Choosing a web browser for your computer can be a daunting task, especially when there are so many options available. If you are using a macOS device, you have a few different options to choose from, each with their own unique features and benefits. In this article, we will explore some of the best browsers for macOS and help you decide which one might be the best fit for your needs.
Keep in mind that all the browsers mentioned in this article all have their own strengths and weaknesses and there’s still plenty of other niche browsers out there that may align with your browsing intentions.
Chrome (Google)
One of the most popular browsers for macOS is Google Chrome. This browser is known for its familiarity, security, and user-friendly interface. It also integrates seamlessly with other Google products, such as Gmail and Google Drive, making it a great choice for those who use these services frequently. The browser is also known for it’s built-in password storing capabilities as well as being able to keep payment information saved . In addition, Chrome has a large library of extensions and themes, allowing you to customize your browsing experience and add additional functionality. From a security aspect, the majority of internet users choose Chrome, so more exploits and malicious extensions are out there for unknowing users to download. Make sure to always be careful when accessing or installing 3rd party add-ons to your browser.
A shortcoming of Chrome is the fact that it is known to consume a large amount of RAM, meaning other processes may be running slower when handling multiple tasks across your computer. For newer Macs and MacBooks, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem as Apple’s in-house processors M1, M1 Ultra and M1 Max have ironed out a lot of load balancing issues. Older Macs on Intel processors may experience performance drops when browsing alongside having multiple applications open.
Safari (Apple)
Another browser that is popular on macOS is Safari. This browser is developed in-house by Apple and is the default browser on all Apple devices. Safari is fast and energy efficient, being able to block third-party cookies and trackers for enhanced privacy. It also includes features like iCloud Keychain, which stores and generates strong passwords for you, and Reader mode, which allows you to read articles without distractions (this feature is also on iOS/iPadOS).
If you also use an iPhone or iPad, and you’re signed in under the same AppleID – you can also share tabs between the Safari app on iOS/iPadOS and the macOS version too. This is great for if you’re wanting to continue reading something on the go, sharing the tab from your Mac to your iPhone. Additionally, it could work by scanning a QR code from your iPhone and then opening the link on your Mac, which would make for a better browsing experience.
Firefox (Mozilla)
Firefox is another browser that is widely used on macOS. This browser is known for its privacy features, such as its ability to block third-party cookies and trackers by default. It also includes a feature called Firefox Monitor, which alerts you if your email address has been compromised in a data breach. In addition, Firefox has a large library of extensions and themes, similar to Chrome, allowing you to customize your browsing experience.
Opera (Beijing Kunlun Tech)
Opera is a lesser-known browser that is also available on macOS. It’s lightweight and minimalistic as well as being known for its speed and energy efficiency, as well as its built-in VPN and battery saver features. Opera also includes a feature called Opera Turbo, which compresses data to speed up browsing on slower internet connections. This may be a better option for more legacy Macs and MacBooks based on Intel processors. There’s also a range of plugins that can be used with Opera which can extend the functionality with more “comfort” options like customization and custom features.
Brave (Brave Software)
One browser that is new to macOS is Brave, being open-source and released in 2016. This browser is focused on privacy and security, with features like blocking third-party cookies and trackers by default and providing secure HTTPS connections whenever possible. Brave also includes a feature called Brave Rewards, which allows you to earn cryptocurrency by viewing privacy-respecting ads. Performance goes hand-in-hand with security as unwanted ads, scripts and popups are blocked, which would otherwise slow down your Mac and use more system resources.
Edge (Microsoft)
Microsoft Edge, which is now available for macOS as well as Windows. It includes features such as tracking prevention and a reading mode, and also has a wide range of extensions and plugins available. This is because of the foundation of Edge using Chromium, the base of Google Chrome and many other browsers. It also integrates well with other Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and OneDrive and is default on Windows computers but is a rather unlikely option for any Mac user. Nonetheless, it can still be a handy browser for cross platform testing or provide comfort to users that may switch between Windows and macOS systems frequently.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best browser for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you value speed and integration with other Google products, Chrome might be the best choice for you. If you prioritize privacy and security, Firefox or Brave might be better options. If you are more vanilla, Safari may be the most convenient choice due to its integration with other Apple products and fact that it comes as part of the macOS operating system. It is always a good idea to try out a few different browsers to see which one works best for you and your hardware.
In conclusion, there are several great browsers available for macOS, each with their own unique features and benefits. Some popular options include Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, and Brave. Ultimately, the best browser for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, so it is worth trying out a few different options to see which one works best for you.
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Author: Chris Grainger
Chris is a tech enthusiast always looking for new products and services to try out and share with his awesome community of Apple fellows on Appleosophy!
Thanks for offering an opinion “They all are good”.
What a joke.
They’re all good at different things — I use Chrome but that’s more because I grew up using it and I have all my workflows setup in that space. Use a browser that you think is fitting to your needs. This article is intended to be thought provoking rather than a “use this, don’t use that” solution. Thanks for your comment nonetheless.
You missed Vivaldi
We’ve got a special article on this browser coming soon! Vivaldi is definitely unique with the built-in mail, calendar and contacts features. Thanks for your comment Stéphane!
Update: We’ve got the Vivaldi review coming on the 21st December. It would be awesome if you would download the brand new Appleosophy App and read it from there! Thanks.
sorry but chrome, the data-stealing ram-consuming browser being the first on the list is such a red flag. many browsers integrate chromium as seamlessly as chrome does but dont have the multitudes of shortcomings it does. NEVER USE CHROME!!
Personally I can agree with this Laieh – Chrome is one of the most well known browsers, hence it came to mind first when writing this article. There’s some good browsers that utilize Chromium as you mentioned, which I am already working on a follow-up article on! Thanks for your comment.
i’ve tried and used a number of these. as you say you just cannot rely on one only because each has pitfalls, and each has benefits. safari would be my choice except you need to have the latest operating system to update it. firefox is pretty good but has problems with certain things, like never showing my ups tracking, and getting super slow if not cleaned every month or two. opera is pretty good…it used to not connect to a lot of websites saying they’re unsafe, but probably complaints have gotten them to allow you to bypass their security warnings if you want…and the security warnings are usually bogus, for some minor issue on very mainstream websites. since opera let you click your way through its security warnings and actually get to a site you want, it’s my go to. i’ve a minimac with an older operating system going back to 2018.
Hey Johnny, thanks for your hot-take on this! Nice to see a seasoned web user on here. It’s interesting the way some browsers can actually be quite restrictive when looking at security. Google Chrome has become a pain for some of my development projects as I don’t want to supply SSL certificates to the subdomains, but then Chrome stops me from accessing the websites full stop. I had to look up a tutorial on how to bypass this in order to make it easier for me to workaround this despite knowing the security risks.