Internet Browsers
Whether you’re browsing Facebook, watching videos on YouTube, or just looking for information online, internet browsers are the prime portal to do so. In the early days of the internet, internet browsers were simple but powerful tools, made with the primary goal of helping users the world over. Sadly, as time ahs gone on, and the advertising-technology industry blossomed in particular, internet browsers became less focused on giving a good experience and more focused on milking every bit of revenue from their users, first by selling ads to corporations, and then later by selling user data as well.
This is a quick rundown of various internet browsers I would recommend, as well as caution against.
Firefox
#1 Recommendation
ABOUT — Mozilla dates back to the days of Netscape Navigator, starting as a free software community created by Netscape themselves in 1998. After Netscape was acquired by AOL though, members of the community split off to create their own open-source internet browser, eventually releasing as Mozilla Firefox in late 2004.
PROS
• Only major browser built by a non-profit
• Only major browser not built on Chromium (Google-based, 99% of other browsers)
• Strong privacy and anti-tracking features by default
• Lots of customization options
Cons
• Since Firefox isn’t Chromium-based like most browsers, it can on rare occasions have compatibility issues
• Prone to high RAM-usage at times
Brave
#2 Recommendation
ABOUT — Released in 2016, Brave is a Chromium-based open-source browser created by Brendan Eich, best known as the original creator of JavaScript (programming language used on 99% of webpages), as well as for being the very brief CEO of Mozilla. Assuming you can look past Brendan’s anti-gay-marriage views and Covid-19 misinformation, Brave is a competent browser with a focus on privacy, ad-blocking, and tracker-blocking.
PROS
• Strong ad and tracker-blocking by default
CONS
• Annoying crypto features, though they can be disabled/hidden for the most part
Edge
NEVER
ABOUT — Released in its current iteration in 2020, Microsoft Edge is a Chromium-based open-source internet browser that is a direct successor to Internet Explorer. While its certainly better than the old days of Internet Explorer, Edge still suffers from the same issues as Windows 10 and 11: being designed by Microsoft.
PROS
• TBD
CONS
• Lots of on-by-default features that aren’t great
• Updates reportedly change settings
• Packed with typical Microsoft bloatware
• Pushes Bing
Chrome
NEVER
ABOUT — Released in 2008, Google Chrome is a Chromium-based internet browser that has made up the majority of the internet browser market since 2013, now accounting for roughly two-thirds of the market. As a result of this near-monopoly on internet browsers, Chrome has been subject to heavy criticism over the years, with much of it as a result of Google also having an even bigger monopoly on online advertising. Google Ads accounts for roughly 80% of the pay-per-click (PPC) market, and as a result, Google has a vested interest in making sure that Chrome works in tandem to maximize revenue. Its also notable to mention that Google was sued in a class-action lawsuit for $5 billion in 2020 for tracking users that thought they would not be tracked using Incognito Mode, before reaching a settlement in 2024.
PROS
• TBD
CONS
• High RAM usage (runs slower with every tab open!)
• Makes it difficult to use effective ad-blockers
• Doesn’t block trackers by default
• Closed-source
• Pushes Google
Safari
EH…
ABOUT — Released in 2003, Safari is an internet browser developed by Apple for use with Apple products. While it did have a brief 5-year run of availability on Windows, it has not supported Windows since 2012.
Its also worthy to note that Google pays Apple 36% of all search advertising revenue generated via Google users on Safari.
PROS
• Blocks third-party cookies by default
• Seamless Apple ecosystem integrations (i.e. Apple Pay, Keychain, etc)
CONS
• Not available to Windows users
• Lacks the customization options of other browsers
• Closed-source
• Pushes Google