You may not be browsing the internet in the safest and most convenient way possible. Our comparisons detail which internet browser provides the fastest and most secure browsing experience online.
Opening up an internet browser these days requires no more than muscle memory. We click on whatever icon we are used to and browse away. Web browsers are software applications that enable you to browse the internet and access websites. Desktop and app browsers translate HTML and allow you to read text, view images and play videos online. These services primarily focus on accessing the internet, but they can also access private information on web servers and file systems.
Even if you have a favorite browser that you use by default, it may be time to find one that is faster and more secure. All browsers have the ability to access your favorite sites and bookmarks, but not all are created equal. The three best internet browsers based on speed and simplicity are Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Opera. To learn more about this topic, check out our articles on internet browsers.
The major areas to consider when choosing the best browser for you are simplicity, speed and security. We used the following criteria to evaluate the best web browsers available for download.
Speed & Compatibility
Web browsers should load quickly and be compatible with every major operating system. We tested the speed of each browser in our lineup using the same computer and internet speed, gauging the precise speed with the Numion Stopwatch loading site. We timed how quickly each browser pulled up the Top Ten Reviews main page, and then proceeded to refresh it 10 times to find a loading average. From our site we navigated every browser to the same page between websites. The fastest browsers load pages in under two seconds.
Feature Set
A web browser should provide practical, convenient features that make surfing the web easy and fast. For instance, it should offer tabbed browsing, a customizable toolbar and an integrated search engine. For a more personalized web experience, the browser should also provide the ability to save bookmarks, set parental controls and create RSS feeds. Generally speaking, the more features an internet browser provides, the better.
Security
While online security measures have come a long way in the past few years, the internet is still rife with security risks, especially small-scale attacks to hack electronic data. Security features such as privacy settings, pop-up blockers and anti-spyware enable safe internet surfing and help keep your personal information secure.
Help & Support
Although some internet browsers are open source and therefore not supplemented with dedicated technical support, we still considered the quality of support options available. When it comes to internet browsers, support comes in many forms, ranging from FAQs to tutorials, email support to user guides.
Every internet browser we tested led to the same end by accessing the internet, but it's the means to that end that provide the quality experience. A fast and secure browser ensures safe and enjoyable online browsing.
