What is the best browser for surfing the Internet?

To consume content on the internet on your own device, a browser is required. Since the early days of the internet, various software providers have been vying for users' favour: Microsoft's Edge, Google's Chrome, Apple's Safari, and Mozilla's Firefox are among the most well-known. But which browser is best suited for surfing the internet?

What is a browser anyway?

A browser, or web browser, is a special software that allows users to consume content on the internet. Texts, images, audios, or videos available on servers or web hosting packages are made accessible on the user's device (computer, tablet, smartphone) through a browser. While browsers used to only display plain text elements, they have now advanced to the point where even complex programming languages like JavaScript or extensive multimedia elements can be rendered.

Modern browsers are also equipped with numerous additional features. With controls like forward and back buttons or tabs, they facilitate navigation on the internet. Features like the Download Assistant allow data to be downloaded directly to the user's computer through the browser. Most browsers also offer extensive options to customize both functionality and design through plugins and add-ons.

The turbulent history of browsers and market shares

The debate over which is the best browser for surfing the web is as old as the internet itself. As early as the 1990s, a heated competition erupted between the companies Netscape Communications and Microsoft, as the latter began to displace the established Netscape Navigator with their newly developed Internet Explorer. This conflict, also known in internet history as the Browser Wars, was eventually won by Microsoft after numerous court battles due to its greater financial resources, leading to Internet Explorer capturing up to 95% market share in the early 2000s.

However, as Microsoft did not consistently continue the development of Internet Explorer, developers of alternative browsers saw an opportunity. When significant security vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer were exposed in 2004, the market was ripe for new browsers, sparking a fresh competition in the browser market.

In 2004, the browser first released as Firefox managed to gain significant market share. Developed by the Mozilla Foundation, a US non-profit organisation, the browser already excelled in security and user-friendliness at that time. Subsequently, in 2008, Google announced its own browser, Chrome, which focused on technology and performance, gradually rising to the top of the browser market share since the early 2010s. In 2015, alongside Windows 10, Microsoft introduced Edge, a completely revamped browser intended to replace Internet Explorer and restore the company's former strength in the market.

While the fierce competition among browsers primarily revolves around computers with Windows operating systems, Apple's Safari browser has been able to gain increasing market share over time with the growing popularity of Apple computers. As an integral part of the operating system, Safari is the default program for internet browsing for users of macOS and iOS devices.

Despite the presence of numerous other alternative browsers such as Opera or Vivaldi, none of these applications have managed to gain a significant market share.

Which browsers are currently available on the market?

The following browsers are among the most widely used software solutions, collectively holding over 90% of the market share:

Google Chrome

Google's Chrome Browser has secured the top position in market share in recent years. This is not only due to the steadily increasing prevalence of Android smartphones, where Google's Chrome Browser comes pre-installed as standard, but also to the consistent further development of the software. Google Chrome has established itself as a browser with high performance and security standards. Thanks to the extensive range of plug-ins and add-ons, there are no obstacles to customising the software.

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla's Firefox Browser was long considered the most popular alternative to Internet Explorer. Since the rise of Chrome, interest in Firefox has waned slightly. With the latest version Firefox Quantum, Mozilla introduced a completely revamped software earlier this year, which not only brings a new boost in design but especially in performance. When it comes to data protection and user-friendliness, Mozilla Firefox has always been among the best. The range of add-ons and plug-ins also stands up well against Google's Chrome.

Microsoft Internet Explorer and Edge

Microsoft's Edge Browser is set to replace the aging Internet Explorer in conjunction with Windows 10. While Internet Explorer was the dominant browser for many years in the early days of the internet, its popularity steadily declined due to security vulnerabilities and usability issues. With the completely revamped Edge Browser, integrated as standard in Windows 10, Microsoft now provides a browser that is definitely up to date in terms of performance and usability.

Apple Safari

Apple's Safari Browser is essentially the counterpart to Microsoft's Internet Explorer. It serves as the standard browser on Apple devices and therefore has a corresponding distribution. The Safari Browser is considered particularly secure and powerful. In addition, it can also convince with its appealing, Apple-typical design. It is therefore very popular among Apple users. Alternative browsers are rarely used on iOS or macOS.

So, what is the best browser now?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of the best browser. Instead, various technical criteria and, above all, personal preference play an important role in choosing the optimal software. For example, Safari as the default browser on Apple devices is naturally popular among Apple users. Users who value privacy and a free internet often feel most comfortable with Mozilla's Firefox. For users who are enthusiastic about Google products, the Chrome browser may be the best choice. And Microsoft's new Edge browser, a significant improvement over the deprecated Internet Explorer in terms of performance and user-friendliness, no longer needs to hide. It remains to be seen what innovations will continue to excite users in the browser field in the future.