Why Internet Browsers?

An Internet browser is your window to the web, where you can find almost anything from the comfort of your own living room. Today, the Internet is widely used for media, research, communication, shopping and entertainment. The better your browser, the more you will see and experience.

Up–to–date web browsers are equipped with the latest features and technology to simplify, accelerate and enhance your Internet experience. The newest features include tabbed browsing, RSS feeds and voice interaction. Browsers are also more customizable and entertaining with skins, informative and fun widgets and additional add–ons.

Safety is a common concern among web surfers, and for good reasons. The number of hazards seems to grow every day. Viruses, spyware, phishing schemes and identity theft are some of the concerns. Other worries come from the threat of online predators and the appropriateness of material for children. Modern Internet browsers shield against all of these factors to keep you, your family and your PC safe.

In this site, you’ll find articles about the Internet, news stories and comprehensive reviews on Internet browsers that will help you make an informed decision on which browser is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS – We do the research so you don’t have to.™

Looking for a new computer? Check our our Computer Reviews.

 

What to Look for in Internet Browsers

Internet browsers should have three main objectives: simplicity, security and helping you get the most from the web. Because all of the browsers in this review are free, after reading the reviews you may want to download and consider a couple of browsers. You might even decide to use more than one browser—for example, one for fun and one for research.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate Internet browsers.

  • Features Set – Top–ranked Internet browsers offer many practical features that make surfing the web faster, easier and more convenient. A few of these features are tabbed browsing, thumbnail previews and an integrated search engine.
  • Ease of Use – Internet browsers ought to be simple to use so anyone, regardless of their knowledge of computers or the Internet, will feel comfortable using the web.
  • Security – Security is one of the most important aspects of browsing the web. Internet browsers should protect against pop–ups, viruses and phishing frauds and allow you to clear personal information so you can feel confident while online.
  • Speed & Compatibility– Your internet browser should help you surf fast and efficiently. While the speed of your computer and internet connection account for most of the speed, not all browsers are created equal in regards to how fast they startup, process HTML and JavaScript. Likewise, not all internet browsers will open all pages correctly. The best browsers will open websites quickly and properly.
  • Help/Support – Although most browsers are free, quality customer support helps if you run into problems. Developers provide support through email, phone, FAQs, manuals and tutorials.

To read the review on Firefox, the Internet browser our reviewers ranked #1, click here.

 
TopTenREVIEWS
Become A Reviewer
Internet Browser Software Main Image
 

Internet Browser Software Review 

Your Springboard to a Virtual World

Rank #1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10
Excellent score   Excellent
Very good score   Very Good
Good score   Good
Fair score   Fair
Poor score   Poor
Firefox Google Chrome Internet Explorer Opera Safari Maxthon Flock Avant Browser Deepnet Explorer PhaseOut
Firefox Google Chrome Internet Explorer Opera Safari Maxthon Flock Avant Browser Deepnet Explorer PhaseOut
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Lowest Price Firefox 3.5
Google Chrome
Internet Explorer 8
Opera 9.6
Safari 4
Maxthon 2.5
Flock 2
Avant Browser 11.7
Deepnet Explorer 1.5
PhaseOut 5
 
Overall Rating Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Good
Ratings
Features Set Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Excellent Very Good Very Good Good Very Good
Ease of Use Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
Security Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Excellent Good Good Excellent
Speed & Compatibility Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Excellent Excellent Very Good Excellent Good Good
Help/Support Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Very Good Good
View Specifications Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
View Screenshots View Firefox screenshots View Google Chrome screenshots View Internet Explorer screenshots View Opera screenshots View Safari screenshots View Maxthon screenshots View Flock screenshots View Avant Browser screenshots View Deepnet Explorer screenshots View PhaseOut screenshots
Speed
Initial Startup Time 14 8.1 8.5 7.1 10.6 7 20.2 25.7 11.6 21.3
Average Startup Time 3.8 3.1 2.2 4.4 3.7 6.4 8 11 7.8 10.7
Navigation Time 6.4 7 7.4 7.3 7.8 8 8.3 6.4 6.3 8.8
Features
Tabbed Browsing Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Integrated Search Engine Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Smart Toolbar Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark          
Thumbnail Preview   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark           Check Mark
Save Tabs Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Customize Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Frequently Visited Wepages List Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
RSS Feeds Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Automatic Updates Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark     Check Mark
Password Manager Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Synchronize   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark      
Find On Page Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Zoom Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Parental Controls Check Mark   Check Mark              
Add-ons Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Spell Check Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark      
Mouse Gestures       Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark  
Voice Interaction       Check Mark            
Open Source Development Check Mark Check Mark         Check Mark      
Seamless Download Manager Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark            
Security
Pop-up Block Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Anti-Spyware Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark
Anti-Virus Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark
Anti-Phishing Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark         Check Mark Check Mark
Clear History Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Private Mode Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark              
Technical Help/Support
Telephone Support     Check Mark              
Email Support Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Online Help Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Tutorials Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark      
User Manual/User Guide Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark  
FAQs Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
User Forums Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Supported Configurations
Windows Vista Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Windows XP Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Windows 2000 Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
MAC Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark      
 
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Lowest Price Firefox 3.5
Google Chrome
Internet Explorer 8
Opera 9.6
Safari 4
Maxthon 2.5
Flock 2
Avant Browser 11.7
Deepnet Explorer 1.5
PhaseOut 5

Ask & Answer

Type your question below and put your question in front of our entire community of users and experts.

Think You're a Guru?

Answer Questions
Visit our Ask & Answer Center to answer Questions.
Ads by Google
Sponsored Ad: