Best Web Browsers for Windows 10

There was a time when people never cared about which browser they were using, let alone wondered if they had made the right choice. The best web browser used to be the one that worked.

But those days are long gone.

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​The already competitive market for web browsers went up a notch last year, with several significant changes from the big players like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. The smaller ones also made some impressive moves, as each piece of software vied for your attention.

Result? You now have a whole range of highly capable web browsers for Windows, and desktop users have several different choices — each with its strengths and weaknesses. Some are rich in features, while others steadfast in protecting your privacy.

We take a look at the 10 of the most popular ones and see which web browser is the best for you.

The Best Web Browser?

Fact is, there’s no clear winner here, no one size fits all solution. Unlike operating systems, which are idle between the handful of big camps like Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Linux, the world of web browsers is dynamically different.

Online users are now a more discerning and adventurous bunch.

Yes, some folks don’t give much thought to which browser they use, they pick and stick with one, or just use the default one on their system. But many are eager to try new software, and not afraid of making the switch to get the optimum online experience.

This past year was perhaps the clearest example of this.

Chrome may seem like the apparent champion, but that didn’t stop Firefox from rising from the ashes. More than 170 million people installed and tried its revamped Quantum version. Then you have the constant improvements that Microsoft rolls out for Edge, its default Windows 10 web browser.

And that’s not even mentioning the new and innovative browsers like Vivaldi and Brave, with their delightfully smart tools that come built into the programs. Choices like these are ideal for savvy web users, and these browsers are steadily gaining market share, each passing month.

All that said, let’s see what finest web browsers you can get your hands on right now are. Particular emphasis on recent enhancements that these companies rolled out last year, so you can get an idea of how your potential choice is improving.

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Top 10 Best Web Browsers

No#

Name

Best for

Rating

Download

Review

1

Google Chrome

Professional Use

★★★★★

2

Mozilla Firefox

New Features

★★★★★

3

Microsoft Edge

Security

★★★★★

4

Vivaldi

Faster Experience

★★★★☆

5

Opera

Privacy

★★★★☆

6

Tor Browser

Anonymous Use

★★★☆☆

7

Brave

Ease of Use

★★★☆☆

8

Maxthon Cloud Browser

Vast Extension

★★★☆☆

9

Epic Browser

Private Browsing

★★☆☆☆

10

Pale Moon

Active Community

★★☆☆☆

1. Google Chrome

Let’s start with the elephant in the room — both literal and proverbial. Simplicity has always been the strength of this Google creation, and the newer versions of Chrome take this to the next level. Rather than overloading it with all kinds of bells and whistles, you get to choose what to install.

Which is to say, most of the magic is available in the vast Chrome Web Store, which houses everything from extensions to themes. This reliance on third-party add-ons have made the browser itself less innovative in recent past, though, and the rapid release cycle only brings along minor changes.

Google Chrome - Best Web Browsers

That’s not to take anything away from many of the useful built-in tools that Google has baked into Chrome like a form filler, password manager, and spellchecker. These combined with features like voice control and automated translation give you one highly productive application.

Chrome also offers top performance and is the fastest browser on the list. It remains a memory hog, though, with its separate background process for each tab resulting in the voracious devouring of your RAM. Due to this, Chrome is also not as stable as other browsers due to pages hanging and crashing.

All things considered, this still is a web browser that is at the forefront of web technologies. Look beyond the privacy and memory issues, and Chrome is a program that will be entirely at ease in all your online adventures, even if other web browsers offer extra features.

ProsCons
  • Sublime feature set
  • Excellent speed
  • Huge store of extensions
  • Integration with Google services
  • Excessive memory usage
  • Unadventurous, when it comes to improvements
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2. Mozilla Firefox

Firefox reborn. The Quantum version of Firefox was perhaps the most significant story in the world of web browsers in 2017, and it was a rightly earned one too. To say that this new release is an improvement over the previous one is the understatement of the year.

Quantum makes use of a new CSS engine and runs on multiple processor cores. The former reduces memory and battery usage, and the latter helps load pages faster. Expect up to 30% improvements on the first front, while snappier page loads are also very much noticeable to the naked eye.

Mozilla Firefox - Top Web Browsers

In addition to that, there are several tweak and tools scattered around that amp up the experience. For example, the tab you are working on is top priority over background tabs; there’s smoother video playback, the handy screenshot tool is excellent, as is the unified address and search bar.

Mozilla is also peddling the new WebExtensions, which are more secure. Though sadly, many of the legacy extensions have not made the transition, and no longer load. It is a bit of a dampen for longtime users of Firefox, mainly power users that rely on their favorite extensions.

And while Firefox is no longer the leader when it comes to privacy protection, you at least have Tracking Protection enabled by default. The rest can be handled by extensions, many of which help you stay safe online. Firefox is back, and it’s better than ever!

ProsCons
  • Massive performance improvements
  • Handy collection of built-in tools
  • Faster CSS engine
  • New WebExtensions
  • Older extensions no longer work
  • Not as may security tools as other browsers

3. Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)

Microsoft Edge is the successor to Internet Explorer, and sadly, this new web browser was as maligned as the one it has replaced. That’s because with IE you at least got something that felt complete. Edge, on the other hand, used to seems like a work in progress. And an unexciting one, at that.

But the situation is changed now with the release of its latest version which is chromium based. The new edge is so far going great and if it can introduce some unique features of its own, it can give a tough competition to others.

The new Edge isn’t entirely—or even mostly, so far—a Microsoft effort, though. Edge is now based on the open-source Chromium browser, which is the underpinning of Google Chrome and several other, lesser-known browsers as well. It should seem immediately familiar to seasoned Chrome users—and it even allows installing extensions directly from Chrome’s own Web store. It’s not hard to imagine a lot of Chrome users simply not bothering to replace it when they see how familiar it is. The browser war between Google and Microsoft has reached a level up, after this latest release

Things are also on the up when it comes to the built-in functionalities that Microsoft has baked into Edge. You get some excellent ability to add notes to web pages, a reading view, an option to save articles for reading later and converting pages into live tiles.

ProsCons
  • Comes with several productive tools built-in
  • Windows 10, Cortana integration
  • Highly secure, due to it being an app
  • New WebExtensions
  • Minimal interface
  • Not as regularly updated
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4. Vivaldi

Many consider Vivaldi to be bright new hope for the browser world, and they are not wrong. While most modern web browsers go for the Chrome philosophy, Vivaldi takes inspiration from Opera. No surprises here, as the co-founder of Opera has created it.

Now, while the default interface of Vivaldi is not earth-shattering in its originality, a deep dive reveals a whole range of smart features and customization options that set this new web browser apart. Plenty of neat tricks are available too that help you save time while you are browsing the web.

Vivaldi - Best Web Browsers

Upon the first start, Vivaldi asks you to choose from six attractive themes, pick a background wallpaper, and set the position of your tab bar. You can then display web pages in handy little pullout panels, navigate using mouse gestures, capture screenshots, annotate, and group them into stacks.

Customization is perhaps the most significant strength of this new browser, as Vivaldi lets you create your keyboard shortcuts, as well as add more search engines. You also get effective control over your privacy, including a handy little option to clear all your private data in one go.

No complaints regarding speed, and website rendering. Worth a mention that Vivaldi does not yet have its extension site, meaning you will have to make do with the Chrome Web Store to install the addons. They work perfectly fine, however, in what is one of the best browsers available right now.

ProsCons
  • Fast, friendly, fresh
  • Uniquely attractive design
  • Support for mouse gestures
  • Excellent customization ability
  • Doesn’t have an extensions site
  • Could do with syncing options

5. Opera

One of the biggest mysteries of the online world is why Opera does not have a more significant user base, despite being on the market for some 22 years. On its best day, it just claimed a 6% slice of the browser market. This, despite having, what many consider, the most innovative package.

Fact is that Opera has introduced more innovations than pretty much all other browsers. Case in point, version 50 of the program comes packed with several useful tools bundled right in. For example, an ad blocker, screenshot capture, a power-saving mode for laptop users, even a pop-out video player.

Opera - Best Web Browsers

And then there’s that handy sidebar for chatting with friends on Facebook and WhatsApp. Not to mention the free VPN that you get, which not only spoofs your IP address but also encrypts your data to keep you safe and anonymous on the web. It’s amazing what you get for free!

No other web browser comes close to offering this feature set. Same goes for extensions support, which is practically the best on the market. Not only can you use add-ons designed for Opera, but it is also possible to install Chrome extensions. Technically, this makes it the number one in this regard.

Where it falters a bit is that its user interface feels a tad dated. Old school, if you will. The various options are not here, and getting around is a little confusing. Then again, the fact that it consumes less memory than both Chrome and Firefox is only the icing on a very delicious cake. Try Opera.

ProsCons
  • Tons of unique features
  • Innovative set of options
  • Top privacy
  • Good memory management
  • May seem confusing at first
  • Slightly dated user interface

6. Tor Browser

Tor needs no introduction. Not for people that are concerned about their privacy, at least. The Tor network is for folks that want to stay relatively anonymous on the internet, and we can say same of the Tor Browser.

This lightweight program is the tool that you want to use if you’re going to lurk in the shadows, and don’t want government agencies, social sites, advertisers, cybercriminals, hackers, and identity thieves to follow your every move.

Tor Browser - Top Web Browsers

The Tor Browser offers reliable protection via two powerful security tools that come preinstalled —NoScript and HTTPS Everywhere. It also routes your web traffic through a series of nodes to conceal your IP address and location. Nodes being servers and computers connected to the internet.

The base of its design is on Firefox 52, which is apparently a version before the Quantum update to that browser. This means that Tor Browser will feel instantly familiar to those that have used Firefox before. It also uses the privacy-focused DuckDuckGo search engine, which does not track your searches or targets you with ads.

The downside of this emphasis on privacy is that the Tor Browser is noticeably slower than other browsers when you have all its security settings turned on. Luckily, it is possible to whitelist your trusted websites. Still, be prepared for slower page load times when using this one.

ProsCons
  • Reliable privacy protection
  • Based on Firefox code
  • Very slow when all privacy settings are turned on
  • Little customization potential
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7. Brave

Brave is the creation of a former Mozilla CEO, who has designed this browser with a focus to keep you safe online. It is one of the most accessible browsers to use, and though not high on flexibility and customizability, its privacy and security features are second to none. The same goes for its overall speed.

First things first, this is a program that prefers to keep things compact and have the various settings locked down. The idea is to prevent slowdowns, as a light footprint ensures that the focus remains on fast and secure web browsing.

Brave - Best Web Browsers

This lack of add-ons helps with usage, and keep things running breezily. But you do get nine preselected tools, including four different password managers. There’s also a torrent client packed in, as is a discount finder for those that like to hunt for bargains online.

But the most notable highlight of Brave is its powerful shield that automatically blocks all ads, cookies, and scripts that compromise your privacy and security. It also directs you to secure versions of websites, whenever available.

The browser also displays statistics for content that it blocks on your New Tab page, which also shows your photos, and shortcuts to your favorite sites. Easy to use, with a streamlined user interface, Brave does things differently and goes where few others dare to venture.

ProsCons
  • Speedy performance
  • Stylish, streamlined UI
  • Easy to use
  • Display statistics for content blocked
  • Not as flexible or customizable
  • Minimal selection of addons

8. Maxthon Cloud Browser

One of the more popular names in the browser world, Maxthon Cloud Browser is a program that not many have heard. Chances are that if you’re not one of its 670 million users, this may be your first introduction.

Its country of origin is China, which explains its massive user base and limited recognition outside the region. This is a browser that is available for both desktop and mobile, and people mostly use it on smartphones and tablets.

Maxthon Cloud Browser - Best Web Browsers

Still, the desktop version for Windows is packed with a number of innovative features that are not available elsewhere — including more than 800 extensions. That said, it’s in the native feature set that makes the Maxthon Web Browser shine and stands out from the competition.

Notable tools include a built-in ad blocker, cloud sync across the device, a screen capture utility, a video downloader, customizable skins, a night mode to protect your eyes, a password manager, a note-taking solution, as well as a virtual mailbox. Amazing, really.

All this means that you don’t get the simplicity of other browsers like Chrome or Firefox, but if you’re in for the bells and whistles, Maxthon doesn’t disappoint. It will take a while to delve into its various menus and settings, however. But once you’re comfortable, it’s smooth sailing from there on.

ProsCons
  • Stacked with features
  • Large selection of extensions
  • Impressive customization potential
  • UI takes a bit getting used to
  • Performance suffers due to all the extra features
  • Some extensions are dodgy

9. Epic Browser

If your idea of epic is an extra-vigilant approach to privacy, then Epic Browser brings it. On most web browsers you’ll need to install and deploy several add-ons to avoid being tracked online. Epic, however, offers a lot of this functionality built-in.

This is a browser that is based on Chromium, similar to Chrome. But it has been custom-designed with some useful privacy features that go a long way towards offering a safer browsing experience — no matter your usage habits on the web.

Epic Browser - Top 10 Web Browsers

Epic does all it can to ensure that whatever you do online remains private. This, it accomplishes by blocking all tracking, including third-party cookies and ads. It also redirects your searches through a proxy server, so that no one can see what you are looking for.

Additionally, the browser also hides your IP address, and always uses an encrypted connection whenever possible. Epic Browser also goes the distance by automatically clearing your browsing data at the end of each session — an extreme measure, some may say, but necessary.

Do note that this browser occasionally has some issues with loading pages accurately. It also limits you to seven secure add-ons, meaning you can’t install your favorite extension. If you can live with its dull design, and lack of customization and personalization options, this one may be worth a look.

ProsCons
  • Useful privacy features
  • Automatically clears browsing data
  • Very limited customization
  • Occasional crashes, stability issues
  • Only a handful of extensions
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10. Pale Moon

Pale Moon has long been a fan-favorite, but things have not been going too well for this one. Initially, based on Firefox, this web browser has taken a different route lately in its quest to maintain features that Mozilla opted to drop over the years. This made it a safe place for these Firefox users.

Of course, it also brought along several new additions and enhancements of its own. Including a customizable Start Page that displayed all manner of widgets for your favorite websites, services, and RSS feeds.

Pale Moon - Top Web Browsers

Same goes for the sync option that encrypts your data before uploading it to the web. Likewise, instead of Google or Bing, Pale Moon came with DuckDuckGo as the default search engine. Not to mention, an active and vibrant community with a forum for all kinds of discussions and tips.

That said, while this is still a competent web browser, high on customization potential and excellent ease of use, it has started to falter when it comes to performance and overall feature set. Many modern web browsers like Chrome, Vivaldi, and, of course, Firefox Quantum, has it beat these days.

To complicate matters further, Mozilla switching to the WebExtensions format means that the thousands of classic add-ons that were available on Firefox no longer work on Pale Moon. The browser does offer its extensions, themes, and search plugins, but it’s not quite that.

Luckily, the lead developer of Pale Moon hopes to address the problem of the extension later this year. At the end of the day, Pale Moon is still an attractive browser if you like a lot of customization and personalization. It’s what Firefox could have been, had it stayed its path.

ProsCons
  • High on customization
  • Widgets on the start page
  • Good, active community
  • Performance issues
  • Feels like an old version of Firefox
  • Reduced selection of extensions due to format change

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33 thoughts on “Best Web Browsers for Windows 10”

  1. To score Edge lowest is bullshit. It outperforms Chrome and Firefox on my Windows 10 systems. I don’t care about extensions and crap. I just want to get to my pages fast. Which Edge does.

    Reply
    • Crashing and lockups are common. Admittedly, it runs faster when it does. It was a good idea but frankly they should have just improved on IE. At least IE gave meaningful messages in installation failure. ‘Something went wrong’ is a step backward.

      Reply
    • Edge is very fast on Windows 10, or so I thought. Facebook crawls with Edge. I liked some of the features. The news page sucks but it customizable , if you have the time.

      Reply
      • A totally new and different Edge debuted in January 2020. Switch over if you haven’t already. It’s much better than the old one.

        Reply
      • Yes its very fast, very fast to crash and lock up. Edge is a bigger train wreck than IE ever tried to be. Then it gets worse and it’s tied to w10 so you can’t even uninstall it without screwing something up. Sounds like we are being illegally forced to be raped by a wanna be web browser.

        Reply
  2. Epic Browser does not update at all.
    Same version since January 2019 …
    “They are working on it”
    It is stable and has the best Privacy with Proxy.

    Reply
    • Avast has charged me, without my permission or acknowledgement for services I don’t even have. I bought from them in the past & they just started monthly deductions from my bank acct. NOW 3 YRS LATER for a 1 time fee password service they have..BE CAREFUL

      Reply
  3. Your vivaldi cons are both not really valid points

    Doesn’t have an extensions site, this also applies to other chromium browser such as brave, torch, etc even opera extension site are lacking and in the end people install chrome extension

    Could do with syncing options, i think vivaldi syncing is much better than other chromium browser because it can sync everything including your extensions too ! (opera, brave, etc doesnt support this)

    for me, vivaldi is best browser nowadays

    Reply
  4. I’ve been using Vivaldi for about a month and it’s fantastic. Best browser I’ve ever used. I also have Opera but as soon as all my config is moved over to Vivaldi it’d out of here. The customization options in Vivaldi are like nothing I’ve seen before. And because it’s based on Opera its attractive and fast. My main browser is Cyberfox but development stopped last year and it’s becoming difficult to get addon updates. It’s still configured perfectly configured for me but it’s now o my list of the lamest software I’ve ever used. And I’ve been working with computers since 1980. I haven’t seen any begging for donations from Vivaldi but I would definitely pay for it. Although it may sound like it I’m not associated with Vivaldi. 🙂 Highly recommended.

    Reply
  5. I am so so hacked off with Firefox now. I have had no warning when the updates come and several seem to have been a complete rebuild it seems. And when these do happen (and this is the third time of it happening) I have lost all data, all my addons gone! I love my Speed Dial. All the links have gone. All my open bookmarks, gone! I am not always on top of things as my head is constantly mucked up by the strong tablets I take so forethought of backing up goes out of the window. I spent yet another day picking up the pieces so as I had a resemblance of what I had before. This was the last straw, so am going to another Browser and fingers crossed I will not have the same problem. And I will be setting my details to alert me when an update is needed. In the past these addons remained and it would say ‘not compatible with this version of Firefox’ and you found an update. Not to wipe everything away so as you start from damn scratch! Not happy with Firefox now at ALL!

    Reply
    • I’ve had a similar experience with FF as you. I only use it now for research I will finish that same day. And every so often, I make a list of my open tabs using OneTab.

      Reply
  6. Ever since Opera was sold or merged or whatever, it has taken a sharp decline in performance as well as the “ad-blocking” feature, it’s basically non-existent! I am constantly getting bombarded with ad’s and pop-ups telling me to use this antivirus or that antivirus and these pop-ups NEVER stop, no matter what I do!! I used to be a big fan of Opera but because of these pop-up issues, I will move on to something better. I know these pop-ups originate from Opera as it says “opera.com” at the bottom of all of these pop-ups. I’m even starting to get these pop-ups whilst I’m using Edge! Pretty crazy right? I’m using Edge, then one of these Antivirus pop-ups come on my screen, saying “opera.com” at the bottom of them. So these pop-ups are basically trying to take over my system! These AV programs that are advertised are AV programs I have NEVER HEARD OF! I’m pretty satisfied with the AV program I currently have and I have a feeling that if I would click on one of these Opera ad links, it is probably a link to a virus. Don’t want it – don’t need it! Goodbye Opera!!!!

    Reply
  7. EPIC works for me.

    I have Version 75.0.3770.100 and like the privacy, built in VPN (which can be turned on or off) and the auto ad blocker.

    Some sites will not load due to the ad blocker, but it’s easy to turn off Java Script and defeat their block.

    Other sites will not load thru the proxy (VPN). So you can turn that off as well.

    But overall, for secure banking, most on line shopping / purchases, and general web surfing…I can live with this easy to use browser.

    BTW, I loaded duckduckgo on the home page for ease of use and because I dislike google.

    Just my style…

    Reply
  8. Any comments or suggestions on which browser I should try. I have a HP TouchSmart notebook, I believe it was windows 7. I was offered a free upgrade to windows 10 from Microsoft about a month or so after I got it.
    Right now I’m using Microsoft Edge & it sucks. It runs sooooo slow, takes forever to connect to a site, security has been hacked,etc
    PLEASE ANY AND ALL INFO WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

    Reply
  9. Where is Yandex Browser? Just don’t answer that you don’t know this browser. if you don’t, your article may have other gaps and you’re wasting time on it.

    Reply
    • Yandex is a very nice browser indeed. Starts out in Russian, but moving it to 99% English is fairly simple and quick. Chromium based.

      Reply
    • I like Dissenter too. As for commenting on all websites, in order to see those comments you have to have a Gab account. Few do. I do, though.

      Reply

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