What other browsers exist on the Gecko engine besides Mozilla Firefox. What browsers are there? Browsers: list, reviews. New browsers Browser based on firefox engine

Hello, dear friends! Many Internet users, both advanced and not very deeply versed in the wilds of the World Wide Web, prefer to work with popular browsers such as Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari. This fact is a little puzzling, because... Alternative, no less high-quality and effective alternative browsers have long been presented on the global market for Internet products. How this happens and why the choice of users is so narrow will be discussed in the article.

The essence of browsers

The operating principle of browsers is based on an engine, which, in turn, modifies the content (digital images, documents) of web pages into an interactive picture on the screen. There are two types of engines: open source and closed source. In the first case, the code can be used by other programmers to develop their browsers; a good example is the engines Trident - Internet Explorer, Webkit - Google Chrome, Gecko - Mozilla Firefox. In the case of Trident, before using it for your own purposes, it is necessary to resolve this issue with the developers. As practice shows, many “relatives” of the above-mentioned observers have already proven their effectiveness and power.

"Little Brothers"Google Chrome-a at the baseWebkit

Google and Safari browsers are built on Webkit. It should be noted that Chrome has switched to the Blink base (an independent branch of Webkit) since 2013, and the developers of Opera 14 also used the same base. Nevertheless, the engine will maintain the traditions of open source.

Comodo Dragon

A browser that cares about user privacy. It can be safely considered one of the most secure browsers today, because... when operating, it interacts with a special SecureDNS server, which eliminates malicious resources and provides the ability to anonymously use the network.

Chromium

Almost the “twin brother” of Chrome, having a similar design, one engine, and a common development company. However, it still differs from it in the lack of automatic updating, does not interact with Flash player and some formats, and does not support the PDF format. And yet, the development of the browser does not stand still; the authors offer the latest “gadgets” and functions of Chromium, which are not yet presented in the mega-popular Chrome.

Yandex browser

A fairly conscientious browser with a whole range of offers from Yandex: mail, money, translator, and in addition to this, it can “boast” of built-in protection from Kaspersky, interaction with Flash and PDF, as well as the function of transferring settings from other browsers.

RockMeIt

Recommended for particularly active users of social networks, because... It is quite closely related to them: it has built-in social service buttons on the panels, and, which is significant, the user profile is stored on the Facebook server. However, due to rather weak development, unlike Chromium, further development of RockMeIt was stopped in 2013.

Maxthon

A columnist with a serious past, at one time he left Trident for the Webkit base. It features the ability to change the design using skins, control mouse gestures, and block advertising resources. The functionality also includes: RSS feed, notepad, auto-update. Among other things, Maxthon stands out for its individuality, high speed and performance.

CoolNovo

It is an improved version of Chrome with a bunch of new “utilities”, originally from China. It has enviable functionality: built-in blocking of annoying ads, mouse gesture recognition, a convenient download manager, and an increased degree of security.

Amigo

A creation by Mail.ru Group developers, focused on social networks: Odnoklassniki, Moi Mir, VKontakte, Twitter, Facebook. It features a special interface, in order to avoid having to visit certain services again; useful information and all sorts of updates are displayed on the side panel. Amigo also integrates a wide range of offers from Rambler: mail, a search engine, and also has an anonymity mode and high data protection rates.

Web browsers basedTrident

Having a good Trident base, the developers still managed to create a slightly functional Internet Explorer, with a bunch of shortcomings. Other authors tried to correct this oversight, and in the end, what happened?

Avant Browser

Perhaps the best “brother” of Internet Explorer. It features regular updates, enhanced security features, has a block for pop-up banners and similar sites, puts little pressure on computer resources, supports an RSS reader, and a download manager.

In addition, it works on one of three installed engines: Trident, Webkit, Gecko. Depending on the user's discretion, one of them is selected by default, the other two can be connected as needed, which ensures fast and accurate operation of the browser.

GreenBrowser

It is similar in its properties to the “older” Explorer, however, it has a wide range of capabilities, including: the presence of the so-called. hotkeys for accessing certain resources, as well as a URL alias - the ability to replace the official page address with any selective word. In addition to these advantages, there is a convenient download manager and instant log cleaning.

It is worth highlighting an interesting detail - the floating “G” icon, which can be installed anywhere on the PC desktop if desired. The advantages of this button are a lot of useful options and its constant working state, regardless of the activity of the browser itself.

Lunascape

An interesting browser from Japan. Not only does this unique browser combine three engines, it is also able to offer special functions from well-known browsers in one design and the ability to display a specific site in one of the selected browsers. As for the interface, you can customize it to suit your tastes and needs, diversify it and decorate it with interesting themes, thanks to many special settings.

It is worth noting that Lunascape only works on Windows OS, and is a rather difficult product for beginners.

SlimBrowser

The design is fantastically reminiscent of its relative Explorer 8. However, like its previous “brothers”, it surpasses it in the quality of functions: it effectively blocks ads, has a translator, interacts with Facebook, has a convenient download manager, and auto-fills account forms. According to many developers, it is considered a worthy browser for Windows, however, in reality it is rather a pleasant addition.

Browsers basedGecko

This engine is an open product that supports cross-platform, leaving the possibility of improving various programs.

Pale Moon

According to many users, it is the best in the family Gecko, captivates users with its efficiency when working with the device, has a similar, but still special interface to Mozilla Firefox, as well as the presence of advanced functions. It is important to consider that it is installed only on Windows Vista, XP, 2000, 7, 8x32, 8x64.

Waterfox

designed for high performance and acceleration of 64-bit systems, focused on speed, the latest versions of the browser use the Ecosia search engine.


Wyzo

one of the improved branches of Mozilla. It has integrated BitTorrent, has the best download manager, supports all Firefox extensions, and works on Windows and MacOS operating systems.

SeaMonkey

rather heavyweight brother of Mozilla. Its functionality contains all the features, most of which were removed from Mozilla Firefox, to make the latter more lightweight. With such a range of interesting and specific functions, the browser is slightly “limping” in terms of operation speed and processor load.

This concludes the review. We have tried to collect the most relevant and fresh data about web products for you, all you have to do is make the right choice. Read us and subscribe to the blog.

Alternative Browsers


is a beautiful, stylish browser from the Chinese company Qihoo Software, whose creators are also the developers of the fairly well-known antivirus 360 Total Security. It is a secure and user-friendly browser that provides users with an intuitive website browsing experience using the Webkit engine and support for the Trident engine. Its features:

  • thanks to multiprocessing, the browser will not crash;
  • relatively low RAM consumption compared to Chrome;
  • watching videos from Youtube without problems even in Windows XP;
  • actual support for older operating systems such as XP and 2000;
  • use of an outdated engine (69.0.3497.100) - as you know, for XP the latest version of Google Chrome is 50, Opera Software is 49;
  • the ability to use all applications from the Google store;
  • many built-in beautiful skins for the browser;
  • convenient settings;
  • customizing the layout of tabs (Chrome still doesn’t have this);
  • autofill forms and store passwords in a protected form;
  • built-in ability to take screenshots of HTML pages;
  • browser control using mouse gestures;
  • blocking flash elements on the page;
  • and many others.
  • Minuses: On the developer’s website you can only download the Chinese or English version of the browser. BUT! The problem can be solved by finding a cracker on the network, if necessary. Or you can translate the English localization file line by line. Also, there is no synchronization via Google, only your own Chinese one, but if you download your bookmarks, you can use it offline, but it’s convenient and fast
    Download 360 Security Browser from the office site for free, without SMS and registration.
    Download 360 Extreme Browser from the office site


    Download from. site free, no SMS or registration required.


    - unique Japanese a browser that can use any of the 3 render engines, namely Trident(based on Internet Explorer), Gecko (Firefox) And WebKit (Chrome). The user can choose which engine to use (and the browser itself can suggest which engine to use on a particular page, or you can specify which engine to use for a particular page, which is very convenient for developers to check the compatibility of the code being typed with browser engine). Besides, in Support for RSS and podcasts is implemented, and there is also recognition of mouse gestures, the use of plugins and add-ons, and much, much more.Features of Lunascape:

  • quick switching between 3 motors;
  • recommendation of the best engine;
  • assigning the engine to sites;
  • protection against freezes when loading fails;
  • mouse gesture support;
  • support for plugins and add-ons;
  • the ability to change skins;
  • autosave passwords and texts;
  • import settings from other browsers;
  • utility for reading RSS news;
  • ability to block pop-up windows;
  • support for working with proxies;
  • and much more.
  • Download from. site free, no SMS or registration required.
    English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Korean or Japanese version is also free and without registration.


    - the coolest Chinese multi-window browser built on the Trident and Webkit engines. And this is not another clone from the Chromium family, but an absolutely independent browser! It has a huge number of convenient options and additional functions (from viewing all web pages in one window to automatically closing pop-up advertising windows using Ad-Hunter), designed to make your online journey really fast, safe and as comfortable as possible. There is support for custom skins and plug-ins, the ability to work with external applications, etc. It is also worth mentioning a unique feature in this browser - a resource sniffer: with it you will not need any external add-ons to download music and/or videos from YouTube, Contact and other resources from which they usually cannot download special add-ons for other browsers. There is its own screenshot of pages, as well as support for mouse gestures. Tab synchronization built into the browser works incomparably and is 100 times cooler than in Chrome and even in Opera. It is possible to install third-party add-ons, for example, for Contact and Facebook, and/or listen to online radio in the browser (despite the fact that they are all produced by Chinese craftsmen (even for Contact!), they work stably). In general, don’t be lazy, set it up the way it’s convenient for you - and you’ll forget what it is "Chrome is always peeking and freezing (when installing a large number of add-ons)"

    Download from. site free, no SMS or registration required.

    Orca Browser - very fast, lightweight browser on the Gecho engine from FF with instant synchronization. There are many advantages - there are almost no disadvantages, one of them has ceased to exist relatively recently (the developers stopped supporting it in favor of the Avant browser, but Avant, in my opinion, is not so good).

    Download from [email protected] free, no SMS or registration required.


    Concerning "Sea Monkey", then it seemed to me that she was no faster , it's just that the interface is not so minimalistic. I think fans of Gecko browsers will 100% like one of these reviewers.

    Official Pale Moon website .
    Official SeaMonkey website .


    - a lightweight multi-platform Czech browser.uses the native control style of the Linux environment. And if, suddenly, you get tired of this view, or you have any problems, you can always change the current theme to another.combines bookmarks, stories and RSS feeds into one well-organized window.Thanks to the built-in RSS Reader, you can stay up to date with the latest news from your favorite sites. You can also import bookmarks from other browsers.If someone is tired of intrusive advertising on the Internet - already available with subscriptions against advertising built-in AdBlock with the ability to add your own filters.You can also now get quick access to your favorite website pages. Plus in built-in function of dragging bookmarks (as in Opera) and links (just drag a link and it will open in a new tab), as well as the ability to view the contents of tabs from the next one (done in a similar way at the Opera on Presto). Perhaps it could become a full-fledged replacement for those who used the browser Opera Presto, if it were more stable. But still - a very decent browser.

    Download from. site free, no SMS or registration required.


    SlimBoat Slimjet - a fast, multifunctional and stylish browser based on the WebKit engine. And what is equally important is not another Chrome clone, but an independent browser! As the developers claim, it is the use of WebKit that allows this browser to spend less time starting (and this is true), and also provides faster page browsing (also true). At the same time, the functionality and internal capabilities SlimBoat will delight the user with their diversity, allowing you to customize the browser to your liking without using additional plugins and extensions. At the same time, incl. in the settings, everything is very convenient, it won’t raise any big questions. The program is simple and intuitive to use; we can say that all the options are laid out on shelves, the layout of which is carefully thought out. Together with that reliability and security of using confidential data(logins, passwords) remains at a fairly high level. The version for Linux works especially well (from personal experience). Possibilities updated web browser :

  • built-in web form autofiller;
  • high-quality download manager;
  • full integration with the Muzzle-book network (Facebook);
  • ad blocker with memory retention;
  • grouping sites into groups with opening them all with one click;
  • competent automatic translation of web pages and text;
  • displaying current weather in the main browser window;
  • built-in quick search and the ability to add your own;
  • Pop-up blocker;
  • a set of different types of design - for Windows, Linux and Mac;
  • and much more.
  • Download from. site free, no SMS or registration required.
    Because Slimboat, Apparently, it is no longer supported, the description remained the same, because the developers transferred the main features to the new product, and the link to download the web browser updated.


    Tor Browser is a completely free browser that provides absolute anonymity on the Internet through the use of a distributed network of servers, which is organized by volunteers from all over the world. You will be completely protected from outside surveillance of your Internet connection. Its capabilities:

  • no one will know what sites you visited; Yandex, created on the basis of Chromium. Despite the apparent simplicity and similarity to its main brother, when studied in detail, the program is very different from Chrome browsers (the most modified browser, in my opinion, is a browser from the Chromium family) and has a number of useful functions, such as accelerated page loading on a slow connection (used based on Opera Turbo technology - I don’t know, maybe the Norwegians shared it?), the ability to quickly access the most frequently visited pages, the presence of a smart search bar, reliable protection against viruses (thanks to the built-in Yandex SafeBrowsing technology and the Kaspersky Lab system), integrated translator (nine languages ​​are currently supported, but are constantly being updated), easy transfer of settings and bookmarks from other browsers, etc. On the plus side: quite a lot for the Chrome browser. Among the disadvantages: if you have less than 2 GB of RAM, it’s better not to even install it, because it will gobble up all 2-3 GB of RAM and will not choke. Better put Opera or Slimboat.

    What's new in Yandex Browser from version 14:

    Download from. site free, no SMS or registration required.


    Download from. site You can do it for free, without SMS or registration.


    Buona fortuna! Download from official sources

    Choosing a browser for surfing the Internet is very much a matter of taste. Many users are ready to spend hours proving the advantages of their browser, but the offer is not very great. The “top” browsers are known to everyone - these are Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera and Safari. Even the most advanced users tend to prefer one of these developments.

    We decided to figure out what kind of injustice reigns in the virtual kingdom and whether there is at least some alternative to the giants of Internet surfing. What types of browsers there are and what their features are will be discussed in this review.

    What to expect?

    First, let's figure out what a browser is in principle and what potential alternative web browsers may have.

    As you know, the basis of browsers is the engine. The latter, in turn, is a program that converts the content of web pages into an interactive image with which the user has to deal. These engines can be either open source or closed - this is at the discretion of the developers and creators. If the engine is open source, programmers can use it to develop their own web browser. This is exactly what happened with Webkit (which served as the basis for Google Chrome), Gecko (Mozilla Firefox) and Trident (Internet Explorer). True, Trident is positioned as proprietary software. That is, in order to gain access to it, you need to agree with the developers. But this did not affect the decrease in the number of Explorer twins. Moreover, the Avant browser based on Trident managed to surpass its “big brother” due to an improved interface and advanced features. That's why we decided to make a selection of browsers that you may not have heard of, but which certainly deserve your attention.

    To make it easier to understand, we have groupedalternative Internet browsers, starting from the “most famous” representative of their technology.

    Our choice

    Having studied the work of alternative web browsers, we have identified the best for each engine.

    Based on Gecko (Mozilla Firefox), the most competitive will probably be Pale Moon. “Pale Moon” is filled with colors by the frantic speed with which he opens and loads websites.

    The strongest thread from Trident (Internet Explorer) is Avant Browser. In its latest versions, Avant includes the Trident, Gecko and Webkit engines at the same time, making it a universal browser that takes the best from IE, Mozilla and Chrome.

    Of all the WebKit-based browsers (Chrome), we liked it the most CoolNovo. He captivates with his “understanding” of mouse gestures. And in general, this product is really “cool” - working with it is comfortable and pleasant. It not only has all the characteristics of Google Chrome, but also has such improvements as an uncompromising ad blocker, a built-in download manager and a privacy protection module.

    We admit that our preferences are deeply and purely subjective. From all the variety of alternative browsers, you can choose a friend “to your taste and color”. Ready to experiment? Then go ahead!

    Gecko-based Web browsers (Mozilla Firefox)

    As you know, Mozilla Firefox uses the Gecko engine, which provides cross-platform functionality and support for open Internet standards. In addition, it is freely distributed, so it is successfully used in various software products.

    It is an optimized version of the browser for 64-bit systems - Windows 7 x64, Windows Vista x64, Windows 8 x64. This new browser is fast and not much different in functionality from Firefox. But it’s still worth trying this program for those who want to increase the performance of their 64-bit system.

    Pale Moon- this version of the browser is available exclusively for Windows (XP, 2000, Vista, 7, 8 x32/x64). Essentially, it is a faster and optimized version of Firefox. The developers tried to give the web browser not only proper acceleration, but also made some adjustments to the user interface. We recommend this fast browser to all users who want to test the strength of their hardware and appreciate its capabilities.

    SeaMonkey- this browser is based on the same project as Firefox, so they can rightfully be considered “siblings”. Their only difference is that SeaMonkey retained all the components that Firefox was deprived of in order to make the program as lightweight as possible. Thus, SeaMonkey has become a program that provides a full range of functions for working on the Internet. If you are the proud owner of Linux, MacOS or Windows and are willing to put up with low speed in exchange for additional program functions, then the multifunctional SeaMonkey “combine” is just for you.

    Wyzo- a browser based on one of the Firefox branches. If you don't like the updates in the fourth version of the program, you should pay attention to Wyzo. By the way, this browser can offer built-in support for the BitTorrent protocol. In addition, it has an improved file downloader and full compatibility with Firefox extensions and themes. The conclusion from all this is the following - if you have a MacOS or Windows operating system and you are quite happy with the Firefox 3.6 family, then the Wyzo browser is what you need.

    Trident-based Web browsers (Internet Explorer)

    Of all the existing browsers, Internet Explorer is the one that needs improvement the most. And although the latest versions of IE are distinguished by a stable and fast mechanism for processing Trident pages, the browser cannot boast of special functionality, or the introduction of new technologies. Therefore, IE-based products are of particular interest, as third-party developers have attempted to fix the browser's inherent shortcomings.


    Avant Browser- Internet Explorer wanted to become just as successful and multifunctional as a child. What is so good about our brother? Firstly, the browser is characterized by low resource consumption, built-in ad blocking and pop-up blocking. Secondly, it has a password manager, RSS feed reader and many other features. And most importantly, the browser can use any of the three engines installed in it - Trident, Gecko and Webkit. The user is asked to define one of them by default, and switch to others as needed (in the event that a given engine cannot correctly display the contents of a web page). In addition, the user will have the opportunity to “link” any engine to a specific site (switching will occur automatically). Overall, Avant Browser can be called the best option among IE-compatible web browsers. Users who value good localization and regular updates should definitely try out all the benefits of Avant Browser.

    Lunascape- this browser is not only exotic, but also unique. Japanese developers tried to endow it with a lot of useful features. The main thing that the web browser can boast of is the ability to use not only the Trident engine, but also WebKit and Gecko. Thus, the user can try the functions of the most popular browsers in one interface. Lunascape's capabilities are unique - from fixing a specific engine for displaying various sites, to changing the appearance using skins and a developed settings system. The browser runs exclusively on Windows OS. It will be a real discovery for users who love complex products that require deep learning. Lunascape is useful where there is a need to see the display of sites in different browsers.

    SlimBrowser the appearance strongly resembles IE 8, although it is regularly updated. But, unlike its brother, the program has a lot of popular functions. This includes a built-in translator, automatic filling of web forms, an ad blocker, support for skins, integration with Facebook, an advanced download manager and much more. By the way, this particular browser is one of twelve recommended for users of the European Economic Area. However, it can hardly be called an independent product. The developers consider it the best browser for Windows, but in essence, it is just a set of useful add-ons.

    GreenBrowser - another twin of Internet Explorer. Unlike its older brother, this web browser has advanced capabilities. Among them: URL aliases (instead of an address, you can enter the word of your choice), URL keys (hotkey combinations for opening certain sites), high-speed clearing of history and cookies, an integrated download manager. In addition, the developers have introduced a convenient feature in the form of a floating button with a capital letter “G”. You can drag it to any corner of the desktop, and when you right-click, use one of the options like download manager, saving the last opened page, or closing it. At the same time, the useful “G” point works even when the browser window is minimized to tray.

    Web browsers based on WebKit (Google Chrome)

    Such popular browsers as Google Chrome and Safari were created on the WebKit engine. Open source code allows you to use this engine in other projects. But in the spring of 2013, Google announced that it was moving to a new engine called Blink (starting with Chrome 28). Already in the summer of the same year, a stable version appeared. According to the developers, the modified Blink engine will remain open source, but it will be simplified by 8.8 million lines. Opera will also use it (since version 14).

    Chromium developed by the same company that makes Google Chrome. These computer browsers have a similar interface, run on the same engine, but still differ in a number of features. Unlike its brother, Chromium does not have an automatic update function, does not support Flash and some proprietary audio and video formats, and does not have a module for working with PDF. However, a browser with html5 support is ready to offer the user the latest experimental features that have not yet been implemented by developers in Google Chrome. Chromium is recommended for all owners of Linux, MacOS, and Windows operating systems who want to be one of the first to try out all the innovations and usefulness that will soon appear in Google Chrome.

    Comodo Dragon- a browser that pays special attention to the security of its users. Privacy is Google's weak point. Therefore, many alternative new browsers, such as Comodo Dragon, have made privacy and security their main advantage. The program uses a connection via a SecureDNS server, which blocks malicious sites and uses an advanced anonymous surfing mechanism. The browser is recommended for those who care about increasing their security and privacy of data on the Internet.

    RockMeIt- a godsend for those who like to hang out on social networks. Here you can chat with friends, receive account updates, and exchange information. The browser features additional panels that display buttons for connected social services. RockMeIt stores the user profile on Facebook servers. Therefore, to get started, you need to log into your account on this social network. The conclusion suggests itself - the RockMeIt browser needs to be tested by active participants in social networks, especially Facebook.

    Important: In April 2013, the developers announced that they were stopping work on the project due to the lag behind the pace of Chromium development. This means we won't see new versions of RockMeIt. But those who are interested in trying out this alternative can still download it.

    CoolNovo is an improved version of Chrome with the addition of various useful features for a comfortable work experience. This program was created by “our Chinese comrades”, who don’t feed them bread, just let them improve something. Under their strict guidance, the browser learned to understand mouse gestures, received a convenient download manager, a built-in ad blocker and many other functions. In addition, the program ensures the protection of the user's personal information. Such Chinese utilities will be useful to users who want to get an upgraded version of Google Chrome based on Linux, MacOS, and Windows operating systems.

    Maxthon- the oldest among the programs presented in this review. Developed eight years ago, the browser managed to change its engine from Trident to WebKit and became very popular among users. Good equipment and many convenient functions have made the browser so popular. Maxthon's capabilities allow you to customize the appearance using skins, block ads, and control mouse gestures. In addition, the browser has a built-in notepad, RSS reader, download manager, and automatic update service. But its main merit is that it has its own identity, that is, it is an independent project. Maxthon is a great alternative to browser favorites, all thanks to its convenience, speed and high functionality.

    Amigo - their creation developers from Mail. ru Group called a social browser. This “friend-guide” is maximally integrated with the social networks My World, VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, Facebook and Twitter . Friends lists, news and music - all this is displayed in a special sidebar and does not require opening the sites directly. And of course, the browser is equipped with proprietary services - a search engine, mail and similar “features”from Rambler, like its “colleagues”, has implemented its services in Google Chrome, thereby providing users with a simple, fast and reliable web browser. For a quick search, the same address bar is used. The browser supports dynamic tabs, has an incognito mode, and provides protection from program crashes and malicious sites.

    Summarizing

    In this review, we tried to present Internet browsers that are the most worthy among alternative browsers. Of course, some of them are only capable of performing certain highly specialized tasks. But others may well offer the user a wide range of unique capabilities. Each of these web browsers will certainly find its user, who will choose the best browser that has the necessary functions and capabilities.

    Some will be interested in the fastest Internet browser, some will prefer convenience, and some will choose the most versatile browser. Based on your needs, it is not difficult to determine which browser can best compete with the major browsers. However, special attention should still be paid to the Avant Browser and Maxthon browsers. They are significantly superior to their “colleagues” in having a number of original solutions. And most importantly, they can act as an independent web browser. Anyone can download new browsers for free and enjoy all their advantages.

    Creating a new browser today is easier than ever - there is Chromium, which you can fork and add any functionality. Companies do this according to the same logic by which toolbars were once created - this is just an attempt to hammer their brand into the user and force him to use other company products. But when independent developers do it, the product's goal is to make its mark in a virtually static browser market. Don't get me wrong - I don't believe you'll switch to one of the indie browsers. But it's interesting to see what they offer, isn't it?

    To switch or not?

    When it seems like everything that can be said in some area has already been said, trying to do something differently is breathtaking: at first you think it’s wild and utopian, but as a result you begin to look at market leaders in a new way. For the same reason, in the December issue ][ we talked about such “strange” mobile OSs as Tizen, Firefox OS or Maemo. Therefore, in my opinion, when talking about alternative browsers, it is incorrect to pose the question bluntly: to switch or not. No, you definitely won't cross over. But you can try to repeat the functionality you are interested in in your favorite browser - for this, in each case, I tried to select the appropriate extensions.

    The idea of ​​creating a browser that closely interacts with popular social networks has long been exciting the minds of developers. There were many attempts to create such a combine, but, perhaps, the Rockmelt company did a better job. No wonder they were able to receive serious financial investments.

    The project of the same name was launched in 2009 and immediately enlisted the support of one of the founders of Netscape. A year later, the first beta version, built on Chromium sources, was released, and in a short time it managed to gather a decent number of fans. The main feature of Rockmelt is its unobtrusiveness. Integration with Facebook and Twitter was implemented as additional functionality, and not an intrusive addition.

    Rockmelt may have had a bright future ahead of it, but in 2012 the developers shut down the desktop version and focused on creating an iOS app. Despite the drastic changes, the mobile application was born quickly and turned out to be quite interesting.

    So, we are offered a solution that is interesting primarily because of its interface. Browser control centers around a single input line. It is both an address bar and a navigator for various content groups. For example, you can select a specific topic and immediately receive a pack of thumbnails of new posts corresponding to it. The presence of additional gestures allows you to perform a number of operations (sharing, liking) with one click or swipe.

    Thus, together with the browser we get a content generator. At the same time, we have the opportunity to quite easily influence the conditions for issuing materials. You just need to go to any website and click on the “Follow” pimp. The resource is added to the watch list (RSS feed is taken into account), and new materials will appear in the personal news feed.

    Extensions:

    • Content generator. Plugin for Google Chrome Feedly;
    • New materials by category. Plugin for Google Chrome: StumbleUpon;
    • Interaction with social networks (publications, sharing, etc.). Plugin for Google Chrome: Buffer.

    SRWare Iron

    Project audience: conspiracy theory lovers

    The first releases of Google Chrome (as well as Chromium) caused a lot of noise. Users paid attention not only to the interesting interface and speed of operation, but also to a couple of clauses in the license agreement that deal a blow to privacy.

    After this, a boom in articles on the topic “Big Brother is watching you” began, eventually forcing Google to reconsider its ambitions. Despite this, Chrome still contains several functions that somehow violate the user's privacy.

    For example, everyone knows that immediately after installation, Google Chrome generates a unique identifier, which is transmitted to the company’s server. The "suggestions" function works in a similar way. All entered data is sent to Google for the purpose of providing search suggestions. The discussion about other nightmares is in roughly the same vein: the background update service, sending error reports, and so on.

    SRWare is ready to solve all the problems raised. In fact, this is the same Google Chrome, but with the language cut off. It does not transmit any information to the Google server, but also brings several nice features:

    • offline installer;
    • built-in ad blocker;
    • ability to change User-Agent.

    Verdict: The solution is primarily for conspiracy theorists. The browser has few additional functions, and all of them are implemented using appropriate extensions. As a result, it turns out that all the advantages come down to providing an additional level of privacy.

    CoolNovo

    Project audience: web developers, enthusiasts

    Another project that grew out of a Chromium fork, CoolNovo compares favorably with similar alternatives. Firstly, developers from the Middle Kingdom are setting ambitious goals for themselves, and not just creating another clone with a couple of additional extensions. Secondly, they position their solution as a full replacement for Google Chrome. The idea of ​​such a solution managed to win the hearts of users, and the browser itself received a number of awards.

    One of the most interesting and useful features is IE Tab. My main activity is partly related to the development of web applications, which means testing whether the layout is displayed correctly in browsers that use different rendering engines. IE Tab simplifies the testing process in Internet Explorer. It eliminates the need to launch a separate copy of IE, and allows you to change the rendering engine used for rendering with one click.

    Gesture controls also deserve special attention. At one time I got used to using similar functionality in Opera, and I must say that the implementation in CoolNovo is no worse.

    The developers share the same views on the inviolability of personal space as the guys from the SRWare Iron project. All secret transfers of information to the company’s servers are cut to the ground.

    Other most interesting features worth noting:

    • instant translation of pages into other languages ​​(using Google Translate);
    • taking screenshots of a page or selected area;
    • quick history clearing;
    • separate sidebar for placing frequently used widgets and extensions;
    • ad blocker.

    Verdict: CoolNovo has long been a leader among alternative Chromium-based builds. Today it continues to hold its position and remains a good solution for users who want to get a beefed-up browser out of the box. The only sad thing is that CoolNovo has been updated less frequently lately. If this continues, sooner or later a competitor in the form of Chrome will throw it out of the race.

    Extensions:

    • Fast and flexible cleaning of history, cookies and other network activity files. Plugin for Google Chrome Click&Clean Click&Clean ;
    • Link shortener. Plugin for Google Chrome URL Shortener;
    • Gesture control. Plugin for Google Chrome: CrxMouse or Gestures for Chrome;
    • Reading mode (without displaying pictures and unnecessary layout elements). Plugin for Google Chrome: iReader or Clearly;
    • Button for quick RSS subscription. Plugin for Google Chrome: RSS Subscription Extension;
    • Super drag. Plugin for Google Chrome: Super Drag;
    • Translator. Plugin for Google Chrome: Google Translate.

    Maxthon

    Project audience: All inclusive lovers

    Maxthon is one of those projects that has experienced a rebirth. He first saw the light in the early 2000s under the pseudonym MyIE. Back then it was a convenient wrapper for Donkey IE and a number of useful functions. It had a built-in download manager, tabs instead of separate windows, and other useful features.

    When Firefox and subsequently Google Chrome boomed, MyIE was forced into obscurity for a major overhaul. The total straightening brought it back with a new name, an updated set of functions and a completely different face.

    Today Maxthon is more like a powerful Internet center than just a browser. Under the hood of the adventure game there are already two engines - WebKit and Trident (used in Internet Explorer). Moreover, unlike most similar solutions, Maxthon is able to independently determine pages for which the use of Trident is more preferable (as a rule, these are old sites). I specifically took one old project out of the closet, adapted for viewing in IE, and tried to view it in Maxthon. Without thinking twice, the browser immediately switched the display to retro mode and rendered the page using Trident. In addition to working with two engines simultaneously, Maxthon’s greatest strengths are its own cloud and the availability of versions for mobile platforms (Android, iOS). Your own cloud not only allows you to store various small information such as browsing history, a list of open pages and similar things, but it is also quite suitable for storing files.

    For example, I was very pleased with the ability to save files from a web page to the cloud with one click. This function looks most beneficial when working on a mobile phone/tablet. The usefulness of Maxthon does not end there, but rather just begins. Among them:

    • Gesture support;
    • SuperDrop function, which simplifies interaction with the browser interface in the absence of a mouse;
    • ad blocker;
    • a completely redesigned application interface (not another Chrome clone);
    • simultaneous processing of search results from several search servers;
    • viewing pages in reading mode (without unnecessary information);
    • saving videos from YouTube;
    • mute sound on any page;
    • simultaneous viewing of several tabs in one window;
    • download manager;
    • own extension store;
    • setting an arbitrary refresh time for open pages;
    • night surfing mode. When this mode is activated, Maxthon darkens the bright background of pages, thereby reducing eye strain;
    • increased productivity and much more.

    Verdict: Maxthon will appeal to both casual users and hardcore geeks looking for new adventures. The presence of versions for mobile platforms and a full-fledged personal cloud are two key features that allow Maxthon to surpass many competitors. Add to this good performance, numerous victories in tests for compliance with web standards, and we get an almost ideal, but little-known browser.

    Extensions:

    • Retro mode (page rendering using the IE engine). Plugin for Google Chrome: IE Tab ;
    • Taking screenshots. Plugin for Google Chrome: Webpage ScreenShot;
    • Night mode. Plugin for Google Chrome: Hacker Vision or Turn Off the Lights for comfortable viewing of videos;
    • Password storage. Plugin for Google Chrome: LastPass;
    • Ad blocker. Plugin for Google Chrome: AdBlock;
    • Built-in notepad with the ability to store notes in the cloud. Plugin for Google Chrome: Memo Notepad;
    • Resource sniffer. Plugin for Google Chrome: Web Developer.

    Project audience: lovers of everything fresh

    Chromium became the father of many webkit-based browsers. It forms the foundation of almost every new browser, and it is hardly possible to shake its dominant position.

    So, you probably already know that it is on this project that all new products are tested before they get to Google Chrome. Support for new HTML5 features, corrections of terrible bugs, new interface features - all this is primarily received by Chromium users. Unfortunately, the frequency of updates comes at the price of stability. Major problems that prevent you from working normally with the browser are rare, but accurate.

    It is quite difficult to single out some original interface features or capabilities, since they are largely the implementation of new HTML5 features and are relevant for web developers, not mere mortals.

    Nevertheless, Chromium still has a number of differences that can interest the average user. For example:

    • no error reporting;
    • the RLZ identifier is not transferred to the company servers;
    • there is no Updater hanging in the background;
    • Only open and free media formats are supported;
    • productivity is very high.

    Verdict: A special version of Google Chrome for enthusiasts and geeks. Everything new appears here, and these user groups will definitely like it. Chromium is unlikely to be suitable for mere mortals, since this is a product primarily for testing. And there are few users eager to be the first to test, say, the Battery API.

    Avant Browser

    Project audience: web developers

    The primary goal of the Avant Browser developers is to provide users with an easy way to combine the work of engines within one application. It would seem that the task is not easy, but looking at Avant Browser, you are convinced of the opposite. The developers were not only able to bring together all the popular engines under one wrapper, but also came up with an easy way to switch between them. Changing the rendering engine is done in a couple of mouse clicks.

    This is where the super useful functions end, and what remains are typical for such solutions:

    • a simple cloud storage capable of storing RSS subscriptions, favorites, passwords and other information;
    • ad/popup blocker;
    • creating screenshots of pages;
    • simple implementation of gesture control;
    • creating aliases for pages, with which you can quickly go to frequently visited sites;
    • built-in RSS reader;
    • mail client.

    Verdict: Avant Browser cannot be considered as a full-fledged application for everyday use. This is more of a specialized solution that can serve web developers well, but not the average user. There are simply no other interesting features in Avant Browser.

    05/01/2019 17:33


    Each person has unique tastes, preferences, and requirements. If one thing gets tested by a hundred people, each will give a different result. Some opinions will be similar, others will differ and this is natural. In the software field everything is exactly the same. A browser is a program that a person uses to surf the Internet. We run it every day, so it’s important to choose a convenient browser that will meet all the requirements.
    Using the browser, you can search for any information, listen to music, watch movies, and play your favorite games. Any rating will be controversial, but let's try to rank the best browsers. In this article you will look at the criteria for choosing a good browser for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10. We will study in detail the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. Based on our rating, you will be able to choose a good browser for yourself.

    Google Chrome 1st place


    This is the most popular browser that exists today. The program can be called the best and fastest on the Windows operating system. Its opening took place in 2008. Chrome was based on the popular Safari browser at that time, made on the WebKit engine. Formally, it was crossed with the V8 javascript engine. Subsequently, this hybrid was renamed Chromium. Such famous companies as Google, Opera Software, as well as Yandex and several other large developers participated in further development. Google was the first to create its own version of the browser on Chromium. A year later, it was installed on 3.6% of computers worldwide. He began to quickly gain popularity, today he is the undisputed leader and occupies 42.21%. It is worth noting that the majority are smartphones that come with a pre-installed browser.

    Advantages:

    1. High speed. Chrome is significantly superior to its competitors in terms of browser speed, as well as processing of displayed resources. In addition, there is a convenient function for preloading pages, this further increases the speed of work.
    2. Safety. The company has implemented reliable technologies that ensure the safety of using the browser. They continue to actively develop. The browser has a database of phishing and malicious resources, which is updated regularly. The browser works according to a unique scheme in such a way that not a single process is used, but several at once, but with lower privileges. Downloading files with .bat, .exe or .dll resolution requires additional confirmation, which reduces the chances of downloading a virus.
    3. There is an "Incognito" mode. This is a very convenient feature when you need to view a large number of sites, but not leave traces of their visit on your computer.
    4. Thoughtful interface. It is quite simple and contains everything you need, without unnecessary elements. Chrome is the first browser to offer quick access. On the panel you can see the most visited resources. Another feature is the joint use of the address bar and the search engine. Later this feature was implemented in other browsers.
    5. Stable work. Recently, there have been no such cases when Google Chrome experienced glitches or was very slow. This can only happen if there are viruses in the system. In many ways, security and stability are improved by using multiple processes that are separated from each other. If one of them stops working, the others continue to function.
    6. There is a task manager in the "Additional tools" menu. Almost no one knows about this feature. Thanks to this convenient tool, you can track how many resources an entire tab or a separate plugin takes up. You can find and fix the source of the problem if the application starts to slow down.
    7. Large selection of extensions, many of which can be downloaded for free. There are also many plugins and themes available. The browser can be customized depending on personal preferences, which is very convenient.
    8. It is possible to automatically translate pages. Google Translator is used for this.
    9. The program is updated automatically without disturbing the user.
    10. Search queries can be specified by voice, for this purpose the service “ OK Google».
    Flaws:
    1. Starting with version 42.0, support for NPAPI plugins was stopped, including the fairly popular Flash Player.
    2. For the application to run smoothly, you need at least 2 GB of RAM.
    3. Most of the extensions and plugins are made in a foreign language.
    4. A significant load on the hardware contributes to the short battery life of laptops and smartphones.
    I've been using Chrome for quite a long time, and as my main browser. During the entire period of work, he did not cause any serious complaints. Its integration into the system of other Google services is very convenient. One account can unite your computer and mobile device, and there is the possibility of continuous synchronization.
    I don’t like the fact that all user data is stored on American servers (most likely now the data is stored on Russian servers). Mail, personal contacts and search information are stored there. True, we should not exclude the possibility that other browsers do the same. You need to take precautions whenever possible, then you will have nothing to fear. If you do not want to disclose your own data, but still continue to use Chrome, then use SlimJet or SRWare Iron, we will talk about them below.

    Yandex.Browser 2nd place


    The browser has the shortest history; it was opened in 2012. It is extremely popular in Russia. The browser supports integration with Yandex services, which are very convenient to use. The default search engine is Yandex. The interface turned out to be quite original, even though it was created on the Chromium engine. The quick launch panel immediately catches your eye. It is made in a tiled style.


    The user can place up to 20 tiles. The browser uses a “Smart String”, which not only transmits the entered phrase to the search engine, but also automatically selects the required site if the name matches. Unfortunately, so far this function only works with large resources. Mouse manipulation is supported, with which you can control the viewing of web pages with simple movements.

    Advantages:


    Flaws:

    1. Not everyone will like the original interface.
    2. Linking to various Yandex services. Without them, the program is deprived of many features.
    3. Rarely, but still problems arise with transferring settings and history.
    Not everyone will like the new interface, because it is radically different from its competitors. It will take some time to get used to such features.

    Mozilla Firefox 3rd place


    Now Mozila is the most popular foreign browser, and in Russia it ranks third. Over the past few years, it has begun to lose ground, but only slightly. The first version of the program appeared in 2004, since then there have been many changes. The application engine is Gecko - it is freely available and continues to be improved by developers. Formally, this is the first browser that had a huge base of extensions even before the advent of Chrome. He was among the first to implement the maximum confidentiality regime that Google invented.

    Advantages:

    1. A simple and very convenient interface with no unnecessary details.
    2. A convenient settings system that allows you to radically change your browser, customizing it to your liking.
    3. A large number of various plugins. They can be chosen to suit every taste, because at the moment there are more than 100,000 of them.
    4. Cross-platform. The browser can be downloaded for any operating system that is used on modern technology.
    5. Reliability. I have found myself in situations where the user caught a banner that blocked all browsers, but Firefox continued to function.
    6. Maximum level of security and privacy of personal data.
    7. Convenient bookmarks bar.
    8. The program may refuse to allow various websites to track information about you. You can set up private browsing. In addition, there is a Master Passwords feature that further protects your entries on certain resources.
    9. Updates occur in the background without the need for user intervention.
    Flaws:
    1. Compared to Chrome, the interface is a little slower and takes longer to respond to user manipulations.
    2. Performance is average;
    3. Lack of script support on some resources, as a result of which the content may not function properly.
    4. The application requires a large amount of RAM to run.

    Opera 4th place


    This is the oldest browser, which was opened back in 1994. I started using it about 15 years ago, and I still use it as needed. Until 2013, Opera had its own engine, but now Webkit+V8 is used. The exact same technology is used in Google Chrome. In 2010, the company opened a mobile version of the program. Now it is the fourth most popular browser in Russia, and in the world it ranks sixth.

    Advantages:

    1. Excellent speed of operation and page display. The browser's features include a turbo mode, which significantly increases page loading speed through the use of cloud technologies. At the same time, traffic is saved significantly, which is very important when using the mobile version.
    2. There is a convenient express panel with saved bookmarks. This is a modified Speed ​​Dial tool that we saw in previous versions of the browser.
    3. Opera Link technology, which is needed to synchronize different devices.
    4. Lots of hotkeys for easy control.
    5. Opera Unite Internet browser.
    Flaws:
    1. To work effectively, you need a large amount of RAM. If you open several tabs at the same time, Opera will start to slow down. Even the reliable Chrome engine does not improve the situation.
    2. On many sites, scripts and various forms are observed to work incorrectly. There are a large number of complaints when working with WML.
    3. Stability cannot be called the browser's strong point. The company was never able to get rid of periodic crashes and freezes.
      4. Own bookmarking system, nicknamed “Piggy Bank”. This is quite an interesting solution, but it is poorly implemented.
    I use Opera only as an additional browser. The "Turbo" function is useful when working with a modem, because in this case it combines high page display speed and savings in traffic consumption. Using Unite technology, you can turn your browser into a real server. On it you can provide access to a variety of files, exchange SMS notifications and photographs. The files are stored on the PC and become accessible only when the program is launched. This is an excellent replacement for Chrome if for some reason you do not want to use it.

    K-Meleon 5th place


    This application began to be developed back in 2000. In fact, it is a relative of Mozilla Firefox; they use the same engine. You may ask why he was included in the rating if they are practically the same? The fact is that they have strong differences. For example, today K-Meleon is the lightest browser for the Windows system. Such results were achieved thanks to the features of its development. Initially, the program was only supposed to demonstrate the capabilities of the new engine. As a result, the company was able to achieve economical consumption of PC resources.

    Advantages:

    1. Small requirements for PC resources, including a low amount of RAM.
    2. Using the native Windows interface, which significantly saves time and resources spent on the interface.
    3. High speed.
    4. Good personalization options, and you don't need to use third-party extensions for this. Everything is arranged using macros. It will be difficult for a beginner to master, but you can figure it out in your free time.
    5. There is a large selection of assemblies. You can choose an extension with the desired set of functions.
    6. You can create multiple profiles for different users.
    Flaws:
    1. Quite a clumsy interface. If you compare it with the Top 5 leaders, then this browser has a too simple design.
    2. Rarely, there are problems with displaying the Cyrillic alphabet, but the situation has been corrected in recent updates.
    This is the best option for weak PCs. The browser will function normally on an old laptop running the Windows XP operating system. You will be able to enjoy comfortable Internet surfing. And it will work even better on modern hardware. Many professionals use it, considering it the best browser. This should not be surprising, because in some respects K-Meleon is superior to its competitors.

    Internet Explorer

    This is a free browser that comes with integrated Windows software. The development was carried out by Microsoft from 1995 to the present day. Therefore, the browser was one of the most popular in Russia, but then Chrome appeared. Now he has lost a lot of his position and ranks 5th in popularity. The reason can be considered the completion of its development. Along with Windows 10, the company's development, Spartan, was released.
    Throughout the history of the browser, it was never considered the best; everyone knew about a large number of vulnerabilities that were exploited by various viruses. For a very long time it was the weak point of every computer running the Windows operating system. The situation changed for the better with the release of Internet Explorer 10, which is included with Windows 8. All the holes in it were corrected and, subject to certain rules, the browser was considered safe.
    Version 11 appeared along with the Windows 8.1 update, it is the latest in the line. In terms of speed, it can be compared with its competitors, but is still slightly inferior to them. Now there is a privacy mode, a preliminary rating, and caching is also supported, which allows you to increase the speed of the browser. Despite successful innovations, the browser is only losing its position. In my work, I use Internet Explorer only to log into the web interface of my home router and other network equipment. There is a simple explanation for this: this is the browser developers use, so the markup is designed for it. It is better to use another browser to view Internet resources.

    Now there are many browsers that we did not mention in our review. We've presented our picks for the best browsers, but everyone may have a different opinion. The review represents only those reviewers that I have encountered. They are completely free to download and use without any restrictions. The current version can be found on the official website. If you can suggest decent browsers that should be in the Top 5, then indicate your options in the comments.



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