5 web browsers – what’s the difference?
by Yolandi on 16/11/09 at 7:30 am
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Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Chrome, Safari – what’s the difference, and should you care? Most businesses use Internet Explorer – should they switch?
A web browser is a software application that blends with an active Internet connection to allow you to view websites, display media and transfer files. Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari together take up a 97.1 percent share of the browser market. Internet Explorer is still the most commonly used web browser mostly because it is the standard option of all Microsoft operating systems and also, people tend to stick with it for lack of trying something else. Here are 5 browsers and a few point on each one to help you find the one that suits your needs best.
1. Firefox
- Suitable for Windows, Mac and Linux
- Allows you to customize your browsing experience
- It’s secure and user-friendly
- Tabbed browsing allows you to have multiple web pages open within a single Firefox screen
- It offers you all of the optional plug-ins
- Offers over 6,000 extensions. From blocking advertisements to managing your clipboard.
2. Opera
- Suitable for Windows, Mac and Linux but also, Solaris, BSD and several versions for cell phones.
- It’s fast and great for web research, opening links and general surfing
- Has built-in RSS reader, email client and BitTorrent client
- It’s self sufficient and not dependent on the built-in security measures of the platform it is being run on.
- Offers users an engaging web experience
- For Windows only
- It’s built into Windows XP
- Has limited customizable features compared to Firefox
- Fast, easy to use, safe
To check out Microsoft’s Review on Internet Explorer 8 click here
4. Chrome
- Suitable for Windows only
- Deals with site errors and quirks well
- It maintains a separate process for each tab to increase stability and security
- Great built-in search features, private browsing and a task manager to help prevent crashes
- Focuses on basic browsing with an ultra-simple interface
- Can use Google desktop applications offline
For those who want RSS feeds and many other options within the browser, Firefox 3 (free), might be a better choice.
5. Safari
- Suitable for Windows and Mac
- Helps block virus attacks before they contaminate your PC and has malware and phising protection
- It focuses on being lightweight and non-obtrusive rather than customizable.
- Features include spell checking for all fields, resizable text boxes, and snapback.
- Has Nitro Java Script engine
Out of all the reviews I have read on these five web browsers, every single one pointed out that Firefox is the best choice. Personally I use Chrome at home and Firefox at the office. Chrome is very simple and user-friendly but Firefox offers more options and flexibility.
Yolandi Janse van Rensburg writes about social media, marketing, life and, of course, cars. We say “of course” because Yolandi is nuts about anything on 4 wheels. Besides moonlighting as the Heavy Chef girl at World Wide Creative, Yolandi runs Autofemme, a blog about cars, as a business on the side. View more articles by Yolandi.
