The Pros & Cons of Different Web Browsers

They all do the same thing, but what sets them apart?

As providers of IT solutions for business, we know that choosing the right browser is key. Chances are, it’s going to be through one of a few different platforms.

Web browsers are a central part of our lives, so you probably want to make sure you’re using the right one for you. If you are considering accessing the dark web, we don’t have a list of good browsers for you, unfortunately!

Of course, they all basically do the same thing. But each big player has some subtle differences and some pros and cons to consider. We asked our expert team to give the lowdown on them.

This guide compares the pros and cons of the most popular web browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Opera. It explains performance, security, privacy, compatibility and best use cases to help businesses and individuals choose the right browser.

Browser	Speed	Security	Privacy	Best For
Google Chrome	Very fast	Strong	Moderate	Extensions, cross-device sync
Microsoft Edge	Fast	Very strong	Moderate	Windows users, Microsoft 365
Mozilla Firefox	Fast	Strong	Excellent	Privacy-focused users
Safari	Very fast	Strong	Strong	Apple ecosystem
Opera	Fast	Good	Good	Built-in VPN and features

Google Chrome

The world’s most popular browser since it launched in 2008. It rapidly overtook both Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox primarily due to its speed and customisation options.

The open source software meant a lot of extensions would be made, adding to the experience of using the browser. It’s also very much a cross-platform browser, meaning your log-ins, details and bookmarks are accessible on whatever device you’re logged in on.

Key advantages:

• Super-fast.
• Big extensions library.
• Flash is automatically integrated, so it doesn’t need to be downloaded separately.
• Decent security controls.
• Excellent auto-fill features.

Key disadvantages

• Demands a lot of resources. Even with tab freezing, it’s still pretty hungry.
• Collects an unreasonable amount of data from users.
• Part of Google’s tech monopoly.

Best for

It’s still pretty much the fastest one, but it is renowned for gobbling up your system’s processing power. It’s resource-hungry and can therefore slow down your computer.

The other main concern with Google Chrome is the privacy side of things we mentioned above. Many are uncomfortable with the enormous market share they have, especially when you consider that other browser platforms use its tech as well.

It’s good, yes, but are you willing to pay the price of allowing one company to have too much access to your data and therefore a lot of power?

Microsoft Edge

This is now Window’s default browser, rising like a phoenix out of the ashes of Internet Explorer. Although the latter isn’t quite gone yet, it will be in 2021.

And to be fair to Windows, they’ve pulled it out of the bag with this.

Microsoft Edge is a cross-platform browser, meaning you can get it on Mac, iOS and Android, and it’s actually pretty good.

Key advantages

• Super-fast like Chrome.
• Save certain websites as apps which you can run separately from the browser. Great for commonly used sites like Google Docs, email clients and Twitter.
• Privacy settings are very clear.

Key disadvantages

• Not a very big extension catalogue.
• Although cross-platform it’s best on Windows.

Best for

Built on Google’s Chromium engine, it is super-fast, and if you are using it on Windows, it integrates seamlessly with programs like OneNote.

It does lack some of the key features of its competitors, and there are a couple of annoying limits to the user experience, but it is still pretty new, so it could potentially grow into a very powerful browser.

At least as a default, if you aren’t interested in changing, it’s a pretty good option.

Mozilla Firefox

For a long time, Mozilla Firefox was the main competitor to Internet Explorer. It presented an open source, flexible alternative.

This meant developers could add their own extensions, increasing the scope of what was possible with the browser.

Since Google Chrome came onto the scene, it has lagged in popularity due to slower speeds; however, its most recent updates have pretty much rectified these issues.

It also has a big focus on privacy, and Mozilla have added a number of first-party add-ons to improve browser security.

Key advantages

• Doesn’t use up too many system resources.
• Good extension library. Some popular extensions have recently been integrated as standard features.
• Native integration of Pocket (read later) app.
• Good cross-compatibility and syncing across devices.

Key disadvantages

• Still slightly slower than rivals.
• The landing page has too many ads and links.
• Plugins can make it lag if there’s too much going on.

Best for

The fact that it’s the only cross-platform browser that isn’t built on Google’s Chromium engine is also a major plus.

Many are concerned about Google’s monopoly of the internet and what that means for access to information and privacy of data. Not only do they have the most popular browser, but their tech is behind most other ways of accessing the internet.

Firefox is therefore the overwhelming first choice when it comes to trust and user data. It’s also a pretty good browser. Here are some more pros and a few cons to consider.

Safari

MacOS and iOS’s default browser. Although it used to be supported on Windows, it isn’t anymore.

It’s simple, but if all you need is a search engine, then it does the job. If you’re an Apple purist and want to sync browsing data and log-ins with other Apple devices and Apple software, then it may make sense to use this.

Otherwise, there’s no real reason why you’d pick it over the others.

Opera

Built by the independent Opera Software, this browser has a different user interface to other browsers, but its biggest draw is it’s built in features.

It has its own native VPN, which you can run from the browser, as well as a built-in ad blocker and other security features. These are certainly handy features to have and place it ahead of other browsers in the area of security.

Vivaldi

Vivaldi’s an interesting one in that you can customise literally everything. The UI, search function, navigation, you name it.

For a completely bespoke browsing experience, this is definitely one to try. On the other hand, if you’ve got work to do, the temptation to tweak may be a bit of a distraction… Feel free to contact us if you would like any further information on the best browser for your business.

Which web browser should you choose?

• For businesses using Microsoft 365: Microsoft Edge
• For maximum privacy: Mozilla Firefox
• For Apple users: Safari
• For flexibility and extensions: Google Chrome
• For built-in features like VPN: Opera

Web browser FAQs

1. What is the most secure web browser?

Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge are often considered the most secure due to regular updates and strong privacy controls.

2. Which browser is best for business use?

Microsoft Edge integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, making it ideal for business environments.

3. Does browser choice affect website performance?

Yes. Different browsers handle scripts, extensions and memory usage differently, which can affect speed and compatibility.

Choosing the right web browser can improve security, productivity and website compatibility. For businesses, browser choice should align with operating systems, cloud tools and security policies. At Reality Solutions, we help businesses optimise their IT setup to ensure performance, security and reliability across every platform.