In the world of internet browsers you have lots of choices. There is a lot of opinions about which one is the best and which one you should use. This article will give you the highlights and downsides of each browser so that you can make an educated decision as to which browsers are right for you.
What browsers are out there?
Currently there are 4 major browsers that make up over 98% of the North American market. (statcounter.com, June 2010)
- Internet Explorer 54% Current version: 8
- Firefox 30% Current version 3.6
- Safari 8% Current version: 4
- Chrome 6 % Current version: 5
If you are not using the most current version of any of these browsers you should upgrade to decrease your security risks and ensure that you have the most current features.
Don’t know what browser or version you have? Check your browser version
Internet Explorer 8
Internet Explorer has been the most-used browser in the world since 1999 when it started to outpace Netscape Navigator as the standard. Since then it has stayed the mainstream leader.
One of the primary benefits with Internet Explorer 8 is its seamless integration into Windows 7. New tabs are automatically shown as separate windows in your task bar when hovering over the Internet Explorer icon. The other benefit of Internet Explorer 8 is that most web designers have to develop with this browser in mind. This means almost all websites support Internet Explorer 8.
The primary disadvantage of Internet Explorer is that it is considered slower and more resource intensive than other browsers on the market. The other drawback to Internet Explorer is its security. Though it is considered just as secure as other browsers it is more frequently the target of attacks. This means you have to update it more often to keep your version secure.
Firefox 3.6 (4.0 released June 14, 2010)
Firefox is owned and run by the Mozilla Foundation which is a non-profit organization located in California. Firefox has had a host of innovative features which has contributed to its dominance as the “alternative to Internet Explorer” in the marketplace.
The advantage of Firefox is the speed at which it incorporates new features. Many of the new features are automatically added to your version as soon as they come out. There are also lots of Firefox plug-ins (third-party enhancements) to meet specific needs.
The disadvantage to Firefox is that it is not as well-supported as Internet Explorer. Their support is increasing as their market share climbs and most web designers try to accommodate Firefox.
Safari 4
Safari’s popularity is mostly due to it being standard on all Apple computers, though its PC version has gained some popularity.
Safari’s claim to fame is the way it looks, and the way it makes web pages look. The text will look smoother; the forms will look nice and clear and even the buttons look better. It is also one of the fastest browsers available.
The main disadvantage of Safari is its limited support. Older websites and webware are notorious for having issues with Safari and if you are not web savvy this will be frustrating.
Chrome 5
Chrome is one of Google’s many products. It has been increasing market share steadily since its launch in 2008.
Chrome is the fastest and lightest-weight browser out there. What this means for you is that web pages will run faster and it doesn’t take a powerhouse computer to run it. In fact, it uses less memory than its competitors. One thing unique to Chrome is that if one website crashes it doesn’t crash all of the other websites you have open.
The disadvantage to Chrome is similar to Safari, it just isn’t supported by everything. It also has a very limited number of plug-ins.
Final Thoughts
All four browsers have their place in the market. You may love the look of Safari, the support of Internet Explorer, the innovation of Firefox, or the speed of Chrome. There is no bad choice. However, there is a choice – so give another one a shot and see what you think!
