youtube and others. In all cases, viewing/playback becomes available at the start of downloading - there is no need to wait for the download to complete.

Otherwise, it is a browser based on Chromium and has all the functions of its progenitor.

• Functionality
• Built-in torrent and media download functions
• Large selection of extensions

Maxthon - Cloud Browser

In 2002, PC users no longer liked Internet Explorer, but continued to use it. Then Maxthon appeared - a browser that used the Trident engine, but supplemented it with features that IE lacked - an extension system, quick control over page loading, and tabs. Over the past 17 years, new functions have been added to these functions, but the primary reason for their popularity is precisely those facts that are indicated here.

Maxthon is a Chinese-made browser, but has localizations in all languages ​​of the world. Since 2010, in addition to Trident, the WebKit engine has become available, which users can connect at any time. By the fifth version, which is current, the application added cloud functions, night mode, mouse gestures, an ad blocker and other features.

The main audience of the browser is users who got used to it in the first years of its existence. For new users it is of little interest, since it does not have any clear advantages over Chromium or Vivaldi.

• Functionality
• Large selection of extensions

Yandex.Browser - Russian alternative to Chrome

Yandex browser

The Russian search engine often tries to repeat the steps of its Western counterpart, or even get ahead of it. Since there is Google Chrome, there must be Yandex.Browser. The application appeared in 2012 and took “a little bit of everything” from each of the country’s popular browsers.

Engine – Blink. It is also used in Chromium and Chrome. This allows you to quickly include support for new technologies in the application and gives access to the extension store (the Opera store is offered by default, but you can install plugins from the Chrome WebStore).

From other browsers, the Yandex application borrowed mouse gestures (like Vivaldi), turbo mode (like Opera), and a built-in translator (like Chrome). There are also personal developments - Yandex.Advisor, which analyzes prices in online stores, a “smart line”, and more recently, Alice – the company’s voice assistant.

• Functionality
• Built-in Yandex services
• Large selection of extensions

VIDEO: New Yandex Browser: Dark theme and new tabs!

New Yandex Browser: Dark theme and new tabs!

TOP 12 Best browsers for the Windows 7/10 operating system | Review 2019

UC Browser - Fast browser made in China

UC Browser

Like Maxthon, this browser is developed in China and uses the system browser engine. In the case of Windows 10, this is EdgeHTML. This approach allows for maximum integration of the application into the OS and ensures high performance and low resource requirements. At the same time, the browser complements the capabilities of Edge with a number of additional functions.

UC Browser has a built-in download manager that can resume downloads when the browser is restarted, as well as organize downloaded files so that they do not become a “dump”. Added voice search functionality, native cloud storage for settings, and improved support for web applications.

For those who continue to understand the Internet and what is connected with it, today we will talk about what a browser is, what it is needed for, and also conduct a small analysis of the most popular Internet browsers today.

What is a browser and what functions does it perform?

A browser (WEB browser) is a program that allows you to view Internet sites on computer devices and gadgets. The essence of the browser is to process the user's request and load the site he requested. Now let's briefly look at what functions the browser performs.

As mentioned above, the main function of the browser is to open web pages of sites. The web pages themselves consist of code, which the browser actually receives from the server on which the site is located. The browser processes this code, and you see the “finished picture” on your monitor. In order to see what the site actually is, right-click, for example, somewhere in the side part of the site and select the item in the context menu that appears “View source code” (or “Page source code”, or something like that). similar). The correct source code is very important for the browser, since the adequate display of site pages and the performance of its functions depends on it.

Browsers allow you to save your passwords from sites so that each time you access your account on a particular resource, you do not have to re-enter your username and password. All browsers also save the history of your visits to various sites, so that if necessary, you can find the site you previously visited. Well, the last thing worth noting from the main functionality of the browser is the ability to store sites in bookmarks for memorizing them and quick access.

In addition to opening the web pages themselves, browsers allow you to download files from sites, that is, the browser downloads them. These can be programs, games, music and other files.

Modern browsers overwhelmingly support various add-ons. These add-ons may include: extensions of browser functions, informers from various resources, as well as add-ons in the form of visual themes for the browser itself. Let's look at them in more detail:

• Extensions. Vivid examples of browser extensions are extensions from antivirus programs: anti-banner and link checking module, which protect users from intrusive advertising and also check dangerous links and sites.


• Informers. Informers are also made in the form of extensions. As the name implies, “informers” inform. The most popular informers are weather informers, informers about the arrival of new mail, messages, etc.


• Visual themes. Visual themes allow you to change the design of the browser: tabs, buttons, background images and other elements.

It is worth noting that you can install an unlimited number of browsers on your computer, and one of them must be the main one - the default browser. The default browser is the browser that is installed as the main one in the operating system; all links and services that you go to from other programs will be opened through it.

Now let's look at the most popular browsers today.

What browsers are there?

It is very difficult to count the total number of browsers today. Below we want to look at the top five browsers that most Internet users use.

Internet Explorer browser

Internet Explorer is the standard browser that comes with the Windows operating system. That is, you will immediately be able to access the Internet through Internet Explorer. We named Internet Explorer first not because it is the most popular or the best, but because initially everyone uses it, at least to download another browser. Yes, by the way, there is a joke on many Internet computer resources: “Internet Explorer is the program with which you can download a good browser.”

Yes, there is some truth in every joke, and as you understand, this joke appeared for a reason. The fact is that Internet Explorer (IE) in our opinion is not the best browser option. Firstly, it is very slow and its slowness lies not only in the operation of the program itself, but also in opening pages. Secondly, IE opens the web pages themselves incorrectly, as they say in common parlance - “crookedly”. In addition, Internet Explorer is a very dysfunctional browser, and most importantly, its updated versions do not carry anything radically new and do not even have a hint of it. IE does not have extension integration support and does not support visual themes, which makes it quite marginal today.

The Internet Explorer browser is used mainly by beginners who do not know, do not understand, or do not really delve into the concept of what a browser is and what other browsers there are besides IE. In most cases, those users who have tried other browsers never use Internet Explorer again, which is why we recommend installing another, or rather a good browser.

Internet Explorer does not require installation as it is integrated into the Windows operating system.

Google Chrome browser

The most popular browser in the territory of the former USSR is a browser called “Google Chrome” (Russian). Chrome is a browser from Google that is not only a popular browser, but also probably the best. By the way, Chrome is a fairly young browser, but at the same time, over the several years of its existence, it has won a large army of fans.

Probably the very first advantage of this browser is its “lightness”, which consists in the fast operation of both the program itself and the quick opening of website pages. This WEB browser is well thought out and therefore very easy to use. A large number of functions is also the strong point of the Google Chrome browser. Let's take a look at the functional features of Chrome separately.

In our opinion, the most important functional advantage of Google Chrome is the synchronization of passwords and bookmarks in the browser with the Google server, thanks to which, by entering your login and password, you will have access to your bookmarks and passwords after reinstalling the system or on your other gadgets. This is very convenient, since, for example, when reinstalling the system, it is not as difficult to reinstall it as it is difficult to remember all your visited sites and passwords to them. And with Chrome, you just need to log in to Google, and all your bookmarks and passwords will be restored. Also among the functional features of Chrome, it is worth noting the ability to install extensions and change the design style, of which there are a large number in the Chrome Online Store, and for free. Well, the last thing that needs to be mentioned is the smart address bar, that is, in the address bar (in the field where you enter the site address), you can enter search queries - it’s universal and convenient.

To download the Chrome browser to your computer, go to: “google.com/intl/ru/chrome”.

Browser Mozilla Firefox

The next browser we would like to consider is Mozilla Firefox. The Mozilla Firefox browser has been around for about 10 years and is one of the old-timers among web browsers. Mozilla Firefox is used mainly by webmasters and advanced users due to its correct and correct display of website pages.

Among the functional features of Mozilla, it is worth highlighting the presence of a huge number of plugins (extensions), the number of which significantly exceeds the range of extensions in Chrome. In addition, Mazil Firefox has the ability to change the visual style of the browser, which is also an advantage.

Despite all this, Mozilla Firefox is a rather “heavy” browser. Compared to other browsers, it takes a little longer to launch, and sometimes freezes and slows down, even on a fairly powerful computer. If we compare Mozilla Firefox with the aforementioned Chrome, then the disadvantage of the first is the lack of synchronization of bookmarks and passwords. Therefore, if there is no special need to use Mazila, then it is better not to use it as the main browser.

You can download the Mozilla Firefox browser from the official website of the browser: “mozilla-russia.org”.

Opera browser

The Opera browser is the elder among browsers, which has existed for almost 20 years. The Opera browser is quite lightweight and convenient. Among the functional features, we can highlight support for widgets and plugins, but they are not widely used. It is worth noting the Turbo function, which allows you to load pages faster with a slow Internet connection or to save traffic by compressing it, but, as a rule, today this function is relevant for laptop owners on limited 3G Internet plans.

Analyzing the Opera browser, it’s impossible to say anything bad about it, but it’s also difficult to single out something good. In our opinion, Opera lacks a certain charisma that would make it stand out among the above browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.

You can download the Opera browser from its main page: “opera.com/ru”.

And finally, we should say about the fifth browser, which in our opinion deserves its place in our top five. Yandex Browser is the last on our list, but not the least important. Although the first mentioned is Internet Explorer, it is far from a leader, and perhaps even an outsider in our list of top browsers.

As for the Yandex browser, this is the youngest browser developed by Yandex. This browser has only been around for about a year, but despite its novelty, it is quickly gaining its audience. Probably Yandex wanted something more serious than intrusively integrating its Yandex.Bar (add-on with its services) into other browsers, so the company’s developers decided to create their own full-fledged browser. It is somewhat difficult to call Yandex.Browser “our own”, since it is the same Chrome, with a slightly redesigned design and some additionally implemented functions. One such additional feature is the Turbo feature, which was borrowed from the Opera browser. Let's analyze Yandex.Browser in more detail.

The Yandex browser is made on the same engine as Chrome, so they have a similar appearance and similar functionality. New versions of Yandex Browser now allow you to synchronize your passwords and bookmarks with the Yandex server. The Yandex browser also allows you to install extensions, but they must be installed manually, since Yandex does not have its own store for downloading add-ons. It is worth noting that it is possible to set a background image, but, unfortunately, there is no ability to change the background of the navigation bar in the browser. But there is a convenient “Scoreboard” - a panel with website icons for quickly opening them, which is very original and convenient. You can also note the ability to search for a query in different search engines from the “smart line” of this browser by selecting the desired search engine below.

To summarize, we can confidently say that Yandex.Browser is the same as Chrome, but more focused on Russian-speaking users living in the CIS. If you decide to remove Yandex.Browser, then .

To download the browser from Yandex, go to its official page: “browser.yandex.ru”.

Which browser should you choose?

It would be wrong to give an unambiguous and categorical answer to the question: which browser to choose. Each browser has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as its own characteristics, so for each user, “their own” browser is the best. For example, some people prefer the Chrome browser for its simplicity, integration of passwords and bookmarks with Google, and others prefer Mozilla Firefox for its huge number of different add-ons. Despite the fact that the browsers are all the same in structure, they have their own visual differences, which significantly distinguishes them from each other. In order to determine which browser to choose and which one is best for you, you need to try them all to make this decision for yourself.

Creating a new browser today is easier than ever - there is Chromium, which you can fork and add any functionality. Companies do this according to the same logic by which toolbars were once created - this is just an attempt to hammer their brand into the user and force him to use other company products. But when independent developers do it, the product's goal is to make its mark in a virtually static browser market. Don't get me wrong - I don't believe you'll switch to one of the indie browsers. But it's interesting to see what they offer, isn't it?

To switch or not?

When it seems like everything that can be said in some area has already been said, trying to do something differently is breathtaking: at first you think it’s wild and utopian, but as a result you begin to look at market leaders in a new way. For the same reason, in the December issue ][ we talked about such “strange” mobile OSs as Tizen, Firefox OS or Maemo. Therefore, in my opinion, when talking about alternative browsers, it is incorrect to pose the question bluntly: to switch or not. No, you definitely won't cross over. But you can try to repeat the functionality you are interested in in your favorite browser - for this, in each case, I tried to select the appropriate extensions.

The idea of ​​creating a browser that closely interacts with popular social networks has long been exciting the minds of developers. There were many attempts to create such a combine, but, perhaps, the Rockmelt company did a better job. No wonder they were able to receive serious financial investments.

The project of the same name was launched in 2009 and immediately enlisted the support of one of the founders of Netscape. A year later, the first beta version, built on Chromium sources, was released, and in a short time it managed to gather a decent number of fans. The main feature of Rockmelt is its unobtrusiveness. Integration with Facebook and Twitter was implemented as additional functionality, and not an intrusive addition.

Rockmelt may have had a bright future ahead of it, but in 2012 the developers shut down the desktop version and focused on creating an iOS app. Despite the drastic changes, the mobile application was born quickly and turned out to be quite interesting.

So, we are offered a solution that is interesting primarily because of its interface. Browser control centers around a single input line. It is both an address bar and a navigator for various content groups. For example, you can select a specific topic and immediately receive a pack of thumbnails of new posts corresponding to it. The presence of additional gestures allows you to perform a number of operations (sharing, liking) with one click or swipe.

Thus, together with the browser we get a content generator. At the same time, we have the opportunity to quite easily influence the conditions for issuing materials. You just need to go to any website and click on the “Follow” pimp. The resource is added to the watch list (RSS feed is taken into account), and new materials will appear in the personal news feed.

Extensions:

• Content generator. Plugin for Google Chrome Feedly;
• New materials by category. Plugin for Google Chrome: StumbleUpon;
• Interaction with social networks (publications, sharing, etc.). Plugin for Google Chrome: Buffer.

SRWare Iron

Project audience: conspiracy theory lovers

The first releases of Google Chrome (as well as Chromium) caused a lot of noise. Users paid attention not only to the interesting interface and speed of operation, but also to a couple of clauses in the license agreement that deal a blow to privacy.

After this, a boom in articles on the topic “Big Brother is watching you” began, eventually forcing Google to reconsider its ambitions. Despite this, Chrome still contains several functions that somehow violate the user's privacy.

For example, everyone knows that immediately after installation, Google Chrome generates a unique identifier, which is transmitted to the company’s server. The "suggestions" function works in a similar way. All entered data is sent to Google for the purpose of providing search suggestions. The discussion about other nightmares is in roughly the same vein: the background update service, sending error reports, and so on.

SRWare is ready to solve all the problems raised. In fact, this is the same Google Chrome, but with the language cut off. It does not transmit any information to the Google server, but also brings several nice features:

• offline installer;
• built-in ad blocker;
• ability to change User-Agent.

Verdict: The solution is primarily for conspiracy theorists. The browser has few additional functions, and all of them are implemented using appropriate extensions. As a result, it turns out that all the advantages come down to providing an additional level of privacy.

CoolNovo

Project audience: web developers, enthusiasts

Another project that grew out of a Chromium fork, CoolNovo compares favorably with similar alternatives. Firstly, developers from the Middle Kingdom are setting ambitious goals for themselves, and not just creating another clone with a couple of additional extensions. Secondly, they position their solution as a full replacement for Google Chrome. The idea of ​​such a solution managed to win the hearts of users, and the browser itself received a number of awards.

One of the most interesting and useful features is IE Tab. My main activity is partly related to the development of web applications, which means testing whether the layout is displayed correctly in browsers that use different rendering engines. IE Tab simplifies the testing process in Internet Explorer. It eliminates the need to launch a separate copy of IE, and allows you to change the rendering engine used for rendering with one click.

Gesture controls also deserve special attention. At one time I got used to using similar functionality in Opera, and I must say that the implementation in CoolNovo is no worse.

The developers share the same views on the inviolability of personal space as the guys from the SRWare Iron project. All secret transfers of information to the company’s servers are cut to the ground.

Other most interesting features worth noting:

• instant translation of pages into other languages ​​(using Google Translate);
• taking screenshots of a page or selected area;
• quick history clearing;
• separate sidebar for placing frequently used widgets and extensions;
• ad blocker.

Verdict: CoolNovo has long been a leader among alternative Chromium-based builds. Today it continues to hold its position and remains a good solution for users who want to get a beefed-up browser out of the box. The only sad thing is that CoolNovo has been updated less frequently lately. If this continues, sooner or later a competitor in the form of Chrome will throw it out of the race.

Extensions:

• Fast and flexible cleaning of history, cookies and other network activity files. Plugin for Google Chrome Click&Clean Click&Clean ;
• Link shortener. Plugin for Google Chrome URL Shortener;
• Gesture control. Plugin for Google Chrome: CrxMouse or Gestures for Chrome;
• Reading mode (without displaying pictures and unnecessary layout elements). Plugin for Google Chrome: iReader or Clearly;
• Button for quick RSS subscription. Plugin for Google Chrome: RSS Subscription Extension;
• Super drag. Plugin for Google Chrome: Super Drag;
• Translator. Plugin for Google Chrome: Google Translate.

Maxthon

Project audience: All inclusive lovers

Maxthon is one of those projects that has experienced a rebirth. He first saw the light in the early 2000s under the pseudonym MyIE. Back then it was a convenient wrapper for Donkey IE and a number of useful functions. It had a built-in download manager, tabs instead of separate windows, and other useful features.

When Firefox and subsequently Google Chrome boomed, MyIE was forced into obscurity for a major overhaul. The total straightening brought it back with a new name, an updated set of functions and a completely different face.

Today Maxthon is more like a powerful Internet center than just a browser. Under the hood of the adventure game there are already two engines - WebKit and Trident (used in Internet Explorer). Moreover, unlike most similar solutions, Maxthon is able to independently determine pages for which the use of Trident is more preferable (as a rule, these are old sites). I specifically took one old project out of the closet, adapted for viewing in IE, and tried to view it in Maxthon. Without thinking twice, the browser immediately switched the display to retro mode and rendered the page using Trident. In addition to working with two engines simultaneously, Maxthon’s greatest strengths are its own cloud and the availability of versions for mobile platforms (Android, iOS). Your own cloud not only allows you to store various small information such as browsing history, a list of open pages and similar things, but it is also quite suitable for storing files.

For example, I was very pleased with the ability to save files from a web page to the cloud with one click. This function looks most beneficial when working on a mobile phone/tablet. The usefulness of Maxthon does not end there, but rather just begins. Among them:

• Gesture support;
• SuperDrop function, which simplifies interaction with the browser interface in the absence of a mouse;
• ad blocker;
• a completely redesigned application interface (not another Chrome clone);
• simultaneous processing of search results from several search servers;
• viewing pages in reading mode (without unnecessary information);
• saving videos from YouTube;
• mute sound on any page;
• simultaneous viewing of several tabs in one window;
• download manager;
• own extension store;
• setting an arbitrary refresh time for open pages;
• night surfing mode. When this mode is activated, Maxthon darkens the bright background of pages, thereby reducing eye strain;
• increased productivity and much more.

Verdict: Maxthon will appeal to both casual users and hardcore geeks looking for new adventures. The presence of versions for mobile platforms and a full-fledged personal cloud are two key features that allow Maxthon to surpass many competitors. Add to this good performance, numerous victories in tests for compliance with web standards, and we get an almost ideal, but little-known browser.

Extensions:

• Retro mode (page rendering using the IE engine). Plugin for Google Chrome: IE Tab ;
• Taking screenshots. Plugin for Google Chrome: Webpage ScreenShot;
• Night mode. Plugin for Google Chrome: Hacker Vision or Turn Off the Lights for comfortable viewing of videos;
• Password storage. Plugin for Google Chrome: LastPass;
• Ad blocker. Plugin for Google Chrome: AdBlock;
• Built-in notepad with the ability to store notes in the cloud. Plugin for Google Chrome: Memo Notepad;
• Resource sniffer. Plugin for Google Chrome: Web Developer.

Project audience: lovers of everything fresh

Chromium became the father of many webkit-based browsers. It forms the foundation of almost every new browser, and it is hardly possible to shake its dominant position.

So, you probably already know that it is on this project that all new products are tested before they get to Google Chrome. Support for new HTML5 features, corrections of terrible bugs, new interface features - all this is primarily received by Chromium users. Unfortunately, the frequency of updates comes at the price of stability. Major problems that prevent you from working normally with the browser are rare, but accurate.

It is quite difficult to single out some original interface features or capabilities, since they are largely the implementation of new HTML5 features and are relevant for web developers, not mere mortals.

Nevertheless, Chromium still has a number of differences that can interest the average user. For example:

• no error reporting;
• the RLZ identifier is not transferred to the company servers;
• there is no Updater hanging in the background;
• Only open and free media formats are supported;
• productivity is very high.

Verdict: A special version of Google Chrome for enthusiasts and geeks. Everything new appears here, and these user groups will definitely like it. Chromium is unlikely to be suitable for mere mortals, since this is a product primarily for testing. And there are few users eager to be the first to test, say, the Battery API.

Avant Browser

Project audience: web developers

The primary goal of the Avant Browser developers is to provide users with an easy way to combine the work of engines within one application. It would seem that the task is not easy, but looking at Avant Browser, you are convinced of the opposite. The developers were not only able to bring together all the popular engines under one wrapper, but also came up with an easy way to switch between them. Changing the rendering engine is done in a couple of mouse clicks.

This is where the super useful functions end, and what remains are typical for such solutions:

• a simple cloud storage capable of storing RSS subscriptions, favorites, passwords and other information;
• ad/popup blocker;
• creating screenshots of pages;
• simple implementation of gesture control;
• creating aliases for pages, with which you can quickly go to frequently visited sites;
• built-in RSS reader;
• mail client.

Verdict: Avant Browser cannot be considered as a full-fledged application for everyday use. This is more of a specialized solution that can serve web developers well, but not the average user. There are simply no other interesting features in Avant Browser.