Browser comparison: How the five leaders stack up in speed

Browser comparison: How the five leaders stack up in speed, ease of use and more

Browsers largely look and act the same: They render HTML in multiple tabs or separate windows, let you bookmark pages, support HTTP and FTP file transfer, or offer private browsing (no data is stored). Deep inside each one, however, are operational differences that may or may not fulfill your needs.

Opera had a long-standing and well-deserved reputation for being fast, but not rendering all pages correctly. A switch from a proprietary HTML layout engine to free and widely-used WebKit (currently version 537 as with Chrome) has made that a thing of the past.

Internet Explorer has a history of being exploited by bad guys, both because of its immense popularity and its ActiveX technology. Give Microsoft credit: It’s doggedly improved the Trident layout engine, adopted standards, and improved security. IE is no longer something I advise users to avoid.

Firefox is a longtime worthy IE competitor, and Chrome’s a strong newcomer. As Safari was installed with iTunes for years, many Windows users have it, but have never tried it—possibly because Apple has never given it a truly Windows-like look.

I’ll be comparing browser performance and resource usage as well as features and ease of use.
Click to expand...

Source

A Guy
 
Click to expand...
I used Opera for years and indeed found it to be quite fast. But the page-rendering issue you mentioned, along with the general arrogance of its developers and fanboys, eventually caused me to ditch it for Firefox. Maybe I'll give it another look.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
I've dabbled with most of the browsers on an off for a number of years and I've never really experienced one that was noticeable faster than another. I've setting on Google Chrome as I like the bookmark sync feature a lot. On my Mac i use Safari as it's much easier on the battery...chrome indeed seemed to be quite the memory hog.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
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    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
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    stock
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    ABS M1 Mechanical
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    15/2 cable modem
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I decided to use Avant Browser as it seems to have something like the best of all worlds.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD
    Memory
    4Gb
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Browser
    IE11
For modern systems, I prefer Pale Moon (an off-shoot of Firefox with an x64 build that's quite reliable). I also like SeaMonkey, and find it quick on Puppy Linux and Windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
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    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
I'm using Pale Moon (64 bit).

IMO, all the main browsers need to be rebuilt (i.e. "start again from scratch").
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
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    Tower
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    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
lehnerus2000 said:
I'm using Pale Moon (64 bit).

IMO, all the main browsers need to be rebuilt (i.e. "start again from scratch").
Click to expand...

Is Pale Moon included in that list? I only ask because what would re-engineering the browsers accomplish?
:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
Jody Thornton said:
lehnerus2000 said:
I'm using Pale Moon (64 bit).

IMO, all the main browsers need to be rebuilt (i.e. "start again from scratch").
Click to expand...

Is Pale Moon included in that list? I only ask because what would re-engineering the browsers accomplish?
:)
Click to expand...
Pale Moon would have to be re-engineered (or forked) if Firefox was rebuilt.

Browsers (like other software) probably still contain legacy code, which might not be efficient when used with the newer web standards.

Take extensions in Firefox as an example.
I have multiple profiles (one profile can't cope with all of my Bookmarks and History).
You should be able to have "Global" add-ons and personal ones.

For example, you should be able to install NoScript as a "Global" add-on and all profiles would include it by default.
It would need "Global" preferences and additional profile-based ones (cascading permissions and options).
You should only have to update the "Global" add-on once, instead of having to do it (or allow it) in every profile.

I try to avoid using IE and Chrome as much as possible (difficult since I'm currently studying web design).
People who use those browsers could probably suggest improvements that should be incorporated in them.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
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    PC/Desktop
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    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
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    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
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    Apple
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    Apple
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    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
Hi there

Out of all the things we do with computers the most BORING and POINTLESS thing ever is a lot of these BROWSER WARS - so long as the wretched thing is safe 99% of the response time is TOTALLY OUTSIDE the browsers hands

1) Target web site / server - if that's busy then the fastest system in the world is still going to be slow.

2) Your OWN internet speed - if you are logged on to a slow network then same as 1) above.

3) Target website - if it's written inefficiently or needs the browser to execute long winded or badly written code then also as 1) above.

4) If your computer is running a lot of processes or you don't have sufficient compute resources (poor CPU power, lack of RAM/video/ / slow HDD's) then again the browser speed is irrelevant.

5) If you are watching Video (and more and more use Internet for online videos) then speed of browser is going to make NO difference -- if you've got an adequate CONSTANT 2Mb/s connection then that's perfectly OK for watching an HD movie without re-buffering.

Simply choose the browser you like (interface etc) and let's ignore these totally and utterly pointless boring browser wars.

In any case I'm waiting for a decent video streaming app that doesn't need a browser even to access it -- for example NETFLIX or SKY GO should be directly accessible without using a browser !!.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    1 X LG 40 inch TV
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    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
I have transitioned from Chrome to IE now :p
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Industry Pro B-)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
    CPU
    Core I5 2430M @ 2.4GHz
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3 @ 1600MHz Dual Channel ^_^
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD 3000 B-)
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 500 GB
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender & Common Sense!
jimbo45 said:
Hi there

Out of all the things we do with computers the most BORING and POINTLESS thing ever is a lot of these BROWSER WARS - so long as the wretched thing is safe 99% of the response time is TOTALLY OUTSIDE the browsers hands...
Simply choose the browser you like (interface etc) and let's ignore these totally and utterly pointless boring browser wars.

Cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be so quick to come to that conclusion: I find Gecko based browsers have a lot of configurable items that do indeed affect rendering speed. Also they can affect time-slicing between rendering throughput and responsiveness of the interface.

Moreover, some Gecko browsers (ie. K-Meleon, Seamonkey) do seem faster than others (Firefox).

Just an observation. Besides I like looking at more finicky points with a careful eye myself, so I don't find this line of conversation boring at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 x64 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP xw8600 Workstation
    CPU
    Two Intel Xeon Core2 Quad 3.2 GHz Processors
    Motherboard
    Proprietary
    Memory
    16 GB DDR2 800 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia Quadro FX 3800 PCI-E
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 213T 21" 4x3 Flat Screen
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    Two Seagate Cheetah 300 GB SAS Disks
    PSU
    Proprietary
    Case
    HP xw8600 Workstation Case
    Cooling
    Two CPU Fans and a Larger Case Fan
    Keyboard
    PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech USB Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    7 mbps
    Browser
    Firefox ESR 102
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Two LSI 3000 SAS Adapters
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