Battle of the Browsers

2008: A Chrome Odyssey

In 2008, Google Chrome burst onto the browser scene, offering dramatically faster speeds, a streamlined design, and dynamically updating software. Chrome's arrival forced other browsers to reexamine their sluggish software and adhere to the new standards of speed and design set by Chrome.

For several years Chrome reigned supreme amongst the browsers, but in the most recent years, the throne has bee challenged. A second favorite amongst users is Mozilla Firefox, an open source browser that offers a wealth of user customizability and offers similar speeds to Chrome.

Internet Explorer is at the bottom of the race. Even though its most recent updates have dramatically improved its speed and design, it still retains its bad image and continues to be used only as a default browser or to users who are ignorant of the alternatives.

Although users are free to choose whichever browser they prefer and suites their needs. Below, they will be brief comparisons between a few of the top browsers you can use.

Enter: The Browsers

Chrome v.36

Chrome offers users incredible speed and a minimalist design that has certainly attracted a huge following. Chrome has the leading support of HTML5, which means it is ready to handle highly interactive websites, similar to apps. However, Chrome does not perform exceptionally with pumping out exceptional graphics compared to other browsers. User's concerned with privacy be warned; Google turns Do Not Track off by default, and Google sends everything you type into the address bar to Google's servers. It also urges you to sign in with a Google account in order to personally identify you. The upside to signing in, is you can manage your favorites, autocomplete settings, and cookies. 

• PROS
  Fast. Voice search. Leading support for HTML 5. Good security. Syncing. Built-in Flash player and PDF reader.
• CONS
  No longer the fastest browser on several benchmarks. Do Not Track privacy feature is buried and discouraged. Occasional minor site incompatibilities.
• BOTTOM LINE
  Chrome is still a powerful piece of software, though it no longer enjoys a strong lead on the competition in terms of speed or design.

Chrome is available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux platforms for free.

Firefox 31

Firefox recently updated its software with a design overhaul and modified it to reduce memory consumption and improve startup speed. It supports HTML5 just as well as Chrome does. But what Firefox does that Chrome doesn't is give its users the freedom to customize. Due to its open-source nature, users can enter Customize Mode to change toolbars, switch the appearance of the browser, and choose from a plethora of extensions in order to make Firefox their own. In addition, Firefox also leads the pack in security and privacy. 

• PROS
  Beautiful new design. Tons of new standards support. The most customizable browser. Good security and privacy. Strong performance. Good security. Cross-platform. Social network integration via API. Syncing. Built-in PDF viewer. Independence from large data-mining vendors. Host of developer tools.
• CONS
  Lacks integrated Flash support. No 64-bit version. No modern Windows 8 version. Does not support syncing for iOS devices.
• BOTTOM LINE
  Firefox has upped its game, with a great new look, fast performance, ingenious navigation features, and innovative Web technologies.

Firefox is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux platforms for free.

Internet Explorer 11

Internet Explorer is a browser that comes bundled with Windows software on a PC. In past versions, it has been loathed as the slowest and most sluggish browser offered. However, with the latest version, Internet Explorer has received a massive speed boost and has become far more compliant with HTML5. Internet Explorer offers the ability to pin tabs and better hardware acceleration than other browsers (because Internet Explorer is baked right into Windows). For privacy, it has Do Not Track enabled by default and has a powerful Tracking Protection tool. 

• PROS
  Faster and more standards-compliant than ever. Minimal interface. Excellent security and privacy features. Site pinning for frequently used Web applications. Graphics hardware acceleration. WebGL and SPDY support.
• CONS
  No syncing. No WebRTC support. Only installs on Windows 7 and 8.1.
• BOTTOM LINE
  This is not the Internet Explorer of five years ago: IE11 is fast, compliant and sports a lean design.

Internet Explorer 11 is only available on Windows 7 through 8.1, and its automatically included with Windows software, so no charge!

Safari 7

Safari is baked into the Mac OS X software.. Safari is speedy and handles HTML5 like a charm, as well as Javascript. Safari shines in its ability to smartly switch on and off certain plug-ins depending on the website the user is on. This allows improved battery life on any device. Safari is supported by Apple's iCloud service, which allows for the use of iCloud tabs, iCloud keychain for passwords, and support for iOS devices.

• PROS
  Much-improved JavaScript performance. Revamped Top Sites page. New power-saving features. Shared links from Twitter and LinkedIn.
• CONS
  A hair slower than its predecessor in some instances. Jittery scrolling. New sidebar is ore convenient but less useful.
• BOTTOM LINE
  The battery-saving features in Safar 7 are very impressive and make up for some interface quirks. Best used on a Mac.
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Safari 7 comes pre-loaded onto Mac OS X, but can be downloaded onto Windows platforms as well for free.