We used built-in Internet Explorer in the early days of Windows 95 or 98. Yes, nowadays, there are lots of memes & jokes about it, but it was our only way to the internet. Luckily, today, we have many choices. We have several Operating Systems, like Mac OS, Linux & their browsers. Sometimes, built-in browsers need to perform as per our expectations. We need more stability, more speed, and more customization. We can always go for some best browsers for Windows.
What To Look for in a Browser?
There are four key factors that you should check out before picking out a browser: Speed, Efficiency, Privacy, and Security. Keep in mind that only some can shine in all these characteristics. However, a few top competitors check off most boxes with good results. You have to decide based on what comes first on your priority list.
The browser you use has a good impact on your safety online. Along with advertisers tracking your online activity, some adversaries can try to put bugs in your browser to compromise your entire system. Just be very aware of that.
Best Browsers for Windows
1. Google Chrome
When you discuss top web browsers across platforms, you must pay attention to Google Chrome. Coming with a vast library of extensions, it provides more flexibility. The unified integration with Google’s services allows you to sync your passwords & bookmarks across devices, which is very convenient. There is built-in Google Translate to guarantee you can translate any language without trouble.
It also offers a useful PDF viewer to let you view PDFs conveniently. Furthermore, the multi-account support & strong parental controls make it a top choice. Talking about speed, Google Chrome is still the best.
However, it is likely to eat up plenty of memory & also consumes more battery. So, if your PC doesn’t have a good amount of RAM or you want your computer’s battery to last a bit longer between charges, Chrome should not be your first choice.
2. Mozilla Firefox
Regarding efficiency, privacy, and security, Mozilla Firefox is one of the best browsers for Windows. Having received an extensive renovation, Firefox’s latest version “Quantum” is now a complete browser. It has not only de-throned Chrome but also become one of the better Chrome alternatives for those who put more importance on privacy & security.
As it is an open-source & non-profit platform, Mozilla never shares user data with advertisers, which is excellent. Another thing that makes Firefox a great option is the construction of the new extensions, which might not be equal to Chrome’s offerings, but look very promising. With the sync feature enabled, one can access your open & recent tabs, bookmarks, and browsing history across devices.
3. Microsoft Edge
In a fantastic move, Microsoft, in early 2019, announced it would adopt the Chromium web engine for Edge & now, this remarkable move has entirely paid off. Microsoft Edge is a web browser that is deeply wired with Windows 10 & it performs like Chrome and brings lots of old features. Edge consumes considerably less battery & RAM.
The Chromium Edge has removed many of Google’s background services, which makes it even lighter & faster. Edge offers some old and valuable tools like tab preview, grouping, vertical tabs, and tab saving.
With the hub functionality, one can keep their reading list, recent downloads & browsing history. If one spends a lot of time reading articles on the web, they would like the Reading View, which would let them read web pages more efficiently.
4. Opera
Despite being one of the oldest (released in 1994) and feature-rich web browsers, Opera has yet to reach its full potential. It has recently made many paces thanks to the arrival of several notable features. Opera is based on the same core technologies as Chrome; it can run many Chrome extensions, making it very useful for people who like to try all new extensions.
One of the remarkable features of this browser is Turbo mode, which saves both load times & bandwidth by passing webpages on Opera’s servers & compressing them. If one uses the internet on a limited bandwidth plan, one should choose Opera.
5. Tor Browser
Are you looking for a Windows web browser that can offer you improved security & privacy? If yes, you can give a chance to Tor Browser. When it comes to extreme privacy, Tor is the best Windows browser.
Regarding the user interface, it looks very clean. One notable feature of this browser is the capability to let you securely access even unlisted sites. The multi-layered encryption works as an essential safeguard for your personal information. To shield your privacy, it isolates each website.
Once you close the browser after browsing is over, both the browsing history & the cookies are automatically deleted. Moreover, it also blocks many browser plugins to shield your IP address. From a privacy point of view, these are very notable features. This browser is also a favorite among people who try to get into the dark web. Coupled with a VPN, this browser can access even ‘.onion’ sites.
6. Brave
Brave is one of the best Windows web browsers that is built on the base of privacy, safety, and fast performance. Recently, Brave has been earning applause from all types of users. A significant part of Brave is that it blocks third-party trackers by default & protects you from anyone tracking on the web.
Additionally, it blocks malicious scripts on websites to keep your Windows PC resource-free which means better battery life. Other than that, it comes pre-installed with HTTPS.
7. Vivaldi
If wholesome customization is at the top of your priority list, you should try Vivaldi. With tidy tab management, you can have more control over grouping & displaying tabs. Depending on your requirements, you can also adjust the size, position, and appearance of the browser.
Custom shortcuts play an essential role in speeding up web browsing. The keyboard shortcuts combined with helpful mouse gestures further enhance the navigation experience. Thanks to the bookmark manager, taking control of all the bookmarks is simple.
8. Chromium
Chromium is an open-source browser project that supports the most popular browser in the world, Google Chrome. It is a part of Google’s Chromium Projects which comprise Chromium & Chromium OS. The browser also shapes the basis for the latest version of Microsoft’s new Edge Chromium.
A great thing about Chromium is that it is compatible with many Chrome extensions. To install Chrome extensions on Chromium, you must visit the Chrome web store, find your favorite extension, and click on Add to Chrome. Please note that the download button will say Chrome instead of Chromium, but the installation process will work as per the expectation.
9. Torch Browser
This Windows browser comes with an included media grabber functionality to allow you easily save any video or audio files from the internet. If you often come across some excellent clips & want to keep them in your library for sharing or watching later, it is your best choice. With the built-in torrent downloader, you can download torrent files without trouble.
It has a stylish media player to help you catch up with your favorite media. You can use the facelift button to give a more personalized look to Facebook (or any other site) using attractive backgrounds, colors & eye-catching themes.
Conclusion
Thanks to the launch of some distinguished browsers over the past few years & significant improvements in the leading players ruling across platforms for years, the battle for the best Windows browser no longer seems unbalanced.
The latest versions of all major web browsers now offer enhanced speed, better features, and better privacy. So, here are the best browsers for Windows that you can use today.