[Updated] When it comes to choosing web browsers for Windows, it all boils down to personal taste. Maybe you like a web browser’s speed, reputation for privacy or security, color, clean lines, straight edges, round curvy tabs, individual functions, add-ons, plugins, developer tools, or a quick way to clear the browser cache. This page briefly introduces, in no particular order, most of the usable web browsers for Windows. If you’re looking for the fastest browser or best browser for your needs, you should find it here. (Links to the official pages open in a new tab.)
1. Vivaldi
Vivaldi gets better and better. It’s a feature-rich browser built around privacy. You should definitely give it a try. I still appreciate simple one-click options right there on the interface, like access to Downloads and History. The Notes feature (for taking notes while you browse) is useful, and the Capture Page button (for taking screenshots) is handy for content creators. The Take a Break button is interesting? The elegant themes invite you to take your time and set Vivaldi up to your liking. Vivaldi comes with a built-in game too. What’s not to like?
2. Google Chrome
Google Chrome continues to be a favorite for many people. A plethora of browser extensions available from the Chrome web store makes it extremely popular. If you haven’t tried it yet, you should check it out and see if it ticks all the boxes. There is a reason that many other browsers are built around the popular open-source Chromium Engine, which also drives Chrome. The developer and performance testing tools built into the Chromium Engine, such as Lighthouse, are a godsend.
3. Microsoft Edge
The latest Microsoft Edge comes with Windows 10 and is based on the open-source Chromium Engine, making it super compatible with browser extensions formerly only available for Google Chrome. This year, Microsoft announced the availability of the new Edge browser for all supported versions of Windows and macOS. I’ve stayed with Edge since the beginning. It’s always improving, and it continues to be my main browser.
4. Opera GX (Early access)
Opera GX is a browser to complement gaming. Opera GX has the usual Opera things, like a built-in adblocker, access to extensions, and switchable wallpapers. You can limit memory and CPU usage, use a free no-log unlimited VPN, access Twitch, and watch pop-out videos. Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, and VK are accessible from the sidebar. Custom colorize your interface, install exclusive wallpapers, and get access to gaming deals and news. Opera GX is currently in Early Access.
5. Brave
Brave. `The Industry’s Most Advanced Browser Offers 3-6x Faster Browsing and Ends Surveillance Capitalism with a Private Ads and Payment Platform that Benefits Users, Advertisers, and Publishers’ Brave blog
6. Opera
I’ve always liked the simplistic style and fast page-loading performance of Opera. It was one of the first browsers with a built-in ad blocker, which was tried and tested for ages in Opera developer browser. This latest version of Opera is now said to be 38% faster than the latest Firefox Quantum. (Check out the clickable tabs, to go to the top or back to where you were on the page.)
7. Puffin Browser
Puffin Browser is a simple yet fast cloud-based web browser originally available on Android and iOS. By using remote servers, Puffin Browser can compress, encrypt, and download content very quickly. If speed is your thing, try it out.
8. Firefox
Now with twice the speed as before, Firefox Quantum will probably become many people’s main web browser of choice once again. You should definitely give it a try and check out its speed.
9. Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer has been included with all versions of Windows for a long time. It is still a very capable web browser, but it has been superseded by Windows 10’s Microsoft Edge.
10. Lunascape
Lunascape is highly customizable and comes with the 3 main rendering engines – Trident, Gecko, and WebKit. It also supports a plethora of add-ons. Lunascape was lookng to be a very powerful browser, however, development appears to have tailed off since 2018.
11. Pale Moon
Pale Moon is an Open Source web browser for Windows and Linux. It is originally based on the Firefox browser and uses a layout engine called Goanna, which is similar to or based on the Gecko engine.
12. Comodo Dragon
Comodo Dragon is Chromium-based, has privacy enhancements, domain validation technology that identifies inferior SSL certificates, and stops cookies and other Web spies.
13. Midori
Midori is a very lightweight browser with a simple UI. It’s ideal for less powerful or older computers, and it’s the default web browser that comes with elementary OS.
14. BriskBard
BriskBard is a new browser with a built-in media player, email client, IRC chat client, RSS and Atom reader, Usenet newsreader, FTP client, and more.
14. Maxthon
Maxthon uses the Trident and Webkit rendering engines. It also comes with Adblock Plus preinstalled, although I’ve had better results blocking ads with other ad blockers or browsers.
15. SlimBrowser
SlimBrowser is based on the Trident engine and has a more advanced UI (compared to Slimjet). It comes with a built-in ad-blocker, a right-click text translation, an HTML validator, downloadable skins, and many other useful features.
16. Epic Privacy Browser
Epic Privacy Browser offers always-on private web browsing, a one-click encrypted proxy (hides your IP address), and blocks trackers and third-party cookies.
17. Coowon
Coowon is a web browser built for web gamers. Based on Chrome, it offers translucent and floating windows, record and play mouse clicks, a screenshot tool, a game-friendly sidebar, a hide key, and more.
18. Firefox Developer Edition
Firefox Developer Edition is the popular Firefox browser version designed for developers. It has just about every developer tool you will need built right into the browser. If you fancy a change of web browser, Firefox is one of the top dogs (or foxes) to try.
19. Chrome Canary
Chrome Canary is a `Nightly Build for Developers’ version of the ever-popular Google Chrome. If you’re a developer or early adopter, or you want to try out the latest features coming to Chrome, this is the version to install.
20. Tor
If web browsing privacy is high on your list of priorities, chances are you’ve heard Tor. Tor helps you browse the internet anonymously and protect your privacy by using a distributed network of relays run by volunteer users all around the world. If your selling state secrets, building the next nuclear warhead, or just worried about your personal privacy freedoms, give Tor a try.
21. Torch Browser
Torch Browser is relatively new compared to many of the web browsers here, and it comes with some nice original features and customization options.
22. SeaMonkey
SeaMonkey is based on Firefox and comes with the browser, email & newsgroup client with an included web feed reader, an HTML editor, IRC chat, and web development tools.
23. IceDragon
IceDragon from Comodo is based on Firefox and is said to have improved security with SiteInspector malware scanning, and it uses Comodo Secure DNS by default.
24. Slimjet
Slimjet has a similar set of features as SlimBrowser, but is based on the Blink engine and has a simple and clean UI.
25. Chromodo
Chromodo is a Chromium-based web browser made by Comodo, which is very similar to its Dragon browser. They say it’s fast, secure, and private.’
Thoughts
So, there you have it. A quick intro to 25 of the available web browsers for Windows. There are a couple more out there. Three others were removed back in March 2020: Avant, Maelstrom, and Opera Dev.
