Best Web Browsers to Use in 2022
Whether you’re using your computer for work, school, or personal use, your web browser is an important part of the modern technology experience. There are a number of options on the market, and we spoke with TechQuarters, a company that provides IT support financial services companies use frequently, about how to choose a web browser. Their customers use a range of browsers, and for them, it comes down to a number of factors, such as what other software they use (for instance, some browsers work better with certain operating systems or productivity apps), the security and privacy of the browsers (in finance, security is extremely important).
Below are some of the top options for web browsers in 2022:
1. Google Chrome
Most people know about Google Chrome, it is probably the most well-known web browser on the market. The framework of Google Chrome – Chromium – has been instrumental in shaping many of the modern web browsers that people use; it is available across, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS; it is also available on iOS, iPadOS, and Android.
Of the most popular browsers on the market, Google Chrome consistently outperforms many of its competitors, and it hosts a range of excellent features – including tab group management, syncing across devices, and compatibility with a vast array of extensions.
The main downside of Google Chrome is that it collects large amounts of data from its users – so for privacy conscious users, this is will be unappealing. The browser is also more resource intensive than other browsers.
2. Safari
If you don’t own a Mac, then there will be little cause to consider this web browser, but anybody that owns Apple products will know that they are good at optimizing their software to work in synergy with each other. This is why Mac users should not rule out Safari simply because it is the default browser. It offers excellent speeds (rivalling Google Chrome in many independent tests), a simple and easy-to-use interface, and a decent amount of customization.
Safari also offers decent security. For example, it provides a very good privacy report panel that informs users of all sites that have tracked them on the web.
3. Microsoft Edge
Much like Safari is a great fit for Mac users, Microsoft Edge is an excellent fit for Windows users. Though Microsoft Edge is available on non-Windows systems, users will get the most benefit from its integration with Windows 10 and Windows 11. The latest version of Microsoft Edge uses Chromium, just like Vivaldi, Google Chrome, and a number of other web browsers. It offers most of the standard features, such as synchronizing across devices, performance reporting, web capture, and an extensive library of apps and extensions. Edge runs on all the main operating systems, including macOS, which makes it a worthy alternative to Safari.
4. Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Firefox is an open-source offering that prioritizes security above all else. In terms of speed and performance, it is reliable but falls behind some of the competition. Instead, security conscious users will be drawn to this option for the browser’s ability to block cryptomining and fingerprinting; it’s method of encrypting browser requests via DNS-over-HTTPS technology; and the fact that it stores passwords and other sensitive information locally for better security.
Mozilla Firefox’s memory requirements, like Google Chrome, are relatively high; but this is only because it is a feature-dense browser that puts user interests before corporate or marketing interests.
5. Vivaldi
Over the last decade, web browsers have hit a consistent stride in terms of design. The user interface and experience is more or less the same across most browsers, aside from some cosmetic differences and slight variation of layout and features.
Vivaldi is a major departure from what most people expect from a web browser. It’s strength comes from its customization; so tech-savvy users will enjoy this browser greatly. The browser’s start page, menus, and toolbars can all be customized. You can create custom themes. You can assign browser commands to keyboard shortcuts, function keys, and even gestures (if you have a touch screen).
As a very new browser, its performance is subject to further development. However it is certainly not the slowest, or poorest performing browser on the market. Vivaldi is currently
6. Opera
Another open-source web browser, Opera is another offering with a user interface that diverts from the norm. One of Opera’s biggest advantages is its range of social networking tools. The browser features a sidebar containing shortcuts to Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Instagram; and there is the option to pin 3 more shortcuts to social media platforms of your choice. As well as this, Opera is one of the few web browsers that features a built-in VPN tool to help avoid site trackers – while its security measures aren’t as extensive as the likes of Firefox, this is a very nice touch. Opera’s performance is respectable – not the fastest on the market but by no means the slowest, either.