Best Web Browsers Of 2024

Web browsers are a necessity these days, but some are definitely better than others. We’ve selected the best internet browsers, weighing the pros, cons, and features you’re looking for. Some of these choices are less mainstream so they’re well worth learning about. If you want to learn more about this topic, here’s how to use alternate browsers on your Chromebook. Now, let’s dive right into the list of our favorite browsers. 

Best private internet browser: Tor

Online privacy is important for many people. So many browsers track and collect your data and activities. If you want to add a hefty layer of privacy to your browsing habits, it’s pretty hard to beat Tor. This onion browser sends your traffic to three random servers to hide your ip address and location from websites, working similarly to a VPN service, though with even stronger protections in place. It also wraps your data in layers of encryption to further protect your privacy throughout your browsing. Tor can be used on your desktop or most mobile devices.

What we love: 

• Your internet service provider can’t track your activity or the sites you visit.
• Websites are prevented from fingerprinting, identifying, and tracking you.
• By default, Tor doesn’t keep your browsing history or cookies.
• Run by volunteers rather than a single entity, so it is decentralized and more likely to maintain your anonymity. 

What we don’t love: 

• The price for privacy is slower browsing. Encrypting and routing your traffic through various servers bogs things down a bit. 
• Because many hackers use Tor to cover their tracks, some platforms will block your access if they detect you’re using a Tor browser, which can limit you. Therefore, you may not want to use it for more casual, simplistic browsing. 
• Your network can tell that you’re using Tor, which can be prohibited in restrictive countries with laws against web privacy. That might be incriminating enough for legal consequences.

Best browser for extensions: Chrome

Chrome is a well-loved browser for many. Owned by Google, it is one of the best funded, high performance options available. On top of that, it’s easy to use, has a mind blowing number of features, and an impressive number of extensions available to further customize your experience. In fact, that’s why we chose it. Need more Chrome tips? Here’s how to clear your cache on the Chrome browser.

What we love: 

• Password storing and generation along with online breach warnings.
• Syncing across devices for things like bookmarks, secure payment information, and saved passwords.
• Different colors, modes, and themes to choose from.
• Groupable and pinnable tabs for organization.
• Separate profile options to keep passwords, bookmarks, history, and so on, distinct.
• Increased functionality with extensions such as Google Drive, Google Translate, etc.

What we don’t love:

• Notorious for data grabbing.
• Not privacy focused as it uses personal data to cater ads to you.
• Can be subject to vulnerabilities. Here’s an article about the most recent Chrome vulnerability.

Best secure web browser: Brave

Unlike its Chrome counterpart, Brave is focused on user privacy. Not only that, it’s also three times faster than Chrome too. By default, Brave blocks ad and trackers on every site you go to. It even has a built-in VPN available too. Like many of the other browsers on this list, you can use it for most mobile devices as well. Want to learn more? Here’s how to install the Brave Nightly browser on Linux.

What we love: 

• Incognito windows for more privacy.
• Private search functions.
• Import extensions, passwords, bookmarks, etc.
• Malware and phishing protection.
• Onion routing through Tor.
• Crypto tokens in exchange for watching optional ads.
• Helps conserve battery life on mobile devices.

What we don’t love: 

• Is reported to have crashing problems after updates.
• The UI can be a bit unintuitive.
• The rewards crypto tokens are negligible and may not be worth it for most.

Best browser for customization: Vivaldi

Though less well known than some on this list, Vivaldi is nonetheless quite respected. Like Brave, they do have your privacy in mind as it comes with popup, ad, and tracking blockers. It’s also packed with native tools to reduce your need for third party apps. Some of these tools include a private translator, contacts manager, secure mobile sync, a private calendar, and more. 

What we love: 

• Built in smart tools.
• User data privacy.
• Extremely customizable user interface.
• Editable toolbars.
• In depth tab management.
• Password manager.
• Private window mode.
• Web panels can be added to your sidebar.
• Customizable, shareable themes. 
• Supports Chrome extensions.

What we don’t love:

• Can be a bit complex due to so many options.
• Sometimes updates move around menus and options, making it difficult to find them again.
• Can be a little slower than other browsers

Best mobile browser for iPhones: Safari

There are plenty of downloadable browsers you can use on your mobile phone, but some play better with them than others. When it comes to your iPhone, Safari is surprisingly one of the best options you can have. It was created specifically for Apple devices, so it only makes sense that it would work so well with them. 

There are plenty of impressive aspects to this browser. For one, it claims to be the world’s fastest browser. That’s nothing to ignore. It also has extensive customizations, privacy protections, and tracking prevention. 

What we love:

• Increased performance, speed, and battery longevity compared to other browsers.
• Privacy reports available.
• Native to Apple devices, so no need to download.
• Customizations for tabs, backgrounds, etc.
• Numerous built-in tools such as a translator, quick note, visual look up, etc.
• In depth extensions.
• Suspicious site notification.
• Syncing across devices, including Handoff, which automatically passes info from one Apple device to another when they’re near each other, including copying something from one device and pasting into another.

What we don’t love:

• Not as many extensions available as some browsers
• Customization is a bit unintuitive
• Only available for Apple products

Best browser for Android: Firefox for Android

Firefox is a great browser for Android devices. It has the heavy hitting capabilities of a well-developed browser that has time and experience to know what they’re doing, without the data grabbing of a big company like Chrome. As a non-profit foundation, their motivations are less profit driven compared to other browsers.

What we love: 

• Enhanced tracking protections.
• One tap private browsing mode, which automatically deletes your history.
• Movable search bar for accessibility and ease of use.
• Dark mode.
• Pinnable videos.
• Tailored search options.

What we don’t love:

• Updates can cause bugs.
• Can cause broken sites due to privacy and strict modes.
• Problems with tab management.

Best internet browser for everything: Firefox

No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Firefox is on here twice. Here’s the thing, no matter what your device, be it smartphone or desktop, Firefox is a strong, balanced choice. Is it perfect? No. No browser is. Sometimes sites don’t play well with Firefox, or there can be bugs and other issues. Still, it has a good combination of extension availability, built-in privacy, varied features and functionality, customization, frequent security updates, and gives you all around jack of all trades capabilities. It’s available for most devices, won’t sell your data, and has a more trustworthy brand name than many other browsers. So if you want a little bit of everything, Firefox may be your best bet. In fact, if you want to learn more about why we chose this as one of the best web browsers, here is an article about the significant performance boosts in Firefox updates.