With more than 60% of browser market share, Google Chrome is arguably the best browser available. But the smooth experience comes with the cost of personal data and more RAM usage. People need a lighter web browser, rich with features, and that comes with privacy controls; if you ask anyone that their favorite web browser other than Google Chrome, these are the possible browsers that they might name.
Here are the best Google Chrome alternatives of 2021:
1. Microsoft Edge
Windows default browser has gotten much better with the latest version of Microsoft Edge. The company has released a brand new Edge browser with a Chromium engine and chrome extension support, making it much more useful than ever. The modern Edge browser is feature riched and much faster than Chrome and is an excellent replacement for Google Chrome.
The old Edge browser had its extensions and some unique features, but it is no longer supported. Windows users will get the Chromium-based Edge browser update as a replacement for the old Edge browser. If you’re tired of Google Chrome or want to try something new and faster, Microsoft Edge is a must-try for you.
Availability: Windows (7, 8, 8.1, 10), macOS, Android
2. Firefox
Firefox is the second-best alternative to Google Chrome, in my opinion. In terms of speed and privacy, Firefox is your go-to browser. With tracking protection, Firefox’s extensions, account information sync, and more features for developers. For web developers, Firefox is a go-to browser because of its competitive dev features.
With the release of Firefox Quantum Browser, it is easier to suggest a Chrome alternative that is as speedy as Google’s browser. Private browsing also gets better with the new Quantum browser update as it deletes all your data after the end of the session. The browser update also brings tracking protection from different online trackers to prevent tracking across platforms, especially from social media websites like Facebook.
Availability: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
3. Vivaldi
Vivaldi is a Chromium-based browser with features more than Google Chrome. The browser has been around for five years now and is available for Windows, macOS, and Android. With nearly 1.2 million monthly active users, Vivaldi is delivering speed and features on Chromium technology. Here are the features of the Vivaldi browser that you should try:
- Notes: Save your thoughts
- Quick Commands
- Visual Bookmarks and Speed Dial
- Web Panels
- Manage Sessions Manually
- Visual Tab Previews
- Tab Stacks
- Trash Can: Quickly Restore Pages
- Adaptive Interface
Availability: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
4. Opera Browser
Opera Browser is light, comes with dark mode, a built-in free VPN, and other useful features. With features like VR player, Snapshot tool, Download manager, image loading settings, mouse gestures, pop-up blocking, extension from Opera store, and Opera Turbo, the browser comes with more features than Chrome browser. Opera browser is available for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS.
Availability: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
5. Safari
Safari is the default for macOS and iOS users. Apple’s browser has been around for a long time but still unable to compete with the likes of Google Chrome. Safari is a simple browser with basic features to offer. Other than its simplicity, it doesn’t have anything special that could compel users to try it out. However, Apple users prefer using it on macOS and iOS. With macOS Big Sur 11.0, Safari gets new features. So, if you’re looking for a web browser for just mere browsing, Safari is your choice.
Availability: macOS, iOS
6. Tor Browser
Tor Browser is the most privacy-focused browser that you can get on the internet. If privacy is everything for you, Tor Browser is your go-to browser. With Tor Browser, you can surf the internet anonymously. No one can track your data with this browser, and this is possible due to Tor’s network of relays for communication around the globe.
Availability: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
7. Epic Browser
Epic Browser is also an alternate browser that you can go to if you’re not using Chrome. It includes tracking protection, cookies, ad networks, malvertising, crypto mining, and other privacy-related tactics that websites use to get user data.
Unlike Chrome, it has a built-in tracking blocker feature, which is a relief for looking for a tracking-free web surfing experience. Another cool feature that privacy enthusiasts will like about Epic Browser is its one-click encryption tool. With this tool, you can hide your IP address and encrypt your browsing experience, which means that it will protect your browsing history from not only your ISP but your government, employer, data collectors, and others. The DNS requests are also routed through the encrypted proxy. Epic is available for Windows and macOS for free.
Availability: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
So, these were the best Google Chrome alternatives that you should try if you don’t want to use Chrome anymore.
8. Brave Browser
Brave Browser has all the things a user needs. It is arguably the best browser for your smartphones and desktop. The privacy-focused Chromium-based browser has the best of both worlds. It has a Chrome touch with additional exciting features. Brave Browser also supports all the Chrome extensions as it runs on a chromium engine.
In June 2020, Brave browser was caught hijacking links and inserting affiliate codes. It was previously mentioned in the top 5 of this list; however, we’ve decided to bring it down to number eight. We are not completely removing it from our recommended list because of the fast performance that it offers. However, if you feel unsafe due to the link hijacking incident of Brave browser, you can choose not to go with it. You can read their official explanation here.
Availability: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Let us know which is your favorite browser in the comments below!
Hi. Does any browser have the sync feature of Chrome? I wanna sign in with my gmail and have the bookmarks/history/etc on all devices that has logged in with that gmail
Firefox, Opera certainly have that
Hi there, yes, opera has a sync feature. you can choose to use that. just know, opera is known for not being safe, because of the owners history and past. i wouldnt recommend using it. most browsers should have a sync option but if they dont, you can always download your data and transfer it to a new device.
Two questions from a very non-techie person:
1. As an attorney, I hate Google’s lack of privacy but love how easily I can locate information (which is because they illegally copied everything ever published). Which alternative browser is the best at locating information?
2. If I give up using Google as a browser, can I still access my gmail over the internet? Do I have to give up g-mail email addresses?
Many thanks,
Denise
Google search is not necessarily tied to the browser, you can use any browser for searches.
and no, you do not have to give up your email address, but expect to be hassled to install chrome every-time you search google from a different browser.
Either way, using google search will continue to allow them to copy everything published.
Bing.com is a joke.
Goduckgo.com is nice, but never get as many results as google
Go duck go? Or did you mean, duckduckgo ?
Probably worth noting that the Brave browser was found hijacking links and inserting affiliate links multiple times in 2020.
Have you got any links or references to support this claim?
Maybe read the article…?